Hot on the Trail – The Famous Goldfinger DB5 Reportedly Found
It’s one of the most instantly recognisable classic cars of all time. A car that is so synonymous with a single character it became its
It’s one of the most instantly recognisable classic cars of all time. A car that is so synonymous with a single character it became its
The Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration technicians have been working on getting to the bottom of some noises that have been noted by the owner
Bridge Classic Cars have been working on the 1990 Mini 30 ahead of its upcoming draw. During its inspection, our in-house restoration technicians noted a
The bright blue all-electric 1967 Mini 850 that our paint and body experts at Bridge Classic Cars got back into tip-top shape for the project.
Our Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration technicians were busy testing the 1966 Mercedes 250SE W111 Coupe before its delivery to its new owner when they
Our in-house paint and body experts have been busy preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for its date with the Bridge Classic Cars in-house spray booth.
Our expert trimmer, Kath, has been hard at work creating a crucial piece for the 1934 MG PA Midget. The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop
The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop have been incredibly busy just before Christmas. One of the jobs that has been done was fitting the foldable
As part of the update to the workshop here at Bridge Classic Cars, it’s not just been our workshops that have been revamped but our
The 1977 Honda GL1000, which belongs to our director Gordon, is all back together now and has been fired up for the first time since
It wasn’t precisely the night before Christmas but it was near enough. With the workshop tidied away and set up for the exciting new year
It’s one of the most instantly recognisable classic cars of all time. A car that is so synonymous with a single character it became its own personality. The car which became so connected with Ian Fleming’s character James Bond has supposedly been found.
Famously, BMT 216A went missing in 1997 after it had been stored in a Florida aeroplane hangar by its then-owner. It is claimed that in the middle of the night, thieves broke in and removed the iconic sportscar leaving only a set of tire tracks, the last remaining signs of the 1963 DB5.
There are several stories which as of the time of writing, are still valid as the car has not been verified. The first was that as it left the hangar in the dead of night in 1996, it was dragged onto a trailer and smuggled out of the airfield onto a life still within the US. Others say that as it was pulled away out of the roller doors, it was loaded into a waiting Cargo Plane… very apt for the character who first drove it.
There was also a rumour that because its current owner had put a $2.4m policy on the car and was facing financial troubles. They staged the robbery and dropped the car out in the Atlantic. Many don’t believe the DB5 did meet its watery grave in June of 1997. If the owner had needed to, he could have easily sold such an important piece of film history as well as a true automotive icon.
Previously there’s been reports of it in Russian billionaires front rooms, in a dilapidated barn in South East Asia or the wildest and most shocking one? It’s been hiding in plain sight all these years after being turned back into a regular DB5 (or DB4) and then sold with a VIN change all of which were kept completely undocumented. What’s easier, a stolen DB5 or the stolen Goldfinger DB5 to try and hide?
However, a recent statement by Art Recovery International (a company that specialises in the finding and securing of lost or stolen collectables) stated that a car bearing many of the identifying marks of Chassis DP/216/1 had been spotted in a private collection in the Middle East. What are those identifying marks? Well, this particular car was the DB5 fitted with the swathes of gadgets needed for the stunt team while shooting the James Bond 007 film Goldfinger (which we have talked out previously here). Also, during this brief encounter, the whistleblower made a note of the cars VIN and according to some it exactly matches that of the missing ’63 DB5.
How would it have gotten out of the US? Lots of ways. Piece by piece or even in an illegal shipment completely off the books. Some say the car was in fact stolen to order instead of an opportunistic crime and the would-be robbers hoped they could get rid of the car, with something this identifiable and recognisable it would have to have been specially ordered.
In the statement, Art Recovery International’s Christopher Marinello said they were hopeful that the car will be recovered soon. Adding that ”Iโm hopeful that the possessor will come forward voluntarily before I have to make an announcement” whilst talking to The Telegraph stating that with all investigations they give those in possesions of the items time to come forward before being publicly outed.
But, what if this is indeed the missing Goldfinger DB5? What could it be worth? Well, current estimates have claimed that if the car were to be returned and come up for sale at any point it could fetch as much as ยฃ18.5m.
Either way, we’ll keep our eyes and ears out to see what the final outcome is in this new development.
The Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration technicians have been working on getting to the bottom of some noises that have been noted by the owner of this 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4.
After looking into the issue, our senior technician Dave found several components that could cause the sound. The biggest one was that there was a pin missing and perished rubber isolators from the gearbox mount which can allow the vibrations and movement of the gearbox to transfer through the chassis and into the cabin and present as a sound. Along with that, Dave also noted that the exhausts would move occasionally and when they touched each other would also cause noise.
Whilst under the car, Dave also noted that the Universal Joints had become severely worn. For that, the prop shaft had to be removed in order to replace the joints. Whilst out of the car, Dave also cleaned up the splines and assembly to make sure everything was in good condition before reinstalling back into the car.
Bridge Classic Cars have been working on the 1990 Mini 30 ahead of its upcoming draw.
During its inspection, our in-house restoration technicians noted a small leak coming from underneath the car. After looking into it further, it was found to be coming from the gearbox oil seal. So, a new seal was ordered along with new spark plugs and ignition leads to make sure this very special little Mini was running perfectly.
Our technician Paul carefully removed the old seal from the gearbox and then cleaned up the entire area in preparation to install the new seal in place. Once the new piece had been put into place in the gearbox, it was reinspected and all was ok on the report.
So, with everything completed on the 1990 Mini 30, it’s nearly time to find out who the lucky new winner will be!
The bright blue all-electric 1967 Mini 850 that our paint and body experts at Bridge Classic Cars got back into tip-top shape for the project.
It’s amazing to now know the back story on the project and just how much this bright blue little car means to Simon, the owner. It’s incredible to see the coverage this fantastic car has been getting and we wish Simon many happy miles in the car and hope to see him again soon at events.
Read more about the amazing car and its story over on The Telegraph website.
Our Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration technicians were busy testing the 1966 Mercedes 250SE W111 Coupe before its delivery to its new owner when they noted a slight water leak coming from the car.
Once the thermostat was inspected, it was found that this was the cause of the leak. Paul, one of our technicians, removed the component carefully from the car and prepared it for a replacement gasket and reinstalled back into the car. After this has been put back into the car, it will be tested and checked over again.
Our in-house paint and body experts have been busy preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for its date with the Bridge Classic Cars in-house spray booth.
Chris has been busy working on the back half of the MGB getting all the new metalwork to sit correctly and flow neatly and gently into the other panels. This is a crucial part of any aesthetic restoration so that when the primer and paint are applied to the car there is no change in the laying of either.
Soon, the car will soon go into the booth to have its epoxy primer laid and then it will all be prepared for its colour and clear coat.
Our expert trimmer, Kath, has been hard at work creating a crucial piece for the 1934 MG PA Midget. The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop pride itself on the high standard that every single piece is finished to and the tonneau cover for the MG is no exception.
Kath made the cover entirely by hand in order for it using a handmade template in order to get the best fit for the final piece. Each of the pieces made by our trim shop is hand-finished and made using traditional techniques and materials if needed. Kath managed to completely remake to better than the original spec.
Now, it can keep all the amazing trim work underneath safe and dry for many more years to come.
The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop have been incredibly busy just before Christmas. One of the jobs that has been done was fitting the foldable soft top into Fearn Grey, the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series 3 Roadster.
Brian, our head trimmer, has been carefully pulling and stretching the new material into place and securing it to the spars on the hood to make sure that the fit and finish on the soft top is perfect with no creases or loose spots. Once it was in place, Brian could then focus on testing the mechanism worked flawlessly up and down without binding up or damaging the new soft top material in any way.
Along with the completely refurbished hard top, Fearn Grey is looking absolutely sensational! and the interior is definitely a massive part of that process.
As part of the update to the workshop here at Bridge Classic Cars, it’s not just been our workshops that have been revamped but our offices have been given some love too.
Over the break, all the offices above our restoration workshop, trim shop and paint shop have been refreshed with a new coat of paint and some moving around of offices themselves. The new offices look absolutely incredible with the bright new walls and new feel.
The 1977 Honda GL1000, which belongs to our director Gordon, is all back together now and has been fired up for the first time since its rebuild!
The bike now needs some timing adjustments and a double-check of all the components before its MOT and then it will be back here at Bridge Classic Cars for Gordon to enjoy!
This bike is a beautiful example of the GL1000 Goldwing and we’re all excited to see it completed and back in our worklshop.
It wasn’t precisely the night before Christmas but it was near enough. With the workshop tidied away and set up for the exciting new year ahead of us at Bridge Classic Cars, it was time to do the final live draw of the year. It was the turn of our 1975 MGB GT V8 to find its new home and it was time for a very special announcement.
After the normal formalities, it was time to fill our amazing audience in with some news. Our incredible presenter Charlotte, was leaving the role at Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. Charlotte, who has been such an amazing presence since the very beginning of the journey has handed over the reins to our newest presenter Hayley. Hayley is a true petrolhead with a wealth of knowledge and passion for anything vintage. So, with wishing Charlotte the best of luck with everything moving forward our followers were introduced to Hayley who will handle proceedings from now on.
Then, Charlotte took you around the stunning 1975 MGB GT V8. Finished in deep red with a black interior, this 1970s British sports car was going to find its new owner that night after an amazing response by our followers. After the walkaround, it was time to fire up the laptop and the random number generator. Along with the MGB was the chance to win a very special, limited edition REC Mustang watch. First, we had to find the new owner of the watch.
As Charlotte put in the highest and lowest numbers into the random number generator, the comments on our live stream began to wash over words of encouragement and good fortune to everyone. Then, in the flash of an eye, it was number 28 who would own the REC Mustang watch. That number belonged to Russell who had Christmas come early for him with his new special edition watch.
Finally, it was time for the main event. The draw of the MGB GT V8. As Charlotte readjusted the criteria on the number generator, the anticipation rose. Then, with the click of a button, the number 2441 appeared. That particular ticket had been bought by Roger who was now the very lucky owner of this fabulous icon of British motoring.
We at Bridge Classic Cars Competitions love being able to give someone the chance to win their dream classic! And there’s even more. Head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website and enter now!
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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