Rare Car Archive

Makes › Cunningham United States › C-2R (1950) · Coachbuilt

Cunningham
C-2R (1950)

Cunningham sports-racer built for the 1950 Le Mans 24 Hours, reportedly three built.

Still being researched: why it matters, identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

IDENTIFICATION CARD · CUNNINGHAM C-2R (1950)
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
?ProductionNot yet verified
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
Not yet verified
Years
Not yet verified
Engine
V8, inclined pushrod overhead valve · 5,428 cc / 5.4 LFactory: 5,428 cc
Power
134 kW / 182 PSFactory: 180 hp · converted
Top speed
Not yet verified
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed Production figure not yet verified.
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

No production figures recorded yet.

History

The Cunningham was an American sports car built by Briggs Cunningham for the 1951 season. It used a welded steel tubular chassis and a Chrysler V8, and a team of them was entered for the 1951 Le Mans 24 Hours. Motor Sport reported in spring 1951 that the car was likely to go into production; the cached sources do not record a production run.

The Racing Sports Cars archive credits the marque with two race wins, both by chassis 5102: a win at Elkhart Lake with John Fitch and a win at Watkins Glen with Phil Walters. Chassis 5102 to 5104 are the cars that appear in its 1951 results.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard C-2R (1950).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyChrysler V81 Independently researched
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutV8, inclined pushrod overhead valve1 Independently researched
Cylinders81 Independently researched
Displacement 5,428 cc / 5.4 LFactory: 5,428 cc1 Independently researched
Bore 96.8 mmFactory: 96.8 mm1 Independently researched
Stroke 92.1 mmFactory: 92.1 mm1 Independently researched
Compression ratio7.5:11 Independently researchedFigure is for the standard engine; modified Chrysler or Cadillac engines were optional.
Fuel systemNot yet verified
Power 134 kW / 182 PSFactory: 180 hp · converted1 Independently researchedSource states bhp.
Power at 4,000 rpm1 Independently researched
Torque 423 NmFactory: 312 lb-ft · converted1 Independently researched
Torque at 2,000 rpm1 Independently researched

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox3-speed synchromesh manual1 Independently researchedSource says gear ratios and a two-speed or overdrive unit were optional.
Gears31 Independently researched
Driven wheelsrear1 Independently researched

Chassis, body & dimensions

Chassiswelded steel tubular chassis1 Independently researched
Front suspensioncoil springs and wishbones with dual hydraulic dampers1 Independently researched
Rear suspensionde Dion axle1 Independently researchedRear springing is not stated in the cached article.
Brakeshydraulic drum brakes, 12 in front and 11 in rear1 Independently researched
Steeringworm and roller1 Independently researched
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,670 mmFactory: 105 in · converted1 Independently researchedSource states 8 ft 9 in.
Length 4,340 mmFactory: 171 in · converted1 Independently researchedSource states 14 ft 3 in.
Width 1,780 mmFactory: 70 in · converted1 Independently researchedSource states 5 ft 10 in.
Height 1,020 mmFactory: 40 in · converted1 Independently researchedHeight is to the top of the scuttle, not the overall roof height. Stated as 3 ft 4 in.
Front track 1,470 mmFactory: 58 in · converted1 Independently researchedSource gives one track figure (4 ft 10 in) without a front or rear split. Stated as 4 ft 10 in.
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weightNot yet verified
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speedNot yet verified
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    The new Cunningham Level C Bill Boddy · Motor Sport Magazine
    • the new Chrysler V8
    • inclined push-rod o.h.v.
    • 5,428-c.c. engine
    • 96.8 by 92.1 mm
    • compression-ratio of 7.5 to 1
    • develops 180 b.h.p. at 4,000 r.p.m.
    • 312 lb. ft. torque is delivered at 2,000 r.p.m.
    • three-speed synchromesh gearbox
    • de Dion back axle
    • welded-up steel tubing
    • Front suspension is by coil springs and wishbones
    • 12 in. dia. front and 11 in. dia. rear drums
    • worm and roller steering
    • its wheelbase only 8 ft. 9 in.
    • 14 ft. 3 in. long
    • 5 ft. 10 in. wide
    • 3 ft. 4 in. to top of scuttle
    • with a track of 4 ft. 10 in.
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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