Folks Of Interest The Briggs Cunningham Dream

Nice article on two iconic Americans, Briggs Cunningham and the Corvette.

We should also never forget those who went before:

jack vines

 

“Two of the Corvettes crashed out and the last finished first in class, but only 8th overall.”

“Only” 8th overall?? Respectfully I think this comment diminishes the genius of Briggs and effort by GM/Duntov to make a “pig” of a car (1960 Corvette performance wise) the 24hrs of Le Mans Class WINNER in its 1st year of competition. I think it’s a given that it’s near impossible to beat 7 other cars in a much faster class. Considering the daunting circumstances this was a major accomplishment and milestone in American racing history.

P.S. of course the Ford GT40s were better all around race cars but “production” car terms used loosely.

 

Surely, you jest?

 

Interesting choice of wording by Briggs given his achievement. I was aware that he scrapped the whole program afterward due to his dissatisfaction with the performance. Thanks for clarifying.

 

All three cars are accounted for, 2 fully restored and one in the process.

 

Agreed.

Please keep the Briggs stories coming. Maybe my favorite content so far on this site and that’s saying a lot.

 

Sorry to come off like a smart ass. I have followed the trail of these three Corvettes for a long time, I guess I thought everyone did. I am wondering about something. All three cars were obtained from the same dealer. Does anyone know if all three were white fuel cars when new? With no trim tag you really can't tell. Are there any pictures when Briggs got them?

 

The "need for speed" is a very addictive drug and he sure had it. Thanks for a great thread.

 

The # 1 car above that crashed is actually the #3 car that won class at Lemans. This wreck was at Sebring and the car was repaired in time for the run at Lemans. Good question Doug on whether they were fuel cars- I always assumed they were but not sure. Maybe I have something in my notes. They also ran another car under the Camoradi banner and that car has survived as well. I am pretty sure the #3 car was painted red with white coves and was being used as a daily driver of sorts in St Louis in the 80s(maybe 90s). I think I read Chip Miller found out the VIN numbers and tracked it down and gave the owner like $30,000 which was the going rate at the time. Going off my memory but I think that is what went down. I am not sure I would like to drive a solid axle Vette at a high rate of speed for long hours with what is basically a 1949 Chevrolet chassis. Cool though that they were able to win class.

 

I found a note that all three Briggs cars were fuel injected big brake cars with quick ratio steering and had been purchased from Don Allen Chevrolet. I believe they were outfitted with the 37 gallon tanks after the purchase, although it is possible they were "tanker" cars from the factory.

 

^^^ everyone thinks of Ferrari great handling but they actually had solid rear axles for many years. First road car with independent rear was 1966. Will need to check their race cars in more detail

 

Yes, all 3 Cunningham cars were injected as well as the # 4 car

 

I am just guessing here but wouldn't that prove Chevrolet was involved? 4 white cars with fuel at the same time to one dealer?

 

For true. The Ferrari race cars were smaller, lighter, with aluminum engines. They did not win on speed or power, but on the combination and reliability.

jack vines, who has driven a Ferrari and a Corvette of that vintage and the Corvette is by far the better street car.

 

Doug I believe Chevrolet was involved and surely Duntov assisted and had a hand in the cars being well equipped. As you also may know the AMA's "Gentleman's Agreement" of 1957 (reacting to the horrific Mercedes crash at Lemans in 1955) played a role in Chevrolet going underground to an extent. Add into the equation that GM was under scrutiny at the time for being a monopoly didn't help either. Would have been nice to have someone at the helm of GM that was not a pantywaister.

 

This is the type of thing that should have been in the book Chevrolet Racing? by Van Vulkenburgh

 

Ryan how about a story on Briggs first car the 1927 Packard Roadster he built after working at the proving grounds in Detroit during his college days while getting his engineering degree at Yale. It is in the REVS Museum and in original unrestored condition. I consider it to be the first "Hot Rod, no fenders, front frame mounted headlamps, cud down doors, straight eight, four-wheel brakes and was supposed to have been 120 MPH car.

 

My favorite Cunningham car (along with his Austin-Healey 100S) has to be the Cunnigham C4R-K, possibly the meanest looking car to ever grace a race track. If you're ever in the Naples, FL area, a visit to the Revs Institute to see the Cunningham collection is well worth it.

 

Certainly I believe Duntov was heavily involved but I think Alfred Momo was the Ken Miles of that effort.

 

The best car museum I've ever been to (not many), was the Cunningham one in Orange County years ago. Maybe 80 cars or so, every one different in so many ways. And after a couple of hours, you could remember most of them. {Some really strange V-8 60 F-head(?) engine.} No overkill in numbers as was the time I went to Harrah's. Made it thru the first building in a couple hours, wore me down, saw "restorations" that I knew were wrong -- mainly Model As. Plus the "curator" fired up an alcohol-burning 'teen Formula One car and rattled the rafters. Too bad it's gone -- all you guys woulda liked it.