VIN: Briggs Cunningham's Maserati 5000 GT chassis 016
History of chassis 016
Maserati built 34 Tipo 103 5000 GTs between 1959 and 1964, many of which were uniquely appointed for their wealthy first owners.
One such car was chassis 016, the commission for which came from American sportsman and industrialist, Briggs Cunningham.
Both Cunningham’s father and grandfather were extremely wealthy businessmen with a range of commercial interests to include shipping, packing, banking, transportation and pharmaceuticals.
When Cunningham’s father died, Briggs was just five years old. He went on to inherit full control of the estate in January 1947 at age 40.
Briggs Cunningham became best known for his sporting endeavours in sailing and motor racing. He owned a fleet of expensive racing cars (some of which were built under his own name) and in 1958 skippered Columbia to victory in the first post-war America’s Cup race.
In addition his own Cunningham-badged cars, Jaguars, Chevrolets and Maseratis were his favoured marques.
Between the mid 1950s and early 1960s, Cunningham was one of Maseratis best customers. He purchased a 150 S, 300 S, a Tipo 151 and Birdcages of the Tipo 60, 61 and 63 variety.
In the midst of this splurge, Cunningham also commissioned a one-off 5000 GT which, at the time, was considered the fastest and most expensive Gran Turismo available.
Cunningham wanted his machine to resemble Maserati’s latest sports racing cars and turned to Giovanni Michelotti to come up with such a creation. Michelotti’s design, reputedly the most aerodynamic of any 5000 GT, was made a reality by the Vignale coachworks.
Built on chassis 016, Cunningham’s 5000 GT was developed in the University of Turin’s windtunnel.
It featured a pronounced central nose intake flanked by rotating headlamps at the leading edge of gently sloping front fenders. The five window cabin gave excellent all round visibility thanks to exceptionally slim pillars. All four wheelarches had a swept back profile. The tops of the rear arches formed a distinctive swage line that wrapped around the tail.
Like the exterior, 016’s cockpit was totally bespoke.
Custom Jaeger gauges were housed in an oval binnacle directly behind the wood-rimmed steering wheel. To the left was a large 8000rpm tach inset with water temperature and oil pressure readouts. To the right was a 180mph speedometer with additional information for oil temperature and fuel. A small clock was located in between the two primary instruments.
The dash top and knee roll were upholstered in blue leather and dash fascia was silver to match the body.
The front and rear seats were split by a single piece armrest.
Prior to taking delivery, Cunningham test drove his latest acquisition at Monza during the summer of 1961. 016 then remained in Europe and was used to travel to the various circuits Cunningham’s racers were competing at.
By 1968, the car had been exported to Cunningham’s home in California.
It was later sold to Oliver Kuttner of Virginia who offered it for sale in 1988.
By the late 1990s, 016 was in the possession of serial 5000 GT owner, Alfredo Brener, in Poland.
RM Sotheby’s then sold the car at their 2017 Monterey by which time it had covered 66,000 miles.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Michelotti
