What a Fin-tastic Bus!

September 8, 2020

Bridge Classic Cars was recently contacted about a very special valuation on this rather intriguing 1950’s Lymers bus, known locally as ‘The Fishtail’.

This interesting A.E.C Regal Mk.111 has had quite an extraordinary life. Costing a mere £5,000 when new, she was used to travel to many a ‘Festival of Britain’ celebration in London, along with some school runs and trips to the coast.

Most famously, she carried Stoke City Football Club around Stoke-On-Trent after their triumph in the 1972 League Cup.

After going into storage in the 70’s for over twenty years, her new owners have given her a new lease of life and undergone a labour of love restoration. She’s been rewired, re-panelled, painted and upholstered, along with having her engine fine-tuned.

Interestingly, the Dorsel Fin was one of the earliest versions of what we now know as air-con. Back in the 50’s there would have been large numbers of smokers using transport like this, so the fin would act as a vent to expel the smoke.

We’ve fallen in love with this fishtail bus full of character, be on the look out for her next exploration!

Final Farewell Dear MGA

September 8, 2020

It’s a bitter sweet feeling when we say our final goodbye’s to a classic that’s been with us for a full restoration. Our gorgeous 1960 MG A has been with us for over a year, so we’ve got pretty used to seeing this beautiful car every day.

We’ve completed many an MG restoration over the years, but none quite tugged on our heartstrings quite like this one. Not least because of how beautiful the car is itself, but the owner Mike too, who’s won us over with the love he holds for this very special piece of history.

Mike is clearly besotted with his MGA, and rightly so. We too couldn’t help but swoon over the pictures of the MGA from back in her prime in the 70’s. “I was driven in this MGA on my wedding day, by my best man” Mike told us, “so it holds a very special place in my heart”.

After years searching for his beloved MG A, Mike eventually tracked her down. She’d spent 26 years stored in a barn, and although we could all see her potential, a lot of work needed to be done.

Mike had met the Bridge Classic Cars team years before, so knew we were the ones he wanted to bring his precious MGA back to life. We started work on the MGA by stripping the car bare and removing the engine to complete a full engine rebuild.

With the engine parts restored, any parts that couldn’t be restored replaced and a fresh coat of paint on the engine block, the engine was then fully reassembled and looked a treat.

The car’s shell was treated to a good rub down and primed, ahead of going into our specialist paint shop here at Bridge Classic Cars. With so much nostalgia attached to this car, Mike decided to keep her in the original signal red he knew and loved.

The MGA had a lot of mechanical and electrical work to have done to get her into full working order. Restoration work was carried out by Bridge Classic Car’s specialists technicians on the dashboard, suspension, gearbox and brakes.

It was then time for the Bridge Classic Cars specialist trim shop to work their magic on the cars interior. For a full interior restoration the MG A was given newly upholstered chairs, flooring, door and boot panels.

Not forgetting the MGA’s iconic soft top, which was also treated to a custom made roof by Bridge’s specialist trim shop team. All in-keeping with the original design of the car, but with a black roof, as per Mikes request.

With the final finishing touches added to this stunning car, including chrome bumpers, wing badges, a new windscreen and a spare tyre cover, the 1960 MG A was really starting to look like herself again.

As the entire car was undergoing a full restoration, most members of the Bridge Classic Cars family play a part in putting this beauty back together again. We are so chuffed with the final result – as is Mike!

Mike came to collect his pride and joy and was overwhelmed with the special memories this classic car brings back to him.

Mike marked the occasion with a special poem, written especially for us at Bridge Classic Cars.

From a barn to a palace – Bridge Classics.
From a palace to a crown.
The crown fits an Austin Princess,
But who now wears the crown?
1960 to 2020 – the story goes,
The crown was replaced by an octagon (no less!)
In which the immortal letters MG are found,
And in 60 long years,
She faithfully conveyed seven proud owners-
With assorted histories of lives lived and journeys made.
And where is she now?
Why back with me my lads and lassies,
My very first car!
Oh, what a star.
Come back from afar.
Thank you all, at Bridge Classic Cars’

We all wish Mike many more joyous road trips in his beautiful 1960 MG A, it’s been an absolute pleasure for us to restore. Happy driving Mike!