Latest from the team, our Transit restoration
February 6, 2024
Here is a full run down on the works carried out recently on our Ford Transit Mk2. Tony has collected a new/old stock prop shaft
February 6, 2024
Please hold caller… Our 1982 Bedford HA is now live
February 6, 2024
The beloved panel van formed a core moment in the automotive lives of so many. Maybe it was your first role of responsibility at work
Latest addition to Bridge Classic Cars storage
February 6, 2024
…and it’s a beauty! Our 1000 mile 2011 Morgan 4/4 is now safely tucked away at our new storage facilities. As well as a larger
Car collection of the 17yr old Craig
February 6, 2024
Probably to most people, this wouldn’t be considered the garage of dreams but to me, this is the start of exactly that. At the age
Latest from the team, our Transit restoration
February 6, 2024
Here is a full run down on the works carried out recently on our Ford Transit Mk2.
Tony has collected a new/old stock prop shaft whilst on his travels and it is now safely back with us here at Bridge Classic Cars HQ.
Mauro has been working on some of the smaller components to get them black up and ready for refit.
Steve has been fitting up the windows and quarter lights. We have replaced the lower mounting point for the offside quarter light frame. He has also blasted the mirror casings.
Meanwhile, Lydia in the trim-shop has cut out the plastic liner for the door cards and stuck this to the door. She has then made some minor adjustments to the door card to allow it to fit correctly under the top rail, and then put the door card clips in.
The fuel tank is in need of repair so Steve has photographed the unit to send over in preparation for the repairers.
Please hold caller… Our 1982 Bedford HA is now live
February 6, 2024
The beloved panel van formed a core moment in the automotive lives of so many. Maybe it was your first role of responsibility at work or it was an early runaround filled with friends and laughter, either way it was always there but have become a seldom sight in the UK classic car scene.
Just like this one, our 1982 Bedford HA.
Using the Vauxhall Viva as a base, the HA’s were first let loose on British roads in 1964 and would continue to play a key role in the high-street landscape up until production ended in the early 1980’s. A favourite with utility companies, the HA’s would wear a multitude of liveries throughout their production run including the Royal Mail, British Gas, British European Airways and the famous yellow and blue British Telecom livery like our van.
After their working life was over, many of these vans would find themselves on the driveways of young petrolheads across the UK as some of their first forays onto the open road, and into a special place in their automotive hearts.
Our 1982 Bedford HA has been subject to a comprehensive restoration by a previous owner who transformed KTS 92X into the beautiful panel van that you see today and pay tribute to the bright and eye-catching British Telecom vans of the 1970s/1980s as documented in the wonderful photos of the cars transformative journey.
Latest addition to Bridge Classic Cars storage
February 6, 2024
…and it’s a beauty! Our 1000 mile 2011 Morgan 4/4 is now safely tucked away at our new storage facilities. As well as a larger space for car storage we now have a room dedicated to the storage of motorcycles. Our secure location is based in the heart of the Suffolk countryside but transport to and from any UK location is available. If you wish to discuss your storage needs please feel free to get in touch.
Car collection of the 17yr old Craig
February 6, 2024
Probably to most people, this wouldn’t be considered the garage of dreams but to me, this is the start of exactly that.
At the age of 17 I passed my test, in just under 4 weeks. I had booked my theory for my birthday itself and then went on to book my practical for the next available time. That time was 4 weeks and as Ipswich was booked up well beyond 4 weeks the closest slot I could get was Clacton. With the help of my amazing instructor I passed my test 1st time.
Aside from the little Mini I had to drive around the fields in as a kid I bought my first actual car 6 months prior to my 17th birthday and although it never moved I would often spend my weekends pushing it in and out of the garage to give it a clean. That car was my 1998 Citroen Saxo VTR.
Fast forward now to 2021 and I took a call from my friend Luke who just so happened to see an advert for a matching Citroen Saxo VTR, same colour, same interior…even the same year! I took a trip up north to view this 20,000 mile, totally original example and it brought back so many amazing memories. Even smelt like my old car. There began the start of my small but sentimental car collection.
Then came the purchase of my 1998 Lotus Elise, the car that many 17 year olds dreamt of owning but extortionate insurance costs put a stop to that ever happening! I found my Lotus in H&H Auctions for sale as part of the race driver Jeff Ward collection.
Having covered just 11,000 miles from new and still boasting a 100% factory specification this little Lotus was just too good to be true.
Finally, well I should I say ‘next up’ because hopefully this won’t be the final car is my 2000 Peugeot 306 Cabriolet.
Believe it or not, as a 17yr old the Peugeot 306 Cabriolet was the car I wanted to own but again, due to insurance and the cost of the car at the time, this was beyond my reach. 22 years on I see this incredible 13,000 mile example go through CCA (Classic Car Auctions) in Warwick and as we planned on a trip there for the auction I thought I’d give it a go and guess what…I won!
So now I’m the proud owner of 3 cars from my past and hopefully I’ll continue to find good examples of the cars I wished I’d have owned.
Thanks to our good friend Alan Kenny, the incredibly talented man behind the majority of the Silverstone, Iconic, CCA photographs for letting me have a copy of all of his images.
