- A rare and early American built automobile
- A mere four owners since the 1930s
- Former resident of the noted B.C. Hartline Collection
- A powerful and elegant CCCA Full Classic®
LOT 355
Selling on Saturday
From the Passport Collection; Coachwork by James Cunningham, Son & Company
1925 Cunningham Series V-6 Phaeton
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
Dating back to 1838, James Cunningham, Son and Company was a pioneering force in automobile production and is credited with being one of the world's first developers and manufacturers of automobiles. And in 1916, they would become one of the first carmakers to produce an American V-8 engine. Located in Rochester, New York, they began manufacturing horse-drawn coaches before turning to automobiles. A reputation for only building the best, only the wealthiest and most discerning buyers of the era could even consider owning one. While most of their buyers did not think twice when it came to price, Cunningham didn't even bother listing the price in the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce Handbook, rather it read, "Prices Upon Application."
One of their flagship models, the Series V-6 was available in two models: the 91-A with a 132-inch wheelbase and the 82-A with a 142-inch wheelbase. Both models were powered by a 442-cubic-inch side-valve V-8 engine which featured cast iron blocks and an aluminum three-bearing crankcase. Initially rated at 45 horsepower, Cunningham would announce shortly after, in 1923, that their engines were not able to produce 90 horsepower, which was further refined in 1925 with the addition of an inherently balanced crankshaft. Paired with their own built bodies, the Cunningham automobile was at the top of the automobile elite list of the early days of motoring history.
Undoubtedly offering its original owner a host of things to boast about in 1925, this Cunningham Series V-6 Phaeton with its in-house coachwork, the first of very few documented owners would be Jack Bullen of Flint, Michigan, who obtained this example in the early 1930s. For the next two decades, Mr. Bullen would enjoy this rare Cunningham, campaigning it on the Glidden Tour in 1950 and show it at the 1957 Greenfield Village Car Show, which is reported in the Bulb Horn Report. Following these events, the next owner would be Akron, Ohio-based, noted collector B.C. Hartline. A resident of his impressive collection for an astonishing 40 years, it was lovingly cared for and maintained. Purchased from Mr. Hartline's widow, the Arthur Collection took ownership in 1999. With a focus on the early Brass Era and unique New York-based marques, this Series V-6 was right at home. The Passport Collection would welcome this example into their impressive collection in the fall of 2014 and garner the title as just the fourth owner in the last 90-some years, a feat few collector cars can boast.
Having few owners since new, this Cunningham has aged gracefully and is highly authentic and has been collector maintained. Consistent with the mellowing and overall condition of the car, it is believed this example may have been repainted and retrimmed a number of years ago. With plenty of room for guests, the features include dual side-mounted spare tires, a driver's side spotlight, single windshield wiper, and boot cover with red piping.
Mechanically, power is derived from a stout 442-cubic-inch L-head eight-cylinder engine that produces 100 horsepower and is backed by a four-speed manual transmission. A torquey engine in its day, this Cunningham was a swift automobile barreling the countryside, which is why stopping power is provided via four-wheel Lockheed hydraulic brakes.
A charming automobile, it has aged gracefully in the presence of just four noted collections in the last 90 years. An automobile that was only enjoyed by the wealthiest of clientele in its day, it is certainly a rare American built automobile that would be fitting in many pre-war collections.
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