| 1936
MGNB Supercharged Race Car
The
1936 MG NB is the last of the true racing MGs that were derived
from the K-3 Grand Prix and Mille Miglia winning cars. Only
ninety-eight NB Roadsters were built. Later, it was raced on
dirt tracks in Pennsylvania by Benjamin Franklin III.
The
NB was then brought to California and raced by Lars Jacobson.
Lars installed Bendix hydraulic airplane brakes on the front
wheels – replacing the cable brakes. The rear brakes remained
cable. The swept wing front fenders were removed along with
the running boards and frame rails. They were replaced with
fiberglass cycle fenders.
The
engine is supercharged with a 1 7/8 SU carburetor. The Marshall
Drew supercharger is belt-driven. It has been bored out and
sleeved to 1454cc, 6 cylinders, overhead cam, gear driven by
the dynamo, carillo fly cut rods, billet crank, aries pistons,
solid copper head gasket.
The
16-inch diameter rear wire wheels replaced the 19’s in
the rear and 15 inch diameter wire wheels were placed in front.
It has a Wilson Preselector Transmission and a built in fire
suppression system. The NB design is noted by the long chrome
hinges on the doors that are curved to match the bodyline.
The
doors are hinged on the front of the door making these doors
the only non- suicide doors on an MG from 1930 to 1955. The
gas tank is also inside the body creating a beautiful curve
to the rear matched by the rear fender.
This
car is fully instrumented with an array of gauges, lights and
switches that create an amazing dashboard.
In
the 1950’s this car was raced frequently on the west coast
at Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, Palm Springs, Willow Springs,
Santa Barbara and many other tracks. It took 1st Place in the
1955 Agoura Hills, 1st at Costa Mesa, and 1st at Sandberg Hill.
It also had a 3rd Place at Santa Ana and 3rd Place in the San
Fernando Drag Races.
Don
Martine has raced the NB at Watkins Glen, Elkhart Lake, Coronado
and Hallett. It also has been driven by Bill Pollack at Watkins
Glen and Mike Jacobson at Coronado. The 1936 MG NB’s most
recent restoration was completed in 2004.
|
