The Cunningham C-2R was a sports racing car developed in 1951 by the B. S. Cunningham Company. A team of three cars were entered in the 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Cunningham C-2R
ConstructorB. S. Cunningham Company
SuccessorCunningham C-4R
Technical specifications
EngineChrysler FirePower V8 331 cu in (5.4 L) Front
TransmissionCadillac 3 + reverse Manual
Competition history

History

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The C-2R was the successor to the C-1. Three C-2 cars were built, all to racing specifications, and getting the "R" designation. The C-2R's front suspension used Ford parts, while the rear suspension had Oldsmobile springs and the brake system used Cadillac components. Unable to secure a supply of the Cadillac engine that had been used in the C1, Cunningham substituted a version of the Chrysler FirePower Hemi V8 in the C-2R.

Motorsports

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The C-2R debuted at Le Mans in 1951.[1][2] All three cars were entered, driven by teams John Fitch and Phil Walters, George Rand and Fred Wacker Jr., and Briggs Cunningham and George Huntoon. Two of the three cars ended up retiring on lap 76 and 98 (9 and 11 hours), respectively, after an accident. Although the third car, with drivers John Fitch and Phil Walters, managed to complete 223 laps, they were not classified. They did finish, and placed 18th in class.[3][4][5][6][7]

References

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  1. ^ Boddy, Bill (June 1951). "The new Cunningham". Motor Sport. p. 296.
  2. ^ "RUMBLINGS". Motor Sport. May 1951. p. 229.
  3. ^ "Cunningham C-2R". Racing Sports Cars.
  4. ^ "All Results of Cunningham C-2R". Racing Sports Cars.
  5. ^ Berman, Lawrence W. (16 September 2019). "Cunningham C2R #5104". www.briggscunningham.com.
  6. ^ Dorrington, Leigh (6 August 2006). "1951 Cunningham C2R: One-Owner Hemi". Autoweek.
  7. ^ Lyons, Pete (14 November 2019). "Cunningham Sports Cars — 1951 C-2R". www.briggscunningham.com.