Hey Larry, My name is Luke and I worked for Larry Black at cunningham in 2000 and 2001. I came onboard just as the Martin Swig #2 car was being finished and delivered on the eve of the CannonBall-Baker Rally. It was definetley on of the most unique places to work. Ive driven your car many times and youre absolutley right on the "wow" factor. That thing was/is an animal! Its a shame things ended the way they did with that project, but the memories I have and the things i learned will endure forever. Ive got a pile of pics from that place, ive just got to get off my ass and scan them.
well that is pretty darned cool! Look forward to more info and of course, pictures. Larry, neat avatar, what is the story with that?
It's a miracle! Miniutes after I write my little note I hear back from Luke who was involved in the construction of these cars. Thanks Luke! I'll get back to you via PM very soon. The Swig car is now owned by Peter Hosmer in NH. As you point out, I believe it was the second production car, the first one having gone to Bob Williams in Chicago, who at one time owned the original "Sebring" C4R now in the Simeone Collection. I think the third car went to Lutz and the forth car -- my car (which was actually the knock-around prototype) -- was cleaned up and sold to Terri Henning following the death of her husband, Ed. So my car was actually the "first" car built (prototype) and last car sold. Does that sound right to you? Hi Fur Biscuit. My avatar is a photo from the side of my 1959 Watson Indy Roadster, "Simoniz Spl. #16". The original owner, Lindsey Hopkins, was an amature magician -- hence the rabbit and hat. The rabbit's name is "Thurston". Lindsey alway liked to say "If you think it's hard to pull a rabbit out of a hat, you ought to try to put one in the hat!". Hopkins raced for 30 years at Indy but never won the 500.
What a great site! Larry posts pics and story about his continuation C4 and within 12 minutes Luke, who worked on the car responds. Plus, Larry has a front engine Indy car! DW
This was posted so long ago and probably is a shot in the dark. But it never hurts to ask. We own most of Briggs Cunningham's original collection.(we have his C1 prototype, C-3, C-4R, C-4RK, C5R, C-6R and even his electric tow cart) We also house over 1 million photos, ephemera, trophy's, etc. We are always looking to add to our collection. Especially anything related to Cunningham. Any chance you still have the collection or are interested in selling it? Like I said this is such an old post, but one never knows......
wow...the collier collection pops up here. think you should post some MG pictures, since you house some of the most legendary. Oh, and some Mors stuff, cause i know you are a good chap.
Yep Briggs Cunningham, Sidney Allard and Frank Curtis all had the idea way before Shelby about European bodies and big American V/8's.
Be sure to check out the Feature on the DO Fronty Briggs Cunningham owned in 1933 over on The Old Motor website. Bob http://theoldmotor.com/?p=105600
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