Sterling Edwards was a sportsman, test pilot, and scion of an industrial wire company based in San Francisco. According to RM Sotheby's, in 1949 Edwards embarked on a project to build a sports-racing car dubbed the R-26. Edwards was successful in a number races on the R-26, winning at Santa Ana, Palm Springs, and the Del Monte Trophy Race at Pebble Beach in 1950. The R-26’s racing prowess was equaled by its beautiful design, epitomized by the car’s Best of Show win at the inaugural 1950 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Edwards followed up his competition successes with the creation of a road car, known as the Edwards America, that incorporated fiberglass coachwork replete with European design cues, and a large-displacement American drivetrain. Ultimately five examples of the America were built before the costs of the venture (and the product’s commensurate pricing) prompted Sterling Edwards to move on.