The Schumacher Collection
August 14, 2023
Michael Schumacher is an icon of Formula 1. His illustrious career is one of legend and the name, Schumacher, will always be thought of when
Rob Harvey
Marketing Manager - Bridge Classic Cars
5 Vintage Hobbies To Try for A More Retro Lifestyle
August 14, 2023
While driving classic cars never goes out of fashion, some hobbies have fallen by the wayside over the years. However, that’s all changing, and old
Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet
August 14, 2023
Highlights of our Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet can be seen here. Bridge Classic Cars is thrilled to invite you to our Sunset Classic
Back For A Service
August 14, 2023
Our 1991 Volkswagen Transporter T4 has returned to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for a full service. Classic car technician Jonn has been checking it
Improving Our Mini
August 14, 2023
Our 1976 Morris Mini has been in the care of classic car technician Jonn as he has been resolving a few issues that he found
Amphicar Back In Paint
August 14, 2023
Classic car technician has been hard at work on our 1964 Amphicar 770 again. After undergoing several rounds of repairs on its body, it’s great
Spotted In North Norfolk
August 11, 2023
We have recently been sent some fantastic photos of what appears to be the remains of a car that was spotted in a wooded area
New Wheels For Our E-Type
August 11, 2023
Some new wheels have arrived for our 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5. As this is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website, it’s
Work Begins On Our Austin Healey 100-6
August 11, 2023
Our 1957 Austin Healey 100-6 hasn’t long been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop following its long trip over to us from South Africa. However,
Taking A Closer Look At Our DB2/4
August 11, 2023
A 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 has recently joined our personal collection. While this is exciting enough, this car appears to be extra special, as there
Fixing An Air Con Issue
August 11, 2023
Classic car technician Steve has been resolving an issue with the air conditioning in our 1973 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Series 3. After removing the dash,
Ready To Be Won
August 11, 2023
Our 1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 is live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website. Finished in striking red with contrasting black trims, our Sierra XR4x4
The Winner Is…
August 11, 2023
The lucky winner of two tickets to the Bridge Classic Cars Movie Night at The Riverside Theatre is Tim Osler. Lily picked Tim, at random,
A Closer Look At A Pre-War Classic
August 11, 2023
Our 1926 Clyno has been in the care of classic car technician Steve as he has been inspecting the vehicle to see what work needs
Inspecting Our Competition Mini
August 11, 2023
It has been a very busy time for our 1976 Morris Mini since its recent arrival in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Now that filming
Wheels Painted
August 11, 2023
After recently being primed, the wheels of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper have been back in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with classic car technician
Classic Cars Around The World
August 10, 2023
Whenever the team at Bridge Classic Cars are out and about, we are always on the lookout for interesting classic cars. One of our good
A Day At Bridge Classic Cars – Behind The Scenes
August 10, 2023
There is always something exciting going on in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Whether it is the restoration of a rare classic or filming the
A Winner Comes To Collect His Car
August 10, 2023
On 25th July 2023, Nick Friar was randomly selected, with ticket number 1569, as the lucky winner of our 2000 TVR Chimaera 450. Yesterday, Nick
Looking Back On A Mini Collection
August 10, 2023
Our 1976 Morris Mini hasn’t been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for very long but it is already live on the Bridge Classic Cars
A Special Delivery
August 10, 2023
A container recently arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop with a collection of cars that have made their way to us all the way
An Exciting Addition To Our Collection
August 10, 2023
We have recently added an extremely exciting classic car to the Bridge Classic Cars collection. Director, Gordon has purchased our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 and
A Finished Service And Going Home
August 10, 2023
Since our 1935 Wolseley Super Hornet Special arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, classic car technician Steve has been giving it a full service.
Arrived And Ready To Win
August 10, 2023
We recently welcomed our 1976 Morris Mini to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Known as Alfie, this classic Mini has clearly undergone quite a bit
Suffolk Sound
August 9, 2023
Before our very successful 2023 Bridge Classic Car Show, Craig was invited to be on Suffolk Sound as a guest to talk about the show.
Complete And Returned Home
August 9, 2023
It’s always exciting to see a project come to a conclusion. Recently, we were extra excited to see one of our own vehicles finish its
Fenlanders Harley Davidson Charity Ride
August 9, 2023
We recently got some great pictures of the Fenlanders Harley Davidson Charity Ride arriving at Beach Street in Felixstowe. There were clearly some stunning examples
Officially The Best Classic Car Ever
August 9, 2023
As Europe’s biggest classic vehicle marketplace, the team at Car & Classic are in a prime position to name the best classic car ever, and
Silverstone Auctions To Iconic Auctioneers
August 8, 2023
Silverstone Auctions is going through a very exciting change. From the 9th of August, Silverstone Auctions will be known as Iconic Auctioneers. The name Silverstone
Anglo-American Open Day
August 8, 2023
We talk a lot about our secure storage facility, The Hangar, which is located at Bentwaters Parks. As a location, Bentwaters is an incredible place
The Schumacher Collection
August 14, 2023
Michael Schumacher is an icon of Formula 1. His illustrious career is one of legend and the name, Schumacher, will always be thought of when talking about motor racing. If you are old enough to have seen him race, there’s no denying that Michael Schumacher was a phenomenon that will be a challenge to ever follow.
From a young German racer to a competitive force of nature and dominating presence through the highest level of racing, Schumacher drove for some of the biggest teams such as Benetton, Mercedes-Benz, and, probably most famously – Ferrari.
Fans of the iconic driver will be able to get their hands on some truly extraordinary artefacts from his astonishing career. The items have been assembled over a 30-year period in a private Japanese collection and will open for bidding through RM Sothebys between 16th August and 6th September 2023.
Highlights From Full Throttle – The Schumacher Collection
1994 Michael Schumacher Bell Benetton Formula 1 helmet – This is the helmet Michael Schumacher wore while racing for Benetton during the 1994 Formula 1 season. This was the season that Michael won his first world championship where he took eight races and six pole positions. A Bell Certificate of Authenticity confirms the helmet is a very special find and a fantastic addition to someone’s collection Estimate: $40,000 – $60,000 (approx £31,500 – £47,000).
1989 Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost Signed Formula 1 Moet Champagne Bottle – Believed to have been signed by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at some point during the 1989 Formula 1 season, this is a very special champagne bottle! Estimate: $5,000 – $10,000 (approx £4,000 – £8,000).
2002 Michael Schumacher Schuberth Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Helmet– During Schumacher’s championship-winning 2002 season, he wore this helmet in the Japanese and Hungarian Grand Prix events. In Japan, he took pole position, set the fastest lap, and won the race. In Hungary, he qualified in second, set the fastest lap, and went on to finish second. The helmet has been certified by Jens Munser Designs as an authentic example. Estimate: $20,000 – $25,000 (approx £16,000 – £20,000).
2003 Michael Schumacher Scuderia Ferrari OMP Formula 1 Signed Racing Suit – Another incredible item from another championship-winning year. Schumacher wore the racing suit on 14th September 2003 at the Italian Grand Prix where he took pole position and the race win. Estimate: $12,000 – $15,000 (approx £9,500 – £12,000)
2001 Michael Schumacher Schuberth Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Helmet – Another championship-winning item. This time from the 2001 season when Schumacher wore this helmet on 22nd January 2001 at the Australian, Malaysian, and Brazilian Grand Prix events. Certified as an authentic example by Jens Munser and signed on the visor by Michael himself. Estimate $20,000 – $25,000 (approx £16,000 – £20,000)
Top 10 Lots From RM Sothebys
- 1991 Michael Schumacher Replica Arai Jordan-Ford Formula 1 Helmet $40,000 – $60,000 (approx £31,500 – £47,000)
- 1994 Michael Schumacher Bell Benetton Formula 1 Helmet $40,000 – $60,000 (approx £31,500 – £47,000)
- 2001 Michael Schumacher Schuberth Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Helmet $40,000 – $60,000 (approx £31,500 – £47,000)
- 1990 Michael Schumacher Arai West WTS Racing German Formula 3 Helmet $30,000 – $50,000 (approx £23,000 – £39,500)
- 1991 Michael Schumacher Shoei Benetton Formula 1 Helmet $30,000 – $40,000 (approx £23,000 – £32,000)
- 1993 Michael Schumacher Bell Benetton Formula 1 Helmet $30,000 – $40,000 (approx £23,000 – £32,000)
- 1993 Michael Schumacher Bell Benetton Formula 1 Helmet $30,000 – $40,000 (approx £23,000 – £32,000)
- 1995 Michael Schumacher Bell Benetton Formula 1 Helmet $30,000 – $40,000 (approx £23,000 – £32,000)
- 2003 Michael Schumacher Schuberth Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Helmet $30,000 – $40,000 (approx £23,000 – £32,000)
- 2004 Michael Schumacher Schuberth Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Helmet $30,000 – $40,000 (approx £23,000 – £32,000)
5 Vintage Hobbies To Try for A More Retro Lifestyle
August 14, 2023
While driving classic cars never goes out of fashion, some hobbies have fallen by the wayside over the years. However, that’s all changing, and old school is cool again. From crocheting to bird watching, tinkering in the garage or shed, and painting, more than half of Brits have expressed interest in starting a new hobby that’s more than a touch nostalgic.
These five vintage hobbies take you back in time, giving you the opportunity to relax and create something new.
Woodworking
Woodworking is an extraordinary hobby that allows you to craft something truly unique by hand. The possibilities for making wooden furniture, toys, decorations, and other practical items are almost endless.
The woodworking community is full of casual and professional artisans who enjoy meeting new friends, sharing ideas, and giving feedback. You can meet them by attending local workshops and events or by joining one or multiple online forums.
Woodworking can even save you money as you can make your own shelves or cabinets, or repair or restore old or damaged wood items instead of buying new ones. We live in a world where we’re very quick to throw something away rather than repurpose or refurbish it, and woodworking gives you the opportunity to breathe new life into older objects, just like we did in the past.
It’s also among the best hobbies for making unique gifts that really demonstrate your appreciation and love for the recipient.
You don’t need expensive power tools to enjoy woodworking, and the whole point of this hobby is to enjoy it in an old-school way. A basic saw, hammer, and drill, coupled with some nails and screws, will do the trick.
Baking
Baking is a fun and rewarding hobby that allows you to delve into the world of fancy bread, delicious cakes, and mouth-watering pastries. You can enjoy the simple pleasures of kneading dough or decorating cakes just like your parents and grandparents did.
The most appealing aspect of baking comes in its potential for building a happy home. You’ll have multiple opportunities to foster social connections and relationships. It’s a wonderful hobby for bonding with family and friends through recipes and stories over a delicious puff pastry. It’s the perfect retro hobby to replace watching TV or scrolling through your phone, and it has far tastier results too.
Restoring Classic Cars
The allure and reward of restoring classic cars lie in the potential to preserve a piece of automotive history with your own mechanical knowledge. If you’d like to try your hand at restoring a classic car, find one that suits your budget, workload, and level of mechanical knowledge. If you’re new to the world of classic cars, a non-running jalopy that needs an entire engine overhaul, chassis work, chrome fitting, and interior restoration may not be your best bet.
The most significant restoration success stories come from enthusiasts who do their homework upfront. If you know what to look for before buying a car to restore, you can determine whether the project is suitable or if it’s beyond your scope—for now, anyway.
Just some of what you need to consider before starting this hobby include:
- Car condition – Look for rust, damage, or missing parts. Assess critical areas like the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, and electrical system. A well-maintained car will be easier and cheaper to restore.
- Part availability – Some classic cars have scarce or costly discontinued components. You’ll need to choose between original and aftermarket parts, impacting restoration authenticity and quality.
- Model popularity – Certain classics are more desirable, impacting pricing and potential profit. Factor in competition and uniqueness for appeal and recognition.
- Difficulty – Different classic cars vary in restoration difficulty based on design and complexity. Factor in your time and effort commitment.
It’s a good idea to start small and work your way up to ensure that you don’t end up with a car in your garage that deserves to be on the road.
Painting
Painting is one of the most expressive hobbies for giving you peace of mind and working out your frustrations. There’s a reason why the world’s greatest philosophers, like Leonardo Da Vinci, enjoyed painting. It enhanced his problem-solving skills and challenged him to think strategically about how to complete his painting.
When you choose your colours, mix your paints, and apply your strokes, the process is invigorating. It releases positive emotions and neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. Painting has the unique ability to boost your cognitive faculties by triggering both the left and right hemispheres of your brain.
You can experiment with oil paintings, watercolour paintings, or acrylic paintings to find your style and see where your talents take you. If you want to add a real retro twist to this hobby, pack a watercolour kit and head off to the beach or the countryside (maybe even in your restored classic car!) and enjoy a day out painting the local scenery.
Film Photography
A true retro hobby that offers so much creative scope, taking photographs using older cameras and film can be a hugely enriching experience. Film photography is an art form that you can learn, and the excitement of waiting to see your pictures develop adds to the fun.
You can purchase older film online and use it with the appropriate camera and even learn how to develop the image yourself in a makeshift darkroom.
If you enjoy the technological side, you may want to extend this hobby beyond taking photographs and start restoring old cameras like the Leica IIIa or Rolleiflex, too. You’ll learn a unique skill set that allows you to repair a shutter, align the lens mount, clean the film plane, or adjust a camera’s exposure. Plus, you can then take photos that are totally unique and harken back to days gone by.
Bringing Back The Past
A great hobby should be fun and relaxing while allowing you to express your creativity. Sharing that passion with others is the best way to go about it. These hobbies are uniquely retro but are making a comeback for good reason. Why not try something new that’s stood the test of time? You may end up with a classic car you can drive around proudly in, furniture you’ve made from scratch, or food and artwork that everyone wants to share and enjoy too.
Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet
August 14, 2023
Highlights of our Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet can be seen here.
Bridge Classic Cars is thrilled to invite you to our Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet on Thursday, 7th September 2023.
The evening promises to be a relaxing and ambient environment where you can share your passion for classic vehicles with other like-minded enthusiasts. Meeting at sunset will create a stunning and picturesque backdrop that highlights the beauty of your classics.
Starting at 7 pm and taking place at The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars, you will be able to enjoy food, drink, and live acoustic music to help bring your day to a chilled conclusion.
Whether you are a classic car owner, or simply an admirer of automotive artistry, our Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet will have something for everyone. With plenty of opportunities to capture memorable moments against the backdrop of the setting sun, swap tips and advice with fellow enthusiasts, or simply admire the craftsmanship that has gone into each and every classic vehicle.
The Atelier bar will be open for drinks, and food will be available from Porkey’s, to make sure you have everything you need for an evening of automotive appreciation.
We would love it if you can join us in celebrating the timeless beauty of classic vehicles as the sun goes down over the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Attendance is completely FREE but please RSVP below to let us know you will be joining us.
Back For A Service
August 14, 2023
Our 1991 Volkswagen Transporter T4 has returned to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for a full service. Classic car technician Jonn has been checking it over and has found some issues that he is working to resolve.
One of the wheel cylinders is seized and one of the wheel rims is badly cracked. Jonn cleaned a calliper before noting that the brake pipe to the offside rear wheel cylinder is seized.
A new pipe and ends were made to fit before Jonn had to untwist the driver’s seatbelt. The foglight earth wasn’t connected so this was connected to the slam panel earth. Once this was done, the foglights were working as they should. Finally, Jonn fitted new belts to our T4.
Improving Our Mini
August 14, 2023
Our 1976 Morris Mini has been in the care of classic car technician Jonn as he has been resolving a few issues that he found during his investigations.
Part of this work involved sorting the wiring for the spotlights on the front of the car. Once this was complete, Jonn reassembled the lights and everything worked as it should. The speakers in the rear shelf were Jonn’s next focus before the front of the car was fully reassembled and cleaned.
There is a switch on the accessory panel which now functions correctly in that it operates the three spotlights on the front of our Mini when the full beam is activated. New CV boots were also fitted to our latest competition cars.
Before Jonn finished working on our 1976 Morris Mini, new discs and pads were fitted to the front of the vehicle.
Amphicar Back In Paint
August 14, 2023
Classic car technician has been hard at work on our 1964 Amphicar 770 again.
After undergoing several rounds of repairs on its body, it’s great to see the car now starting to come back together again.
Spotted In North Norfolk
August 11, 2023
We have recently been sent some fantastic photos of what appears to be the remains of a car that was spotted in a wooded area of North Norfolk.
While it has likely been there too long to identify the make and model from images alone, it’s still always interesting to imagine what the situation was that led to it ending up in this position.
New Wheels For Our E-Type
August 11, 2023
Some new wheels have arrived for our 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5. As this is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website, it’s great to see this example of one of the most recognisable (and iconic) classic cars move into the finishing stages of its build.
Work Begins On Our Austin Healey 100-6
August 11, 2023
Our 1957 Austin Healey 100-6 hasn’t long been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop following its long trip over to us from South Africa.
However, classic car technician Tom has already been hard at work inspecting and assessing the beautiful car in preparation for it to eventually be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
Taking A Closer Look At Our DB2/4
August 11, 2023
A 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 has recently joined our personal collection. While this is exciting enough, this car appears to be extra special, as there are strong indications that this could actually be the 10th example ever built by the renowned British automotive brand.
The 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 holds a significant place in automotive history, embodying the spirit of craftsmanship and innovation that has defined Aston Martin for generations. This rare car showcases the evolution of automotive engineering in the 1950s, with its distinctive design and pioneering features.
Classic car technician Tom has been taking a closer look at this special DB2/4 to begin the investigation into what plan can be created for its future.
Fixing An Air Con Issue
August 11, 2023
Classic car technician Steve has been resolving an issue with the air conditioning in our 1973 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Series 3.
After removing the dash, Steve was able to gain access to the a/c wiring and control switches. The fault was traced back to the a/c control variable resistor switch so this was taken apart, the contacts cleaned, and put back together.
Steve tested the air conditioning afterwards and everything was working as it should.
Ready To Be Won
August 11, 2023
Our 1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 is live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
Finished in striking red with contrasting black trims, our Sierra XR4x4 is fitted with the later 2.9-litre V6 and was earmarked to be one of the first breed of 4-wheel drive super saloons thanks to its 150BHP sent through a Ferguson-developed all-wheel drive gearbox allowing for increased grip and handling.
You can enter the draw to be in with a chance of winning this popular classic now!
The Winner Is…
August 11, 2023
The lucky winner of two tickets to the Bridge Classic Cars Movie Night at The Riverside Theatre is Tim Osler.
Lily picked Tim, at random, from all of the entrants we received before 8:00 am today.
We would like to thank everyone who entered the competition to be in with a chance of winning free tickets to our first-ever movie night, and congratulations to Tim for being the lucky winner – we look forward to seeing you on the 19th of August.
Tickets are still available for The Bridge Classic Cars Movie Night. More information can be seen here.
A Closer Look At A Pre-War Classic
August 11, 2023
Our 1926 Clyno has been in the care of classic car technician Steve as he has been inspecting the vehicle to see what work needs to be completed while it is here with us in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Steve noticed that the wire from the nearside rear light is corroded and the offside front shackle grease nipple is missing.
Work will start on resolving these issues, and any others that arise along the way very soon.
Inspecting Our Competition Mini
August 11, 2023
It has been a very busy time for our 1976 Morris Mini since its recent arrival in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Now that filming has been completed after a successful first inspection, classic car technician Jonn took a more detailed look at our newest competition car.
There are some small jobs that need to be completed before the lucky winner of this beautiful classic Mini takes ownership, but Jonn will soon have any issues resolved.
Wheels Painted
August 11, 2023
After recently being primed, the wheels of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper have been back in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with classic car technician Mauro.
He has been painting the wheels in preparation for them to eventually go back onto the restored vehicle when the time is right.
Mauro also painted various other components in DTM satin black.
Our Transit Tipper continues to progress through its restoration journey and this is set to carry on.
Classic Cars Around The World
August 10, 2023
Whenever the team at Bridge Classic Cars are out and about, we are always on the lookout for interesting classic cars.
One of our good friends, Josh from Poundgates, has been in Turkey recently and has sent us these pictures of a Tofa Dagon SLX that he spotted. We always love seeing a variety of classics and this one fits the bill perfectly.
Thanks Josh.
A Day At Bridge Classic Cars – Behind The Scenes
August 10, 2023
There is always something exciting going on in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Whether it is the restoration of a rare classic or filming the next competition car, there’s not usually much downtime to be had.
Earlier this week, Nick captured some behind-the-scenes photos of a day in the life of Bridge Classic Cars. This was clearly an extra busy day, as the marketing team can be seen outside the workshop planning the filming of a lucky winner coming to collect their car, won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. Mauro was hard at work in the paint shop preparing a panel from our Amphicar 770 for paintwork. Steve was working on our 1935 Wolseley Super Hornet Special, and workshop manager John was working on a Bristol just outside the main door. There were lots of other exciting things going on too which weren’t caught on camera!
The Bridge Classic Cars workshop is a busy place and it’s always nice to show just a little glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes.
A Winner Comes To Collect His Car
August 10, 2023
On 25th July 2023, Nick Friar was randomly selected, with ticket number 1569, as the lucky winner of our 2000 TVR Chimaera 450.
Yesterday, Nick came to see us at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop to pick up his car in person. As Nick and his family are relatively local to us, he decided to collect the car and drive it home himself.
We had a great time speaking with Nick and finding out about the previous TVR Chimaera he owned many years ago. With his plan to join the TVR club that he used to be a member of, we are sure that Nick will love being a TVR owner once more.
Looking Back On A Mini Collection
August 10, 2023
Our 1976 Morris Mini hasn’t been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for very long but it is already live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
As we haven’t had much time to update the project, we thought we would take a quick look back at the collection of our eye-catching Mini, known as Alfie.
Bradley from Drivers4You collected the classic mini on our behalf and delivered it safely to the workshop. Very soon after it arrived it was taken by Molly and Freddie to film, ready to be won at our Bridge Classic Cars Movie Night.
A Special Delivery
August 10, 2023
A container recently arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop with a collection of cars that have made their way to us all the way from South Africa.
Our special delivery included our 1957 Austin Healey 100-6 and our 1970 Lotus Europa. Both of these are currently going through a workshop assessment and inspection before going on to be available to win through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions soon.
Also in the container was our 1935 Bentley Van Den Plas Saloon which will soon be going up for sale.
An Exciting Addition To Our Collection
August 10, 2023
We have recently added an extremely exciting classic car to the Bridge Classic Cars collection. Director, Gordon has purchased our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 and it is beautiful.
There has been a DB2/4 in the workshop for a while as we have been restoring it for a customer. However, this new addition is currently in our personal collection. First impressions show that the car is in great condition, although there is obviously some work to be done.
As a full inspection of the car is underway, we look forward to seeing what the future holds for our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4.
A Finished Service And Going Home
August 10, 2023
Since our 1935 Wolseley Super Hornet Special arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, classic car technician Steve has been giving it a full service. This has continued with Steve finding that the bottom of the carburettor was leaking and a new gasket kit was needed. There was also play in both track rod ends but this has been adjusted and resolved.
Steve stripped the carburettors ready for them to be cleaned and the new gaskets fitted. The owner of the car had found the timing advance linkage on the floor of their garage. Steve fitted this back onto the car in preparation for it to return home. New points, condenser, and rotor arm were also fitted.
As our 1935 Wolseley Super Hornet Special gets ready to leave us in the next day or two, we are enjoying admiring it in the workshop for as long as we can.
Arrived And Ready To Win
August 10, 2023
We recently welcomed our 1976 Morris Mini to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Known as Alfie, this classic Mini has clearly undergone quite a bit of work and care from its previous owners and it is now live and ready to win on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
Classic Minis are always popular competition cars and we are expecting nothing less from this eye-catching example.
The winner will be drawn at our movie night at the Riverside Theatre when we are hosting a special viewing of The Italian Job.
Suffolk Sound
August 9, 2023
Before our very successful 2023 Bridge Classic Car Show, Craig was invited to be on Suffolk Sound as a guest to talk about the show.
Craig had a great time talking to Mark Murphy MBE, who was the judge for best in show.
Thank you to Mark and the team at Suffolk Sound for inviting Craig into the studio.
Complete And Returned Home
August 9, 2023
It’s always exciting to see a project come to a conclusion. Recently, we were extra excited to see one of our own vehicles finish its restoration journey and return home to its owner – Bridge Classic Cars Managing Director, Craig’s motorbike.
Our 1984 Suzuki GSX 400T is complete and, as you can see from the photos below, it’s looking incredible.
There’s no doubt that Craig will enjoy his bike and we look forward to seeing it out and about.
Fenlanders Harley Davidson Charity Ride
August 9, 2023
We recently got some great pictures of the Fenlanders Harley Davidson Charity Ride arriving at Beach Street in Felixstowe.
There were clearly some stunning examples of the legendary motorbike at the event and we are certainly very grateful for the photos.
Officially The Best Classic Car Ever
August 9, 2023
As Europe’s biggest classic vehicle marketplace, the team at Car & Classic are in a prime position to name the best classic car ever, and that is exactly what they have done!
However, the results haven’t come from opinion but from actual data based entirely on statistics. Car & Classic analysed data that went back further than 15 years and looked at the number of classic cars sold, the number of monthly searches, average sale prices, and hashtag use on Instagram.
The findings of the study revealed that the best classic ever is the Porsche 911.
The top 10 classic cars are:
| Rank | Vehicle | Cars sold on C&C | Monthly searches | Average Sale Price on C&C | Hashtag uses as of May 2023 |
| 1 | Porsche 911 | 21,141 | 1,450,000 | £58,409 | 4,960,404 |
| 2 | Ford Mustang | 8,332 | 1,200,000 | £31,107 | 4,490,482 |
| 3 | Land Rover Range Rover | 7,551 | 3,240,000 | £18,745 | 5,205,454 |
| 4 | Chevrolet Corvette | 6,165 | 1,120,000 | £34,807 | 5,812,154 |
| 5 | Jaguar E-Type | 6,028 | 140,000 | £89,240 | 162,951 |
| 6 | Volkswagen Campervan | 7,052 | 104,000 | £26,545 | 1,066,256 |
| 7 | Land Rover Defender | 5,995 | 896,000 | £17,872 | 155,396 |
| 8 | BMW 3 Series | 8,107 | 362,000 | £11,055 | 887,380 |
| 9 | Ford Escort | 4,874 | 675,000 | £22,382 | 299,824 |
| 10 | Mini Cooper | 3,379 | 2,240,000 | £16,111 | 4,059,781 |
Porsche 911 – The Best Classic Car Ever
The Porsche 911 is one of the most recognisable sports cars in the world. The name 911 is commonly known by petrolheads and non-car fans alike. Although the Porsche 911 has gone through quite a few changes in its almost 60-year production run, the silhouette has always been instantly recognisable and has become an icon in the automotive world.
Dale Vinten, Head of Editorial at Car & Classic said “Whilst a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS could set you back the best part of £500,000, there are many more affordable models, which bring the average sale price of a 911 on Car & Classic to £58,000 – the third highest average selling price of any make and model on the site. This first-generation 1973 Porsche 911 Lux Targa sold last year for £115,000, and would probably fetch even more now.”
Ford Mustang
In second place was the Ford Mustang. It has been hailed as the ‘ultimate American muscle car” and has been in continuous production since 1964. Average Mustang sale price on Car & Classic is around £31,000 and it is one of Ford’s most successful models.
When speaking about the Mustang, Dale said “For a classic ‘60s matching numbers example in excellent condition you could quite easily pay the best part of £250,000. However, there are many more modestly priced cars available too. This 1967 Mustang 2+2 Fastback sold for £50,500 at the end of last year, and was in excellent condition with only 7k miles on the clock.”
Land Rover Range Rover
The Land Rover Range Rover has been in production since the 1970s and came third in Car & Classic’s study. When looking at the model of car most searched for, ‘Range Rover’ is the most-searched term with more than 3,000,000 average monthly searches.
“You can pick up a classic second-generation Range Rover from as little as £5,000 if you’re happy to have a car that is well used or needs a bit of TLC. The average sale price of a classic Range Rover on Car & Classic is around £18,000 (13th highest average sale price),” reveals Vinten. “But if you’re looking for an early first-generation model in excellent condition, you could pay over £100,000. As always, a good example with extremely low mileage can command more than average prices, like this 1973 Range Rover which sold for £27,750.”
Chevrolet Corvette
Just like the 911, Mustang, and Range Rover, the Chevrolet Corvette has been in production for over 60 years. Although it is the 4th best classic car in the study, it is actually the most ‘Instagrammed’ classic car with almost 6,000,000 related hashtags.
“A premium classic car with average sale prices on Car & Classic of over £34,000, a pristine Chevrolet Corvette could set one back to the tune of more than £100,000. Or you can drive off in a 1988 Corvette C4 Targa for £7,600 if you don’t mind a left-hand drive car,” said Dale Vinten.
Jaguar E-Type
The legendary Jaguar E-Type was once described by Enzo Ferrari as “the most beautiful car in the world” so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that it’s featured on the list of best classic cars ever. The average sale price of a Jaguar E-type on Car & Classic is over £89,000, making it the marque and model with the highest average sale price on the website.
“If you are looking for a Series 1 Roadster in excellent condition, you can expect to spend up to £250,000,” predicts Vinten. “A Series 2 or 3 will cost less, as they are not as desirable, but in decent condition you can expect to pay around £40,000-£50,000. Even a barn-find 1969 E-Type Series II Roadster can set you back to the tune of £33,000.”
Volkswagen Campervan
The iconic VW Campervan has always been an extremely popular classic vehicle. Dale said about the VW Camper “The average sale price of VW campervans on Car & Classic is just over £26,000, but prices range from as little as around £3,500 for rough examples up to well in excess of £35,000. For middle-of-the-road split-screen models, such as this 1963 Type 2 Sundial Campervan, you’re looking at around £23,250.”
Land Rover Defender
Another Land Rover in the top 10 best classic cars ever comes in the form of the legendary Defender. As the workhorse of the British countryside, Dale Vinten said about the Defender “Some are worked harder than others, and you can expect the value of a Land Rover Defender to fluctuate depending on age, mileage, and condition. The average sale price through Car & Classic in recent years is around £17,800 – but a pickup variant such as this 1987 Defender 110 can be ‘picked up’ for less than £5k.”
BMW 3 Series
Dale explains that “The average price is a little over £11,000 on Car & Classic’s website, making the BMW 3 Series amongst the more affordable classics available. This modern classic 1992 E30 convertible was just over £10k. But in reality, certain models – in excellent condition – such as the M version, can set you back closer to £40,000 or £50,000.”
Ford Escort
As one of the easiest classics to maintain, the Ford Escort has always been versatile and extremely popular. Taking ninth place in the lineup, Dale said “At home on the track as much as it is the road, thanks to a colourful rally history, the average selling price of a classic Ford Escort on Car & Classic is just over £22,000. But sale prices vary hugely. While you can pick one up in need of some work for a few thousand pounds, a pristine condition classic rally car could cost the best part of £90,000. For example, this 1977 Mk2 1600 Sport Rally car (LHD) fetched £44,000 at the beginning of the year.”
Mini Cooper
Another iconic classic car, the Mini Cooper takes the title of 10th best classic car ever.
“The average sale price on Car & Classic is just over £16,000. But if you get an early Mini Cooper in pristine condition you can expect to part with over £100,000 to make it yours,” concludes Vinten. “That said, one of the last carburettor-equipped Minis, this 1991 Rover Mini Cooper, sold for £7,500 only last month.”
Silverstone Auctions To Iconic Auctioneers
August 8, 2023
Silverstone Auctions is going through a very exciting change.
From the 9th of August, Silverstone Auctions will be known as Iconic Auctioneers. The name Silverstone Auctions was the ideal choice when the company first began, as all of its auctions were held at Silverstone Circuit. However, things have changed and now the auctions take place in various locations and events.
Iconic Auctioneers seems a fitting name and one that is better suited to describe the current evolution of the business. This change of branding is meant to highlight the unique and diverse range of auctions the business hosts, as well as the team’s innovative ideas and practices.
There are some other exciting changes coming alongside the new name such as no seller’s commissioner being charged on cars and motorcycles offered with no reserve, and private sales are also being added to the portfolio of services offered.
As you begin to see the branding change over the coming days, it’s safe to say that Silverstone Auctions has done a great job and is now moving into the future as Iconic Auctioneers.
Anglo-American Open Day
August 8, 2023
We talk a lot about our secure storage facility, The Hangar, which is located at Bentwaters Parks. As a location, Bentwaters is an incredible place with runways, bunkers, hangars, wildlife, and more.
Also located there is the Bentwaters Cold War Museum. As the entire base is a former USAF hardened command post, it’s the perfect place to look back on the troubling times of the cold war.
On 20th August 2023, the BCWM are hosting their Anglo American Open Day and they are looking for classic vehicles to display at the event. Whatever classic vehicle you have, it will be welcome at the show.
For more information about the Anglo American Open Day and displaying your car, please contact the museum on openday@bcwm.org.uk
