This car shown here is certainly one that deserves a bit more attention, the 2001 Cunningham C7 Concept Car, photographed here by @dtrockstar1! If you haven’t heard of this car, there’s a chance you may have seen it magazines or other forms of publications throughout the years. The C7 first made an appearance at the 2001 Detroit Motor Show and was a project that was built by the son and grandson of American entrepreneur, racer, constructor and sportsman Briggs Cunningham II. The project was spearheaded by both Briggs Cunningham III and Swiss-American automotive executive Bob Lutz and was put into action in the year 2000. The initial plan was to produce a limited number of 2+2 Touring coupés with some promising performance, safety, technological and luxury features such as a 600hp V12 engine, all-wheel drive, carbon fiber or aluminum body panels, and more. The styling for the C7 was the work of designer Stewart Reed and the inspiration behind the look was the Cunningham C-4R of 1952. By the year 2001, at the Detroit Motor Show, the group had a fiberglass concept car ready for display which was built by Special Projects of Livonia, Michigan. This unfortunately was the only C7 to ever be constructed in general, a singular, non-running mock-up that only gave us a glimpse at what could’ve been. The reason behind the cancellation of the project was due to a bit of confusion on the corporate side of things. Due to lack of funds and other mishaps, the entire Cunningham project was canceled as of September of 2003, leaving just one concept car to be built. The initial idea to revive Cunningham and create a modern car under the name was thought up by writer and former racer Lawrence (Larry) Black. Although progress was made and the single car was shown in Detroit in 2001, ultimately, mostly due to inner politics surrounding the idea, the entirety of the project was shelved. A convertible variation of the C7 was also planned, but neither the coupé nor convertible modern-day Cunningham cars were ever built.
How many made? 1
Debut: 2001 Detroit Auto Show
Top Speed: n/a
0-60mph: n/a
Photo Credit: @dtrockstar1
Research: @rarecarsonly