Starting From Scratch – Diagnosing an Oil Leak on the 1963 Jaguar MkII 3.4
October 21, 2021
Our in-house engine builder at Bridge Classic Cars, Ady, has been working at trying to get to the bottom of the oil leak with the
October 21, 2021
Solid Foundations – Getting the Frame of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Ready for Powdercoat
October 21, 2021
The frame and body for the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 that is with us here at Bridge Classic Cars have been separated ahead of the
Finding the Cause – Leak from the Gearbox of the 1954 Jaguar MkVII
October 21, 2021
The 1954 Jaguar MkVII that was in with us for restoration is back in the workshop to look into a leak from under the car.
Coming Soon – 2003 BMW Z3
October 21, 2021
This 2000 BMW Z3 is coming into Bridge Classic Cars soon to be assessed by our in-house restoration teams to get this early 2000s sports
Coming Soon – Dashboard on a 1966 Ford Thunderbird
October 21, 2021
Bridge Classic Cars will soon be welcoming a new car into our in-house trim shop. Soon, this bright yellow big block 1966 Ford Thunderbird will
Ready to Go Home – Paint Repair on the 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S
October 21, 2021
Chris and the paint shop team at Bridge Classic Cars have been hard at work on the front bumper of the 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera
Milestone – Engine in Place on the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series 3 Roadster
October 21, 2021
There’s always certain parts of any build that can be classed as milestone moments. That rings especially true for the first time the chassis is
The Once Over – Inspecting our 1994 Piaggio Ape TM P50
October 21, 2021
Those who have been following the blog for a while may remember the 1994 Piaggio Ape we talked about back in July. Well, it is
Put on the Shelf – Making the Rear Parcel Shelf for a 1970 Dodge Charger
October 21, 2021
Our incredibly talented trim-shop experts have been hard at work on the 1970 Dodge Charger currently in at Bridge Classic Cars. Next on the list
Back to Basics – Stripping Down the 1977 MGB Roadster
October 21, 2021
The Bridge Classic Cars paint and body experts have been busy assessing the 1977 MGB Roadster that is in with us for Aesthetic restoration. Chris
Starting From Scratch – Diagnosing an Oil Leak on the 1963 Jaguar MkII 3.4
October 21, 2021
Our in-house engine builder at Bridge Classic Cars, Ady, has been working at trying to get to the bottom of the oil leak with the 1963 Jaguar MkII 3.4.
At idle, the engine would behave itself perfectly. Not a spot of oil but any higher in the revs and it would begin to leak. Ady has spent countless hours hanging over the engine bay of the MkII trying to get to the root cause of the issue. He believes he has found the cause.
Upon inspection for the oil leak, Ady has found the bores in several cylinders to be heavily scored.
With some of the pistons, the rings have too much play in them and allow a lot of the cylinder head pressure to escape past the rings, down the cylinder and into the crankcase. With this added pressure, it begins to push the oil out to any opening that may have a weakness.
The rear main seal on the MkII 3.4’s is a split seal design. Meaning at the bottom engine they are cut to allow them to be slipped into place during installation. This, with the added crankcase pressure, has been pushing the oil from the crankcase through the rear seal and out. So a combination of pistons slop, ring movement and too much crankcase pressure have been causing the leak we have been searching for.
The only remedy for this in Ady’s experience, is a full engine rebuild with new parts including a rebore to clean up the cylinder walls.
Keep an eye on the Bridge Classic Cars blog for more updates on the MkII 3.4.
Solid Foundations – Getting the Frame of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Ready for Powdercoat
October 21, 2021
The frame and body for the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 that is with us here at Bridge Classic Cars have been separated ahead of the frame being sent off for powder coating.
The body will remain here with our in-house paint and body teams to continue work while we wait for the other parts to come back.
Powder coating frames gives not only the best finish but the best protection for the chassis so it’s worthwhile having it done to this amazing car.
Finding the Cause – Leak from the Gearbox of the 1954 Jaguar MkVII
October 21, 2021
The 1954 Jaguar MkVII that was in with us for restoration is back in the workshop to look into a leak from under the car.
Upon inspection by the Bridge Classic Cars restoration team, it was found to be an issue with a gearbox seal. This has been sent away to a specialist gearbox expert to have the proper rectified in order to the engine and gearbox back in the car as soon as possible.
Keep a look out on the News Page for more updates on the Jaguar MkVII
Coming Soon – 2003 BMW Z3
October 21, 2021
This 2000 BMW Z3 is coming into Bridge Classic Cars soon to be assessed by our in-house restoration teams to get this early 2000s sports car back to its absolute best.
Keep an eye out on our news page for more updates once it arrives.
Coming Soon – Dashboard on a 1966 Ford Thunderbird
October 21, 2021
Bridge Classic Cars will soon be welcoming a new car into our in-house trim shop. Soon, this bright yellow big block 1966 Ford Thunderbird will be coming in to have its dash pad assessed by our trim team.
As you can see, its seen better days. But, our trimmer can work wonders.
Keep an eye on the news page to see more on this amazing American icon.
Ready to Go Home – Paint Repair on the 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S
October 21, 2021
Chris and the paint shop team at Bridge Classic Cars have been hard at work on the front bumper of the 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S in for some paint repairs on the front bumper.
Rather than try to blend the paint into the existing finish, Chris thought to get a better result would be to entirely repaint the bumper and match it to the body.
As you can see, the results look fantastic. Now, the Carrera is ready to go back home to its adoring owner.
Milestone – Engine in Place on the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series 3 Roadster
October 21, 2021
There’s always certain parts of any build that can be classed as milestone moments. That rings especially true for the first time the chassis is reunited with its powertrain.
This 1973 Jaguar E Type Series 3 Roadster being built by us here at Bridge Classic Cars has just met that fabled milestone. The built 5 litre V12 is now safely in place between the immaculately restored frame rails and securely in the car. Scott has been working hard to get all the necessary systems in place for a few days before the engine was carefully lowered into position. Firstly to ensure they will fit and secondly so that no damage is done to the long list of refurbished or brand new parts.
The engine looks incredible inside the car. In terms of its packaging, it is a feat of engineering to fit an engine this large in such a compact but stylish skin.
Once Scott has finalised the installation into the car, it will then be time to get everything hooked up and ready to be tested.
The Once Over – Inspecting our 1994 Piaggio Ape TM P50
October 21, 2021
Those who have been following the blog for a while may remember the 1994 Piaggio Ape we talked about back in July.
Well, it is now in our workshop being inspected ahead of its MOT. Our in-house restoration team at Bridge Classic Cars wanted to check over all the systems on the van/scooter to make sure there would be no problems.
During loading at our storage unit at RAF Bentwaters, Mauro (whose grandfather originally owned this amazing little car) found the throttle cable had snapped so as soon as he got back to the workshop, a new replacement was put on order. While waiting for the cable, Mauro began to strip down the brakes and bearings on the Ape to inspect all of the components and make sure everything was in tip-top condition.
The front drum apparently needs a new shoe but apart from that the little machine seems to be in very good condition.
We’re looking forward to having fun with this one!
Put on the Shelf – Making the Rear Parcel Shelf for a 1970 Dodge Charger
October 21, 2021
Our incredibly talented trim-shop experts have been hard at work on the 1970 Dodge Charger currently in at Bridge Classic Cars.
Next on the list of pieces that need to be done in order is the rear parcel shelf. For this, Kath had to make it from scratch. Creating a tight-fitting template, it was then cut from ply and covered to match the rest of the interior.
Kath even repainted the original fixings to make sure all originality could be kept and create a uniform look to the car.
After it was wrapped in matching material, the trim team fit it into the car and it looks absolutely amazing in the back of this wonderful muscle car.
Back to Basics – Stripping Down the 1977 MGB Roadster
October 21, 2021
The Bridge Classic Cars paint and body experts have been busy assessing the 1977 MGB Roadster that is in with us for Aesthetic restoration.
Chris and the team careful began to take apart and inspect every aspect of the car. Removing the interior to assess condition but also to gain access to vital structural parts of the car’s chassis. In all, the car’s underpinnings were in relatively good shape. However, some of the body panels will require work done to them in order for this stunning little roadster to be in the best condition possible.
Chris and Lydia then began to remove the paint for each of the panels to assess any more repairs that will be needed in terms of bodywork.
