Team Cunningham Demo Day

Team Cunningham; – Phil Walters, John Fitch, Bill Spear, Charles

Moran, John Gordon Bennett Demo Day

Before Ford, before Corvette fever swept across America, there was a small band of visionaries who believed American machinery could stand alongside Europe’s legendary marques. Phil Walters, John Fitch, Bill Spear, Charles Moran, and John Gordon Bennett were more than drivers. They were determined privateers tied to Briggs Cunningham’s mission to build a team worthy of Le Mans glory and prove that American horsepower and engineering belonged on the world stage.

These men were not factory-backed giants. They were disciplined mavericks who combined grit, financial backing, and mechanical experimentation to carry the Stars and Stripes into battle against Ferrari, Jaguar, and Aston Martin. From the Allard-Cadillac hybrid to the Cadillac Series 61 “Le Monstre” and the purpose-built Cunningham C-4R, they created a path that would later lead to American victories at Le Mans, Sebring, and beyond. Their story is defined by tenacity, innovation, and a refusal to accept second place on foreign soil.

This Demo Day is a tribute to that legacy. It offers a deeper look into Team Cunningham’s philosophy and a rare chance to see the spirit of early American endurance racing come alive.

Featured Cars
• 1948 Allard J2
• 1949 Cadillac Series 61 Sedanette
• 1952 Cunningham C-4R

Tickets
General Admission: $12–15 (available at the door or online)
Free for Members and Children under 18

Whether you are a lifelong racing fan or discovering Team Cunningham for the first time, this Demo Day offers a thoughtful and dynamic tribute to the American privateers who dared to take on the world.

Admission is included with regular museum entry. No advance registration required.

• Live Demonstrations

• Historical Insights
• Q&A Session

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Our Demo Day schedule is as follows:

• 10:00 | Simeone Museum doors open to the public
• 11:30 to 11:50 | Discussion on the technology behind the cars
• 12:00 to 12:30 | Visual presentation highlighting rare photos and videos from the Simeone Museum Library and Archives
• 12:30 to 1:00 | Spirited driving demonstration of Demo Day cars
• 1:00 to 2:00 | Visitors are able to inspect and photograph Demo Day cars up close while engaging in a question and answer session with Simeone Museum staff and volunteers

Info: Simeone Museum doors open to the public.

Info: Discussion highlighting the specific technology and attributes of the featured cars.

Info: Visual presentation highlighting rare photos and videos from the Simeone Museum Library and Archives with Simeone Museum staff and industry experts.

Info: Demo Day cars are demonstrated with a spirited driving program taking place on our 3 acre outdoor tarmac.

Info: Visitors are able to inspect and photograph Demo Day cars up close while engaging in a question and answer session with Simeone Museum staff and volunteers.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, 6825-31 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia, United States

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