Craig Ranson

Managing Director โ€“ Bridge Classic Cars

The Right Direction – Fixing the Steering Coupler on the 1967 Ford Mustang GT350 Tribute

John, our workshop manager at Bridge Classic Cars has been working on the steering coupler of the 1967 Ford Mustang GT350 Tribute. On inspection, John found that the coupler which had been fitted was binding when the steering approached full lock. This would need attention.

John removed the original coupler and noted it had the incorrect sized coupler on one end and a selection of mismatched pieces on the other. So, because safety is paramount for any Bridge Classic Cars projects, John got a specially made new coupler specifically made for the car and its bespoke right-hand drive conversion. Now, with the new component in the car, John could begin to test. After checking and rechecking, the new piece worked perfectly and didn’t bind up the coupler.

As Good as New – Paint Repair on the 1930 Packard 740 Waterfield Convertible

Alan, one of our expert painters here at Bridge Classic Cars, has been hard at work preparing and painting the wings on the 1930 Packard 740 Waterfield Convertible.

Carefully, Alan masked off the wing and began to take back the deep maroon paintwork step by step. After the piece had been taken back far enough, Alan got to work getting the panel into primer. Using our state of the art paint matching computer, Alan was able to exactly match the same tone and shade of maroon that features so prominently on this incredible pre-war car.

Once the paint had cured properly, Alan could then begin the process of cutting the paint back using a series of abrasives. Beginning with a 1500 grit wet and dry paper to remove any imperfection, he then step up to 3000 grit and then 6000 grit in order to achieve the perfect finish before it was then machine polished.

Primed and Ready – 1977 MGB Roadster in Primer

The 1977 MGB Roadster which is in for aesthetic restoration, has now been prepared and taken into the paint booth where Chris and the paint team have applied the first coats of primer to the car.

Now, there’s a process of sanding the primer back and preparing it for the next stage in its aesthetic restoration which will build up the layers of primer before finally the colour is applied and make this iconic sports car dazzle once again.

More very soon on the 1977 MGB Roadster in on the Bridge Classic Cars news page

Going Back Together – Refitting the Body to the Frame on the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4

The 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 that is in with Bridge Classic Cars for full restoration has hit an important milestone today. The body, which has been worked on by our paint and body experts for several months, has finally been reunited with its stunning freshly powder coated frame.

Scott, one of our restoration experts has been working on getting the body and several of the bigger panels back onto the frame in preparation for its next stage of bodywork. With so much work done to the body of the DB2/4, it’s also crucial for our technicians to check mounts and placements for when the car is in final assembly. With so much hard work and effort put into the car, it’s worth taking the time to make sure each delicate part fits exactly right to show just how beautiful this stunning sports car truly is.

Expect to see more updates on the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 very soon here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.

Behind the Scenes – 1967 Austin Mini 850 on ITV News

It’s always incredible when old projects come back to visit. Especially ones that have gone out there and developing a life of their own. For example, this bright blue 1967 Austin Mini 850 belongs to our dear friend Simon. Simon owns this incredible little car that hides a small secret.

Well, it’s not a small secret at all. This Mini has been converted to have an electric drive train out of a Tesla… The equivalent of 300BHP in a tiny package is always guaranteed to put a smile on your face. We here at Bridge Classic Cars did the bodywork and paint for the project. It was delivered to us as basically a bare shell with all the potential in the world ahead of it. Our expert restoration teams set about preparing the car for its new electrified life.

The conversion itself was handled by our friends over at Team C (formally the East Anglian Mini Centre) and also by Electric Classic Cars in Wales.

With the project gaining popularity across the world (it was also recently at the Classic Show at the Birmingham NEC) several media outlets have picked up the story of this wonderful car and its sentimental attachment to Simon. Recently it was featured in The Telegraph and very soon it will be beamed into your homes on the Discovery Channel. Before then, however, it will appear on ITV news in a segment filmed in our workshop.

So, we wanted to take you behind the scenes of the shoot along with Freddie, Nick and Gordon from Bridge Classic Cars to give you a sneak peek at what you can expect. This Mini is truly beautiful, the colour was incredible in the winter sun. The brightwork glistened and all of its small and special details were on display for everyone to see. After speaking to Simon on his own about the car, the guys from ITV had a quick chat with Ted from Team C and our very own director, Gordon who shared their thoughts on being involved in such an incredible project and just how far this little car has come from when it first rolled into our workshop in February 2020.

It will be broadcast on ITV Anglia News at 6pm on January 6th 2022. Be sure to tune in and watch!

Hot on the Trail – The Famous Goldfinger DB5 Reportedly Found

It’s one of the most instantly recognisable classic cars of all time. A car that is so synonymous with a single character it became its own personality. The car which became so connected with Ian Fleming’s character James Bond has supposedly been found.

Famously, BMT 216A went missing in 1997 after it had been stored in a Florida aeroplane hangar by its then-owner. It is claimed that in the middle of the night, thieves broke in and removed the iconic sportscar leaving only a set of tire tracks, the last remaining signs of the 1963 DB5.

There are several stories which as of the time of writing, are still valid as the car has not been verified. The first was that as it left the hangar in the dead of night in 1996, it was dragged onto a trailer and smuggled out of the airfield onto a life still within the US. Others say that as it was pulled away out of the roller doors, it was loaded into a waiting Cargo Plane… very apt for the character who first drove it.

There was also a rumour that because its current owner had put a $2.4m policy on the car and was facing financial troubles. They staged the robbery and dropped the car out in the Atlantic. Many don’t believe the DB5 did meet its watery grave in June of 1997. If the owner had needed to, he could have easily sold such an important piece of film history as well as a true automotive icon.

Previously there’s been reports of it in Russian billionaires front rooms, in a dilapidated barn in South East Asia or the wildest and most shocking one? It’s been hiding in plain sight all these years after being turned back into a regular DB5 (or DB4) and then sold with a VIN change all of which were kept completely undocumented. What’s easier, a stolen DB5 or the stolen Goldfinger DB5 to try and hide?

However, a recent statement by Art Recovery International (a company that specialises in the finding and securing of lost or stolen collectables) stated that a car bearing many of the identifying marks of Chassis DP/216/1 had been spotted in a private collection in the Middle East. What are those identifying marks? Well, this particular car was the DB5 fitted with the swathes of gadgets needed for the stunt team while shooting the James Bond 007 film Goldfinger (which we have talked out previously here). Also, during this brief encounter, the whistleblower made a note of the cars VIN and according to some it exactly matches that of the missing ’63 DB5.

How would it have gotten out of the US? Lots of ways. Piece by piece or even in an illegal shipment completely off the books. Some say the car was in fact stolen to order instead of an opportunistic crime and the would-be robbers hoped they could get rid of the car, with something this identifiable and recognisable it would have to have been specially ordered.

In the statement, Art Recovery International’s Christopher Marinello said they were hopeful that the car will be recovered soon. Adding that ”Iโ€™m hopeful that the possessor will come forward voluntarily before I have to make an announcement” whilst talking to The Telegraph stating that with all investigations they give those in possesions of the items time to come forward before being publicly outed.

But, what if this is indeed the missing Goldfinger DB5? What could it be worth? Well, current estimates have claimed that if the car were to be returned and come up for sale at any point it could fetch as much as ยฃ18.5m.

Either way, we’ll keep our eyes and ears out to see what the final outcome is in this new development.

Chasing a Noise – Fixing a Few Issues on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

The Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration technicians have been working on getting to the bottom of some noises that have been noted by the owner of this 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4.

After looking into the issue, our senior technician Dave found several components that could cause the sound. The biggest one was that there was a pin missing and perished rubber isolators from the gearbox mount which can allow the vibrations and movement of the gearbox to transfer through the chassis and into the cabin and present as a sound. Along with that, Dave also noted that the exhausts would move occasionally and when they touched each other would also cause noise.

Whilst under the car, Dave also noted that the Universal Joints had become severely worn. For that, the prop shaft had to be removed in order to replace the joints. Whilst out of the car, Dave also cleaned up the splines and assembly to make sure everything was in good condition before reinstalling back into the car.

Sealed – Replacing the Gearbox Oil Seal on the 1990 Mini 30

Bridge Classic Cars have been working on the 1990 Mini 30 ahead of its upcoming draw.

During its inspection, our in-house restoration technicians noted a small leak coming from underneath the car. After looking into it further, it was found to be coming from the gearbox oil seal. So, a new seal was ordered along with new spark plugs and ignition leads to make sure this very special little Mini was running perfectly.

Our technician Paul carefully removed the old seal from the gearbox and then cleaned up the entire area in preparation to install the new seal in place. Once the new piece had been put into place in the gearbox, it was reinspected and all was ok on the report.

So, with everything completed on the 1990 Mini 30, it’s nearly time to find out who the lucky new winner will be!

Featured – Our 1967 Mini 850 in The Telegraph

The bright blue all-electric 1967 Mini 850 that our paint and body experts at Bridge Classic Cars got back into tip-top shape for the project.

It’s amazing to now know the back story on the project and just how much this bright blue little car means to Simon, the owner. It’s incredible to see the coverage this fantastic car has been getting and we wish Simon many happy miles in the car and hope to see him again soon at events.

Read more about the amazing car and its story over on The Telegraph website.

Sealed Up Tight – Fixing the Water Leak on the 1966 Mercedes 250SE Coupe

Our Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration technicians were busy testing the 1966 Mercedes 250SE W111 Coupe before its delivery to its new owner when they noted a slight water leak coming from the car.

Once the thermostat was inspected, it was found that this was the cause of the leak. Paul, one of our technicians, removed the component carefully from the car and prepared it for a replacement gasket and reinstalled back into the car. After this has been put back into the car, it will be tested and checked over again.

Preparations – Getting the 1977 MGB Roadster Ready for Paint

Our in-house paint and body experts have been busy preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for its date with the Bridge Classic Cars in-house spray booth.

Chris has been busy working on the back half of the MGB getting all the new metalwork to sit correctly and flow neatly and gently into the other panels. This is a crucial part of any aesthetic restoration so that when the primer and paint are applied to the car there is no change in the laying of either.

Soon, the car will soon go into the booth to have its epoxy primer laid and then it will all be prepared for its colour and clear coat.

UnderCover – Tonneau Cover on the 1934 MG PA

Our expert trimmer, Kath, has been hard at work creating a crucial piece for the 1934 MG PA Midget. The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop pride itself on the high standard that every single piece is finished to and the tonneau cover for the MG is no exception.

Kath made the cover entirely by hand in order for it using a handmade template in order to get the best fit for the final piece. Each of the pieces made by our trim shop is hand-finished and made using traditional techniques and materials if needed. Kath managed to completely remake to better than the original spec.

Now, it can keep all the amazing trim work underneath safe and dry for many more years to come.

Raising the Roof – Fitting the Soft Top to the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series 3 Roadster

The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop have been incredibly busy just before Christmas. One of the jobs that has been done was fitting the foldable soft top into Fearn Grey, the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series 3 Roadster.

Brian, our head trimmer, has been carefully pulling and stretching the new material into place and securing it to the spars on the hood to make sure that the fit and finish on the soft top is perfect with no creases or loose spots. Once it was in place, Brian could then focus on testing the mechanism worked flawlessly up and down without binding up or damaging the new soft top material in any way.

Along with the completely refurbished hard top, Fearn Grey is looking absolutely sensational! and the interior is definitely a massive part of that process.

Spruced Up – Offices Repainted

As part of the update to the workshop here at Bridge Classic Cars, it’s not just been our workshops that have been revamped but our offices have been given some love too.

Over the break, all the offices above our restoration workshop, trim shop and paint shop have been refreshed with a new coat of paint and some moving around of offices themselves. The new offices look absolutely incredible with the bright new walls and new feel.

Back Together – 1977 Honda GL1000

The 1977 Honda GL1000, which belongs to our director Gordon, is all back together now and has been fired up for the first time since its rebuild!

The bike now needs some timing adjustments and a double-check of all the components before its MOT and then it will be back here at Bridge Classic Cars for Gordon to enjoy!

This bike is a beautiful example of the GL1000 Goldwing and we’re all excited to see it completed and back in our worklshop.

Behind the Scenes – 1975 MGB GT Live Draw

It wasn’t precisely the night before Christmas but it was near enough. With the workshop tidied away and set up for the exciting new year ahead of us at Bridge Classic Cars, it was time to do the final live draw of the year. It was the turn of our 1975 MGB GT V8 to find its new home and it was time for a very special announcement.

After the normal formalities, it was time to fill our amazing audience in with some news. Our incredible presenter Charlotte, was leaving the role at Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. Charlotte, who has been such an amazing presence since the very beginning of the journey has handed over the reins to our newest presenter Hayley. Hayley is a true petrolhead with a wealth of knowledge and passion for anything vintage. So, with wishing Charlotte the best of luck with everything moving forward our followers were introduced to Hayley who will handle proceedings from now on.

Then, Charlotte took you around the stunning 1975 MGB GT V8. Finished in deep red with a black interior, this 1970s British sports car was going to find its new owner that night after an amazing response by our followers. After the walkaround, it was time to fire up the laptop and the random number generator. Along with the MGB was the chance to win a very special, limited edition REC Mustang watch. First, we had to find the new owner of the watch.

As Charlotte put in the highest and lowest numbers into the random number generator, the comments on our live stream began to wash over words of encouragement and good fortune to everyone. Then, in the flash of an eye, it was number 28 who would own the REC Mustang watch. That number belonged to Russell who had Christmas come early for him with his new special edition watch.

Finally, it was time for the main event. The draw of the MGB GT V8. As Charlotte readjusted the criteria on the number generator, the anticipation rose. Then, with the click of a button, the number 2441 appeared. That particular ticket had been bought by Roger who was now the very lucky owner of this fabulous icon of British motoring.

We at Bridge Classic Cars Competitions love being able to give someone the chance to win their dream classic! And there’s even more. Head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website and enter now!

www.bridgeclassiccarscompetitions.co.uk

Catching up with some old friends

Always lovely to see some of our previous workshop cars out and about enjoying the UK roads. Here we have TheManWithTheGoldenRoller celebrating the anniversary of his ownership. If you are a fan of Instagram Michael he is certainly well worth a follow. He and his beautiful Rolls Royce Shadow 1 visit some of the UK’s most exclusive properties and landmarks.

And next time you find yourself in London and fancy a bite to eat, look no further than the CalmIndianCow in our 1971 Bedford J Type.

Christmas Surprise! Your Chance to Win a 1990 Mini 30

Some of you may remember this stunning Cherry Red Mini from last year when Courtney Barker won it through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, well she’s offered it back to us and now it could be yours!

This is a limited edition Austin Mini 30, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the legendary Mini. The car is in amazing condition which is why the team at Bridge Classic Cars Competitions bought it back when it was offered to us. The car had a full respray and sympathetic interior restoration by our in-house restoration teams.

The car is well known around the area, having spent much of its life in Southwold and then in Ipswich with Courtney. It also did the rounds of almost every car show such as Stonham Barns as well as several appearances at our own meet-ups. Since August 2020, the car has only covered an additional 3,000 miles meaning this 31-year-old pocket rocket has got just 66074 miles showing on the clock.

This could be yours! Ready to go for 2022, all you need to do is head over to the Bridge Classic Cars website and get your tickets now!

But hurry, these little things are very popular with just 2299 tickets available. Click the link below!

Enter to win the 1990 Mini 30

On the Move – Working on the Glastron Sea Ray Trailer

Bridge Classic Cars have now completed all the necessary work to be done on the Glastron Sea Ray speedboat we have had in our workshop. The next step? Sorting out the trailer for the boat.

Our technician Jon has been carefully taking apart and inspecting all the necessary components on the trailer to make sure it is 100% safe while the boat is towed to and from the river. Upon looking into it, Jon noted that the wheel bearings and the brakes would need some attention.

Jon fitted up a new set of bearings to the axle after finally being able to track down a set for this specific model of the trailer along with a brake overhaul kit. Jon worked methodically through the trailer to make sure each job was completed to the very highest standard in terms of safety.

With these jobs now complete, the boat will soon be going off to be sold.

From Scratch – Making and Trimming Rear Quarters for the 1956 Jensen 541

Brian, one of our legendary in-house trim experts at Bridge Classic Cars, is a true master of his craft. Brian is currently working on the rear trim panels and pieces for the 1956 Jensen 541 being built by us here at Bridge Classic Cars. The interior is one of those pieces being handcrafted to fit the car.

The rear quarter pieces have been entirely made by hand by Brian. We have a long history of restoring Jensen 541’s to a world-class standard and part of that is the interiors our team create for these bespoke sportscars. Each piece for the interior of the ’56 has been made by hand by the team, whether it be the coverings or literally panels for the car like these rear quarter pieces.

Brian made these panels to perfectly fit into the car and also to work alongside the other pieces of trim which are going to be alongside them in the car. After hand forming them, Brian then cuts and wraps them by hand to ensure the best possible fit and finish to each piece for such a special car.

Got it Covered – Repairing the Tourneau Cover of the 1934 Riley Lynx

The Bridge Classic Cars in-house trim shop have been working the magic on the 1934 Riley 12/4 Lynx. With the rest of the car in the workshop with our restoration technicians, some of the interior pieces have been handed over to our very own Kath to do what she does best.

First across the trim table is the Tourneau cover. This piece needed a few repairs doing to it which Kath has managed to get done by combining traditional techniques with modern materials and approaches. The edges of the pieces had become heavily frayed so Kath created all new edging to surround the deep back cover. Also, several small leather pieces inside the cover had deteriorated, which Kath managed to create a template for and replace with new material.

Kath also replaced several of the tin snaps which fix the cover to the body when the soft top is folded down and stowed. So, with that completed and pressed. It was time to get it back into the car and on to the next job for this beautiful 4 door tourer.

Just in Time for Christmas – Delivering the 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition

Bridge Classic Cars have delivered the 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition to the lucky winner, Alex Juggins.

Alex won the Elise which helped to raise over ยฃ100,000 in support of the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation. Recently, Alex spent the day at Lotus Cars for the handover of his new car and a very special day of guided tours and driving experiences with legendary ex-Formula One driver Martin Donnelly.

The car was then prepared by Lotus ready for Alex to take delivery of the car. Our in-house transport technician, Tom, was at Lotus HQ in Hethel early this morning to load up the car into our enclosed transporter for its journey to Loughborough where Alex was waiting excitedly.

Now, just in time for Christmas, Alex has got the keys to his new pride and joy. We wish Alex all the best with the car and many happy miles of motoring bliss in his new 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition.

Check Over – Repairing the Door Cards of the 1954 MG TF

Whilst the 1954 MG TF was being worked on by Jon in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, the door cards were in our in-house trim shop being worked on by our trimmer Kath.

The door cards it was found were actually causing a slight issue with getting the door to close correctly. Kath began by inspecting the part of the door which interfered with the hinge and the striker, using her experience and skill Kath managed to rectify the issue and then re-edge and retrim the door card ready to be installed back into the car.

Whilst working on the door cards, Kath also made some new check straps for the doors. Finding the closest colour hide we had in stock, Kath remade the pieces entirely from scratch so that when the doors are opened the will not over extend and risk damaging the pins or the hinges.

Unplugged – Wiring Up the 1962 Jensen 541S

The 1962 Jensen 541S that is currently in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop is currently undergoing a full wiring harness swap.

Our workshop manager, John, has been given the task of changing over from the old harness to the bespoke harness for the car. John has been making sure that everything is prepped and ready for the new harness but he has found a couple of issues.

This particular 541S has been fitted with electric fans which on inspection of the wiring, was just twisted together and taped over. John cut this out and remade the extensions for it to be wired up to the new harness. The main aim of the new harness is the safety and longevity for the owner so John is making sure each of the systems is being checked as it is installed.

Coming Soon – Triumph TR4 from South Africa

Coming soon the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in Pettistree, Suffolk is this gorgeous light blue Triumph TR4.

We have sourced this car from one of our contacts in South Africa and is due to arrive in the next few months here with us. Once it has arrived, it will be assessed by the in-house restoration teams and from there, its future will be decided.

Delicate Work – Paint Repairs on the 1930 Packard 740 Waterfield Convertible

It’s always a pleasure to work on cars like the 1930 Packard 740. This particular Packard has been awaiting some specialist parts from the US but whilst we get them sorted in our workshop, the car itself is in our state of the art in-house paint booth.

Alan and Chris, our in-house paint and body experts, have been working on assessing and preparing the maroon wings of the pre-war giant. Carefully, Alan has sanded back the affected areas of the car to get them ready for primer and eventually their colour coats.

After the primer has dried, Chris and Alan will work on getting the surface level and ready for the colour. Ensuring the best finish on the paint and no imperfections in such a large panel.

The Genuine Article – Real Daytona Wheels for the 1979 Arrow Ferrari Daytona

The Bridge Classic Cars workshop here in Pettistree, Suffolk has had an incredible delivery. A set of refurbished genuine Ferrari Daytona wheels.

These will be fitted to the 1979 Arrow Ferrari Daytona which is undergoing a thorough and complete restoration by our in-house restoration teams. These wheels have been refurbished which must be done by specialists due to their magnesium construction.

This is going to be an amazing addition to the car once the restoration is complete by the team.

Bits and Pieces – Continuing on the Interior of the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster

Brian in the Bridge Classic Cars in-house trim shop has been continuing on his highly skilled work on the interior of Fern Grey, the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster.

Brian has been working on test and final fitting the various small trim pieces onto the car. One of the big jobs is making sure the recently finished dash and windscreen trim to fit and flow correctly across the front of the interior of this stunning sports car. With the pieces in their final place, Brian could begin working his way towards the back of the car.

Brian also worked on the soft top where it meets the windscreen trims to ensure all of the trims for the soft top also worked alongside the various windscreen pieces. Any adjustments or refinements could be completed piece by piece to get the best fit for every different aspect of the interior.

Then, in the rear of Fern Grey, Brian began to get the new rear panels into place and make sure they perfectly fit around the hinges and mechanism for the soft top while up, but also when it is folded down into place.

As you can see, its full steam ahead on Fern Grey in the trim shop! And it is looking fantastic.

This Just In – 1969 Sunbeam Rapier

Bridge Classic Cars have acquired one of the most complete, original and low mileage Sunbeam Rapier’s that we have ever seen or known of. This 1969 Sunbeam Rapier is finished in white with a black interior and still holds many of its original trims, panels and parts.

The car was bought new by the previous owner’s aunt for her 80th birthday in 1969 as a gift to herself on such a milestone. She then proceeded to use the car for the next 13 years until it finally went into long term hibernation when the driver turned 93 years old. After the car had been docile for nearly 10 years, the family drug the Rapier out and got it running again in order for it to take it on a rally to France with a reported round trip of around 1200 miles achieved with no problems – An amazing story for such an amazing and rare car to see these days. And when you think the odometer has only just surpassed 27,000 miles in 52 years.

The car, as stated, is in very original condition. Only records and evidenced are small Bodywork repairs possibly done in period and minor mechanical changes either routine or completely necessary throughout the car’s driving life.

The car doesn’t appear to have any form of rust anywhere on the body (and especially the strut towers). The engine, however, is in an unknown condition but we are confident that with a small amount of effort and perhaps parts the glorious 1725cc 4-Cylinder would fire into life once more.

If you would be interested in owning this incredible piece of British sportscar history and a true survivor car. Please get in touch with the Bridge Classic Cars team by either calling us on 01473 742038 or Emailing Us at info@bridgeclassiccars.co.uk