C-3

Site plan for improvements to Arlington Boulevard and Williams Drive on 2.45 acres zoned C-3 (commercial), at Arlington Boulevard and Williams Drive.

Fairfax County development projects Post 2010

Site plan for a 234,395-square-foot office building and parking structure on five acres zoned C-3 (commercial), at 8080 Jones Branch Dr. (SP-06796-008-1) 14.

Fairfax County development projects Post 2010

Driving up to Connecticut to show Mr. Schoendorf what he called "the barn find of the year," Ms. Lockard recalled vivid memories of her father dropping her off at school in the Cunningham C-3.

Car Treasure Unearthed Shelly Banjo 2011

Site plan for improvements to Arlington Boulevard and Williams Drive on 2.45 acres zoned C-3 (commercial), at Arlington Boulevard and Williams Drive.

Fairfax County development projects Post 2010

The recently discovered treasure was one of only 25 C-3 sports cars built in the early 1950s by Mr. Cunningham, a Connecticut bon vivant and son of a wealthy Ohio banker who rose to fame racing cars and skippering his yacht Columbia to victory in the 1958 America's Cup race.

Car Treasure Unearthed Shelly Banjo 2011

The search for the last unaccounted-for C-3 coupe began in January, after financier Martin Gruss helped organize a reunion of Cunningham fans around the Cavallino Classic Ferrari car show in Palm Beach, Fla.

Car Treasure Unearthed Shelly Banjo 2011

So Mr. Schoendorf began his search for the last Cunningham C-3 with an unofficial register of the cars first created in the 1980s by a C-3 owner looking for parts.

Car Treasure Unearthed Shelly Banjo 2011

Ms. Lockard, who plans to hold onto the C-3, said she always knew the car's value but was daunted by the prospect of an expensive restoration project.

Car Treasure Unearthed Shelly Banjo 2011

Her father had died in 2005, and his Cunningham C-3 remained uncovered, rusting amidst a backyard pile of yard equipment and mechanical parts.

Car Treasure Unearthed Shelly Banjo 2011

"I met other owners who had a similarly bent chromosome that causes us to have an above-average interest and passion in Cunningham cars," said Chuck Schoendorf, an insurance broker in Rowayton, Conn., who has spent years restoring his own Cunningham C-3.

Car Treasure Unearthed Shelly Banjo 2011