Donations

The Museum welcomes tax-deductible donations of automobiles or automotive art suitable for our exhibitions and literature for our automotive resource library. Please call Dan Dunn at 925.736.2277, extension 224, for more information, or leave an e-mail message at ddunn@blackhawkmuseum.org.

1953 M.G. Model TD Roadster

This M.G. was donated to the Museum in 2009 and is curently on display in the Lower Automotive Gallery.

M.G. is one of Britain's best known marques and began as an offshoot of Sir William Morris' Morris Motors Ltd. in the early 1920's under the leadership of Cecil Kimber. The premises of the predecessor bicycle works became known as the Oxford Garage and with the expansion to car manufacturing became known as Morris Garages, and therefore the initials 'M.G.'

Racing successes and increased demand forced a move to larger quarters in Abingdon, the sleepy Thames-side town that became known the world over as the home of M.G. Cars.

The M.G. Model TD roadster was introduced in 1950 and 30,000 were manufactured between 1950 and 1953. After the TC it continued the long line of export successes for M.G. as there was simply nothing comparable coming out of Detroit. It had a cramped cockpit, rough ride and minimal creature comforts but it was challenging fun when the road got narrow and twisty.

A 1952 Jaguar Mark VII Deluxe Saloon (Sedan)was gifted to the Museum by Harry S. Exline.

Mr. Exline purchased this car from the original owner in 1960, and the car had an extensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration that was completed in 2001.

This car represents the most stylish, luxury sedan to come out of England after the war, and it would be a few years before either Rolls-Royce or Bentley were on par. A total of 20,908 Mark VII Saloons were manufactured between 1951 and 1955; 12,978 of these were Export Models. This car is the Deluxe model with factory-installed radio, and heater/defroster; the four-speed manual transmission, pull-back sunshine roof, and the 101 mph top speed were all standard. Thanks, Harry, for preserving this motoring history for others to enjoy!