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November 2017

Let The Strip Down Commence

November 7, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Day 1 of owning our 1965 Amphicar and already we are getting stuck in to stripping her ready for a full body preparation and re-spray.

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Fitting up the Capri’s new sills

November 8, 2017

Now the majority of the ‘cutting out’ has been done Asa has securely fitted up the inner sill on the near side of our 1983 Ford Capri.

Here we have the offside sills now removed.

The outer sills have now spot welded.

Bridge Classic Cars at Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2017

November 8, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]More than 120 years after the very first run was held, last Sunday saw 2017’s Bonhams London to Brighton Car Run and Bridge Classic Cars was there to experience the event for ourselves.

We even bumped into some familiar faces too, here’s Gordon with the host of BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show, the legendary Chris Evans.

Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the world’s longest running motoring celebration.

The vast number of entrants, from across the globe, who continue to participate in the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox pays testament to the ever-growing popularity of this event.

In true tradition, the Run takes place on the first Sunday of every November and commemorates the Emancipation Run of 14 November 1896, which celebrated the passing into law of the Locomotives on the Highway Act. It was this Act that raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4 mph to 14 mph and abolished the requirement for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot. The early law required the man on foot to carry a red flag but that requirement was abolished in 1878. The Locomotive Act was still widely known as the ‘Red Flag Act’ and, to mark this milestone, a red flag was symbolically destroyed at the start of the Emancipation Run, just as it is today before the start of the Run in Hyde Park.

In 2017, as ever, the Run represents a rare opportunity for participants to take their extraordinary automobiles on this historic 60-mile journey from Hyde Park in central London to the seafront in the Sussex resort of Brighton. Few events in today’s international calendar can claim such individuality, personality and character as the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox, where over 400 examples of pre-1905 manufactured vehicles enter the pioneering spirit and engineering ability of the early motorist.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”16019,16018,16017,16016,16015,16014,16013,16012,16011,16010,16009,16008,16007,16006,16005,16004,16003,16002,16001,16000,15999,15998,15997,15996,15995,15994,15993,15992,15991,15990,15989,15988,16021,16080,16079,16078,16077,16076,16075,16074,16073,16072,16071,16070,16069,16068,16067,16066,16065,16064,16063,16062,16061,16060,16059,16058,16057,16056,16055,16054,16053,16052,16051,16050,16049,16048,16047,16046,16045,16044,16043,16042,16041,16040,16039,16038,16037,16036,16035,16034,16033,16032,16031,16030,16029,16028,16027,16026,16025,16024,16023,16022″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Children In Need Bus”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”16083,16084,16085,16086,16087,16088,16089,16090,16091,16092,16093,16094,16095,16096,16097,16098,16099,16100,16101,16102,16103,16104,16105,16106,16107,16108,16109,16110″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Let The Strip Down Commence

November 7, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Day 1 of owning our 1965 Amphicar and already we are getting stuck in to stripping her ready for a full body preparation and re-spray.

Lots of photos of this project I think. Photographs are a great referencing tool, an angle you might think is a bit boring or pointless might end up being a crucial photo later on in the project.

Here she is, straight out of the trailer and in front of our front doors.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”15950,15951,15952,15953,15954,15955,15956,15957,15958,15959,15960,15961,15962,15963,15903″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Polishing up the Bentley Special metalwork

November 7, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This afternoon we removed the large items of aluminium from the car ready to transform them with a good polish.

We’ve drafted in the help of our good friend Tony and the guys at Wyatt Polishing to complete this task. With the tools and machinery they have at their fingertips sometimes it’s worth sitting back and assessing how long it may take you to do something when you can call upon the experts who can probably carry out the task in half the time.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”15947,15946,15945,15944,15943,15942,15941,15940″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]P.S. Based on my ‘half the time’ theory I think we could’ve had this all done in 2 days so Tony, I’ll see you tomorrow with it all :)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Work begins on the Bentley

November 7, 2017

Work is now underway on our 1949 Bentley Special Mark VI.

Our work is very minimal on this project. Mechanically she is fantastic but we felt that a few small alterations to the look would make a huge difference. The aluminium bonnet and tank will be removed and re-polished, the exterior lighting will be replaced with age related components rather than the modern aftermarket option.

Work is now underway and we should see a vast difference in a relatively short space of time.

Delivering and Collecting in Brighton

November 6, 2017

It was a long day for Craig and Dave as they set off for what should’ve been a relatively easy trip to Brighton. We had our 1973 Jaguar E-Type to deliver and returning with our 1949 Bentley Mark VI Special and 1965 Amphicar. The journey there seemed relatively trouble free but the same couldn’t be said for the return leg.

What should’ve been a 3 hour trip turned into a 7 hour trip with the M25 around Dartford being at a stand still for hours.

It wasn’t all bad as we had this beauty sitting beside us for the entire journey, a stunning Jaguar E-Type roadster. We were very impressed with the fact that she kept up with the modern day traffic congestion brilliantly, covering approximately 2 miles in 3 hours, that’s good going!

First off the trailer was our 1973 Jaguar E-Type (WWB 493L) looking glorious in the Brighton sunshine.

Then on to loading up the 1949 Bentley Mark VI Special onto Dave’s open trailer.

Before finally loading up the 1965 Amphicar into Craig’s covered trailer.

1973 Jaguar E-Type Service and Detailed

November 6, 2017

Our 1973 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 Series 3 arrived with us needing very little. She was very much a usable car so a quick re-tune to the engine before a thorough clean and detail and she was good to go.

Her final destination was Brighton so we were all in bright and early this morning (5am to be precise) to get her loaded up before Craig and Dave set off on the journey.

Our 1949 MGYT nearing completion

November 6, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We have now so close to completion on our 1949 MGYT restoration project.

We are just waiting on a part to be manufactured for the side screens and then our final task is the jacking ram system. Having sourced a set of original rams we needed the assistance of a hydraulic expert to help free them up and undo years of corrosion.

Unfortunately they were unable to release the rams so the system is now back with us for plan B.

Lucky for us, the project can complete with or without the rams in place so these can be fixed into position at a later date.

Here are a selection of images taken last week, the registration plate has now been fitted as well as the brand new hub caps.

It’s the littler items of a restoration that seem to make the biggest difference.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”15876,15877,15878,15879,15880,15881,15882,15883,15884,15885,15886″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Collecting our 1991 TVR SEAC – J15 EAC

November 2, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s collection day of our 1991 TVR SEAC and we couldn’t resist taking our newest addition out for an extra long drive.

On the way back from East Bergholt our first stop was Raydon airfield for a photo opportunity.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”15838,15837,15836,15835,15834,15833,15832,15831,15830,15829,15828,15827,15826,15825,15824,15823,15822,15821,15820,15819,15818,15817,15816,15815,15814″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We then called in to visit someone in Westerfield so another photo opportunity to be had.

You can never have enough photos!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”15841,15842,15843,15844,15845,15846,15847,15848,15849,15850,15851,15852,15853,15854,15855,15856″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Final stop…home. Her she is outside Bridge Classic Cars HQ being admired by everyone who passed by.

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Replacing the Capri sills

November 2, 2017

The Near-side inner and outer sill has now been completely removed from the vehicle ready for it to be replaced with new. The body panels are now in stock with us so Asa will be busy piecing the car back together soon. Hopefully we are almost passed the cutting out stage.

The car continues to hold it’s strength during this process using bespoke strengthening bars that we have fixed into position prior to the works going ahead.

The new sills are being temporarily fitted up to ensure that they fit neatly into position, this is a very important exercise to do as you do not want to fully commit without being confident that the panels fit where you need them to.

Jensen 541S – Refitting the engine

November 1, 2017

It was a tight squeeze but our 1960 Jensen 541S prototype engine is now back in the car ready for the ancillaries to be fitted back up.

All of the brake and fuel lines are in as is the gearbox, axle and propshaft.

Today, John has been fitting up the carbs.

Detailing our 14000 miles engine

November 1, 2017

Whilst the car is away at the paint shop and with the engine removed we are able to tidy up the areas that are less reachable when inside the car. It’s a great opportunity for us to clean and repaint the engine and gearbox to freshen up the look.

Bridge Classic Cars are award winning Classic Car Restoration and Maintenance specialists. Your pride and joy is in safe hands with our expert Classic Car Technicians. Take a look at our awards here.

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