No More Cowboys
July 10, 2023
Since our 1977 Lambretta Jet 150 came into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, there has been a lot of discussion about whether the vinyl cowboy
Rob Harvey
Marketing Manager - Bridge Classic Cars
Ready To Go Back Together
July 10, 2023
Our 1974 Volkswagen Beetle is coming to the end of its stay in the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop. Before it leaves though, Chris has
Time To Say Goodbye
July 7, 2023
Today is the day… Production of the Ford Fiesta will end later on today when the last ever car leaves the production line in Cologne.
The Story So Far…
July 7, 2023
The story of our 1976 Aston Martin AMV8 has been long and interesting and is one that is heading towards the final chapter with us
Win Our Golf GTi
July 6, 2023
Our 1986 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet has gone through its pre-delivery inspection with classic car technician Jonn and he has given the go-ahead for it
The Carrera Collection Auction Starts Tomorrow
July 6, 2023
Tomorrow is the first of a two-part auction for a collection of 86 cars, all owned by a single individual, hosted by RM Sotheby’s. The
Featured On mr02ssy YouTube Channel
July 6, 2023
Our first-ever Sunset Classic Car and Bike Meet was a very successful event. If you’d like to see the full highlights, they can be seen
Work Begins
July 5, 2023
Work has begun on our very special Cobra projects! Classic car technician Jonn (with help from Nigel) has been taking a closer look at the
Our XK150 – SOLD!
July 5, 2023
Our 1958 Jaguar XK150 sold recently on Car & Classic. After starting its life as a left-hand drive example destined for the American market. It
Austin Healey Work Continues
July 5, 2023
Classic car technician Jonn has been working on our 1967 Austin Healey 3000. He cleaned out the carbs and fitted new float chamber seals. Once
Almost There
July 5, 2023
Classic car technician Rob has been hard at work putting our 1964 Daimler 250 V8 back together. After it spent some time in the paintshop,
A Traveller Arrives
July 5, 2023
Our 1967 Morris Minor Traveller has arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Work will begin shortly on this very classic-looking vehicle. It will be
A Look Back On Our AMV8 Going Back Together
July 5, 2023
The restoration of our 1976 Aston Martin AMV8 has been making great progress lately with a lot of work coming together on this stunning classic
Win Our Hillman Minx
July 4, 2023
Our 1962 Hillman Minx is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website. This is a beautiful classic that will no doubt bring back
An MGA Arrives
July 3, 2023
Our 1960 MGA 1600 has just come into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Now that it is with us, our team of classic car technicians
A Busy Paint Shop
July 3, 2023
The Bridge Classic Cars Paintshop has been pretty busy lately. One of the cars being worked on by the paint team is our 1967 Austin
Almost Ready
July 3, 2023
As the live draw for our 1980 MGB GT is almost here, classic car technician Jonn has been completing a few more jobs to make
Ready For A Rebuild
July 3, 2023
After the engine and gearbox of our 1954 Jaguar XK120 were removed from the car, they were separated and strapped securely to a pallet ready
Painting Our Beetle
July 3, 2023
Chris has been painting our 1974 Volkswagen Beetle as it continues its stay in the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop. Now that it has been
Getting Competition Ready
July 3, 2023
You won’t have to wait too much longer until you will have the chance to win our 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5 through Bridge Classic
Going In The Right Direction
July 3, 2023
Bridge Classic Cars workshop manager John has been continuing his work on our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 as it gets closer and closer to leaving
Small Jobs Make All The Difference
July 3, 2023
It may seem like a very small job but, workshop manager John has cleaned the ashtray of our 1976 Aston Martin AMV8. As the interior
Painting Our Frogeye Bonnet
July 3, 2023
Classic car technician Alan has been putting the last bit of paint onto our 1958 Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite. He has been prepping, priming, and
Porsche Improvements
June 30, 2023
Our 2007 Porsche Cayman S has been undergoing some minor improvements in preparation for it to be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. The windscreen
Still Enjoying Our Competition MGB
June 30, 2023
After he won our 1975 MGB GT V8 back in January, our good friend Steve is clearly still enjoying his classic car, and making good
The Maserati GT2 Has Been Revealed
June 30, 2023
At the 24 Hours of Spa, one of the most anticipated racing events in international motorsport, Maserati revealed its latest track creation, the GT2. Back
Charity Shop Challenge
June 30, 2023
If you haven’t seen the recent episode of Talking Classics, where Molly and Lily take on their charity shop challenge, then it is well worth
Our Camper Is Live!
June 29, 2023
Our 1977 Volkswagen T2 Kombi is live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website. With a 1970cc air-cooled flat-four engine and automatic gearbox, it has
Our XK150 On Car & Classic
June 29, 2023
Our beautifully restored 1958 Jaguar XK150 is currently for sale on Car & Classic. With a little over a day left, the bids are coming
E-Type Gear Shift Cover
June 29, 2023
Classic car technician Brian has been working on the interior of our 1973 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Series 3. His focus has been on making some
No More Cowboys
July 10, 2023
Since our 1977 Lambretta Jet 150 came into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, there has been a lot of discussion about whether the vinyl cowboy stickers should be left on or removed before it goes live on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
In the end, it was decided to remove them during the preparation process of the classic scooter. After the stickers were removed, classic car technician Mauro completed some welding repairs and some filler work before priming the side covers ready for paint.
Once the freshly painted panels go back on our classic scooter, it will be one step closer to going live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
Ready To Go Back Together
July 10, 2023
Our 1974 Volkswagen Beetle is coming to the end of its stay in the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop. Before it leaves though, Chris has been finishing the painting of our classic Beetle known as Delilah.
After it came out of the paint booth and Chris had worked his magic, you can see from the photos below that the new coat of paint has made the already beautiful Beetle even more eye-catching.
We are certainly looking forward to seeing Delilah continue on her restoration journey with us and seeing her eventually go back home to her owner.
Time To Say Goodbye
July 7, 2023
Today is the day…
Production of the Ford Fiesta will end later on today when the last ever car leaves the production line in Cologne.
The Ford Fiesta has become something of an icon over the years and it is a highly recognisable car. With so many people having owned a Fiesta, been driven around in a Fiesta, or fallen in love with a Fiesta, this news will likely bring a sense of sadness. Fond memories of this little car will be commonplace and it’s hard to not feel that this is the end of an era.
Since production first began back in 1976, the Fiesta has been a hugely popular car and was the best-selling car in the UK for 12 consecutive years from 2009 onwards. Unfortunately, though, Ford is unable to make a profit on it and needs to make room in the factory as they focus on producing an electric vehicle range.
Regardless of the reason, today marks the end of a chapter in automotive history.
Goodbye Ford Fiesta!
The Story So Far…
July 7, 2023
The story of our 1976 Aston Martin AMV8 has been long and interesting and is one that is heading towards the final chapter with us here at Bridge Classic Cars. To mark the occasion, we decided it was time to take a look back at the history of our AMV8.
We originally purchased it on behalf of a customer, with the plan of it undergoing a full restoration in our workshop. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, our customer was no longer able to continue with the project, so the car is now owned by Bridge Classic Cars. Despite only fairly recently becoming the owners of this car, we have actually had it with us since its arrival in the UK from America.
Where It All Began
Aston Martin initially planned to put its new V8 engine in the DBS. However, thanks to challenges faced during production, the DBS was actually introduced with the 4-litre straight six from the DB6. This version initially disappointed many as the DBS was bigger and heavier than the DB6 resulting in a reduction in performance.
This all changed in 1969 when the Aston Martin DBS V8 finally arrived. The estimated 315bhp produced by the 5,340cc four-cam engine meant that the DBS V8 could go from 0 – 100mph in under 14 seconds. That may not seem too impressive by today’s standards but, back in 1969, it was claimed this was the fastest production car in the world. The claim could be further believed thanks to a top speed of 160mph!
In 1972, the story turned in the direction of the car you see today when Aston Martin was taken over by Company Developments. As Series 2 went into production, it became known as the Aston Martin AMV8 and was recognisable from a restyled front end that gave a nod to the looks of earlier Astons.
The former Chairman of Aston Martin, Victor Gauntlett said that the V8 was “a stylish thoroughbred, beautifully built, luxurious, fast and immensely safe.”
Our AMV8
Before we purchased our 1976 AMV8 in March 2022, it looks to have led an interesting life.
According to copies of Aston Martin’s factory build records, it was hand built at Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell plant during the winter of 1976. At the time, it was fitted with a left-hand-drive steering arrangement and a 3-speed automatic gearbox.
Surprisingly, our AMV8 was initially finished in Cornish Gold with a black leather interior, black carpet, and grey headliner. An orthopaedic surgeon, Dr William S. Reiter from Los Angeles, California, was the very first owner when he purchased it on January 5th, 1977.
The story then goes dark for a while although it does appear that the car stayed in America eventually making its way from the West Coast over to the East Coast of the country. During this period, the car was repainted in Peoney Red and had a desirable 5-speed manual gearbox installed. In addition to the colour and transmission change, a radio head unit that looks to be from the late 70s was fitted along with a set of 5-spoke alloy rims which replaced the original wheels.
We have been able to pick up the story again from 2011 when the previous owner purchased the vehicle. During this ownership, our AMV8 was part of a static display and was not driven at all. This meant that when we bought it, it has been off the road for over 10 years.
Arriving At The Workshop
After a long journey, our 1976 Aston Martin AMV8 eventually arrived at Felixstowe Port where we collected it.
From there, it was transported over the last leg of its epic journey to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop here in Suffolk. It was at this point that our team of highly skilled technicians took over and started work on bringing this classic Aston back to life.
The initial investigations highlighted a few issues that would need address but, after some attention from the workshop team, the future started to look bright. Perhaps the biggest change that has happened since we have had the AMV8 is its colour. Our paintshop took the car back to bare metal before repainting it for the second time in its life – this time transforming into a stylish Deep Carriage Green.
What’s Next?
Our AMV8 is still in the workshop with work continuing by our team of technicians. The car has been put back together and is looking very good. While the car is not quite ready to leave us yet, it is very soon going to be put up for sale.
This classic Aston has already lived an exciting life over in America and it would be great to see it find a new home with someone who appreciates the work, time, and treatment that this vehicle has experienced over the last couple of years.
More information on the sale of our 1976 Aston Martin AMV8 will be available soon but, in the meantime, the full project details can be seen here.
Win Our Golf GTi
July 6, 2023
Our 1986 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet has gone through its pre-delivery inspection with classic car technician Jonn and he has given the go-ahead for it to go live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
That means you can now buy your tickets to enter the draw and be in with a chance of winning this classic Golf for yourself.
All the details are here.
The Carrera Collection Auction Starts Tomorrow
July 6, 2023
Tomorrow is the first of a two-part auction for a collection of 86 cars, all owned by a single individual, hosted by RM Sotheby’s. The majority of the collection is made up of Porsche 911’s which is why this unique group of vehicles has been named – The Carrera Collection.
The Carrera Collection – Part 1
Part one of this incredible auction will be held in Switzerland at the Hotel Meilenstein in Langenthal on 7 July. All of the cars going up for sale are Swiss-registered and are all offered with no reserve! Tomorrow’s auction will see some impressive vehicles go under the hammer, including a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring, which is offered in its original colours of Light Yellow over Black. It is a fully matching-numbers example and is estimated to sell for CHF400,000 – CHF450,000 (approximately £350,000 – £394,000).
If one wasn’t enough, there is actually another 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring in the collection. This one is finished in the highly-desirable factory-specified colour of Tangerine and specified with Recaro seats. As one of Porsche’s most desirable halo models, it is estimated to sell for CHF350,000 – CHF400,000 (approximately £306,000 – £350,000).
One car that will no doubt capture the attention of Porsche fans is the 1963 Porsche 356 B Carrera 2 2000 GS Coupé by Reutter. An example of Porsche’s first-ever production model, it is finished in a factory-correct colour combination of Ivory White over black leatherette. After an extensive seven-year restoration, the estimated sale price is CHF360,000 – CHF450,000 (approximately £316,000 – £394,000).
Another incredible Porsche to be offered in tomorrow’s auction is the 1963 Porsche 356 B by Reutter. This one comes in a rare Carrera 2 ‘Sunroof’ Coupé specification and was restored in 2012 by a 356-specialist workshop in Italy. Estimate – CHF350,000 – CHF450,000 (approximately £306,000 – £394,000).
Neil Fraser ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Simon Clay ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Neil Fraser ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Neil Fraser ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Oliver Camelin, Director of Sales, Switzerland said, “It is incredibly rare that a collection of Porsches of this quantity and quality comes to market. It features a wide and exceptional cross-section of 911s, many of which boast rare specifications or are limited-edition cars. With all cars offered across both the sales with no reserve, this is an exciting opportunity for Porsche enthusiasts.”
It isn’t just road cars that will be up for grabs either. One particular highlight comes in the form of a 1995 Porsche 911 GT2 Evolution. This one comes with an extensive history file that includes FIVA and ACI technical passports. As the highest-performance version of the air-cooled era of the 911, and undergoing a rebuild in the mid-2010s by Rennsport of Reggio Emilia, Italy, estimates are CHF350,000 – CHF450,000 (approximately £306,000 – £394,000).
Tomorrow’s sale will also feature three BMW Z8 Roadsters and two Alpina V8 Roadsters, six 911 Speedsters of different eras, three 911 S’s, three 356’s, two 2.7 RS Tourings, three 911 Turbos, and four GT3 RSs from different generations.
The Carrera Collection – Part 2
Part two of The Carrera Collection sale will be held on 12th July at Sotheby’s Milan, Italy. This will be for the European Union-registered cars in the collection. One of the cars that will be offered is a 1959 Porsche 356 A Carrera 1600 GT Coupé by Reutter, which is offered with period competition history with class wins at the 1959 Pontedecimo-Giovi and Aosta-Pila hill climbs. It also comes with period photographs, Kardex document, FIVA assessment book, and past registration documents, and it is estimated to sell for between €400,000 – €500,000 (approximately £342,000 – £427,000)
Another attention-grabbing vehicle in the Italian line-up is a 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo S Prototype. It has the final and most technologically advanced air-cooled 911 Turbo engine, and was a factory prototype with more than 30 optional extras including a sunroof, heated racing-style sport seats, and a period Motorola 2200 car phone. Estimate – €300,000 – €400,000 (approximately £256,000 – £342,000).
A 2010 Porsche 911 GT2 RS will also be available. With less than 7,500 kilometres on the clock, the car features a 3.6-litre flat-six paired with a six-speed manual gearbox which certainly makes for a passionate driving machine. Estimate – €240,000 – €280,000 (approximately £205,000 – £239,000).
One car that is expected to be extremely popular is a 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster that comes in paint-to-sample Elfenbein with colour-matched Fuchs wheels, and has an estimate of €150,000 – €200,000 (approximately £128,000 – £171,000).
Simon Clay ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Simon Clay ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Simon Clay ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
The Italian sale includes six 911 Ss, four 356s, four Porsche 911 Targas, and seven 911 Turbos from differing generations.
Full details can be seen at RM Sotheby’s.
Featured On mr02ssy YouTube Channel
July 6, 2023
Our first-ever Sunset Classic Car and Bike Meet was a very successful event.
If you’d like to see the full highlights, they can be seen here.
mr02ssy attended the event and made his own video that you can see below too.
Thank you to mr02ssy for coming along and for sharing his experience on his YouTube channel – we hope to see you again soon!
Work Begins
July 5, 2023
Work has begun on our very special Cobra projects!
Classic car technician Jonn (with help from Nigel) has been taking a closer look at the car and has begun making a list of things that will need to be addressed during its time in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
We are in the fortunate position to have an AC Ace, the predecessor to the Cobra also in the workshop. This has allowed us to compare the two models and, as you can see from the photos below, there are some clear similarities between the two.
The list of things to be done may be quite long but, like all of the restoration projects we are currently working on, once complete, the car will look very different to how it does now.
Our XK150 – SOLD!
July 5, 2023
Our 1958 Jaguar XK150 sold recently on Car & Classic.
After starting its life as a left-hand drive example destined for the American market. It was eventually brought back to the UK in 2016. It was then comprehensively restored from the ground up – including a professional right-hand drive conversion.
We are sure that the new owner will be very pleased with the latest addition to their collection.
Apart from its stunning looks, other points of note about our XK150 are:
- Restored to an exceptional standard
- Extremely attractive specification
- 3.4-litre inline-six
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Comprehensive history
- Iconic, Le Mans-derived sportscar
The details of its life include:
- Built on 20th November 1957
- Dispatched to the US on 28th December 1957
- First registered in the US in 1958, from a supplying dealer in New York
- Returned to the UK via Beverly Hills Car Club in 2016
- One UK owner since import, who has carefully and meticulously restored the car and converted it to right-hand drive
- Indicated 78,353 miles on a five-figure odometer
- We’re told the car comes with an extensive history file
- Jaguar Heritage Trust production record trace certificate confirms it left the factory with the following – Chassis: S 837140 / Engine: V2122-8 / Body: P6142
Austin Healey Work Continues
July 5, 2023
Classic car technician Jonn has been working on our 1967 Austin Healey 3000. He cleaned out the carbs and fitted new float chamber seals. Once this was done, Jonn moved on to preparing the car ready for the dynamo to be stripped and removed.
The coil was removed in order to gain access to the dynamo. Once the dynator was fitted, the coil was re-fitted ready for the regulator wiring to be connected.
Jonn has made good progress on our Austin Healey 300 and we are very much looking forward to it being returned to its owner very soon.
Classic car technician Mauro has also been working on our Austin Healey by flatting and polishing it.
Almost There
July 5, 2023
Classic car technician Rob has been hard at work putting our 1964 Daimler 250 V8 back together.
After it spent some time in the paintshop, it came back into the main workshop so everything could be reassembled and made to look as good as possible before it goes back to its owner.
Rob cleaned up and refitted the chrome work, door panels, trim, and multiple other components.
As you can see from the photos below, our Daimler 250 V8 is looking better and better each day.
A Traveller Arrives
July 5, 2023
Our 1967 Morris Minor Traveller has arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Work will begin shortly on this very classic-looking vehicle. It will be great to see this one go through the workshop and leave with a new lease of life in the future.
A Look Back On Our AMV8 Going Back Together
July 5, 2023
The restoration of our 1976 Aston Martin AMV8 has been making great progress lately with a lot of work coming together on this stunning classic car.
After its new coat of paint, the process of rebuilding the car began. Classic car technician Alan was part of this process. As Alan finished the paintwork on our AMV8, he started putting the chromework back on the car.
Alan also removed, painted, and re-fitted the air intake plenum to the engine. This made a big difference to the look of the engine bay and certainly has had a positive impact on the overall look of the classic Aston Martin.
Classic car technician Steve then got involved by fitting the stainless steel sill covers before checking, cleaning, and greasing the front and rear brakes. Steve also fitted a new battery and clamp.
Brian has also been working on the interior of our AMV8. He removed the old damaged cover from the lower dash panel before cutting out new vinyl for it. The old glue was cleaned off the metal panel and the new vinyl was glued in place. Brian re-fitted the air duct and re-covered the lower dash panel.
The old damaged vinyl was removed from the battery cover and a new one was made. Brian went on to make the leather straps that hold the jack onto the battery cover. After John had cleaned up the ashtray, Brian cut and glued new vinyl to the ashtray lid.
Continuing the rebuild of our 1976 Aston Martin AMV8, the front and rear glass was reinstalled. Steve also fabricated a new bracket for the front number plate. To show how skilled Steve is, the bracket he made was made simply by looking at an image online!
The wheels were removed and the replacements have arrived. Once a few more jobs have been completed on the car, these will be fitted and our AMV8 will be another step closer to being ready to drive out of the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Win Our Hillman Minx
July 4, 2023
Our 1962 Hillman Minx is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
This is a beautiful classic that will no doubt bring back memories of the time when these would have been a common sight on the road. It hasn’t been with us here at Bridge Classic Cars very long but we are very excited to see it go home with its new owner when it is won next week.
Enter the draw here.
An MGA Arrives
July 3, 2023
Our 1960 MGA 1600 has just come into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Now that it is with us, our team of classic car technicians will get to work to resolve any issues so it can be returned back to its owner ready to get back out on the road.
A Busy Paint Shop
July 3, 2023
The Bridge Classic Cars Paintshop has been pretty busy lately. One of the cars being worked on by the paint team is our 1967 Austin Healey 3000.
Classic car technician Mauro has been looking after this one and, after prepping and priming various areas in need of repair on our classic Austin Healey, he painted the repaired areas.
As you can see from the photos below, our 1967 Austin Healey 3000 is looking great with its new paint and it will soon be leaving the paint shop looking better than ever.
Almost Ready
July 3, 2023
As the live draw for our 1980 MGB GT is almost here, classic car technician Jonn has been completing a few more jobs to make sure it is ready to go to its new owner very soon.
The front timing cover and seal were rubbed down and painted before being re-fitted. Jonn also painted the oil sump pan. He then moved on to sorting out the faulty hazard lights and restoring the wiring back to its original specifications.
He used the wiring diagram to make sure everything was correct. After cutting out the non-original wiring, the new wiring and inline fuse were fitted back to the original setup.
A new alternator belt was fitted too.
With this work coming to an end, it won’t be much longer until our eye-catching 1980 MGB GT is parked up with its lucky new owner.
Ready For A Rebuild
July 3, 2023
After the engine and gearbox of our 1954 Jaguar XK120 were removed from the car, they were separated and strapped securely to a pallet ready to be shipped to Rushton Engineering, who will be rebuilding them.
Once they are back with us, in a little while, the classic XK120 will be able to continue making progress through its restoration journey in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Painting Our Beetle
July 3, 2023
Chris has been painting our 1974 Volkswagen Beetle as it continues its stay in the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop.
Now that it has been re-painted, our classic Beetle is looking great and will soon be moving on to the next stage of its restoration.
Getting Competition Ready
July 3, 2023
You won’t have to wait too much longer until you will have the chance to win our 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5 through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
Classic car technician Brian has been doing lots of work on the interior of what was once said to be “the most beautiful car ever made”. He has fitted a new cover to the cubby box lid as well as doing an impressive job of fitting the headliner too.
Brian went on to stick the dodo mat sound-deadening panels to the floor, transmission tunnel, and under the rear seat. The chrome channels of the rear seat were cleaned and rubber strips were made and fitted to these.
While Brian was working inside our classic E-Type, John was fitting the boot stay.
Work continues on our 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5 and we are looking forward to keeping you updated on its restoration progress.
If you want a more detailed look at our E-Type project, it was featured in our most recent episode of Talking Classics.
Going In The Right Direction
July 3, 2023
Bridge Classic Cars workshop manager John has been continuing his work on our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 as it gets closer and closer to leaving us and being returned to its owner.
The trafficators have been fitted up and installed and John has also fitted the under-bonnet light. Once everything was wired in, John tested it all to make sure everything was working as it should be.
Small Jobs Make All The Difference
July 3, 2023
It may seem like a very small job but, workshop manager John has cleaned the ashtray of our 1976 Aston Martin AMV8.
As the interior of our classic Aston is coming together, making sure each part is looking its best will go a long way in making the finished car look incredible.
With this much attention to detail from the workshop team, our AMV8 will no doubt be an eye-catching example when it leaves us.
Painting Our Frogeye Bonnet
July 3, 2023
Classic car technician Alan has been putting the last bit of paint onto our 1958 Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite.
He has been prepping, priming, and painting the bonnet of this future competition car. One of the great things about a Frogeye Sprite is that the bonnet looks very happy to have a new coat of paint, as you can see in the pictures below.
It shouldn’t be long until you see our 1958 Austin Healey Sprite’s smiley face on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
Porsche Improvements
June 30, 2023
Our 2007 Porsche Cayman S has been undergoing some minor improvements in preparation for it to be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
The windscreen sticker has been removed. This might seem like a very minor change but, it has made a big difference to the overall look of the attention-grabbing sports car.
Still Enjoying Our Competition MGB
June 30, 2023
After he won our 1975 MGB GT V8 back in January, our good friend Steve is clearly still enjoying his classic car, and making good use of it, as you can see from his social media posts below.
It seems that Steve isn’t the only one who admires ‘Velma’ as the car is now known.
The Maserati GT2 Has Been Revealed
June 30, 2023
At the 24 Hours of Spa, one of the most anticipated racing events in international motorsport, Maserati revealed its latest track creation, the GT2.
Back in March, Maserati announced that the shakedown process had begun on this exciting machine. Since then, the car has gone through a series of intensive tests and it is now ready to bring the brand back to GT competitions. After the MC12’s domination of the track between 2005 and 2010, the GT2 is looking to recreate this success.
The Maserati GT2 is a beautiful mix of Maserati’s past, present, and future, as it draws on the legacy of the MC12. It also looked to the racing version of the MC20 super sports car by taking the already exceptional 463-kW/621-hp Nettuno V6 engine, and pushing its limits even further; all of this with the aim of driving the car into the motorsport history books by writing a new winning chapter.
Maserati designed and built the GT2 in dedication to private teams and gentleman drivers. The brand says it is a masterpiece of performance that combines history, innovation, and sporting attitude. All of these have always seemed to characterise Maserati cars, for both track and road. The plan for the GT2 was for it to take part in championships or individual events reserved for the GT2 class. The Maserati GT2 will make its track debut in the final stages of the 2023 Fanatec GT European Series, and is due to participate in the entire 2024 season.
Davide Grasso, Maserati CEO, said: “Our DNA and our spirit have always lain in racing. Our story began and developed from the track to the road. The decision to return to track racing forms part of a thorough strategic framework, inaugurated this year with the debut in Formula E, to which we have now added our return to the world of GT competitions. Now more than ever we want to rekindle and nourish that competitive passion that has always characterised and motivated us to achieve major milestones”.
With this impressive creation, Maserati celebrates its return to the world of GT competitions. Thanks to the collaboration of the Maserati Innovation Lab, the Centro Stile Maserati and the technological excellence of the Maserati dynamic simulator, the Maserati GT2 will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with when it gets on the track.
Maserati GT2 – Technical specifications and features
Vehicle
- Single seater non-road-homologated race car
- Homologated for GT2 class
- Homologation base model: MC20
Dimensions
- Length: 4,838 mm
- Width: 2,029 mm (w/o rear mirrors)
- Wheelbase: 2,700 mm
- Dry weight: depending on BoP*
Chassis
- Ultra-light carbon-fibre central monocoque
- FIA-homologated safety roll-cage (FIA Art. 277)
- FIA-homologated FT3 120-litre fuel tank
- Air jack system (4)
Brakes
- Six-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) aluminium monobloc racing brake callipers
- Racing ventilated steel brake discs: 390 mm (front) and 355 mm (rear)
- Brake-bias remote adjuster
- Optimised brake cooling
- Latest-generation adjustable racing ABS
Engine
- Water-cooled V6 90° twin-turbo engine (rear-mounted) based on MC20 Nettuno engine
- Displacement: 2,992 cc
- Bore/Stroke: 88 mm x 82 mm
- Power: depending on BoP* (463-kW/621-hp Nettuno base engine)
- MTC (Maserati Twin Combustion)
- Dry-sump lubrication with oil/water heat exchanger
- Engine control unit (ECU): BOSCH MS 6.4 EVO
- Maserati Corse traction control
- Race exhaust system with twin tailpipes mounted centrally and catalytic converter
Drive train/transmission
- 6-speed sequential racing gearbox with paddle shift
- Internal forced oil lubrification with oil/air heat exchanger
- Racing clutch and limited-slip self-locking mechanical differential
Suspension
- Front and rear axle with double wishbones
- Front and rear adjustable anti-roll-bar blades (left & right)
- Electric power steering
- Wheel hubs with centre lock wheel nuts
- Motorsport 2-way adjustable dampers front and rear
Wheel & tyres
- Maserati Corse bespoke forged alloy rims with centre lock system fixation
- Front axle:
- Rims: 12.0J x 18”
- Tyres: 325/660-18
- Rear axle:
- Rims: 13.0J x 18”
- Tyres: 325/705-18
Bodywork
- Centro Stile Maserati design
- Lightweight full-composite bodywork with improved aerodynamic performance
- Adjustable rear wing
- Fully closed carbon-fibre underfloor
- Integrated safety roof hatch (FIA Art. 277)
- Quick-release bodywork removable design concept for optimised component replacement
- Polycarbonate windscreen and side windows
- Front LED headlamps with fixation predisposed for additional headlamps for night racing
- FIA-approved rain lights
- As-build bodywork finishing (unpainted)
Cockpit
- Centro Stile Maserati design
- Fixed racing bucket seat with 4-point mounting
- Adjustable racing pedal box
- Adjustable steering column
- 6-point racing safety harness
- Safety nets (centre and driver’s side)
- Air conditioning system
- Carbon-fibre centre console switch panel with UV reactive labels for illumination at night
- Carbon-fibre multifunction steering wheel with UV reactive labels for illumination at night
- 6.5” full-colour dashboard display with integrated data acquisition system
- FIA-spec fire extinguisher system
Optional extras (further information and options will be supplied at a later stage)
- Maserati Corse-specific “Blu Infinito” paintwork and livery
- Passenger seat kit
- Rear-view camera system
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
- Exhaust silencer kit
- Ballast system
- Sensor kit (bespoke installation)
Charity Shop Challenge
June 30, 2023
If you haven’t seen the recent episode of Talking Classics, where Molly and Lily take on their charity shop challenge, then it is well worth taking a look.
Molly and Lily have been set a challenge to put together a vintage outfit. To make things a bit harder, both have a £50 budget and are restricted to only shopping in local charity shops.
Molly and Lily have very different approaches to the challenge…Molly races to get her outfit together while Lily…doesn’t!
They also use our beautiful 1972 Triumph Stag to drive to their chosen charity shops.
If you enjoy this episode, then take a look at the entire Talking Classics Series.
Our Camper Is Live!
June 29, 2023
Our 1977 Volkswagen T2 Kombi is live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
With a 1970cc air-cooled flat-four engine and automatic gearbox, it has period-correct paintwork with block graphics. It comes with a history file containing several previous invoices and is an excellent choice for days out exploring.
More information can be seen here.
Our XK150 On Car & Classic
June 29, 2023
Our beautifully restored 1958 Jaguar XK150 is currently for sale on Car & Classic. With a little over a day left, the bids are coming in and there are almost 200 watchers on the listing.
See the full listing here.
Some of the key things to note about this stunning classic car are:
- Restored to an exceptional standard
- Extremely attractive specification
- 3.4-litre inline-six
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Comprehensive history
- Iconic, Le Mans derived sportscar
It started life as a left-hand drive example destined for the American market. However, after many years on the other side of the Atlantic, it was brought back to the UK in 2016. It was then comprehensively restored from the ground up – including a professional right-hand drive conversion.
- Built on 20th November 1957
- Dispatched to the US on 28th December 1957
- First registered in the US in 1958, from a supplying dealer in New York
- Returned to the UK via Beverly Hills Car Club in 2016
- One UK owner since import, who has carefully and meticulously restored the car and converted it to right-hand drive
- Indicated 78,353 miles on a five-figure odometer
- We’re told the car comes with an extensive history file
- Jaguar Heritage Trust production record trace certificate confirms it left the factory with the following – Chassis: S 837140 / Engine: V2122-8 / Body: P6142
E-Type Gear Shift Cover
June 29, 2023
Classic car technician Brian has been working on the interior of our 1973 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Series 3. His focus has been on making some improvements to the gear shift selector. This work started with the removal of the old cover from the selector.
Brian cleaned up the metal frame before cutting out new vinyl and glueing this in place. The brushes were next to be fitted and the top trim panel was fitted to the surround.
