The 1950 Cadillac Series 61, nicknamed “Le Monstre” by the French press, was a radical racing experiment created by Briggs Cunningham for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It utilized a stock Cadillac chassis and a 331 cubic inch V8, but sported a highly aerodynamic, aluminum body designed with help from Grumman aircraft engineers. The unusual design aimed to reduce wind resistance, achieving a top speed of 130 mph. Despite proving faster than its stock teammate, a crash into a sandbank hampered its race, leading it to finish 11th overall. It is celebrated as an enduring icon of American ingenuity in motorsport.