I’ve spoken with plenty of innkeepers who have impressive collections at their inns. I’ve seen Russian Nesting Dolls, stuffed bears, Limoge China and vintage fishing gear in impressive quantities. Innkeeper Don Martine in Pacific Grove California recently told me about one of the collections that takes up a big chunk of his floor space. Don has been collecting vintage MG sports cars for most of his life, and his impressive collection has more than 16 vehicles spanning the last 70 years. Most of the time there are 6 MG’s on display at The Martine Inn, and Don encourages his guests to enjoy looking at his vehicles which are displayed among an extensive automotive memorabilia collection.

Just as many Historic Inns are working B&Bs that are meant to enjoyed, Don’s car collection sees a lot of road time as well. Don races the MGs in Vintage Car races around the country and runs Martine Inn Motorsports, which is a division of his B&B! Dons cars have hit the asphalt on some of the most famous tracks in the US including Watkins Glen and Coronado. Martine Inn Motorsports does all their own restoration work in house, builds their own race engines and does all their own transport. With all these welding, griding and driving going on, I have to wonder…where does Don find time to run a B&B as well!

The cars are just one of draws at the Martine Inn, but Don explained ‘Ladies tell me they were able to get their husband to come to a B&B because of the cars’.

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