Heritage Displayed In Dubai

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For Imtiaz Shaikh, it all began with a poster of a Jaguar E-type on his bedroom wall. Not every teenager goes on to own a real one, of course, yet Sheikh was able to do just that. He bought a 1967 4.2, and soon moved on from there.

“My hobby quickly transformed into an obsession,” he says. “I have just one criterion – I only buy classic cars that I have always desired and/or one that tickle my fancy! Rarity value adds to the appeal, and I focus solely on post-war classics”

As well as buying and selling cars, Shaikh had long wanted to open a gallery to display his own collection to the public, but was prevented by Dubai’s restrictions on the ownership of property by foreign nationals. His chance came in 2011, when the economic downturn resulted in a depressed property market that was under pressure to allow limited non-local ownership. Shaikh obtained royal approval to buy a piece of land in the Al Barsha district, specially dedicated to a classic car gallery.

His first exhibits were moved into the facility in 2014: “More than 20 are displayed at any one time and, by rotating stock weekly, visitors return regularly to discover cars they have not seen before.”

A further 70 are stored in the Vault, which is opened only by special arrangement. Displayed in rows are the likes of a restored 1976 Lamborghini Countach, one of three in the collection, a ’61 E-type, an ’85 Ferrari 288GTO with just over 1000km on the clock and a 250GT California Spider SWB.

Sheikh’s cars are regulars at the Emirates Classic Cars Festival, and in 2015 his Bono-bodied 1956 Ferrari 250GT won Best In Show. The previous year, he’d picked up the European Car Award for a Mercedes-Benz 220S convertible and the Special Coachwork Award for a 1959 Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato.

“Some of the very rare cars need to be exercised,” explains Shaikh, ‘but the extreme summer temperatures in the UAE prevent is from taking them out onto the open road. We’ve therefore installed an exhaust system enabling us to warm up the cars twice a week without causing pollution within the air-conditioned building.”

By the beginning of 2015, his collection had grown to more than 120 cars, requiring him to rent additional storage space: “Very early on, I realised the need to have our own dedicated garage to restore and service out cars. The hobby is in its infancy in Dubai, and local repair shops lack an understanding of the difference between classics and regular cars. The festival has expanded interest in – and understanding of – older vehicles, but it’s still early days.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The Knowledge

Address: 4th Street, Umm Suqeim Road, Al Barsha 2, Dubai

Where? In the Al Barsha section of town, between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road

Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm from Sunday until Thursday. The collection is closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission to the Vault by special arrangement only.

How much? Free

Telephone: 00971 4 306 2032

Web: www.tominiclassics.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Full or Part Time ‘All Rounder’ Required

Full or Part Time ‘All Rounder’ required to join the Bridge Classic Cars family and grow our team of exceptional classic and vintage car restorers.

If you have the experience we have facilities…

• Mechanic
• Welder
• Auto Electrics
• Engines
• Braking Systems
• Restorer

Would possibly suit a retired mechanic who enjoys old cars but we would also consider a young apprentice who has a proven ability with motor vehicles.

You must be passionate about classics and work to very high standards.

If you have skills in any of the above we want to hear from you.

Email your CV to info@bridgeclassiccars.co.uk or call us for a chat.

E-types in crusade against cancer

Jaguar E-types are to relay around the coast of Great Britain to raise cash for charity. The organisers hope that, besides sponsorship money, the unique feat will also raise awareness of prostate cancer, which is currently diagnosed in 130 men a day un the UK – 47,000 a year.

The charity event for Prostate Cancer UK is being led by the Jaguar E-type Club and author Philip Porter, who is himself recovering from the disease. Porter intends to drive the whole 3000 plus miles in his ex-Italian Job roadster, 848 CRY, but is calling on all E-type owners to play a part, whether that means joining him for just a few miles or several days.

It’s unclear whether the motoring challenge has ever been tackled before, but is has certainly not been undertaken in the modern era or by cars that are all around 50 years old.

Kicking off at Goodwood on 12th September, the epic trip comprises of 18 one-day stages, each averaging 180 miles.

Porter said; “To create a great spectacle for the public and the media, we need as many E-types to participate as possible. Our cars can play a major role in the fight against this indiscriminate killer. We can have a lot of fun and enjoy an amazing drive through many of the most stunning parts of Britain while helping a good cause.”

Click here for full details or, if you’re interested in joining the event, call 01584 781588 or email louise@e-typeclub.co.uk

George Clarkes Amazing Spaces in Ipswich

Ipswich based, Simon Morris, Commercial Vehicle Paintshop and Repairs have achieved more than their 15 minutes of fame, after successfully winning a contract to respray a 1970’s static caravan which was one of the main stars in the Channel 4 TV television programme ‘Geroge Clarkes Amazing Spaces’.

Simon Morris were frequently spotted during the 6 episodes in this first series presented by George Clarke, architect, writer and lecturer, who was previously presented C4 television series ‘Restoration Man and Great British Property Scandal. the new programme saw George exploring the extraordinary world of small builds, where people turn tiny spaces into the most incredible places to either live, work or play – whilst at the same time creating one of his very own with childhood holiday memories for many, the static caravan!

If you missed the first series, you can still see episodes, clips and photos, or possible a glimpse of Dave and the Simon Morris team working on the caravan via Channel 4 online.

Ipswich Summertime Events – July 2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Global Rhythm – 9th July 2016 from 1pm to 7pm at Christchurch Park.

Now in its 6th year, Ipswich’s annual free festival of world music is a colourful and exciting celebration of worldwide culture, showcasing the best world and roots music and dance in the perfect setting of Christchurch Park.

This year the Peppery Stage has been renamed in memory of Martin Burley, a founding member of Peppery Productions, to recognise his contribution to the musical life of Ipswich and Suffolk.

The line-up on the Martin Burley Peppery Stage includes Ska, Country, Afrobeat, Bollywood and more. There’s rollin’ reggae and skankin’ ska from the Goldmaster Allstars. In a treat for Americana fans The Wangford Four will feature Hank Wangford and one of the world’s finest pedal steel players BJ Cole. South Indian violin star Jyotsna Srikanth joins Bollywood Brass Band on stage for their ‘Carnatic Connections’ show. And to round off the afternoon Dele Sosimi’s Afrobeat Orchestra will bring their joyous and uplifting sound to the park.

For more info see Peppery Productions

This year we have another new stage, the Living Latino stage programmed by UCS. This new stage includes all kinds of Latin music including dance workshops and more.

And our third stage is the Missile Sound stage, playing Reggae, Ska, Soca, Soul and RnB music throughout the day with Ipswich Community Radio presenter Skippa J and guest.

Indian Summer Mela – 10th July 2016 from 10pm to 6pm at Christchurch Park

Ipswich and Suffolk Indian Association present a rich and colourful celebration of Asian culture.

Highlights include a glittering mix of live entertainment of stunning and vibrant performances of Indian Bollywood dances, songs, music, Bollywood dance workshops, Rangoli workshops, Indian cooking demonstrations, sari and turban demonstrations, Mela’s Got Talent, a vibrant market and an Indian food village.

Indulge in delicious Indian cuisine from across the Indian subcontinent. Spend the day exploring and enjoying this exciting expression of Asian culture at this family friendly event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ipswich Wheels – 17th July from 10am to 5pm at Chantry Park.

Ipswich Wheels celebrates all wheeled motion vehicles whether it be powered, pedalled or pushed. See the latest in car design, car classics, buses, vintage vehicles, cycles, trucks, stock cars, emergency services and radio cars!

New to Ipswich Wheels is the ‘Stunt Arena’ where the excitement is intense, unpredictable and thrilling. Watch the famous ‘Slingshot’ do its amazing walk over cars. See the Xtreme Stunt Team in ‘Man v’s Machine’ where extreme cycles versus motorcycles to compete for the prize. Then relax and enjoy the very funny and comedic act from ‘Dingle Fingle’ where that pesky villain Slippery Sid is on the run again. Added in for good measure is the famed ‘Kangaroo Kid’ with his crazy quad bike stunts and antics from out of Australia, anything could happen!

We have everything from the cheeky Nitro cars race team to the super big trucks seen on our motorways. Make your own comparisons of the bone shaker vintage bikes to the bone shaker competition cycles of today.

There’s something for everyone at the Ipswich Wheels 2016 celebration, come along for a great day out![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ipswich Borough Council hope you will be able to come to all or some of the events they have lined up this summer and join in the fun and celebrations. The full annual 2016 Summer Programme can be viewed at Ipswich Entertains online. For the latest updates follow @IpswichEnts on Twitter and like their page IpswichEnts on facebook.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Let’s hope they both reach the £1m

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s not everyday you get to see two cars, both with the potential of reaching over £1m.

On Tuesday 12th July Bridge Classic Cars will be attending Barons Connoisseurs Classic Car Collection at Tattersalls in Newmarket.

Check out these incredible entries:

1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback – £750 000 to £1 000 000

The R-Type Continental was a high-performance version of the R-Type. It was the fastest four-seat car in production at the time. The prototype was developed by a team of designers and engineers from Rolls-Royce Ltd. and H. J. Mulliner & Co. led by Rolls-Royce’s Chief Project Engineer, Ivan Evernden. Rolls-Royce worked with H. J. Mulliner instead of their own coachbuilding subsidiary Park Ward because the former had developed a lightweight body construction system using metal throughout instead of the traditional ash-framed bodies. The styling, finalised by Stanley Watts of H. J. Mulliner, was influenced by aerodynamic testing conducted at Rolls-Royce’s wind tunnel by Evernden’s assistant, Milford Read. The rear fins stabilised the car at speed and made it resistant to changes in direction due to crosswinds. A maximum kerb weight 1,700 kg was specified to keep the tyres within a safe load limit at a top speed of 120 mph.

Despite its name, the two-door Continental was produced principally for the domestic home market, most of the 207 cars produced were right-hand drive, with 43 left-hand drive examples produced for use abroad. The chassis was produced at the Rolls-Royce Crewe factory and shared many components with the standard R type. R-Type Continentals were delivered as rolling chassis to the coach-builder of choice. Coachwork for most of these cars was completed by H. J. Mulliner & Co. who mainly built them in fastback coupe form. Other coachwork came from Park Ward (London) who built six, later including a drophead coupe version. Franay (Paris) built five, Graber (Wichtrach, Switzerland) built three, one of them later altered by Köng (Basel, Switzerland), and Pininfarina made one. James Young (London) built in 1954 a Sports Saloon for the owner of the company, James Barclay.

This very original example is in very good order and is used on a regular basis. It retains its 4.6 litre engine, and the car drives very well with both engine and gearbox working as they should which allows the car to operate in modern traffic with ease. Owned by the same family for over Forty years and maintained by their own Dealership in that time.

1953 Bentley R Type Continental Fastback – £1 000 000 to £1 300 000

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”4835,4836,4837,4838,4839,4840,4841,4842,4843,4844,4845,4846,4847,4848,4849,4850,4851,4852,4853,4854,4855,4856,4857,4858,4859,4860,4861,4862,4863,4864,4829,4828″ title=”View the other entries”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Europcar has done it again.

We booked a Vauxhall Insignia and look what we got from Ted and his team at Aberdeen airport.

Booking back in is equally as painless. Met with Tomasz with his eagle eye, looks for anything that wasn’t there when we went out. He always gives us a warm welcome.

Find out more about Europcar online here

Anglia Car Auctions – Saturday 18th June

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Just over £1.8 million was invested in 200 cars on Saturday 18th June and with an unusually high number of outstanding provisional bids, the final sales total is expected to increase to around £2 million.

Notable results, premium inclusive are: the 1965 Mercedes 230SL Pagoda at £73,500, 1987 Porsche 930 Turbo £57,750 and the 1994 Porsche 968 Club Sport at £29,400, lot 25 the 1971 Ford Escort Mk I 2.0 Gulf Racing Special fetched £16,065 and the last lot, number 302, the 1951 Ford Pilot V8 made £11,550 and the 1975 Maserati Merak at £38,850.

Some stunning cars went through on the day and as I was the first in the hall it gave me a great opportunity to photograph some of them for you to see.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”4740,4739,4738,4737,4736,4735,4734,4733,4732,4731,4730,4729,4728,4727,4726,4725,4724,4723,4722,4721,4720,4719,4718,4717,4716,4715,4714,4713,4712,4711,4710,4709,4708,4707,4706,4705,4704,4703,4702,4701,4699,4698,4697,4696,4695,4694,4693,4692,4691,4690,4689,4688,4687,4686,4685,4684,4683,4682,4681,4680,4679,4678,4677,4676,4675,4674,4673,4672,4671,4670,4669,4668,4667,4666,4665,4664,4663,4662,4661,4660,4659,4658,4657,4656,4655,4654,4653,4652,4651″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

We love collecting cars from Felixstowe

We love it cause we’re never alone.

Lights, Camera, Action at Empire Cinemas in Ipswich

Exciting news from The Empire Cinemas Official website

Ipswich, June 2016: This Winter, Empire Cinemas, the UK’s largest independently-owned cinema chain, will be rolling out the red carpet in Ipswich as part of a £35m redevelopment complex.

A state-of-the-art, twelve-screen Empire Cinemas complex will bring a new era of entertainment to the redeveloped Buttermarket Shopping Centre in Ipswich. The new opening is part of a larger retail and leisure development from Capital & Regional and Drum Property Group.

Representatives from Capital & Regional, Drum Property Group and Empire Cinemas gathered this week as they ‘handed over’ the cinema to Empire’s Chief Executive, Justin Ribbons. Empire Cinemas will now fit out the multi-screen cinema and create 45 new positions as excitement starts to build ahead of the grand opening this Winter.

The cinema will include two IMPACT screens. IMPACT boasts a bigger screen, bigger sound and altogether bigger experience; with superb stadium seating and extra leg room, IMPACT is the ultimate way to enjoy blockbuster movies.

Appointed as General Manager is Adam Root, who comes to Ipswich from the Walthamstow branch. With over 18 years’ leisure industry experience, Adam’s cinema career started at the Empire Cinema in Basildon in 2009 where he joined the busy eighteen screen cinema as an Assistant General Manager. He moved to Empire Bishop’s Stortford as General Manager in 2010 where he focused on enhancing the customer experience at the six screen Hertfordshire Cinema. However Adam is delighted to come to Ipswich given his local links with the area: “I am really excited to take on the stewardship of the brand new state-of-the-art Empire cinema in Ipswich. I lived in Ipswich for a couple of years as a child and still have family there so it will be great to be working in a town that I already hold great affection for. We have some fantastic plans for the new cinema and I can’t wait to get started with them”

The cinema will be surrounded by nine new well-known food and drink operators including Byron Burger, Wagamama, Coast to Coast and Prezzo. Stores include New Look with a new flagship 14,000 sq ft unit and TK Maxx relocating to a more prominent ground floor unit at the centre. Women’s fashion retailer Select have also opened at the centre, alongside Boots and health food brands Grape Tree and Holland & Barrett. Further cinematic developments about the site are set to follow.

Justin Ribbons, Chief Executive of Empire Cinemas commented:
“We are delighted to be opening the newest addition to the Empire family in Ipswich and look forward to entertaining film fans from across the area for many years to come.”

Empire Cinemas’ cater for all; from Empire JNRS, which offers families the chance to see a family favourite every weekend for pocket money prices; to Empire Seniors, where the over 60’s can watch a selection of the best recent and classic films every Wednesday, including tea or coffee and a biscuit. Empire Cinemas also welcome parents with babies through their Empire Parent & Baby screenings, providing a relaxing environment for parents/guardians to enjoy the latest releases with the lights up and sound down, every Monday morning. Other offers include SAV£RDAY Tuesday, which offers customers a chance to see current films for a ‘credit crunch busting’ price, and Last Chance To See Thursdays, which screens selected films coming to the end of their run at Saverday prices.

In addition to the very latest film releases, there will also be a variety of Empire Extra screenings, where customers can experience big stage productions and events on the big screen from the comfort of their local cinema – be it theatre, opera, ballet, music or sport, customers can sit back and enjoy the big screen experience in high definition where you’re always guaranteed the best seat in the house at a fraction of the theatre ticket price.

For more information on this exciting development please check out the Empire Cinemas Ipswich Facebook page:

New Look to the Building Exterior

Work is well underway on the new office and reception at Bridge Classic Cars and today we started the improvements on the exterior of the building too.

Thanks to the guys at GB Roadart on Farthing Road in Ipswich, after a brief consultation with Paul we were happy with the prices they gave and little under a week later the lads arrived to lay our new yellow lining.

Just need a nice downpour now to wash away the chalk marks but it looks great.