July 6, 2021

VW T2 Fuel Leak

We have discovered a slight fuel leak whilst preparing our VW T2. Upon closer inspection a fuel hose was disintegrating so we have replaced the

Read More »

DB2/4’s Dodgy Bonnet

We’re in the process of reconstructing the Aston Martin DB2/4 bonnet which is showing signs of dubious structural integrity. The team have removed the frame

Read More »

Beetle Service

This charming Beetle came into us due to a breakdown caused by a condenser wire rubbing against the body and causing issues with the distributor.

Read More »

Rear Axle Re-Works

We’ve been taking apart the rear axle on our green Jaguar E-Type Series 1 so that we can rebuild it back up to performance. Scott

Read More »

Silver Service

We’re running our beautiful 1972 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 through a thorough service to check that it’s running as it should.

Read More »

Hilux’s New Trim

Last week Kath was working on a new headliner and sun visors. Today, Brian is setting up the Hilux so that the ceiling cloth can

Read More »

Coming soon: 1970 Land Rover Series 3

Coming soon to the Bridge Classic Cars workshops, we have our 1978 Land Rover Series 3. This will undergo a full restoration here with Bridge. Having been off the road for some time we look forward to getting her back up and running once again.

See you soon Landy…

Rebuild of the Jaguar E Type hub carriers!

Scott has been busy rebuilding the hub carriers for the Jaguar E Type 4.2.

He started by fitting the universal joints, and then cleaned up all the parts because they were covered in old grease! Scott then inspected all the parts and found that the near side rear wheel bearing was worn from sitting. Handily, there was already another one in stock, so that was fitted. He then reassembled it all and greased it so it was ready to go back together.

The future of Vauxhall in the UK is safe, thanks to EV

Source: BBC News Business – Theo Leggett: Business Correspondent

Vauxhall owner Stellantis has announced plans to build electric vans at its Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire.

It produced its first car, the Vauxhall Viva, in 1964, and produced the Viva, Chevette, and Vauxhall and Opel Astra.

1970 Vauxhall Viva GT

The £100m investment, which the UK government will contribute to, will safeguard more than 1,000 factory jobs.

The future of the plant has been in doubt after Vauxhall’s parent company scrapped plans to build its new Astra model there.

The Ellesmere Port plant will also make electric passenger car models for Vauxhall, Opel, Peugeot and Citroën.

Production of an all-electric van will start in 2022, the car-maker said.

The government has held talks with Stellantis about options for the Cheshire factory and ministers are understood to have offered about £30m in financial support.

‘Global Race’

Carlos Tavares, head of Stellantis, had previously warned that the company would no longer invest in pure diesel or petrol cars at the plant, and said a decision on where it would build electric vehicles would depend on the UK government’s support of the car sector.

Mr Tavares said: “Performance is always the trigger for sustainability and this £100m investment demonstrates our commitment to the UK and to Ellesmere Port.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “It’s a huge vote of confidence in our economy, in the people of Ellesmere Port, and in our fantastic post-Brexit trading relationships.”

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Ellesmere Port’s proud tradition in auto manufacturing will continue for many years to come thanks to today’s investment.”

He said that the investment will also “secure thousands of jobs across the region in the supply chain”.

“In this global race to secure electric vehicle production, we are proud to support Britain’s auto sector in this crucial transition as we work to build back better,” Mr Kwarteng added.

Sales of vans have been booming during the pandemic, as a result of growing home delivery sales.

Vauxhall’s Luton plant is currently operating at full capacity so Stellantis wants to expand production at Ellesmere Port to serve the UK market.

Like other manufacturers it is also preparing for an all-electric future. The UK will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, with other European countries setting similar targets.

Last week, Japanese carmaker Nissan announced an expansion of electric vehicle production at its car plant in Sunderland which will create 1,650 new jobs.

Hollie Hughes, 24, an engineer at the Ellesmere Port plant, who started as an apprentice nearly eight years ago, said the plans were “so exciting”, especially the electric vehicle aspect.

“It’s a massive highlight for Ellesmere Port,” she said, adding that her team will be “heavily involved” in implementing the plans.

Oliver Holden, 27, a manufacturing engineer at the plant, said the employees had waited a long time for the announcement.

“From today, everyone will be pleased – the mood will be lifted, I believe,” he said. “Everyone now can focus on the next challenges and move towards the future.”

The outlook for the British automotive industry is certainly a lot rosier now than it was just a few months ago.

Without investment in new products every few years, car plants die; and the ageing factory at Ellesmere Port has long been regarded as particularly vulnerable.

Earlier this year Carlos Tavares, the acerbic chief executive of Vauxhall’s parent company Stellantis, made it very clear that investment would only arrive if the government itself were prepared to support the industry.

It appears the government has done just that, with both Nissan and Stellantis, pledging to spend serious amounts of money developing electric vehicles here as a result.

But there’s a long way to go to secure the future of car manufacturing, as it prepares for an all-electric future. After years of uncertainty over the outcome of Brexit, which made carmakers reluctant to commit to new plans, the UK is still playing catch-up.

VW T2 Fuel Leak

We have discovered a slight fuel leak whilst preparing our VW T2. Upon closer inspection a fuel hose was disintegrating so we have replaced the hose with new and the fuel leak is no more!

Morris Ready For Paint

Our beautiful blue Morris Minor is in the paint booth ready for paint to finish its visit.

DB2/4’s Dodgy Bonnet

We’re in the process of reconstructing the Aston Martin DB2/4 bonnet which is showing signs of dubious structural integrity. The team have removed the frame from the bonnet so that they can fix it. This had to be done by cutting it in half and sliding it out on either side, meaning that when they fit it again, it’ll be welded back in position. The two metals together had caused bio-Metalic corrosion so new parts need to be fabricated.

Beetle Service

This charming Beetle came into us due to a breakdown caused by a condenser wire rubbing against the body and causing issues with the distributor. Ady is attending to the engine problem whilst Mauro carries out a service.

Peony Jensen Update

The exhaust on our Peony Jensen has been fitted by Demand Engineering. We now need to put the seats and pins in, air filter, bleed the gearbox and modify the number plate.

Rear Axle Re-Works

We’ve been taking apart the rear axle on our green Jaguar E-Type Series 1 so that we can rebuild it back up to performance. Scott has been rebuilding the wheel bearings so that he can fit new ones.

Silver Service

We’re running our beautiful 1972 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 through a thorough service to check that it’s running as it should.

Hilux’s New Trim

Last week Kath was working on a new headliner and sun visors. Today, Brian is setting up the Hilux so that the ceiling cloth can be fitted. Brian first cleaned the roof, before fitting sound deadening. Once the sound deadening was in place, Brian then begun fitting the roof lining fabric, gluing it perfectly into place.

This restoration is a part home-restoration with the occasional help from us at Bridge. The clients have decided they want to do it themselves with our aid as and when it’s needed.

As always, a wonderful job by our trim team!

Integra Sanding And Fabricating

Pricey and Lydia have been working on our Honda Integra. Lydia has been sanding down various panels in preparation for paint whilst James has been taking apart the internal panels around the arch and fabricating new parts.

Behind The Scenes: Blue Austin Mini

On Thursday, the team headed down to shoot our blue 1989 Austin Mini at Bentwaters. Although it was a rather gloomy day, Freddie and Ellie still managed to shoot a fantastic video and gallery of images with Charlotte.

You can take a full look at the photos here, first up we have Charlotte’s portraits:

And here is the full product gallery of the mini:

Tr6’s New Steering Wheel

We’ve been putting the finishing touches on the steering wheel of our Triumph TR6 before it goes back to Germany. Kath has dedicated her time to the pain-staking process of recvoering the wheel and carefully sewing it up around the inside edge, making sure the stitches are tight and strong.

We’ve also been making sure that the engine is running smoothly.