July 18, 2023

A Modern Arrival

While we obviously specialise in classic vehicles, every now and again, we welcome more modern cars into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, and this is

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A Very Special Arrival

Earlier today, we welcomed an extremely special classic car to the workshop – our 1939 Jaguar SS100.

The SS100 was the successor to the SS90 and was given its name thanks to its top speed at the time of 100mph. It was one of the first cars to have independent front suspension and quickly became a hit when it was revealed at the 1936 London Motor Show. During the three years it was in production (1936 – 1939), it was very popular with racing enthusiasts as well as the rich and famous.

It could be argued that if it hadn’t been for the start of World War II, the SS100 would have had a much longer production run. However, it wasn’t until 1948 that Jaguar was finally able to release its next sports car – the XK120.

Our 1939 Jaguar SS100 has come to us to investigate a couple of issues the owner has been experiencing such as the brakes binding. As it has been driven around America and, all being well, will leave us to be driven around Ireland very soon – this 3.5-litre classic is certainly being used and enjoyed as it should be!

Goodwood Festival Of Speed


The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a spectacular annual event that celebrates the rich heritage of motorsport and showcases a stunning range of vehicles from different eras. Held in the beautiful grounds of Goodwood House, this iconic festival has become one of the most eagerly anticipated gatherings for car enthusiasts and racing fans from all over the world.

With a history dating back to 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has evolved into a four-day event that attracts both manufacturers and private collectors, who show off their impressive car collections. The event offers a unique opportunity to witness an awe-inspiring collection of cars, ranging from vintage classics to cutting-edge supercars and everything in between.

Bridge Classic Cars Director, Craig attended the Festival Of Speed 2023 and had an incredible time admiring some extremely notable vehicles. A big talking point of the FOS was the highly-anticipated reveal of Caterham’s Project V – a fully-electric sports car that can cover 0 – 62mph in 4.5 seconds before carrying on up to a top speed of 143mph!

Many famous faces were present at the festival including the likes of racing drivers Esteban Gutierrez, Jenson Button, Karun Chandhok, Mika Hรคkkinen, Damon Hill, Travis Pastrana and Mark Webber. Sebastian Vettel also made a memorable appearance in multiple cars from his own personal collection. Vettel’s presence was to promote sustainable fuel throughout the motorsport industry as well as in daily driving.

Craig said: “This was my first time attending Festival of Speed. I have been to Revival and Members Meet for many years so it was good to finally see FOS too. I had a great time at the event, there were a lot of cars there that I couldn’t help but to stop and admire. As a lifelong car nut, I was certainly in my element and will definitely return again.”


The Hill Climb

At the heart of the festival is the famous hill climb, where drivers compete against the clock to ascend the challenging course that winds its way through the Goodwood estate. The hill climb showcases the raw power, precision, and skill of both historic and contemporary racing machines. Spectators gather along the route, witnessing the thunderous roars and breathtaking speeds as drivers push their vehicles to the limits.

There are usually a number of cars that don’t make it to the end of the course and this year was no different. One crash that got a lot of media attention was the Hyundai RN22e which ploughed through the hay bales in a spectacular impact. It’s likely millions of pounds worth of damage was caused over the festival this year seeing as some extremely special (and expensive) cars didn’t make it around the course unscathed.

Goodwood Festival Of Speed 2023 – Highlights

The Goodwood Festival of Speed also boasts an impressive display of legendary racing cars, offering visitors a chance to get up close and personal with some of the most iconic vehicles in motorsport history. From Formula 1 cars that have graced the world’s most famous circuits to rally cars that have conquered treacherous terrains, the festival pays homage to the achievements and innovations that have shaped the automotive landscape.


Another big part of the festival is the spirit of innovation. This is apparent through the showcasing of cutting-edge technologies and concepts that represent the future of transportation. Electric and hybrid vehicles, autonomous driving technologies, and sustainable mobility solutions take centre stage, emphasising the importance of environmentally friendly practices in the automotive industry.

For example, Sebastian Vettel put on a display as part of his โ€˜Race without Traceโ€™ initiative where he used fossil-free P1 sustainable fuel to power his 1992 Williams and 1993 McLaren F1 cars. These are the legendary cars that took Nigel Mansell to the Formula 1 World Championship and the late Ayrton Senna to his final race at Monaco.

Craig said: “The future of the automotive industry is not completely clear right now. Seeing how some of the big names are reacting to the change in priorities definitely makes me a bit more confident that we aren’t going to lose the thrill of driving anytime soon. The sustainable fuel that Vettel demonstrated today is a clear indication that it is possible to enjoy your cars while still moving more towards a sustainable future.”

Another New Arrival

The Bridge Classic Cars workshop has welcomed several new arrivals lately, with one of the most recent ones being our 1997 Yamaha Virago 750.

This will eventually be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions but, for now, it will be inspected and assessed by our experienced workshop team.

A Modern Arrival

While we obviously specialise in classic vehicles, every now and again, we welcome more modern cars into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, and this is the latest one – our 2016 Peugeot 308.

While it is with us, some interior trim work will be completed before our 308 goes back home to its owner.

A New Arrival With An Unknown Future

We recently saw the arrival of our 1934 Morris Eight into the Bridge Classic Cars Workshop. This is currently going into our personal collection, however, this isn’t necessarily the finalised plan for this beautiful classic car.

At the moment, we aren’t sure whether it should become a competition car through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions or not. In the very near future, we will be reaching out to you to find out what you think….but, for now at least, we will enjoy having our Morris Eight with us in the workshop.