Friend of Bridge Classic Cars, Stephen Norman has announced his retirement from the Stellantis Group after 45 years in the automotive industry. He is the
The very rare and unique 1969 Audi 70L is now safe and sound at the Bridge Classic Cars secure storage facility, The Hangar. Once it
Our in-house technicians here at Bridge Classic Cars have been methodically working through the beautiful straight-six and gearbox of the 1969 Mercedes 280SL to get
The 1977 MGB Roadster which is currently in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for restoration has begun the first phase of its interior installation. The
Bridge Classic Cars Competitions thought you might like to know a bit of the back story on our 1959 MGA Twin Cam that is currently
Friend of Bridge Classic Cars, Stephen Norman has announced his retirement from the Stellantis Group after 45 years in the automotive industry.
He is the head of the team attributed with saving Vauxhall. But his career began at British-Leyland and saw spells are Renault and Volkswagen.
We have cared for several of Stephen’s cars over the years and we wish him all the best in future.
The very rare and unique 1969 Audi 70L is now safe and sound at the Bridge Classic Cars secure storage facility, The Hangar.
Once it arrived, the next day the car received a full valet inside and out. The car will then be kept at the storage facility while it is awaiting its slot in our restoration workshop at Pettistree. Until then, we all continue to monitor the car, collecting parts we need and look into the history of this wonderful piece of UK Audi history.
Keep a look out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page and social media channels for updates on the 1969 Audi 70L.
Our in-house technicians here at Bridge Classic Cars have been methodically working through the beautiful straight-six and gearbox of the 1969 Mercedes 280SL to get it ready to go back in the car.
Jon and Paul, our two in-house restoration technicians have painstakingly rerun every hose and wire that belongs to the engine and gearbox before it goes back into the engine bay of this iconic convertible. Using reference photos and catalogues made at the beginning of the project, the technicians were able to retrace each and every step to make sure that nothing has been missed off the engine.
Now with this complete and the gearbox attached to the back of the block, the guys will prepare the engine bay for the installation in the next couple of days. Ensuring that no hoses or metal lines are in the way which could be damaged during the installation.
Keep your eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for updates very soon on the 1969 Mercedes 280SL Pagoda.
The 1977 MGB Roadster which is currently in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for restoration has begun the first phase of its interior installation.
The classic 1970s has been handed over to our in-house head trimmer Brian, to begin work on the new interior of the car. The first step is to fit the new cabin sound deadening kit into the car. With Brian’s many years of experience in automotive trim work, he knows the best steps to take into making sure that all the panels fit perfectly from the very first layer being laid into the car.
Using the best quality sound deadening material, Brian began at the rear of the car. Panel by panel he worked his way from the rear of seats all the way to the very edge of the toeboards under the dash.
With these crucial pieces in place, Brian could then begin getting the beautiful black carpet pieces into the corners of the car and covering the transmission tunnel.
This is the first step in getting the brand new interior of the 1977 MGB Roadster back in by our in-house restoration team.
Bridge Classic Cars Competitions thought you might like to know a bit of the back story on our 1959 MGA Twin Cam that is currently live and waiting to be won!The 1959 MGA Twin Cam ”XLE 40” was first owned by the son of world famous composer, Annunzio Paolo Mantovani. Kenneth had ordered the car in the late 1950s and in the period it had been used in several sprints and races to some success. In 1963, Mantovani put the car up for sale in order to fund his new car, an Austin Healy 3000. He later went on to say that he preferred the handling of the MGA Twin Cam to the big Austin Healey.
After Mantovani owned the car, it was then in the care of Jo Krygier of Birmingham who owned and ran the car until 1965. At this point, the owner decided the car need a refresh. This is where the story of XLE 40, our 1959 MGA Twin Cam really begins.
About 3/4 of the way through XLE 40’s refresh in the mid-1960s, it was bought by Roger Andreason. For those who are into classic and vintage motorsport, you will know that Roger Andreason was the managing director of Chevron Cars from 1983. But before then, he used to club race. With this, his 1959 MGA Twin Cam ”XLE 40”.Roger set about creating a serious club racer out of XLE 40. Gathering all manner of hard to find spares and pieces to finish off its mechanical refresh. From there, it was to the track.
A newspaper clipping included in the cars history file from 1968 says:”On lap four they [race leaders] were joined by Roger Andreason in his twin-cam M.G.A. By completely mastering the tricky double apex of Camp Corner, Andreason managed to get a classical fast exit from the bend each time round, which brought him closer to, and then by the side of his opponents.”
But it wasn’t just here in England the car was raced during its 50-year life through Roger and then his son Chris. There are stories of XLE 40 racing in Europe and in Florida. A true racer at heart, the MGA Twin Cam was the perfect car for the job.
After its life of racing and the unfortunate and sad passing of Roger, his son Chris commissioned the car to be restored back to its original condition which is how you see the car today. Only its beautifully louvred bonnet gives any hint to its competition past. The restoration of the car was handled by a team from the original TVR factory who painstakingly worked the car back to its original specs. The only things not standard is the front grille (which is the same grille it wore throughout its racing career)and the rear lights.
Bridge Classic Cars Competitions want to give one lucky winner the chance to own this incredible piece of history. A beautiful and mechanically exceptional example of the MGA Twin Cam but add on to that the history and the story which is engrained into the very metal of its being.
Could you be the next chapter of this car’s amazing story? Head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions and enter now for your chance to become part of the history of XLE 40. The 1959 MGA Twin Cam.
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.
