Private company

Cunningham automobile

Logo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons3

American automobile manufacturer

The Cunningham Car Company (not connected with the Cunningham Steam Wagon or Briggs Cunningham's cars) was a pioneering American production automobile manufacturer. Theirs was one of the earliest vehicles of the automotive age. Cunninghams were produced from 1896 to 1931 in Rochester, New York by James Cunningham, Son and Company who had been in the carriage manufacturing business since 1836.2 It ceased to exist in 1936.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1896Founded1
  • Industryautomotive industry1
  • HeadquartersRochester1
  • Founded inRochester1

The Cunningham Car Company (not connected with the Cunningham Steam Wagon or Briggs Cunningham's cars) was a pioneering American production automobile manufacturer. Theirs was one of the earliest vehicles of the automotive age. Cunninghams were produced from 1896 to 1931 in Rochester, New York by James Cunningham, Son and Company who had been in the carriage manufacturing business since 1836.2

The story

Foreseeing the necessity to switch to the production of horseless carriages, Cunningham started automobile production in 1908 with gasoline engine cars that sold at approximately $3,500, a very high price at the time. Initially the company made only the chassis. They assembled each car to individual customer requirements, using components from other manufacturers. Engines came from Buffalo or Continental. Cunningham also sold electric cars based on their experimental vehicle from the 1890s. By 1910, the company was producing all its parts and selling its cars in the range of $4,500 to $5,000.

From Wikipedia’s article on Cunningham Car Company, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Products and brands

  • car

Listed on Wikidata.1

Cunningham Inside-Drive Limousine-146-A

From Wikipedia’s article on Cunningham Car Company, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Timeline

  1. 1936Dissolved Dissolved1
  2. 1896Founded Founded in Rochester1

Sources

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