April 12, 2017

Jaguar E-Type arriving soon to Bridge Classic Cars

I was put on to our latest acquisition by my old friend Brian Farquar of Abelour in Bonny Scotland. Brian finds me lots of cars and is a keen collector himself.

He loves his Minis and his old Fords and they are immaculate. Show winners.

Brian can describe a car and we would always buy on his recommendations.

He called me about a part restored Series 1 E-Type Jaguar 4.2 in Fort William.

I called the given number and spoke in length to its owner Ray Thomas. It was a story I have heard so many times but in Ray’s case the skills he had learnt was as bigger part as the car itself if not more.

Ray sent me pictures of the car and the main problem he had was busy in the summer and E-Type work in the winter.

Some of you may know. Winter in the north of Scotland is cold. Very very cold, snowy, icy, rainy and very very cold and certainly not a time or place to practice your spraying skills.

The paint micro blistered and the realisation set in that the car needed to be sold.

After some too-ing and fro-ing we did a deal and car was bought unseen. Ray knows his car.

We will get it back to the workshops for a full appraisal and get it into the Bridge projects section and of course look for a lucky new owner in the next couple of weeks.

Andy Frost, reliving his racing days…

Whilst sorting through the back offices in preparation for the new office makeover, Andy has dug out a photo album from his youth.

We have a champion working here, at Bridge MOT Centre, a brilliant story…

Surprise success for teenage driver

Teenage autocross driver Andrew Frost had never driven a car in a race until last year.

But winning quickly became a habit, as he finished in front in sox races and took the Crownwheel Junior Autocross Championship.

Now Andrew, of Lower Crescent, Barham, is looking forward to the start of the new season in April and to defending his title.

Andrew, 15, a Claydon High School pupil, said he was a little surprised by his success, which has left the sideboard at his home groaning under the weight of seven trophies.

“I just went along for the ride at the first meeting, but I started winning and after that I got the hang of it,” he said.

So far Andrew has had no serious accidents in the autocross races, which are held on grass and stubble fields.

“Safety standards are pretty strict and autocross is a non-contact sport,” he said, “although I have had a couple of prangs.”

One happened when a former junior champion was trying overtake him.

“He was trying to get past on the inside,” said Andrew, “but I wouldn’t let him and I got a bit of a dented wing.”

Andrew bought his car, an 850cc Mini for £23 in a scrapyard, and, with the help of his mother’s boyfriend, Maurice Debenham, he restored it to winning condition.

When he leaves school this summer he plans to be a mechanic – “Anything to do with cars,” he says.

Andrew’s driving skills are possibly inherited from his mother, Janet Frost, who is an ambulance driver working in Bramford.

“I love driving” she said.

Now the whole family is autocross crazy. Maurice Debenham is taking up the sport this year and Andrew’s sister, Michelle, also wants to have a go.

“We went to every meeting last year,” said Janet. “It’s so exciting and it’s great fun.”