Briggs Cunningham Auto Museum, sadly closed in 1987 forever.

[mallkat]

I visited the museum in 1968, a very memorable experience.

[Theognome]

Great stuff! I remember well both Briggs and John from my childhood. As a young boy, my uncle would take me to the museum to 'play on the cars'. My great uncle, Briggs, loved to see a young boy (I was 6) become so enthralled with the cars. To me, at the time, they were toys- and I treated them as such. When he sold the collection back in '87, all of us were saddened- and even more so when he passed away in '03.

Bill Cunningham

[proudtwinmommy]

@Theognome I think this looked like a cool place to visit! I wish I could have gone with you and your uncle to "play on the cars". Unfortunately, my parents told me I never visited the museum as a child, I don't have an Uncle Briggs so, I guess you were the lucky one to have such a great experience!

[Theognome]

Great stuff! I remember well both Briggs and John from my childhood. As a young boy, my uncle would take me to the museum to 'play on the cars'. My great uncle, Briggs, loved to see a young boy (I was 6) become so enthralled with the cars. To me, at the time, they were toys- and I treated them as such. When he sold the collection back in '87, all of us were saddened- and even more so when he passed away in '03.

Bill Cunningham

[kirkconway]

i mean at least keep it So calif but DONT LET IT GO TO ITALY OF ALL PLACE'S WHERE HARDLY ANYONE CAN SEE IT and enjoy it.

I know what Phil Hill was feeling when he was at the front in the lot. and watching them load the locomobile that was in the museum.

I know he was thinking what in the heck is going on here?

this make;s no sense at all.

[kirkconway]

i was amazed at all the car's cunningham had plus his own race car's. and i was looking at the car's from the lobby.

and there it was, a Pearl White 67 Lamborghini Miura with matching interior.

I thout Id never see one exccept for pic's or model's.

I was stunned to say the least.

sitting there in all it's place next to a couple of ferrari's,

Id take that Miura anytime ,,, ANYWHERE!!!!!

i was saddened to see the collection closed. why would they sell, it & close it???

[stihl075]

I used to go there before work when on swing shift. What a great place. Then got day shift and would meet mt girl friend there for lunch.

The pot luck dinners...............

I was a single parent raising a little girl. She loves cars still.

I am so glad she got to meet Briggs, what a gentleman.

People either have never heard of him, or their eyes light up and memories roll out.

Dan Gurney has a picture on his wall when he drove for Briggs, in an Abarth.

[JGMagoo]

Why was the collection sold and the museum closed?

[JGMagoo]

When I first became a gear-head at the age of about 13 in 1952 (I'm 71 now and still a gear-head) Briggs Cunningham was my biggest hero because of his efforts at competing in world-class sports car racing using AMERICAN-built cars!

I visited this museum in about 1985 and was extremely impressed by the number and quality of the cars. I LOVED the Bugatti Royale and how much the wheels on it resembled the wheels on the Chev Corvette of '84 -'85.

[Nikateer]

sad

[TheRob928]

The former Isabel Weld Perkins (Lars Anderson) American Underslung, one of Cunningham's favorite cars from his museum, is at the Seal Cove Auto Museum in Mount Desert Island in Maine.

[jeremymtc]

I was lucky enough to have visited the Cunningham Museum in the early '80s, when I was nine or ten years old. The Alfa Club used to hold events there, and I would tag along with my uncle, who had a decent collection of Alfas, including a GT Junior.

I can directly link my exposure to this museum and those Alfa Club events with my chosen profession - I prepare sports cars for vintage racing.

Thanks so much for the memories.

[BarbLH]

This is a walk down memory lane for my husband. His mother worked for Briggs Cunningham in Greens Farms, CT ca 1947-1950. As a child, perhaps around 11 yrs old (more or less), he saw the circular garage, in the company of Joe Kiaski (sp ?), the chauffeur - grounds keeper, etc. He once asked my husband if he wanted to go for a ride in one of them, but my husband said no. STUPID! (His words, not mine.)

[EK6B]

Wow, brings back memories! I worked at the museum from 1979 until Miles Collier bought it out in 1987 and then followed the cars over to the Collier Museum in Naples. My biggest disappointment related to the collection was when Collier sold the Bugatti Royale, my favorite car. For those interested in seeing more of the cars, PBS shot a special on the Collier Museum that featured some of these cars too. Thanks for sharing, I still have dreams about this place that look similar to your video!

[dyonkof]

@EK6B

I am restoring a 31 Cadiilac v12 Roadster from his collection. Do you remember the car?

[lownotslow67]

Great video! I would love a copy of the cd.

How do I go about contacting you to get a copy? (brand new u tube user)

Thank you!

[NightFlyyer]

Send me your name address and email address in a PM (private Message) and if you have Paypal, I can send you an invoice and once the funds are received, then I will ship the DVD. $29 includes shipping.

[alanjameshale]

Great Video. I Own an Auburn 898 1931

[CJHirtler]

Great to see this , I worked there for 10 years. Lots of fond memories.

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks kindly. I think I remember your name, CJ?

[genuinbeauty]

I loved everything my Great grandfather did. He will always live on. Always.

[NightFlyyer]

He was a good man. We will keep him alive in videos like this.

[genuinbeauty]

I wish I had more time getting to know him but as my father tells me when I was a little girl he adored me..one of his first great grandchildren from his daughter Lucie McKinney. May his memory live on through his family, friends and fans. The fans although are the most important. God Bless you all... and feel free to email me, I always love hearing from you. Love you papa!

Shannon McKinney

[500palm]

I sent you a message Shannon and, be sure and pick up the new Aug. M&M/Makes and Models Magazine on the news stands now. It has the Briggs C4-R on the cover and a feature story on him and this race car of his.

[genuinbeauty]

thank you thank you thank you!!!! I collect all is memorabilia.. My father and I always look for new things. I really do think his life should be a movie. "Swift" is a great name! Anyone feel free to email me or message me if you have anything to say about my great grandfather... Briggs Swift Cunningham..

[deac55]

Briggs was a gentleman and a damn good chap.

The museum was great.

Sorry the BuMerc didn't show.

The Glen was fun in those days.

[scheese]

Thanks for posting!

[NightFlyyer]

Your welcome.

[500palm]

Great video and I'll love to purchase the DVD if you know how.

[chuckgoolsbee]

The Cunningham collection was acquired by the Collier museum and is now located in Naples, FL. The cars are still stunningly maintained and displayed beautifully.

--chuck

[500palm]

I believe that museum closed in Naples. I've been trying to locate the collection if any knows what happened to it.

[JamieLPD]

the collection is owned by miles collier in naples fl

[prop92]

I never heard of the place but it sounds like a cool place.did yo take the video Dave?

[NightFlyyer]

Yes I did. See the comments to the right of the video screen.

[EyeLouise]

Fantastic!  Cars sure have come a long way since those days. Look how big they are! 5 stars.