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Craig Ranson

Managing Director – Bridge Classic Cars

1966 Austin Gipsy

New Arrival – 1966 Austin Gipsy

February 3, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Arriving in with us today, our 1966 Austin Gipsy. Spent many years right here in Ipswich with original receipts from Firman’s Garage on Norman Crescent

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MGYT ready to be rebuilt

January 30, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our 1949 MG YT has now been completed in our paint shop so will return to our Deben Road workshops in preparation for the rebuild.

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First glimpse of the new Maserati Merak door cards

February 15, 2017

I couldn’t resist posting a few pictures of our ‘almost’ complete Maserati Merak door cards.

I’m sure there’s not many cars on the road today with red leather stitched in green but then again, there’s not many cars on the road today with both a Maserati and a Merak badge.

Making our Jaguar E-Type Racing Series Seamless

February 15, 2017

Work is now underway removing the seams on our 1967 Jaguar E-Type Racing Series bonnet.

Breaking the mould of a traditional Jaguar E-Type we are building a racing specification model. All of the chrome that you would normally find on the exterior will be removed.

Here’s one we prepared earlier, our 1966 Jaguar E-Type in our workshops ready to be collected.

The chrome that you see on the car above will be removed from our racing edition.

The seams and holes will be removed to give a completely smooth finish and anywhere where chrome would normally be found will now be naked.

Preparing for installation of the Merak fuel tanks

February 15, 2017

A task that would be made a whole lot harder if the interior was already installed. Here we are applying rivets to the outer shell of the fuel tank compartments. This is a view from behind the seats prior to the fuel tank insulation and tanks themselves being fitted later this week.

A view from under the rear arches of the Maserati Merak fuel tank outer housing.

Getting ready for Coys Of Kensington

February 14, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]She’s out of hiding and today, we welcome into the Bridge Classic Cars workshops our 1956 Jensen 541.

A quick once over to make sure she’s tip top ready for the trip to Kensington for this weekend’s Olympia Historic Automobile Fair and Auction.

Wherever she goes she draws quite the crowd and today is no exception.

Amongst the spectators was film producer Paul Dolden from Paul Dolden Details. Great to meet Paul and hopefully we’ll see much more of you and your work in the future.

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Jaguar E-Type V12 roadster ready for paint

February 13, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The body work reshaping is now been completed on our 1971 Jaguar E-Type V12 roadster.

The body will now be prepared for the new black finish to be applied.

It was a huge task correcting the body of this roadster because of the alterations that had been made previously but Tommy has done an incredible job. He has barely turned his head away from this project since returning from Christmas but now we have reached the light at the end of the tunnel.

The very final piece before she goes off into our paint shop, we will remove all of the excess paint that is still remaining on the shell.

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Repair Work on Land Rover Series 1 Body Panels

February 13, 2017

We have had a visit today from Peter with a collection of Land Rover Series 1 body panels in need of repair. The panels are manufactured using Birmabright, one of the toughest materials to work with.

We accept the challenge…

Olympia, Kensington – February 2017

February 6, 2017

Three of our vehicles feature in the Olympia Historic and Automobile Fair and Auction 2017 official brochure.

Our 1959 Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite, 1972 Jaguar E-Type V12 and 1956 Jensen 541

For those passionate about discovering,  investing in, enjoying and racing fine historic automobiles from around the world, the Olympia Historic and Automobile Fair and Auction is being held at the Olympia, Kensington, London on Friday 17th February through to Sunday 19th February 2017.

To book tickets click here

 

Polishing the Jensen 541S Copper

February 3, 2017

We posted earlier this week images of the bumpers finished in copper. They have now been polished ready for the chrome plating process.

Dismantling the front grille

February 3, 2017

The final few sections of the bright-work have now gone off to be chromed at Wyatt Polishing in Thetford

The front grille has been completely stripped back to individual sections. This is best way to achieve the ultimate results. If someone tells you they can re-chrome something like this as one piece be very cautious. It will be very difficult to polish in between the individual sections with it in one piece. It can be done but it will not give you the best results.

Templates have been drawn up to ensure that each section goes back in the correct place.

Here we have the separate components all as individual pieces.


Fresh paint on our 1965 Jaguar E-Type

February 3, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The first glimpse of our 1965 Jaguar E-Type fresh out of the paint shop.

Bob was busy working on it as I took the photos so I didn’t want to distract him too much.

The first panel to paint was under the number plate section at the back.

We still have the front valance to paint and once this is completed Bob will assess the finish to ensure that he is happy.

The new rubbers have arrived for the areas affected by the removal process so once the paint has undergone a first polish we’ll start to rebuild the car.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”9897,9898,9899,9900,9901,9902,9903,9904,9905″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

New Arrival – 1966 Austin Gipsy

February 3, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Arriving in with us today, our 1966 Austin Gipsy.

Spent many years right here in Ipswich with original receipts from Firman’s Garage on Norman Crescent dating back to 1982.

This 4×4 utility vehicle was originally manufactured in 1962. It is one of four that were originally built for Heathrow Airport to transport VIP’s to and from the planes.

It was not registered for the UK roads until 1st December 1966.

Comes with lots of fantastic, local history and even the original workshop manual. The previous owner drove her daily and it came to us still with 7 months MOT.

As with all of the wonderful classics on the road today, it comes with it’s own unique and intriguing story. There are images online of The Beatles being transported in one of the four Gipsy’s used by Heathrow Airport but unfortunately no one has been able to identify which of the four was used.

Maybe one day, someone somewhere may be able to find out the truth![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”9874,9875,9876,9877,9878,9879,9880,9881,9882,9883,9884,9885,9886,9887,9888,9889,9890,9891,9892,9893,9894,9872″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Work continues on our Jaguar E-Type bonnet

February 2, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The front underpin is now fitted, as is the front light diaphragms. Just a few more welding issues to tackle and Laura will be done with our bonnet.

The styling for our racing series will be seamless. The chrome bonnet trims will be removed and the bonnet will have a completely smooth finish.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”9936,9937,9938,9939,9940,9941,9942,9943,9944,9945,9946,9947,9948,9949,9950″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Fabricating the new Jensen 541S chassis

February 2, 2017

The first site of our newly formed 5″ Jensen 541S chassis, moments before it was fitted to the beautiful 1960 Jensen 541S prototype that we are currently restoring.

Asa has been busy fabricating the piece to replace the rotten component that unfortunately we had little option but to remove.

I am hoping tomorrow that I will be able to update you with images of the chassis being pieced back together. We are now at the stage where everything has been removed that needs to be and now Asa is busy building it all back up ready for the paint preparation to take place.

Our 1971 Jaguar E-Type roadster outside Bridge Classic Cars HQ

February 2, 2017

Our 1971 Jaguar E-Type V12 roadster finally got given some fresh air today as we let her outside for a bit.

Here we are outside the Bridge Classic Cars headquarters on Deben Road in Ipswich.

It was a little nippy out but the sun was shining.

The Jaguar E-Type, one of the most admired classics. Even in the restoration stages the Jaguar E-Type roadster is still a stunning site and brought a smile to everyone who passed by the doors today.

We often get a few looks in as we are working away during the day but when we park something up outside it’s always lovely to hear people’s comments.

EXCITING NEWS: Opening Monday – Bridge MOT Centre

February 2, 2017

We are very excited to announce that from Monday 6th February we’ll be taking over one of Ipswich’s longest servicing vehicle maintenance workshops as we expand the Bridge family.

Formerly known as Thorp’s Garage on Deben Road in Ipswich it will be business as usual on Monday morning but with a new look and a new name.

And it is with great delight we can also confirm that both Peter Church and Andy Frost will remain with us and they’ll continue to run the workshop on a day to day basis.

The location and phone number remain the same so basically you don’t need to do anything, other than tell your friends!

Bridge MOT Centre, formerly Thorp’s Garage on Deben Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 5EN.

Telephone 01473 743033

Our services will continue to include:

• MOT

• SERVICING

• TYRES

• BRAKES

• AIR CONDITIONING

• REPAIRS AND CAR CARE

• BATTERIES

• DIAGNOSTICS

…plus much more to reveal soon.

Stay tuned as we launch a brand new website and lots of new incentives for our loyal customers.

From everyone at Bridge Classic Cars, we wish David and his team at Thorp’s Garage all the best for the future and welcome to the Bridge team Peter and Andy.

Bridge MOT Centre, Deben Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 5EN opening Monday morning at 8am.

Meet Guy, Claire and ‘Exy’, their beloved Bertone X1/9

February 2, 2017

Fantastic story, written by Andy Russell on the Ipswich Star website from January 2017

Guy and Claire Ransom with the Bertone X1/9 they have ownee since 1990. Picture supplied by Guy Ransom

Guy Ransom, Commercial Director of Finn Geotherm bought his Bertone X1/9 in 1990 and this ‘bella’ Italian sports car is still a big part of his and wife Claire’s lives.

“Having finished university in 1990, and recently married, my wife and I had been using a car kindly provided by my mother-in law – a respectably boring, grey Mark II Ford Escort.

One bright summer morning, however, I was driving past a motor dealership at Thorpe, near Norwich, when a beautiful little metallic blue, wedge-shaped sports car caught my eye – an X1/9.

Generally known as being a Fiat, the car was actually designed by Lucio Bertone in Turin. In 1989 Fiat ceased making the X1/9 and Bertone, still being in love with his ‘bambino Ferrari’, purchased the rights to manufacture it for one more year. This car was one of the Bertone X1/9s. To emphasise the shape of the car, the registration number even ended WEG – what more could I ask for.

With a 1,500cc engine and a twin Webber carb, the X1/9 has ample power to let it skip through the country lanes. As the engine is mounted in the middle of the car, the weight distribution is ideal, allowing superb road holding. The X1/9’s greatest design features however lie in the single panel roof which removes quickly, and easily, to safely stow under the bonnet, still leaving ample space for two large holdalls. In case this isn’t sufficient for your travels, the car has an additional boot behind the engine which holds the two specially-designed X1/9 canvas travel bags.

Exy the Bertone X1/9 finally made it to Le Mans after a engine fire scuppered an earlier trip. Picture supplied by Guy Ransom.

When I purchased my beloved ‘Exy’, she was only a year old and had a mere 14,000 miles on her clock. Despite becoming far more sensible as time moved on, and acquiring various family cars, I have stubbornly held on to my X1/9, keeping her garaged throughout each of the past 26 winters. The result is that she is still the same gleaming testament to the brilliance of Bertone’s design skills that she was when I bought her.

Over the years we have suffered a few challenges – including her engine overheating while warming up in my garage before driving to Le Mans in France. This was not a normal overheat however. Walking into the garage, I noticed the engine had stopped and found flames and smoke coming from under the bonnet.

The Bertone X1/9 in Monte Carlo as part of a tour of Italy and France. Picture supplied by Guy Ransom.

The consequence was missing the Le Mans trip but, more seriously, having an engine bay refit with all pipes and wires – plus other consumable plastic items – being replaced. The engine however remained fine.

In the main, however, Exy has given us many years of brilliant motoring. It has included taking her on a circuit of France, complete with tent, cooking equipment, food and clothing for two weeks – and, yes, we did eventually reach Le Mans.

We’ve also taken her, as a classic car more than 25 years old, on the London to Brighton car rally twice. Our most recent trip this summer was to take her on a 4,000-mile journey through France, Switzerland and Italy – including a stop-off at the Lucio Bertone factory in Turin (now owned by Maserati). Over the 16 days of our journey, including driving over the Alps, through traffic jams in Turin and mile after mile of beautiful vineyard-bordered roads in Provence, she didn’t miss a beat. Indeed, my wife and I were still competing for whose turn it was to drive on the last day of our travels.

The next major journey we’re planning is of a similar length, but this time starting in Santander in Spain, getting there by ferry, and travelling round the circumference of Spain to include as many of the must-see spots of ‘real Spain’ en route.

For us, the X1/9 remains one of the best-designed, yet most under-rated examples of Italian sports cars. As we had called to us several times as we drove through Turin – “Bella, bella!”.

The Ipswich Star are keen to hear from you about your first car and the adventures and scrapes you had – email your motoring memories with a picture of the car to motoring@archant.co.uk or post it to Andy Russell, motoring editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE.

And why not cc us in on the story too info@bridgeclassiccars.co.uk The original story can be found at Ipswich Star online. Further permission has been granted by Guy Ransom for the use of images and content by Bridge Classic Cars.

Is it best to buy new or re-chrome?

February 2, 2017

We get asked this a lot, is it best to buy new or re-chrome original parts? Let’s look at the facts:

Original chrome taken from a 1949 MG YT

Buying New

Who is the supplier of the new products? Are they a reputable company and do they specialise in your particular vehicle? I guess the last part isn’t crucial but it is something we consider when working on our projects at Bridge Classic Cars. The way to look at it, if you find a company that has been trading for many years and they specialise in a particular make or group of vehicles then it’s certainly more reassuring that the chrome they supply will fit. At the end of the day, it’s all about reputation, if you are good at what you do then you get known for being.

With new, more often than not the parts are produced of a lesser quality material. Because we live in a world of tight budgets products have to be produced cheaper, this way they can be sold more competitively.

People are often put off by the ‘Chinese’ market but it’s no longer the case that something made in China is no good, it is. If you are sold into the idea that a product produced in Germany is better than one from China then unfortunately you may be missing out on a great product.

Buying new is often the cheaper alternative to re-chroming the existing products and this is really important. If the part is small and considered less significant then buying new is totally the way to go. Why waste money on the most expensive option?

To sum up, buying new is fantastic, everything is shiny and perfect and with modern tooling it is safe to say that it will most likely fit how it should. There is however one key thing to consider…

Using Existing

…it isn’t original.

Original is great, it has a story. The car came with it on, it belongs on the car, therefore, if it can be refurbished then it should remain.

Having said that, it can often be the most expensive option so you do need to sit down and really assess the importance of original against cost.

Secondly, do you have a good chromer and polisher? There is an art to rechroming so do ensure the company you use are good and that you’ve seen their work. We use a company in Thetford, Wyatt Polishing, they are fantastic and have been doing it for many years. They undertake all kinds of metal restoration on classic, custom cars and bikes. Basically anything that needs plating they can provide a triple service which involves copper, nickel and chrome. They offer a repair service for damaged items such as rusty and holed car bumpers, damaged trims, badly pitted mazak can repaired before plating.

Original chrome taken from a 1949 MG YT

Here at Bridge Classic Cars, we do not limit our options. We consider both options on every occasion. Some parts are nearly impossible to get hold of which therefore means our only option is to repair. Other’s are so much cheaper to replace with new so it makes sense to do it that way. There really is no right or wrong answer to this question.

This is our 1949 MG YT chrome, we have purchased some parts new but the majority has gone over to the platers to be refurbished ready to be refitted.

Original chrome taken from a 1949 MG YT

Original chrome taken from a 1949 MG YT

Original chrome taken from a 1949 MG YT

Original chrome taken from a 1949 MG YT

Jaguar E-Type Rear Arches Primed

February 1, 2017

Work continues on the inner arches of our 1971 Jaguar E-Type V12 roadster.

The body preparation task is nearing completion and here we have more more images of the inner arches.

Once the arches were complete and Tommy was happy with the results, he applies a layer of Zinc primer for extra security in those unexposed areas.

Zinc rich primers are used to protect steel surfaces from corrosion. Unlike regular paints or epoxies which resist corrosion by forming an impermeable barrier between the metal and atmospheric moisture, zinc rich primers provide corrosion protection by electrical means.

A copper finish to the Jensen 541S chrome

January 31, 2017

Wyatt Polishing of Thetford have now completed the majority of the chrome brightwork on our 1960 Jensen 541S and as I was over there collecting Tony kindly showed me the stage he is at with the bumpers.

Here we have a very unusual site, the chrome bumpers have been fully cleaned down prepared for the chrome treatment. A copper finish has now been applied, these will now be polished up before chrome plating is added.

It is not very often we get to show the chrome in it’s copper stage but here it is…

As Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen would say; Copper is very ‘on trend’ at the moment. Maybe we should start fitted copper bumpers to our classics!

The return of the MGYT to Bridge Classic Cars

January 31, 2017

Today, we welcomed back to our Ipswich workshops our 1949 MG YT from the paint shop.

She is now completely transformed from white back to the original colour of Clipper Blue.

As a temporary fix, the panels were loosely fitted whilst in transit.

We’ll now mount the body back onto the chassis, lining up every angle and securing it into position as a permanent fixture. The body will be laid on top of a body to chassis fitting kit and all new wing piping will be fitted.

Once everything is securing fitted, the rebuild process can commence.

Jaguar E-Type Bonnet Stripped

January 31, 2017

The weather managed to hold out enough for Laura to completely remove all of the paint from the Jaguar E-Type bonnet.

As you can see from the evidence on the floor, it’s not really the job you want to be doing indoors and it’s not the most pleasant of tasks but it’s done, it’s bare and now we can get to work on building it back up.


MGYT ready to be rebuilt

January 30, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our 1949 MG YT has now been completed in our paint shop so will return to our Deben Road workshops in preparation for the rebuild.

As we speak, John and Asa are across town with the truck and trailer return to bring her back.

The first job will be to secure the body shell to the chassis with the correct spacing’s. Everything is loosely fitted right now so it is down to the team to ensure it is safe and secure with all of the relevant checks taking place.

 

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New pictures of our 1973 Jaguar E-Type V12

January 30, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Work has not yet commenced on our 1973 Jaguar E-Type but our intentions are to have it appraised within the next few weeks.

Here are some more pictures of her parked up inside our paint shop.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”9682,9683,9684,9685,9686,9687″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

New pictures of our 1972 Jaguar E-Type V12

January 30, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When the rush hour traffic died down on Norwich Road this morning, we decided to give our 1972 Jaguar E-Type V12 a good run. This was a great opportunity to get some new pictures of her out on the Suffolk roads.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”9664,9665,9666,9667,9668,9669,9670,9671,9672,9673,9674,9675,9676,9677,9678,9679″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Enjoying the sites of Madeira

January 27, 2017

Currently in Madeira, Gordon and Eva went to a fantastic restaurant called Chris’s place. The food and service were superb and the wine flowed. When the bill came it they couldn’t believe the price. They asked for a taxi and was informed that there was a courtesy car. They just kept giving!

On the way back we decided to try the sister restaurant Chris’s which we did on the Thursday night.

The taxi driver took us to the back entrance through a car park and their stood a beautiful 280se Mercedes Coupe and I couldn’t resist a couple of photos.

The meal was lovely and yet again the wine flowed and to my surprise again the bill was low.

I asked for a taxi and low and behold we could return to the hotel in the courtesy car.

We were shown out and imagine my delight…the courtesy car was the very same beautiful Mercedes.

As the car wafted up the road our driver Tony treated us to a drive round and information on the cars owners Madeira Garage who not only offer the courtesy aspect but also Classic Car hire.

Staying at the Royal Savoy in Madeira is an experience we should share. Lovely rooms. Breathtaking views. Superb staff and copious amounts of restaurants in walking distance of the hotel.

It’s our first time in Madeira  but it certainly won’t be the last.

1967 Jaguar E-Type, the huge bodywork preparation task

January 27, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In recent months we’ve been reporting lots on the Bridge Classic Cars team working on bodywork preparation.

With four separate Jaguar E-Type projects in their various stages of undress, the Jensen prototype and the MG-YT all requiring lots of bodywork attention it has been non stop in our workshops, and it’s been harder for us to keep on top of the workshop cleanliness.

For anyone who has been to our workshops on Deben Road in Ipswich you’ll see just how particular the team are on keeping the workshops spotless. With porcelain tiles and glass walls every spec of dirt and grime can be seen and we try to irradiate that as best we can! Having said that, when you have a workshop full of cars with metal being cut out, lots of welding being done and panels being replaced all over the shop it’s inevitable that it can not stay as spotless as we would like.

But more important than that is progress, we love progress…

The bodywork of our 1967 Jaguar E-Type was undoubtedly one of our biggest tasks to undertake but things are really starting to take shape. Here you can see the car when it arrived to us.

That’s not a pretty yellow ribbon by the way!

Here we have John starting to remove the Chevy engine ready for the big task to begin.

But here we are, a few months on. The body is really starting to take shape. The body has undergone some serious surgery but now we have a completely transformed car.

As you can see, we are not finished yet but you can already see a vast improvement. All of the rotten areas have now been completely removed and replaced with new. Now that the panels have been fitted we have been able to fully access what panels been to be replaced. Various panels have now been fabricated and we are in the process of fitting up once again.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”9720,9721,9722,9723,9724,9725,9726,9727,9728,9729,9730,9731,9732,9733,9734,9735,9736,9737,9738,9739,9740,9741,9742,9743,9744,9745,9746,9747,9748,9749,9750,9751,9752,9753,9754,9755,9756,9757,9758,9759″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

© Bridge Classic Cars Holdings Ltd, T/ as Bridge Classic Cars. Registered in England and Wales with company number 5047706.