UKโs Most Ideal Holiday Driving Companions
Recent research has identified the celebrities British people would most like to accompany them on a UK holiday road trip. Topping the list of preferred
Recent research has identified the celebrities British people would most like to accompany them on a UK holiday road trip. Topping the list of preferred
Here are Jonn’s notes relating to his work on one of our new arrivals – a 1976 Chevrolet Corvette: Inspect brake system. Carry out full
Tony recently delivered our 1998 BMW M3 Evo back to its owner in London.
Here are Jonn’s notes as he finishes off our 2022 Bridge C-Type Replica: Carry out oil and filter change. Leave to drain for an extended
Steve has removed the engine and gearbox of our 1978 MG Midget so he was able to gain access to repair the gearbox leak as
Mauro has continued his work on our 1975 AC Cobra Replica and it is now really starting to take shape.
An old friend has recently returned to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in the form of our 1968 MGB GT. While it is here, Mauro
Christian has been repairing the stone guards on our 1979 Ferrari 400 GT.
Jonn has been reassembling the engine of our 1963 Fiat 500. Here are his notes: Start to reassemble engine. Clean all parts not already cleaned
Last week, Tony loaded up our 1986 Bertone X1/9 and delivered it to its new owner Colin. Colin won the car through Bridge Classic Cars
Our 1973 Ferrari Dino has been making some good progress through its restoration as of late. Christian has been installing new parts with the right
Paul has been working on our 1956 Jensen 541. He fabricated a cover to protect the wiring to the fuel pump and checked over the
Recent research has identified the celebrities British people would most like to accompany them on a UK holiday road trip. Topping the list of preferred drivers is Jeremy Clarkson, with TV personalities, sports stars, and even a royal figure making the cut as well.
The survey, commissioned by Kwik Fit, the UKโs leading automotive servicing and repair company, also delved into who Brits would most like to have as passengers for an enjoyable journey. Comedian Peter Kay, star of the TV sitcom Car Share, emerged as the top choice, followed by other TV favourites known for their storytelling abilities – Stephen Fry and Bob Mortimer.
While Jeremy Clarkson is the unanimous choice for both men and women as the ideal driver, the rest of the top five show some variation. Both genders included David Beckham and Lewis Hamilton in their selections, but their remaining choices differ. Men favoured comic actor and car enthusiast Rowan Atkinson and Clarksonโs long-time co-presenter James May, while women leaned towards style and sophistication, choosing James Bond star Daniel Craig and Princess Anne.
Rank | All Adults | Men | Women |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jeremy Clarkson | Jeremy Clarkson | Jeremy Clarkson |
2 | David Beckham | Rowan Atkinson | Lewis Hamilton |
3 | Lewis Hamilton | David Beckham | David Beckham |
4 | Rowan Atkinson | Lewis Hamilton | Princess Anne |
5 | Princess Anne | James May | Daniel Craig |
Similarly, when it comes to picking a favourite passenger, Peter Kay remains the top choice across the board. His comedic insights and experience with Car Share likely contribute to his popularity. For men, storytelling is key, with Stephen Fry, Bob Mortimer, and Frank Skinner joining Kay in the top five, rounded off by actress Emma Watson. Women, however, seem to prefer musical entertainment, with Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Stacey Solomon making their top five alongside Kay and Fry.
Rank | All Adults | Men | Women |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Peter Kay | Peter Kay | Peter Kay |
2 | Stephen Fry | Stephen Fry | Adele |
3 | Bob Mortimer | Bob Mortimer | Stephen Fry |
4 | Adele | Frank Skinner | Ed Sheeran |
5 | Ed Sheeran | Emma Watson | Stacey Solomon |
Notably, the research highlighted regional differences in preferences. In Scotland, for example, the excitement of the journey is important, with actor Jason Statham, known for his action-packed driving roles, being the top pick as a driver. Meanwhile, Peter Kay, although popular nationwide, was outshone by Ed Sheeran in Eastern England and Northern Ireland, and didnโt even make the top five in London, where local icon Adele took the lead.
Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: โItโs been fun to see who the nation would choose as their driver and fellow passengers to ensure happy journeys this summer holiday.ย The choices give an indication of how we like to spend our time in the car โ sharing stories and songs โ but we donโt need celebrities with us to do that.”
โWhile it might be nice to imagine handing over driving duties to a celebrity, the reality for most of us holiday motorists is that we are ultimately responsible for the happiness of our passengers. As well as making sure theyโve got the right audiobooks and music downloaded, drivers mustnโt forget to make all the pre-travel checks on their car. The one sure fire way to remove any happiness from a holiday journey is to end up stranded on the hard shoulder.โ
Here are Jonn’s notes relating to his work on one of our new arrivals – a 1976 Chevrolet Corvette:
Inspect brake system. Carry out full manual bleed of system. Still,think air is trapped in system. Attempt to pressure bleed but unable to seal reservoir. Bleed full system from master cylinder through to each wheel in order. Light still comes on occasionally and pressure at proportion valve seems unequal across the two circuits when unions undone and pedal,pressure applied, making me think there is still air trapped in system.
Looking into why the brake warning light was flashing on. After checking and bleed the brakes we found the new switch in the pressure senor valve was faulty. Also a few things we found which will require attention in the future. A bump stop becoming delamination and the radiator cross member show signs of corrosion.
Clamp off 3 wheels and bleed 4th. Repeat process for all wheels. Pedal good but light still illuminates when pedal pressed. Clamp off both fronts and retry. Light still coming on. Clamp off rears and try to see which circuit has the lower pressure. But light still coming on. Check old switch from old valve. Switch works like a reverse lightbswitch, as 8n when plunger pressed in switch then has continuity to earth, illuminating light on dash. Reiver new switch from new valve and found switch already has continuity without pressing in plunger. Wobble plunger and switch loses continuity. Fit old switch into new valveand test. Hey presto, light no longer illuminates when pedal pressed. Top up fluid. Refit wheels and torque up to 108nm. Clean area and have quick final look over ( see attached advisories). Carry out road test, all ok. Brakes fine and light not illuminating. ADVISE, All wheels show signs of wear where wheel nuts contact. Handbrake has excessive travel. Drivers side rear bumper stop hanging off. Wire to drivers side rear routed poorly above rear shock absorber. Radiator mount/ ember corroded and holed. Plate beneath rear diff insecure and rattles.
Tony recently delivered our 1998 BMW M3 Evo back to its owner in London.
Here are Jonn’s notes as he finishes off our 2022 Bridge C-Type Replica:
Carry out oil and filter change. Leave to drain for an extended period.clean out filter and housing. Remove oil filter mounting plate. John removed and cleaned pressure relief valve. Carry out nut and bolt check.
Continue nut and bolt check. Refit oil filter mount and oil filter housing. Refit sump bung and secure. Fill with new oil, run and test. Check oil pressure, all ok. At 50 psi plus at idle from cold, ok.
Finish off. Refit air filter housing. Remove wheels and carry out nut bolt check on suspension components unable to access with wheels on. Refit and tighten all wheels.
Steve has removed the engine and gearbox of our 1978 MG Midget so he was able to gain access to repair the gearbox leak as well as the engine front cover and sump leaks.
Mauro has continued his work on our 1975 AC Cobra Replica and it is now really starting to take shape.
An old friend has recently returned to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in the form of our 1968 MGB GT. While it is here, Mauro has been repairing the dents in the front lower panel. He then primed the panel ready for paint.
Christian has been repairing the stone guards on our 1979 Ferrari 400 GT.
Jonn has been reassembling the engine of our 1963 Fiat 500. Here are his notes:
Start to reassemble engine. Clean all parts not already cleaned during build process. Use manual for torque settings.
Continue engine assemble. Fit new rear main oil seal and fit flywheel and clutch. Adjust valve clearances and fit rocker cover. Start refitting fan housings. Found 1 exhaust elbow cracked and welded so order new.
Continue fitting covers. Make and fit new studs for dynamo pulley. Fit gearbox but 1 starter motor holt hole not quite aligned where weld repair is. Remove gearbox and elongate hole and refit. Fit new starter and ducting for fan.
Last week, Tony loaded up our 1986 Bertone X1/9 and delivered it to its new owner Colin. Colin won the car through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
We hope Colin enjoys his new car – we certainly loved having it here!
Our 1973 Ferrari Dino has been making some good progress through its restoration as of late.
Christian has been installing new parts with the right door gap as well as rebuilding the left-hand side and welding in the bushes to the control arms. He then sorted out the gaps from the door to the wing. Christian then fabricated a new front lower valance.
While that was going on, Steve sandblasted the suspension arms and fitted new bushes.
Paul has been working on our 1956 Jensen 541. He fabricated a cover to protect the wiring to the fuel pump and checked over the engine.
He removed one of the runners from the glass and repaired it before he started assembling the door chrome work and fabricating a bonnet support.
Paul then built up the door windows and quarter light before drilling the doors ready to fit the mirrors.
We also had our friends from Coltec in the workshop as they were setting up the engine of this rare classic.
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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