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Craig Ranson

Managing Director – Bridge Classic Cars

Good Deed 8/20 – MSC Foundation

August 30, 2024

“We all have the duty to leave a better world for future generations” – Capt. Gianluigi Aponte – MSC Foundation Chair.

MSC Foundation works to restore the critical balance between people and nature within a generation. The foundation uses their global reach and unique knowledge of the sea to take immediate action that contributes to protecting and nurturing the blue planet and all of its people. The MSC Foundation is motivated by a deep sense of responsibility for the planet and its resources, particularly the oceans. The MSC Foundation takes action in harmony with the values of the MSC Group, leveraging its expertise and presence on the seas.

Embodying the Group’s commitment to protecting and nurturing our blue planet and assisting communities in need, they work with trusted partners to support programmes tailored for long-term impacts. With MSC’s global shipping heritage, the MSC Foundation is keenly aware of the increasing fragility of our planet’s interlinked ecosystems and committed to leaving a better world for future generations.

They support the most vulnerable communities around the world to realize their full potential through education, sustainable development and humanitarian medical programmes.

Environmental education, school education and vocational education, the MSC Foundation is committed to supporting all three, from the Ivory Coast to Italy. Because education lays the foundation for a brighter future for all of us and our planet.

They intervene promptly in disaster situations, even obtaining emergency supplies on their own initiative and shipping them by MSC Cargo to deliver the containers directly to the areas affected.

Environmental conservation, particularly of the marine environment, emergency relief, support for the most vulnerable communities and education are the four key areas of impact in which they are actively engaged every day. Together we can all make a difference!

2024 Festival of Classic & Sports Cars set up and take down.

August 4, 2024

Set up began early for us on this year’s stand at the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars at Helmingham Hall Gardens. The week prior to the event was glorious sunshine all week and the forecast looked good going in to the weekend so with that in mind we started the installation of the stretch tent from our friends at Events Under Canvas on the Thursday. That meant we were able to start transporting our vehicles over to site and start to lay out the display.

It was certainly less hectic this year having time on our side and the centre tent was a new feature for us this year which was an exciting new addition.

Sunday morning was a bit of a breeze to be honest. A few banners and flags to put up and then we could sit down as a team, grab a coffee and enjoy the surroundings.

The day itself is always so busy at the show that you don’t really get time to enjoy what else is there. This year especially, I didn’t even get to leave the stand so I didn’t manage to see any of the cars on display but Nick, Molly and Rob got to enjoy it a bit more when they were out and about filming the show.

You can check out the proper photos from the day here

And after a full on day which was a huge success, I think the part that was truly quite special was being the last to leave the site after clearing down. I dropped Tamas back off by his car on the top field and then had the opportunity to look back at the incredible all. A few hours previous to these photos the fields were bustling with thousands of cars and spectators all enjoying the atmosphere.

The Festival of Classic & Sports Cars is one of the best shows of the year for us and this year was one of the best of all time. Thank you so much to the team at Helmingham and we are so proud to be a big part of this show and hope to continue our relationship for many years to come.

Extended hours granted on The Classic Lounge

July 25, 2024
The Classic Lounge at Bridge Classic Cars

We are extremely pleased to announce that East Suffolk Council have allowed The Classic Lounge to extend the operating hours on a number of key events throughout the year. Thank you so much to East Suffolk Council and our neighbours for your understanding and cooperation! We look forward to seeing many many of you over the coming years at Bridge Classic Cars.

BMW leaving storage…

July 25, 2024

Having been in storage with us for a little while, the beautiful 2016 BMW S1000 XR leaves us to enjoy the sunshine. We’ll be seeing it back in a few weeks to correct a little paint imperfection but for now, it’s goodbye from us.

Great day at H&H Buxton

July 25, 2024

I had a brilliant day yesterday with H&H Classics at Pavilion Gardens in Buxton, Derbyshire. This is one of the best auctions I have been to in a while actually. With over 50 cars up for grabs at no reserve that was almost half of the catalogue that were guaranteed to be sold. That makes for an exciting day and you could tell that by the impressive turnout.

For a little while I’ve noticed a change in the atmosphere in auctions rooms. They’ve seemed flatter, less exciting than they used to be. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to go to an auction, I still get excited bidding on cars that I want to own but I see more and more cars not selling or not reaching the guide. Maybe it’s the expectations of the sellers or the auction specialists aiming too high…or a combination of both! Selling is tough these days; cars, houses, even our high streets are feeling it.

However, yesterday was totally different…

Just under 50% of the catalogue selling with no reserves, a huge proportion of the other 50% selling for guide or above, that’s exciting! Not a great day for me to grab a bargain but a brilliant day had at the auctions. I came away with 3 of the 4 cars I really wanted and probably another 5 cars I was outbid on going on to sell well. Well done H&H Classics, I think you had a great day, I hope you got the results you wanted but thank you for putting on an exciting auction…

Repairing the 1973 Dino 246 GTS

July 24, 2024

The beautiful 1973 Dino 246 GTS which is in the fabrication bay at our Pettistree workshops has been under the skilled knife of our fabrication Christian. For this stage of repairs to the 70’s sports car, Christian has been repairing the passenger side of the car.

To begin with, Christian has begun to repair the inner arch section. The original section was cut out of the car and used as a template for him to create a perfectly fitting replacement specifically for this area of the car. To do this area, Christian (along with the help of the technicians in the workshop) removed the passenger door from the car but this also gave him the opportunity to begin repairs to the bottom of the doors. Much like the inner arch, this area’s replacement panel has be specially made specifically to fit the Dino perfectly and give the best fit and finish for the car.

Scrambler for the summer!

July 19, 2024

In preparation for the Hadleigh & District Classic Motorcycle Club 40th Anniversary celebration taking place on Sunday 21st July at Whatfield Village Hall, I have taken my bike out of hibernation and put a few miles on her.

I am not a member of the club myself but I just so happened to see an article in the East Anglian Daily Times and thought I’d have a ride out with my friend Luke and grab a bite to eat.

Luke, of LRH Cars in Hadleigh is new to bike world, having only passed his CBT last month and has only recently taken delivery of his first 125cc so it’ll be great to catch up and it’s always lovely to have a friend to ride out with.

It’s also the first ride in with my new Fuel Arizona jacket, received earlier this week from Urban Rider.

A 90’s poster car arrives – the Ferrari 355

July 18, 2024

We welcome an iconic prancing horse into the workshops today. Our 1996 Ferrari 355 in for some minor body repairs and paint alterations.

Chris is making some adjustment to try to improve the alignment of the rear bumper.

And then gets to work on a little paint work required on the front. Surface rust has been removed and treated with rust inhibitor. The scuttle panel has then been primed and is ready for paint.

Clio pictures from it’s owner

July 11, 2024

Sometimes we work on projects and never actually get to see the car. Take our recent Renault Clio seat repair. The seat arrived to us minus a car, we carried out the work required and the seat went back home.

On this occasion, the customer was kind enough to send us in some images of the car throughout the stages of repair so we got to see what work has been done on her. It’s lovely to see the projects and to know that we had a hand in bringing them back to life.

Our SL returns with a noise…

June 27, 2024

Firstly, we have road tested the vehicle to experience what the customer is experiencing.
Found the noise to be coming from the nearside rear wheel so we have stripped out wheel hub and replace wheel bearing.

Whilst the car is in with us, we have fitted a DAB radio with DAB aerial and microphone.

We’ve also had reported to us a smell of fuel so we have looked into this also. Having stripped out the boot linings to check all fuel pipes we have not found there to be any leaks.

We have remove the dash cluster in order to replace the left hand bulb assembly.

The car is now ready to go but as the weather is so beautiful, the customer has asked us to store his hardtop in the summer months. Great choice. If you have a car, motorcycle or even a hardtop to store check out our amazing storage facility.

Recommission work on our Daimler Conquest

June 27, 2024

Loads has been happening this week on our 1954 Daimler Conquest as we continue to work through the recommissioning process.

Some key activities include; securing the ignition switch into the dash. Jon has remove the reserve tank cable and blanked hole with a grommet. He has remove the carburettor suction chambers and pistons.

We have removed the float bowl tops and cleaned all parts. Then moving on to adjusted the float arms and checking the needle valves before refit. The jet depths have then be reset.

The carbs have been rebuilt and we have refitted the air filter, new spark plugs. The coolant has been drained too.

Jon has stripped the steering column centre and attended to a short circuit in the wiring loom inside the column.

Work continues on the steering column as we cut the wires to length and make new loom for horn and indicators. Make connections at horn push/indicator switch in centre of steering wheel.

Jon and John have rebuilt the loom down the shaft whilst Clinton went off to repair the split in the column tube.

Adjust ring inside steering wheel for indicator cancel function. Tap out the thread in the ring to secure and tap out the grub screw hole for securing centre to wheel.

We have then fitted the column tube, olive and securing nut to lower column and tightened in the correct position so indicator the switch was at the top of the steering wheel. Next up was to connect the wiring and test but the horn remained temperamental. The fault has been traced to the horn itself. We’ve now remove the horn and ordered a new one.

Finish grille top plate replacement and re-secure the grille.

We have tightened the bonnet catches each side and lubricated.

Wire in front fog lights. We’ve measured the lengths and madee twin core looms to run from the switch on the dash to each fog light before remove the fog lights and testing the bulbs. Both ok.

Jon has run wires along the existing loom and into the car, connecting them at the fog light ends and reassembling. The loom has been tested by connecting to the live feed from ignition, all ok.

Connect to fog light switch.

Make small wire from sidelight feed on back of light switch and connect to other side of fog light switch.

Turn on sidelights and test. Ok.

Connect the earth wire for interior fan and test.

Tighten offside mirror.

External work next. We have inflated the tyres, torque up the wheels and refitted the wheel trims.

The nearside window have been refitted and we have elongated the holes as the window catches on the A pillar. A bit more fettling required on this one.

MG B Roadster Inspection and Repairs

June 12, 2024

Steve is very impressed with the floor and chassis on our 1971 MG B Roadster.

“This is a very nice, clean and well protected floor and chassis.”

The brakes have been cleaned and checked and are in very good condition. Good news!

And a slight smart repair has been carried out on the body.

1954 Daimler Conquest Recommissioning and Repairs

June 12, 2024

Jon is working through some of the tasks required on the recommissioning of our 1954 Daimler Conquest. First things first, he has completed the assessment on the ramp and took the car out on a road test drive. We have compiled a list of parts required so now we begin to work on the tasks at hand.

The brakes have now been stripped; the front require cylinders, the rear is mechanical. We have stripped and cleaned the rear and removed the brake linkages from the rear axle.

We have drilled out the rear brake linkage and fitted 10mm bolts in place of worn pin.

The hose and sleeve brake actuating rod has been cut so not to hit the gasses. We have disconnected the poorly routed brake light wire from the switch and pulled through to the boot.

We have now started to re route the wire and securing as we go.

Finish securing brake light wire to battery cable inside offside chassis rail and secure other end from fuse box to switch.

Clinton has made up an exhaust pipe so Jon has fitted this up. The joints have been secured and the mounts have been tightened. We have replaced the fuel hose at nearside inner wing and fitted new inline filter.

A new fuel cap lock and key has been fitted and modified to get cap to secure shut. Fit foam buffers on underside. Sand down moulded large o’ring and used as a seal for fuel cap.

We have mounted a new cooling fan into grill, drilled and made up brackets to secure.

The terminals have been changed to spades, connected and tested. All ok.

Visitor to the workshops today…

June 10, 2024

Turning up in style. Today we received a visit from one of our customers and was treated to a glimpse of his stunning Lotus Emira.

In my opinion, one of the prettiest, useable sports cars on the market today.

A few years back, we were lucky enough to be visiting the Lotus HQ when they were out testing the Emira for the first time. Although, it was covered in a decorative vinyl wrap, you could still see the beautiful lines of this impressive machine.

If you want the opportunity to visit the iconic Hethel factory, home to the Lotus Group then we have a treat for you.

Bridge Classic Cars and Lotus are giving you the opportunity to take an exclusive look inside the Lotus factory on a BTS tour before heading out for lunch and Lotus’ local eatery. Shortly followed by a tour of Classic Team Lotus. If this sounds like the perfect day for you, more information and your opportunity to book can be found here.

New look to The Atelier

June 10, 2024

The Atelier. For a couple of years now this amazing space has been the home of Bridge Classic Cars Competitions and the versatile space we use to host some of our incredible live events. We’ve welcomed many guests from the world of automotive to sit down with us and record their Talking Classics, we’ve packed it with 120 guests for an intimate evening with Ed Stafford, we’ve hosted trade stands, drinks displays, car shows and many many car club events. But now, it’s time for a new chapter to begin. With the opening of The Classic Lounge only weeks away The Atelier now has a new look and one many a car enthusiast will love to see…

Coming soon to Bridge Classic Cars, our new events space, The Classic Lounge…

Three brand new ramps, a full wall of brand new shelving, five brand new work benches…from Tuesday 11th June, bright and early, The Atelier will be our new workshop space for the reassembly of our stunning restorations.

Calibrating the C-Type Brantz

June 8, 2024

John and Jon have been out this weekend calibrating the Brantz historic rally navigation unit, fitted to our C-Type replica.

The unit installed on our car has the remote speedo and distance indicator. Sensors on the prop shaft and front wheel ensure that the greatest speed accuracy occurs.

The calibration process involves driving the vehicle on a long straight and setting the markers at various points in the journey. The process is then replicated a number of times to set up the distance accuracy.

Good Deed 3/20 – Volunteering Matters

June 7, 2024

Quiz time!!

So I took the final seat in a team of 4, made up of my good friend Tim from Gifted Melon Comedy (he’s got a proper job too!) and a couple of his cleverer friends to take part in Volunteering Matters quiz held at Seckford Hall.

My specialised subject was obviously cars, Tim’s was music…everything else fell to the others.

Frustratingly we aced the quiz with us leading the way for the majority of the night. The final question was an ‘only answer if you know it…get it right or lose it all’ style question and guess what?

We answered it…

…but didn’t win. That’s the risk you take for the glory I guess.

A great evening had and a fantastic charity for the money to go to.

Better than new – repainting and refitting our 1958 Austin-Healey 100/6

May 29, 2024

The automotive wizard which is our very own Alan has worked his magic on our 1958 Austin-Healey 100/6 to breathe new life into the look of this wonderfully British sports car.

To begin with, he stripped down all of the trims from the car before reworking a few areas of the car to get its beautiful shape into perfect condition before then taking into our paint booth for a new coat of blue over old english cream. Then, it was a case of fitting everything back onto the car but this time with a much better fit and finish.

Manor Park Classics – The May 2024 Preview Day

May 24, 2024

Today, I challenged the bank holiday traffic, experienced the overturned tractor on the A14 and met every traffic jam as I headed up the M6 to Runcorn for tomorrow’s Manor Park Classics May 2024 auction. My 7 hour trip meant I arrived with just over an hour to take a look around the cars that’ll be on offer tomorrow.

An early start tomorrow but I look forward to catching up with the Manor Park team and see what some of the beautiful classics on show will reach under the hammer.