September 14, 2016

Freshening up the tired interior

A trip down the A12 for Craig today as he takes the Triumph Spitfire interior to Bridge Classic Car’s upholsterer Kim.

In a past life, Bridge Classic Cars repaired the driver’s seat of our little Spitfire so we know, first hand, that the majority of the interior is still in a sound working order. As they say ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’…in this case, the interior is great so why mess around with it?

A bit of a clean to bring it back to life wouldn’t hurt but generally the seats are all good and ready to be refitted.

One thing to consider when you are restoring a car, when you strip a body and freshen up the paintwork it is only then you realise what parts of the interior are looking tired…in this case, what you see in the picture is exactly that!

But when you have a upholstery genius like Kim, this pile on the floor is nothing! Within a few weeks all of these components will be brought back to the workshops looking wonderful once again.

1971 Triumph Spitfire upholstery requiring a refurb

As for the boot mat, I’m afraid to say that this one has gone.

Unfortunately there’s no going back here but as we have the original on hand, remaking this is a piece of cake.

1971 Triumph Spitfire boot mat being remade

Not long now til we see her back from the paint shop. Everything is waiting on shelves, ready to be refitted. Tomorrow I have arranged a visit to the paint shop to inspect the work that has been carried out so far.

Our 1960 Jensen 541S has arrived.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]1960 Jensen 541S arriving

1960 Jensen 541S arriving

1960 Jensen 541S arriving

This car is the original Prototype 541S by Jensen Motors manufactured in 1960. There were only 3 prototypes made, two were manual geared and this was the only automatic. It carries the unique experimental chassis no. JM/EXP/101. This car was used by the Jensen brothers as their demonstration car and was exhibited at the Earls Court Motor Show in October of that year and the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961. Her logbook shows that the Jensen brothers used her a s their own personal car before being sold in 1962. During this period she was also the subject of test reports within the Autocar and MotorSport magazines 541S series replaced the 541R being some 4″ wider which Jensen found made for better comfort and handling.

Price new in 1960 – £2185

There were only 127 541S car ever built.

1960 Jensen 541S - 377HWT

Her new owner currently resides in Belgium but before she takes the trip to her new home she has arrived with us here at Bridge Classic Cars for assessment.

We have been instructed to check over the car (inside and out), advise on any engine and gearbox work that may be required and together, with her new owner, we will decide on what the next stage will be on this beauty.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”6533,6534,6535,6536,6537,6538,6539,6540,6541,6542,6532,6585,6586″][/vc_column][/vc_row]