Fitting the newly built rear axle
October 14, 2017
When our 1960 Jensen 541S (the prototype) arrived in our workshops back in 2016 we discovered that the rear half-shaft was 20mm too short and
Craig Ranson
Managing Director – Bridge Classic Cars
MGYT Carpets, Seats, Door Cards
October 14, 2017
The stunning carpets are now laid into position. At this stage they are only fitted to size everything up and make sure our measurements are
Whilst we build them others are destroying them
October 13, 2017
From a recent meet at the Foxhall Stadium, right here in Ipswich, here we have a very impressive stock car, a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.
BBC Radio Suffolk’s Luke Deal at Canvey Island Transport Museum
October 13, 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Away from his everyday job at BBC Radio Suffolk, Luke Deal enjoys taking out his classic buses. Last week he spent the day out in
Coming soon – 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3
October 12, 2017
Currently en-route down from Scotland, later this week Bridge Classic Cars will be welcoming our 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3. Already set for its new
Painting the rear axle springs
October 12, 2017
The petrol tank and rear axle springs have been removed ready to be refurbished. Once cleaned up and treated to a new black respray here
Fitting up the front assembly
October 12, 2017
Work is now well underway on refitting our Jensen 541S with the front assembly now reattached. John has been busy re-wiring the loom this week.
Repairing the faulty horn
October 11, 2017
After closer inspection we discovered that both horns have been stuffed with cardboard, preventing them from working properly. We’ve now removed the card from within
Stripping our 1980 MG Midget 1500 for respray
October 11, 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Although the car has only covered a mere 1400 miles from new due to the extreme weather conditions in the north of Scotland we felt
Coming Soon – 1965 Amphicar
October 10, 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We are currently in talks with the current owner of a very rare find, a 1965 Amphicar. Mr Sinclair has owned the car for many
Final stages of completion
October 10, 2017
We are now on the final push of our 1949 MG YT restoration project. The journey has been been fantastic and we have had lots
MGTC returns for some remedial work
October 10, 2017
Recently we took on a project to rebuild one side of our 1947 MG TC’s woodwork. This included a full rebuild of the woodwork frame.
Restoring the aged water pump
October 8, 2017
As part of the re-commissioning process, the water pump needed to attention so we called upon the skills of SP Water Pumps to help us with
1971 Triumph Spitfire all done and ready to go home
October 6, 2017
Our Triumph Spitfire engine rebuild is now complete and after various drives we are happy to let her go home. …and her owner Mary is
Removing the rotten metalwork
October 6, 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Asa has spent the past few days removing the dead areas of bodywork, this way he is able to reveal the extent of the work
Blockage in the radiator
October 5, 2017
We believe the over heating issue on our 1947 Rover 12 is due to a severely blocked radiator. We’ve drafted in the assistance of our
The one off Bridge Classic Cars enamel badge for Maserati Merak
October 3, 2017
As a final touch on our Maserati Merak project we have asked our good friends at Pamela David Enamels to produce a 1-off Bridge Classic Cars badge
Let the Capri Restoration Commence
October 3, 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Work is now underway on our 1983 Ford Capri 2.8 Injection. There has been a lot of ‘to-ing-and-fro-ing’ on this project with decisions on whether
Polishing up the original handbrake lever
October 2, 2017
As always, Tony at Wyatt Polishing has done a superb job of re-polishing the original Jensen 541S handbrake lever. Before After
New arrival in for re-commissioning
October 2, 2017
Our stunning 1947 Rover 12 has now arrived ready for the recommissioning to proceed. One of only 200 produced. Purchased from Anglia Car Auctions a little
Manufacturing new gearbox mounts
October 2, 2017
Due to heavy corrosion on the rubbers of our Jensen 541S gearbox mounts, it is simpler and more cost effective for us to re-manufacture the
Casa Holstein Quinta de Sao Sebastiao Sintra
September 30, 2017
Gordon has spent a lovely week in Sintra at the Casa Holstein. As always, he manages to spot the classic car collection, a Merecedes 500
Fitting up the new stainless exhaust
September 29, 2017
Against the black paintwork the new stainless exhaust is looking stunning on our Jaguar E-Type.
1972 Rover P5B Coupe Service
September 29, 2017
In for a full service, here we have a beautiful 1972 Rover P5B Coupe.
E-Type Reverse Light Now In Position
September 28, 2017
The brand new Jaguar E-Type reverse light is no in position and it’s one of the first sites of how stunning the chrome on black
Spitfire engine rebuild complete
September 28, 2017
With the engine fully refurbished we are now piecing our 1971 Triumph Spitfire back together.
Mr Jankowski – Cornwall
September 28, 2017
“Just a note to let you know the car has arrived safely in Cornwall and thank you for sorting out my mothers car. My mother
Fitting the Jensen doors
September 28, 2017
The doors have now been temporarily fitted up as this is safer than having them wrapped up and away on shelves. Within the coming weeks
Triumph Spitfire all finished
September 27, 2017
Our 1974 Triumph Spitfire recommissioning project is now complete and safely through it’s MOT. Having been sitting around for over 15 years our task was
Installing the new tank in our E-Type
September 26, 2017
Not as easy as we had planned, our new tank just didn’t want to play fair with us today but Tommy persevered and after some
Fitting the newly built rear axle
October 14, 2017
When our 1960 Jensen 541S (the prototype) arrived in our workshops back in 2016 we discovered that the rear half-shaft was 20mm too short and not only that but the nut at one end was only secured by 3 turns.
Something somewhere was wrong. The previous owner has since been in touch, his father owned the vehicle many years and and even back then the rear set up had issues. It has been a huge challenge trying to source the correct half-shaft for the job but we are now very pleased to say the challenge has been completed. The correct half-shaft is now fully restored and the back axle has now been fitted to the car.
We have a car on it’s wheels!!
MGYT Carpets, Seats, Door Cards
October 14, 2017
The stunning carpets are now laid into position. At this stage they are only fitted to size everything up and make sure our measurements are accurate.
The door cards are also now in position, we just need to finish off the hidem banding with chrome finishing caps and fully secure the door cards into position.
And finally, the seats are laid into position to ensure a snug fit.
Whilst we build them others are destroying them
October 13, 2017
From a recent meet at the Foxhall Stadium, right here in Ipswich, here we have a very impressive stock car, a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.
Having recently worked on a 1967 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow in our Ipswich workshops, to get her back on the road after many years if this one needs any work after the race you know where we are!! haha
BBC Radio Suffolk’s Luke Deal at Canvey Island Transport Museum
October 13, 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Away from his everyday job at BBC Radio Suffolk, Luke Deal enjoys taking out his classic buses. Last week he spent the day out in Canvey Island at the Transport Museum.
“Another great rally hosted by the team at Canvey Island Transport Museum. The Bristol’s stood out in the sun!”
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Coming soon – 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3
October 12, 2017
Currently en-route down from Scotland, later this week Bridge Classic Cars will be welcoming our 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3.
Already set for its new home, we’ll be guiding her through our workshops for a few minor alterations and for a general check over before she heads off Brighton to start a new life on he beautiful south coast.
Painting the rear axle springs
October 12, 2017
The petrol tank and rear axle springs have been removed ready to be refurbished.
Once cleaned up and treated to a new black respray here we have the rear axle springs.
Fitting up the front assembly
October 12, 2017
Work is now well underway on refitting our Jensen 541S with the front assembly now reattached.
John has been busy re-wiring the loom this week.
Repairing the faulty horn
October 11, 2017
After closer inspection we discovered that both horns have been stuffed with cardboard, preventing them from working properly.
We’ve now removed the card from within the system but unfortunately the coil is burnt. The wiring is still in great working order so the coil is still causing the fault with the horn.
The horn mechanism will be replaced with new but will remain in the existing housing so we’ll soon have modern technologies hidden within the original casing.
Stripping our 1980 MG Midget 1500 for respray
October 11, 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Although the car has only covered a mere 1400 miles from new due to the extreme weather conditions in the north of Scotland we felt the paintwork did not reflect how beautiful our MG could be.
We have decided to strip her back to bare for a sympathetic restoration and to have her resprayed to bring back the shine.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”16890,16891,16892,16893,16894,16895,16896,16897,16898,16899,16901,16902,16903,16904,16905,16906,16907,16908,16909,16910,16911,16912,16913,16914,16900″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ready for the paint shop…
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Coming Soon – 1965 Amphicar
October 10, 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We are currently in talks with the current owner of a very rare find, a 1965 Amphicar.
Mr Sinclair has owned the car for many years and has carried out a lot of the restoration works himself:
A complete reconditioned engine, a re-bore with new pistons, new cam shaft and cam followers, head skimmed and unleaded valves and guides, crank ground ends mains, new distributor, plugs, leads and chain. The gearbox has been rebuild with all bearings and the seals replaced. The brakes have been replaced, the shoes and all pipes have been renewed. The body has been overhauled by a professional which included £6000 worth of panels; including new bonnet, inner and outer rear wings and wheel arches (these are not like a normal car but are inside the wings and are part of the the body structure which cost many thousands to do.) New tyres have been fitted and she has a new hood which still needs to be fitted.
We believe the car was shipped over to the current owner from Beverly Hills Car Club and all being well should be coming to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in the very near future.
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Final stages of completion
October 10, 2017
We are now on the final push of our 1949 MG YT restoration project. The journey has been been fantastic and we have had lots of lovely comments on the car. Everyone from the MG enthusiast to the general public walking on by and looked in and admired it’s styling and unique design.
She is now in the assembly room of our Ipswich workshops and by the end of this week we should be nearing completion.
MGTC returns for some remedial work
October 10, 2017
Recently we took on a project to rebuild one side of our 1947 MG TC’s woodwork. This included a full rebuild of the woodwork frame. Once the work was complete we carried out a rear re-spray of the vehicle.
When carrying out some unrelated work on site last week we noticed a slight imperfection in the bodywork…where we had previously carried out the repair.
For anyone who knows us at Bridge Classic Cars our motto is quite simple, if we have to question something then it isn’t right and having noticed the small line under the paint we decided to have her back in to our workshops to investigate the problem.
The paintwork was stripped back once again and the issues have been resolved.
Restoring the aged water pump
October 8, 2017
As part of the re-commissioning process, the water pump needed to attention so we called upon the skills of SP Water Pumps to help us with this one.
SP Water Pumps Ltd was established in 1979 by the present owner specialising in the re-manufacture and assembly of water pumps for the OEM truck markets.
We are new to their services but they have come highly recommended from our friends at Scholar Engines.
1971 Triumph Spitfire all done and ready to go home
October 6, 2017
Our Triumph Spitfire engine rebuild is now complete and after various drives we are happy to let her go home.
…and her owner Mary is certainly happy to see her too after all this time.
…and we are happy to see Mary!!
Thanks for the Doughnuts.
Here she is sitting outside Bridge Classic Cars HQ waiting to be collected.
Removing the rotten metalwork
October 6, 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Asa has spent the past few days removing the dead areas of bodywork, this way he is able to reveal the extent of the work that he will be required to carry out.
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Blockage in the radiator
October 5, 2017
We believe the over heating issue on our 1947 Rover 12 is due to a severely blocked radiator.
We’ve drafted in the assistance of our good friends at Sheldrake & Wells to rebuild the radiator. We should have it back next week all complete and ready to be refitted.
The one off Bridge Classic Cars enamel badge for Maserati Merak
October 3, 2017
As a final touch on our Maserati Merak project we have asked our good friends at Pamela David Enamels to produce a 1-off Bridge Classic Cars badge to be fitted to the car.
Here we have the initial designs sent back with the black lines being chrome and the white internals being black.
Let the Capri Restoration Commence
October 3, 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Work is now underway on our 1983 Ford Capri 2.8 Injection.
There has been a lot of ‘to-ing-and-fro-ing’ on this project with decisions on whether we are restoring her back to originality or customising the restoration.
It has now been decided that she’ll return to her original state which is very exciting but before we get too carried away with the finer details of the build, first we need to repair a substantial amount of bodywork corrosion that has developed over the years.
It has taken us a little under a week to fully strip the car back but we are almost at the stage where we can address the bodywork issues.
The car arrived with us with interior still in fantastic condition so we have carefully removed the entire set up inside as we intend to re-use all of the components.
The doors, sunroof etc have all been removed as has all removable trims. Removing the entire exterior is a must with this car as we need to address all bodywork imperfections now rather than hiding them away. Cutting corners always comes back to bite you, never cut corners!
All parts that require welding have now been revealed.
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Polishing up the original handbrake lever
October 2, 2017
As always, Tony at Wyatt Polishing has done a superb job of re-polishing the original Jensen 541S handbrake lever.
Before
After
New arrival in for re-commissioning
October 2, 2017
Our stunning 1947 Rover 12 has now arrived ready for the recommissioning to proceed. One of only 200 produced.
Purchased from Anglia Car Auctions a little over 12 months ago, its current owner has been unable to enjoy her as yet but after a brief chat a few weeks ago, Bridge Classic Cars have taken on the project to get her ready for the Suffolk roads so she can start to be seen and enjoyed.
…and more importantly, so Mr Atkins can finally enjoy driving the car he bought.
Manufacturing new gearbox mounts
October 2, 2017
Due to heavy corrosion on the rubbers of our Jensen 541S gearbox mounts, it is simpler and more cost effective for us to re-manufacture the mounts ourselves as brand new are non-existent and good second hand will be more work than is necessary.
This is not the first time we have had to reproduce the mounts as our previous 1961 Jensen 541S restoration had the same issues. With the help from the guys at Walker Rubber we were able to manufacture new, relatively easily, using existing components as the moulding/shape to work to.
Unfortunately Walker Rubber no longer work out of a unit in Ipswich but the guys at the Norwich branch have taken on the project instead so we are still using relatively local companies where we can.
Casa Holstein Quinta de Sao Sebastiao Sintra
September 30, 2017
Gordon has spent a lovely week in Sintra at the Casa Holstein.
As always, he manages to spot the classic car collection, a Merecedes 500 SEC and a Rolls Royce Corniche.
Fitting up the new stainless exhaust
September 29, 2017
Against the black paintwork the new stainless exhaust is looking stunning on our Jaguar E-Type.
1972 Rover P5B Coupe Service
September 29, 2017
In for a full service, here we have a beautiful 1972 Rover P5B Coupe.
E-Type Reverse Light Now In Position
September 28, 2017
The brand new Jaguar E-Type reverse light is no in position and it’s one of the first sites of how stunning the chrome on black will be.
Spitfire engine rebuild complete
September 28, 2017
With the engine fully refurbished we are now piecing our 1971 Triumph Spitfire back together.
Mr Jankowski – Cornwall
September 28, 2017
“Just a note to let you know the car has arrived safely in Cornwall and thank you for sorting out my mothers car. My mother would be delighted with what you have done, it was her pride and joy. “It’s for me and my handbag” was her claim, but her grandchildren loved to ride in it, squashing into the back.”
Fitting the Jensen doors
September 28, 2017
The doors have now been temporarily fitted up as this is safer than having them wrapped up and away on shelves. Within the coming weeks we’ll be able to show you huge progress on the car as we start to build her back up.
Triumph Spitfire all finished
September 27, 2017
Our 1974 Triumph Spitfire recommissioning project is now complete and safely through it’s MOT.
Having been sitting around for over 15 years our task was to bring her back to life and get her back on the road.
The engine needed a full rebuild but rather than a full restoration the customer wanted her, aesthetically to remain the same.
She’s now running beautifully and has sailed through the MOT so now she’s ready to head back to Cornwall.
And taking her down to Cornwall this morning is Official Aston Martin Racing Partners Academy Motorsport. Owner Harry happens to be great friends with our Triumph Spitfire owner Erik so it’s travelling in good company this morning.
Installing the new tank in our E-Type
September 26, 2017
Not as easy as we had planned, our new tank just didn’t want to play fair with us today but Tommy persevered and after some gentle persuasion it’s in and looking lovely.
