Legends on the Track: The Story of the 1-2-3 Cunningham Corvettes

Lined up in numerical order—1, 2, 3—these legendary 1960 Corvettes tell a story not just of horsepower and heritage, but of grit, determination, and an audacious American dream. In an era when European marques dominated endurance racing, a Pennsylvania-born man named Briggs Cunningham dared to shake things up. He didn’t just send one car to Le Mans... he sent three.

This trio wasn’t just a racing effort—it was a statement.

🇺🇸 Built to Compete

The Cunningham team, sponsored by Chevrolet in secret, modified three factory Corvettes to compete in the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans. These weren’t show ponies—they were built to go the distance. Stripped of creature comforts, outfitted with oversized fuel tanks, and painted in the now-iconic white with blue stripes, the cars were numbers 1, 2, and 3.

Car #1 had the speed.
Car #2 had the stamina.
Car #3 had the heart—and the story that would outlive them all.

🏁 The Rain, The Race, The Redemption

Le Mans isn’t for the faint of heart. Rain-soaked turns, grueling fatigue, and mechanical gremlins take their toll. As the hours ticked by and competitors fell away, Car #3—driven by John Fitch and Bob Grossman—held steady. Against all odds, it finished 8th overall and first in class, marking the first time an American production sports car conquered the world’s toughest endurance race.

The other two cars didn’t finish... but their presence on the track was a bold exclamation point in Corvette’s racing legacy. The fact that all three cars have survived to this day—lovingly restored and reunited—feels like a miracle.

🎨 Capturing Legacy in Light

Using his signature light-painting technique and masterful compositing, he crafted this tribute to the full Cunningham team. Each car was carefully placed to reflect its original racing number and symbolic role in the story. Car #3 commands the foreground with its now-iconic red headlight covers, while Cars #2 and #1 stand just behind — not as background elements, but as guardians of a legacy that refused to fade.

This isn’t just a photo. It’s a time machine.

It’s a salute to every American who’s ever dared to take on the impossible.

🖼️ Want to bring this story into your space?

Explore The Cunningham Corvettes and other legacy-filled pieces inside our online gallery.
Whether you're a lifelong car enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates stories frozen in time, you're invited to find the one that speaks to you.
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