Vapour Blasting
September 4, 2020
These car parts have all undergone a special cleaning treatment of vapour blasting here at our Pettistree workshop. The inlet manifold, cam cover, sump and
September 4, 2020
We’ve Got Front Row Seats For The Morris Mini
September 4, 2020
Following stripping the interior of the 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, our trim shop extraordinaire Brian has been hard at work rebuilding this iconic beauty. With
BMW Photo Shoot
September 4, 2020
We promised earlier in the week you’d see some professional shots of the 1989 BMW M3 following her full paint job. So here she is!
Custom Built Bracket For The Jensen
September 4, 2020
Our 1960 Jensen needed a new number plate bracket, the trouble was, none that fitted were in existence. Therefore, our creative and very talented classic
Morris Minor Gets Final Primer
September 4, 2020
Final high build primer has been applied to the doors and bonnet of the 1963 Morris Minor by our paint-shop-pro Chris. “All they need now
Give The Jensen a Brake
September 4, 2020
Restoration work continues on the black 1960 Jensen 541R. This week the brakes have been given some special attention by our classic car expert technician
Boot Repair On The 500SL
September 4, 2020
After spending many years stored under a tree before arriving here at Bridge, we continue to uncover rust and corrosion throughout the 1987 Mercedes 500SL.
Corr! What a Door!
September 4, 2020
Mauro, our master mechanic here at Bridge has been completing work on the doors of the 1973 Triumph TR6. Along with getting all the mechanisms
Damaged Driveshaft
September 4, 2020
Our classic car Technician Dave has repaired a couple of damaged driveshafts on our lovely 1947 MG TC. “Originally, the car came in with differential problems”
Our Trim Shop Team are Diamonds!
September 4, 2020
Our trim shop duo Brian and Kath have been working wonders on the 1973 TR6 interior. Brian started by making this centre console cover, pulling
The Riley Merlin Exhaust Is Exhausted
September 4, 2020
The 1926 Riley Merlin Nine Briggs came to us with a rigid exhaust pipe. Eventually, the natural movement of the engine would lead it to
The Rare Riley – British Motor Museum
September 4, 2020
Bridge Classic Car’s Directors, father and son team Gordon and Craig visited the British Motor Museum this week on one very specific mission – to
Vapour Blasting
September 4, 2020
These car parts have all undergone a special cleaning treatment of vapour blasting here at our Pettistree workshop.
The inlet manifold, cam cover, sump and side covers from a Mercedes Pagoda, a 1972 Peugeot 504 and a 1961 Jensen have all had the impressive cleaning treatment and just look at those results!
Vapour blasting is an industrial cleaning method that removes tough grime and grease but is gentle enough to protect valuable and sometimes delicate components, which are often found in classic cars.
This method is perfect for our classics, returning them to their former glory these parts now look brand news, who would have thought they’re from the 60’s and 70’s?
We’ve Got Front Row Seats For The Morris Mini
September 4, 2020
Following stripping the interior of the 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, our trim shop extraordinaire Brian has been hard at work rebuilding this iconic beauty.
With the chairs stripped right back to the bare metal, Brian’s rebuilt the chairs starting with new rubber straps fixed to the frame. “I used hessian to line the base and stop damage,” he describes. “Then I added foam to the base, with extra foam added to bolster the front of each chair.” This is the slight curve you can see in the pictures and add to not only the look of the seats but to their comfort too.
Brian then attached the leather covers across the foam, using clips around the base and hog rings to hold the fabric in place.
We’re already so in love with this colour combination. The options really are limitless when it comes to classic car restorations!
BMW Photo Shoot
September 4, 2020
We promised earlier in the week you’d see some professional shots of the 1989 BMW M3 following her full paint job. So here she is!
Finished in the quintessential Diamond Schwartz, this stunner of an 80’s classic came to use with dents, scratches and fractures which have all now been rectified.
The BMW M3 was and still is one of the most desirable 80’s icons, well that, and Madonna… We’ll let you decide who’s aged better!
Custom Built Bracket For The Jensen
September 4, 2020
Our 1960 Jensen needed a new number plate bracket, the trouble was, none that fitted were in existence.
Therefore, our creative and very talented classic car specialist technician Paul manufactured a custom built bracket to take it’s place.
Using aluminium, he cut and bent the metal into the correct shape and fitted it seamlessly into position. You’d never tell it hadn’t started it’s life there.
Awesome work Paul!
Morris Minor Gets Final Primer
September 4, 2020
Final high build primer has been applied to the doors and bonnet of the 1963 Morris Minor by our paint-shop-pro Chris. “All they need now is a final rub down ready to be painted,” he explains.
The side panels have also been prepped and shaped with filler, ready for their polyester primer.
Inside the car, polyester sealant has been used along all the welded joints. This section will be ready for painting very soon too.
This project is coming along quite nicely, we’re looking forward to seeing the finished paint job in the coming weeks, coupled with the next stage of the restoration- the trim shop.
Give The Jensen a Brake
September 4, 2020
Restoration work continues on the black 1960 Jensen 541R. This week the brakes have been given some special attention by our classic car expert technician Paul.
“I’ve refurbished the handbrake caliper,” explains Paul, “then fitted the repaired unit back into place.”
Next stop – the trim shop.
Boot Repair On The 500SL
September 4, 2020
After spending many years stored under a tree before arriving here at Bridge, we continue to uncover rust and corrosion throughout the 1987 Mercedes 500SL.
One of our welders Toby has completed welding work in the boot this week. “There was excessive corrosion all over the boot floor,” Toby described. “So I’ve welded a new piece into place.”
There’s still a way to go to get this classic into tip-top condition. Belonging to one of our Directors Craig, he’s enjoying seeing the progress so far.
Corr! What a Door!
September 4, 2020
Mauro, our master mechanic here at Bridge has been completing work on the doors of the 1973 Triumph TR6.
Along with getting all the mechanisms working on the handles and windows, Mauro had been busy finishing up other bits. “I’ve also finished the surrounds on the doors and windows,” Mauro explains. “So all the rubber seals are now in place to make the doors water tight.”
Damaged Driveshaft
September 4, 2020
Our classic car Technician Dave has repaired a couple of damaged driveshafts on our lovely 1947 MG TC.
“Originally, the car came in with differential problems” explains Dave, “but once the differential had a complete overhaul we realised then that the driveshafts were all twisted.”
Dave’s now replaced two of the four driveshafts and the car is back to full working order. Top work Dave!
Our Trim Shop Team are Diamonds!
September 4, 2020
Our trim shop duo Brian and Kath have been working wonders on the 1973 TR6 interior.
Brian started by making this centre console cover, pulling the leather around the edges and gluing it to the rear.
He’s then made the trimming and speaker panels in the same way. “I stapled the leather around the speaker panels,” explains Brian. “Seamlessly cutting and turning the holes for where the speakers will go.”
Meanwhile, superstar seamstress Kath has been marking out and stitching the stunning diamond design onto the leather. “This pattern will be featured on the cockpit panel, the wheel arch panels, door panels, seats and headrests,” she explains.
Kath uses much of the original interior as a guide to create the new pattern. She marks out the pattern on the new leather, cuts it to shape and clips it together, ready to be sewn.
Kath’s also made these headrests, they too share the diamond stitching. “This diamond pattern looks beautiful,” expresses Kath. “But it’s very tricky pattern to work with! Along with ensuring all the diamond lines themselves are exact, I also must ensure the diamonds line up nicely along the edges of each panel or section. It’s not so easy to get right!”
Brian then completes the headrests by fitting the foams into the leather covers. “I stapled the leather together around the metal poles of the headrest. Then screwed their newly covered metal plates back into place to hide away the staples.”
Here’s the rear cockpit and door panels Kath’s stitched with Brian then gluing them into their final position. “I trimmed back the foam here to reduce bulk,” Brian explains. “Then I stapled around the edges, trimmed off any excess and cut slots into the leather for the pockets to eventually go.”
It looks like these two have been very busy bees over the last few days! As the car itself is back home with it’s owner, we can’t see the interior back in position just yet. But, keep your eyes peeled for more updates as we hope to be showing off the final result very soon!
The Riley Merlin Exhaust Is Exhausted
September 4, 2020
The 1926 Riley Merlin Nine Briggs came to us with a rigid exhaust pipe. Eventually, the natural movement of the engine would lead it to break.
Our specialist classic car technician Dave has built her a new, more flexible, exhaust pipe. “A rigid exhaust pipe would eventually break the exhaust manifold,” explains Dave. “I’ve now built and welded together a new, flexible, stainless steel exhaust.”
This should tide her over for many more drives to come. Good job Dave!
The Rare Riley – British Motor Museum
September 4, 2020
Bridge Classic Car’s Directors, father and son team Gordon and Craig visited the British Motor Museum this week on one very specific mission – to learn all about their 1905 Riley 9HP.
The museum is home to what is believed to be one of only three 1905 Riley’s in existence. Gordon and Craig were invited for a private viewing to get up close and personal with this unbelievable piece of history.
“The Riley 9HP we have here at Bridge needs a full build and restoration,” Gordon describes. “It arrived to us as little more than a truck full of loose parts, so to see the car as it should look is a real treat.”
The visit certainly got Gordon and Craig excited to see what their Riley should look like. They took an array of photo’s to bring back to Bridge HQ that will give our experts some valuable insight into the cars mechanics, electrics and aesthetics. There’s a long road ahead as the technical team start to piece together this extraordinary vehicle. But for now – here’s a flavour of the museums Riley in all it’s glory.
The British Motor Museum is a glorious day out. It’s home to the largest collection of historic British cars in the world and boasts over 300 classic and vintage cars dating right back to the beginning of the 20th century.
The enormous purpose built premises is nestled within 65 acres of Warwickshire countryside. The museum was awarded a Heritage Lottery grant of 1.3 million pounds in 2006, which was used to enhance the displays and build a stunning mezzanine viewing platform.
“I especially liked seeing Fab 1,” expressed Craig. Which is Lady Penelope’s iconic pink car, redesigned by Ford in 2002 from the original 1960’s Rolls Royce featured in Thunderbirds. Bridge Classics are proud to work with Project Plastics in Colchester, who produced the windscreen on Ford’s new Fab 1.
“The James Bond Landrover was also a great sight,” described Craig. “007 cars are always a firm favourite of ours.”
Working with classic cars every day is such a privilege. These cars bring back such special personal memories and nostalgia, it’s been brilliant for Craig and his Father Gordon to see some of the best examples around. Special thanks go to curator Cat Griffin for being such a wonderful host, we shall be back for sure!
