Item Info

Media Type: Photographic Prints
Source: Automobile Reference Collection
Notes:

Major Lee’s Cunningham V-4, 142 inch wheelbase chassis. Construction was started in 1925. When finished, Major Lee flew his own plane down from his Canadian hunting camp to inspect the car. Some of the details he had to inspect included: a 50 gallon gas tank, sufficient when filled to run the car from Rochester to Chicago non-stop; an oil supply good for 5,000 miles; a Kellogg one-shot lubricator –pressing the foot pedal lubricated all chassis points; triple windshield wipers. The dashboard contained a combination of 42 instruments, switches and miscellaneous gadgets – including many normally found only in aircraft cockpits. Among them were a tachometer, radio switch, fuel gauge, altimeter, voltmeter, ammeter, oil gauge, light switch, ignition switch, an imported French speedometer engraved with Major Lee’s name, two motometers, aviator’s compass, air speed indicator, etc. There were eight lights beamed forward – 2 headlights, 2 “ditch” lights, 2 inside adjustable spotlights, 2 sidelights. There were also parking, dome, dash and running board lights. The interior was finished with leather seats and door panels and a fine velvet head-liner. An avid cigar smoker, Major Lee had his car equipped with four sets of cigar holders and lighters – plus two ventilating fans to keep other passengers from suffocating. A Stromberg-Carlson 5-tube radio was fitted into the back of the front seats and was completely enclosed in wood paneling when not in use. The aerial was built into the top of the car, and the loudspeaker jutted down on the right, just aft of the chauffeur’s compartment. This must have been one of the first auto radio installations. For this car, with its sundry equipment, Major M.K. Lee paid an even $15,000.

(Extract from “The Cunningham Automobile” by William S. Snyder, published in The Spur, September 15, 1929)

Creation Year: 1925