Classic MGs

Don Martine has been interested in cars since he was three years of age. A picture of him with a grease gun, attempting to lubricate his pedal car (age three) is in the display area at his Martine Inn - An elegant Bed & Breakfast that overlooks the magnificent Monterey Bay.

Don's interest in MGs began in 1950 when his father, Homer Martine, purchased a 1949 MGTC. This interest was furthered when he watched Johnny Von Neumann drive his 1950 MGTD Special to victory at the inaugural Pebble Beach Road Races, a car that Don now owns and has on display.

The MG display area contains watercolors by Sandra Leitzinger, oil paintings by Peter Hearsey, posters, prints, photos, tools, signs, gas pumps, historic helmets, paraphernalia and checkered flag black and white-tiled floor.

Don has a restoration shop near the inn where he restores these cars and builds the race engines for the race cars. Some of the cars that may be on display include the following cars.

Note: If the doors to this display are closed, please ask the staff to open them so that you may see the cars up close.

For additional photos and stories: Visit Don's Martine Inn Motorsports website.

• 1932 MG D: four-seater, 850 cc, 4-cylinder,overhead cam, three-speed transmission. 208 made. This car is currently being restored and pictures of the restoration are available at Don's Martine Inn Motorsports.
• 1933 MG L2 Roadster: 1,087 cc, six-cylinder, overhead cam, four-speed transmission. 85 made.
• 1936 MG, NB Magnette Special Roadster: six-cylinder overhead cam, 1.5 litre, supercharged, Wilson preselector trans, airplane hydraulic front brakes, west coast racer. One only.
• 1948 MG TC: supercharged, four-cylinder push rod, 1.5 litre, four-speed transmission, dunlop 16-inch racing wheels, Alfin drum brakes. 10,000 made.
• 1949 MG Y Sedan: four-cylinder, pushrod, 1.25 litre, four-speed trans, hydraulic brakes, factory sunroof, wind out windshield, roll up rear window shade, built-in jacks. 6,000 made.
• 1949 MG TC Roadster: four-cylinder, pushrod, 1.25 litre, four-speed transmission, absolutely original. 10,000 made.
• 1950 MG TD Von Neumann Special Roadster: four-cylinder, pushrod, 1.5 litre, TC trans, Alfin drum brakes, Borranni wire wheels, aluminum body by Emil Deidt, most winning west coast racer in 1950-51. One only.
• 1951 Daimler Empress Sports Sedan: body by Hooper, 2.5 litre, pushrod, six-cylinder, Wilson preselector transmission. 90 made.
• 1953 MG TD, MK II, Roadster: four-cylinder pushrod, 1.25 litre, larger carbs, larger valves, two fuel pumps, eight shocks, higher compression factory competition TD. 1,700 made.
• 1955 MG TF 1500 Convertible Pickup: four-cylinder pushrod, 1.5 litre, chassis stretched 1 ft., pick up box added, made by Jack Anderson to house his wheelchair. One only.
• 1960 MG A Roadster: 1.622 liter, four-cylinder, pushrod, four-speed transmission, disc brakes, 100 mph car. 31,501 made.
• 1963 MG 1300 Sedan: 1275 cc, pushrod, four-cylinder, transverse engine, front wheel drive, factory race car. 1 only.
• 1967 MG B Roadster: 1789 cc, four-cylinder, pushrod, four-speed transmission, plus overdrive. 15,128 made.

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