I saw a Cunningham at Point Reyes Cyclery in 1986. Man I wish I'd bought it. A terrific interview with CC is in Rivendell Reader #27 (and reproduced here).
CC's first mountain bike was also his first aluminum bike. It weighed 23 lbs. and had many features common today, but hithertofore unknown: short(ish) wheelbase, steep angles, sloped top tube, hand-made brakes, wider sealed bearing hubs, seatpost quick release, machined magnesium stem, titanium chainguard, toe clips, and custom curved drop handlebars.
http://www.cunninghambikes.com/innovation/bicycles/bicycles_3.html
