Classic Motor Show 2024
November 11, 2024
On Friday, we spent the day at the NEC for the Classic Motor Show 2024. Molly, Craig, Nick, and I all got in the Bridge
Events News
Test Driving MG Cyberster
October 14, 2024
On Saturday, we welcomed Darren and Anthony from EMG Ipswich to Bridge Classic Cars, as we teamed up to host our MG Cyberster Test Drive
A Successful 1940s Evening
October 9, 2024
Last Friday, we opened the doors to The Classic Lounge so our guests could enjoy live music from The Three Chordettes. Everyone had a great
North Norfolk Railway ‘Steam Back to the Forties’
September 24, 2024
I had the pleasure of performing at the North Norfolk Railways annual event Steam Back to the Forties. This is a weekend where the whole
East Saxons TR Register Group Visit
September 17, 2024
Earlier today, we welcomed the East Saxons Group of the TR Register to The Classic Lounge at Bridge Classic Cars. This was the first time
International Autojumble at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu
September 16, 2024
At the weekend, I headed down to Beaulieu with Nick and Molly for the International Autojumble at the National Motor Museum. As we are around
A Visit To Morgan Motor Company
September 6, 2024
Earlier this week, a group of Bridge Classic Cars members had the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Morgan Motor Company, joined by
A New Suffolk Car Show
August 27, 2024
The first-ever Classic & Sports Cars by the Bridge event, held yesterday at Suffolk Food Hall, was a great success. Not only were there hundreds
Setting up for Classic and Sports Cars by the Bridge
August 23, 2024
Huge thank you, as always, to our friends at Events Under Canvas for the installation of our display stand for this weekend’s Classic and Sports
Bridge Classic Cars at the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars at Helmingham Hall
August 5, 2024
We had the privilege of being the headline sponsors of the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars at Helmingham Hall this past weekend, and it
2024 Festival of Classic & Sports Cars set up and take down.
August 4, 2024
Set up began early for us on this year’s stand at the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars at Helmingham Hall Gardens. The week prior
A Summer BBQ Success
August 2, 2024
Last night, we hosted a very successful summer BBQ at The Classic Lounge. The sun was shining, a huge variety of classic and modern cars
A Day Behind The Scenes At Lotus
July 26, 2024
Yesterday, Molly and I had the pleasure of taking a small group on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Classic Team Lotus and the Lotus factory.
Extended hours granted on The Classic Lounge
July 25, 2024
We are extremely pleased to announce that East Suffolk Council have allowed The Classic Lounge to extend the operating hours on a number of key
Bridge Classic Cars Members Club Launch Party
July 8, 2024
On Friday night, we celebrated the opening of The Classic Lounge, the home of the exclusive members’ club by Bridge Classic Cars. The event, held
A Summer Car Meet
June 24, 2024
Last Thursday, we hosted our Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet and it was a huge success. It was the first time most of our
Cars By The Coast – June 2024
June 20, 2024
Yesterday, we hosted a very successful Cars by the Coast event. After meeting at the brand-new Classic Lounge at Bridge Classic Cars, we spent some
The Classic Lounge Launch Party – By Invite Only
May 16, 2024
We are delighted to announce the official launch of The Classic Lounge at Bridge Classic Cars, which also includes the launch of our brand new
Classic Team Lotus & Factory Tour
May 10, 2024
Since 1966, Hethel (a quiet part of Norfolk) has been home to the development of some of the most exciting and innovative cars of our
Suffolk Show 2024
May 10, 2024
We had some very exciting post today, our passes and pitch information for the Suffolk Show 2024 arrived. We are really looking forward to returning
Rickinghall Car Show
April 29, 2024
The Jaguar Owners Club are holding their annual car show in Rickinghall, once more, on Sunday 19th May. There will be plenty of cars for
Good Deed 2/20 -Drive It Day 2024
April 22, 2024
Another year of Drive It Day, another brilliant turnout. Unlike last year, the weather remained dry and bright. There was a massive variety of cars
MG Owners Club Takeover
April 12, 2024
On Thursday 11th April it was a beautiful evening for the MG Owners Club to takeover our Atelier for their own exclusive event. The warm
Riley Spring Event
April 4, 2024
The Riley Cars Archive Heritage Trust are holding their Spring Event at the Coventry Canal Basin on Saturday 13th April 2024 to display a selection
Networking At Bridge Classic Cars
April 2, 2024
This morning, we hosted our first Networking event at Bridge Classic Cars. Despite the rain, and it being the first day back at work after
Our first Autojumble
March 28, 2024
We had a lovely morning on Sunday at our very first Autojumble, the morning dawn bright but very cold. We were delighted to see half
A Successful Bike Meet
March 28, 2024
Last night, we hosted our second Bike Meet, and it was a great success. With delicious food from Prestige Bars & Catering, relaxing music, and
SCC | Private Members Visit
March 27, 2024
We recently welcomed the SCC | Private Members Club into The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars. While they were here, they had a look at
New Year’s Car Meet
January 10, 2024
Thank you to all of you who turned out to attend our New Year’s Car Meet on Sunday, it was a cold but dry morning
The Mince Pie Drive
December 8, 2023
On 1st December 2023, we set off on a festive adventure across the Suffolk countryside – our first-ever Mince Pie Drive. The day dawned bright
Classic Motor Show 2024
November 11, 2024
On Friday, we spent the day at the NEC for the Classic Motor Show 2024. Molly, Craig, Nick, and I all got in the Bridge Classic Cars Hilux early so we could get to the show as it was opening.
As always, there was so much to see that one day wasn’t enough to get around every exhibit, but we still managed to see some very impressive cars and chat with some very interesting people too.
One of the very first people we spoke to was the very friendly team from the Classic Car Loan Project. The CCLP is a fantastic intuitive to help more young people into the classic car world. In short, selected young drivers are given the opportunity to borrow a classic car for up to a year. The purpose is to experience what classic car ownership is actually like regardless of whether you can currently afford one or not.
So far, more than 100 young drivers have benefited from the project and I’m sure there will be a lot more in the future.
We also spoke to an old friend – Ben, from DadCars. Back in January 2023, we first spoke to Ben about his then-new project in a Talking Classics. Since then, he has done phenomenally well and it was great to spend some time talking to him and hearing about his journey.
All of us thoroughly enjoyed looking around the show. A personal highlight was getting an up close and personal look at the incredible range of cars going up for sale in the auction hosted by Iconic Auctioneers.
The auction area was busy and seemed to be getting a lot of attention so I’m sure it was a very successful weekend for the Iconic team and sellers.
Molly very much enjoyed finding a classic Fiat 500 in the lots too!
At the end of our day at the Classic Motor Show 2024, we caught up with our friends from the National Motor Museum. On their stand, Anthony Hamilton (father of former F1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton) was showcasing a car he had restored with his team on behalf of the museum.
We were lucky enough to be able to speak to Anthony and ask him some questions about his project and what his plans for the future are.
The whole day was a lot of fun and we all had a great time being surrounded by fellow classic car people. We are already looking forward to next year when we hope to catch up with even more of you.
Test Driving MG Cyberster
October 14, 2024
On Saturday, we welcomed Darren and Anthony from EMG Ipswich to Bridge Classic Cars, as we teamed up to host our MG Cyberster Test Drive Day. Based at The Classic Lounge, the day was all about giving people the opportunity to experience what could very well be the future of electric sports cars.
The MG Cyberster
The Cyberster, MG’s eye-catching electric roadster, looked great surrounded by classic cars and out on the road. We had two examples available on Saturday, a Camden Grey example that was on static display (this is my personal favourite colour choice) and a Dynamic red version that was taken out by around 20 people for test drives throughout the day.
The main feedback that was given about the car…it’s fast…very fast!
It’s not just about its speed though. I was fortunate enough to take the Cyberster out for a drive and I found it incredibly easy to drive. For a car that sounds so complex and sophisticated, I was expecting to work hard behind the wheel but, in fact, it was an extremely relaxed and comfortable drive. The only thing to be careful of is that you can quite easily find yourself going very fast in a very short period of time!
Test Driving The Future
It was a fantastic experience to be surrounded by both the past and the future of MG as we had a collection of classic MGs (and others) on display alongside the Cyberster. I really enjoyed the conversations about the potential future of the automotive industry and how EVs, like the Cyberster, might fit into that.
Anthony and Darren were on hand to provide detailed insights into the technical aspects of the Cyberster, guiding guests through the car’s features, battery life, charging options, and performance stats. This collaborative event marks what I hope is an ongoing relationship between Bridge Classic Cars and EMG Ipswich, as bringing the classic and modern motoring worlds together is something that is an exciting prospect.
Thank You
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along and took the Cyberster out for a drive. We hope you enjoyed the experience and we hope that we will see you all again very soon.
Another thank you to Anthony and Darren for joining us on Saturday and for demonstrating what the Cyberster can do!
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A Successful 1940s Evening
October 9, 2024
Last Friday, we opened the doors to The Classic Lounge so our guests could enjoy live music from The Three Chordettes.
Everyone had a great time and it was a fantastic evening of music, drinks, and classic cars – a perfect Friday night!
Thank you to everyone who joined us and we hope to see you all again very soon.
Take a look at our full events calendar.
North Norfolk Railway ‘Steam Back to the Forties’
September 24, 2024
I had the pleasure of performing at the North Norfolk Railways annual event Steam Back to the Forties. This is a weekend where the whole railway from Sherringham to Holt is transported back in time to the the 1940s.
The town of Sherringham has joined in on this tradition and is transformed, the shops are dressed to look like war time Britain, which they all do extremally well. You are given a ration book and have to visit all the stores to get your stamps (which is a lovely touch). But the train line is the highlight of the weekend with original classic steam trains running all day to take you to all the vintage entertainment you could wish for. They have actors, re-enactments, war time cooking demonstrations and an array of vintage singers, something for everyone to enjoy at every turn.
Me and The Three Chordettes where singing on the main stage at Holt Station, I also had the honour of singing with “the mini big band with the big band sound”, Skyliner. The steam trains weren’t the only classic vehicles on show as they were joined by some wonderful civilian classic cars and also some military vehicles.
If you love your classic vehicles and fancy being taken back to a bygone era then definitely check this event out next year. I had a wonderful time and hopefully will be back again next year too.
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East Saxons TR Register Group Visit
September 17, 2024
Earlier today, we welcomed the East Saxons Group of the TR Register to The Classic Lounge at Bridge Classic Cars.
This was the first time that the group had been to see us and we loved meeting them all.
While they were here, they were able to enjoy a coffee and a catch up with their fellow group members before having an exclusive tour of the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
It was a great morning and we hope to welcome you all back again very soon.
International Autojumble at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu
September 16, 2024
At the weekend, I headed down to Beaulieu with Nick and Molly for the International Autojumble at the National Motor Museum. As we are around classic cars every day, it can take quite a lot to wow us when it comes to motoring history. However, after spending some time in the museum and browsing the autojumble, all three of us were very impressed
We would all like to say a big thank you to Poppy and the rest of the team at the museum for reaching out to Molly and inviting us to the event – we all had a fantastic day!
The Best Bits of the International Autojumble
1. The National Motor Museum
The National Motor Museum is home to close to 300 vehicles, from early motor cars to more modern machines.
A personal favourite of mine was the 1000bhp Sunbeam that is currently being restored at the museum.
This car, known as ‘The Slug’ was the one that Major Henry Segrave drove on Daytona Beach at more than 200mph on the 29th of March 1927. This was the first time that any car had ever reached this speed and set a new land speed record. Now, almost 100 years later, the museum is slowly bringing this ground-breaking car back to life thanks to its fundraising campaign.
The campaign aims to raise £300,000 for a full restoration and to take ‘The Slug’ back to Daytona Beach in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the record in 2027. Restoring a car that has two 22.5-litre V12 engines is obviously a huge task so a major fundraising campaign is needed to make it possible.
As well as ‘The Slug’, Nick clearly enjoyed seeing a 1953 Volkswagen Type 1 “Beetle” that was very similar to one he used to own. He has also said that 1953 produced his favourite version of this iconic classic.
Molly also had a great time putting the many interactive exhibits to good use!
2. Classic Cars for Sale
It was great to be able to spend some time getting a closer look at some of the cars going under the hammer with Bonhams. From MGBs to E-Types and everything in between, there was a huge variety of vehicles up for sale.
The three of us haven’t been to many car auctions so to get up close with cars of this calibre certainly added another level of excitement to our day.
3. The Automart
The Automart is where you go to find a project. Whether you are looking for a shell of a car to rebuild and bring back to life or a non-runner that will be back up and running with a little bit of time and attention – there are plenty of options.
We see cars in various stages of restoration in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop so it’s really nice that everyone in attendance had the opportunity to see some of the best-looking cars of all time in various states of repair!
4. The Autojumble
The International Autojumble is a huge event that features a wide variety of car parts, memorabilia, display pieces, and everything in between.
Perhaps one example that goes some way in explaining the range of things available is by looking at what the three of us purchased. Nick got a framed poster of the Silver Arrow W196 that sold for £19 million, Molly bought a Lambretta poster, and I got a small Rolls-Royce picture and a steering wheel!
In addition to our purchases, we saw old workshop manuals, vintage petrol pumps, signs, classic car brochures from back in the day, and more tools than the entire workshop team could ever need!
The Monorail, Top Gear, and More
We couldn’t visit the National Motor Museum without taking a ride on the monorail. The short trip allowed us to see a big part of the autojumble from above (and have a great time while doing so).
The Top Gear exhibition was definitely something all three of us loved. With Top Gear and The Grand Tour now coming to an end, it seemed so relevant that we could see some of the most iconic and memorable vehicles from the show in person.
The on-screen cars exhibit also brought back memories of TV shows and films that we have all watched over the years.
Bridge Classic Cars at the International Autojumble
The International Autojumble was a fantastic event for us to attend. There was so much to see and so many different vehicles to look at on top of the vast number of stallholders selling some hard-to-find pieces.
As I have said previously, we have cars from the early 1900s all the way through to modern cars around us every day in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop but, even with that in mind, Molly, Nick, and I found the display vehicles to be attention-grabbing and we loved every minute of our visit.
This was our first time at the International Autojumble and we will certainly be going back again. Once again, thank you to everyone at the National Motor Museum for such a great day and we hope to see you again very soon!
Our full photo gallery can be seen here.
Full highlight video coming soon…
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A Visit To Morgan Motor Company
September 6, 2024
Earlier this week, a group of Bridge Classic Cars members had the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Morgan Motor Company, joined by Molly and Tony. The trip gave everyone an insight into the craftsmanship that goes into producing one of Britain’s most iconic vehicles.
One highlight was seeing the assembly process being done by hand. Our guests got to hear stories of how each car is made-to-order, allowing buyers to truly customise their dream vehicle.
Throughout the day, Molly and Tony kept the atmosphere light and fun, making sure everyone felt involved and had the chance to ask questions.
We want to thank everyone who joined us for this fantastic day out. It’s the shared passion for classic cars that makes days like these so special. We’re already looking forward to the next adventure, but for now, we’ll enjoy looking at the photos of a great day.
See our full calendar of events here.
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A New Suffolk Car Show
August 27, 2024
The first-ever Classic & Sports Cars by the Bridge event, held yesterday at Suffolk Food Hall, was a great success. Not only were there hundreds of interesting and rare vehicles to look at but the event also raised money for a very important local charity – Cancer Support Suffolk.
As the headline sponsor, Bridge Classic Cars was proud to play a role in this special event. One of the cars displayed on our stand was our 1990 Jaguar XJ6 which will be won later today. This is still live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website. Tickets are £5.00 and the lucky winner will be found today at 4pm with all proceeds being donated to Cancer Support Suffolk.
The event itself was a big success. There was a huge range of vehicles and entertainment and attendees were treated to an incredible day.
Best In Show
One of the highlights of the event was the Best in Show competition. As part of our involvement, we had the privilege of inspecting the cars on display and selecting the winners. This was no easy task, given the quality of the vehicles present. Each car was judged not only on its aesthetic appeal but also on the care and effort that had gone into its restoration and maintenance as well as displaying it in a way that tells its story perfectly.
3rd Place – 1989 Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia
2nd Place – 1936 Austin Six Goodwood
Best in Show – 1934 Lanchester Sports Coupe
For the first time this has happened, Classic & Sports Cars by the Bridge exceeded all expectations. The turnout was fantastic, with a steady stream of visitors throughout the day. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their hope that this event will happen again. The success of the event is a fantastic showing of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, from the team at Suffolk Food Hall to the Cancer Support Suffolk Team, and everyone else who played a part in the day’s success.
Looking to the future, Bridge Classic Cars is excited about the possibility of returning to this event next year. We believe that Classic & Sports Cars by the Bridge has the potential to grow into an annual event as part of the fundraising efforts for the charity. We are eager to continue our involvement, not only as sponsors but as active participants in the running of the day.
Bridge Classic Cars is proud to have been a part of this special day. If the event happens again next year -and we hope it does – we will be there, ready to support the celebration of classic cars and the important work of Cancer Support Suffolk.
A big thank you to everyone who made yesterday possible!
More images from Vicki Walsh and the team at Cancer Support Suffolk.
One response to “A New Suffolk Car Show”
Just wanted to say we had a great time at this show, the location was terrific and hope to see a repeat next year. The field was ideal for far more cars to display and hopefully when the word gets around, more excellent classics and modern classics will attend. Only criticism would be holding it on a Bank Holiday Monday put a lot of people off, due to reports of heavy traffic.
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Setting up for Classic and Sports Cars by the Bridge
August 23, 2024
Huge thank you, as always, to our friends at Events Under Canvas for the installation of our display stand for this weekend’s Classic and Sports Cars by the Bridge. Can’t wait to see you all at the weekend…
Bridge Classic Cars at the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars at Helmingham Hall
August 5, 2024
We had the privilege of being the headline sponsors of the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars at Helmingham Hall this past weekend, and it was a huge success. As the main sponsors, we wanted to make a big impression, and we’re thrilled to say we think we did just that!
A Stand to Remember
Our stand proved to be very popular with visitors to the show. Thanks to the incredible canvas setup from Events Under Canvas, we had a comfortable and inviting space. The seating area was perfect for people to relax, chat, and enjoy the cars. It wasn’t just about the vehicles for us; it was about creating a great atmosphere where everyone could share their love for classic cars.
Interesting & Unique Vehicles
The real stars of our stand were the rare and interesting classic cars and bikes we had on display. Each one had its own story such as our 1905 Riley 9HP, 1939 Jaguar SS100, 2022 C-Type Replica, or our beautiful 1959 Ford Zephyr.
All of the cars on our stand generated a lot of interest and got lots of attention. The whole team were very excited to talk to people about each one and tell their stories.
The Live Draw
One of the highlights of the day was our live draw to find the winner of our stunning 1958 Austin Healey 100/6. As it ended up being a local winner, we were hopeful he might be in attendance at the show but, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and we had to settle with speaking to him on the phone.
A Day of Fun and Team Spirit
The whole day was great fun for both the visitors and our team. We enjoyed every moment, from setting up the stand to chatting with fellow enthusiasts.
Very simply…it’s days like these that remind us why we love what we do.
Looking Forward to Next Year
As we packed up at the end of the day, we were already excited about next year’s event. We’re eager to build on this year’s success and bring even more excitement to the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars at Helmingham Hall. We’re brainstorming ideas to make our stand even bigger and better and can’t wait to share our plans.
Why We Love Being Part of the Classic Car Community
Being part of the classic car community is more than just a business for us; it’s a passion and a privilege. Events like these allow us to connect with fellow enthusiasts, share our love for these beautiful machines, and contribute to the preservation of automotive history. We’re proud to support and sponsor events that bring people together and celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship of classic cars and the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars certainly does that.
Helmingham Hall
For those who’ve never been, the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars at Helmingham Hall is an amazing event. The stunning backdrop of Helmingham Hall adds to the huge range of cars on display. With its beautiful gardens and historic architecture, it’s the perfect setting for a day dedicated to appreciating the beauty and history of classic vehicles.
Thank You
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who visited our stand, participated in the live draw, and shared their stories and passion with us. A big shoutout to Events Under Canvas for providing such a fantastic setup. And, of course, congratulations to the lucky winner of the 1958 Austin Healey 100/6, Jeremey, we hope you enjoy many miles with it.
See You Next Time
If you missed out this year, don’t worry—there’s always next year! We’re already counting down the days and planning how to make our presence at the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars at Helmingham Hall even more memorable.
In the meantime, keep an eye on our website and social media for updates on upcoming events.
Thank you for making the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars at Helmingham Hall such a wonderful experience for us at Bridge Classic Cars. Here’s to many more successful events.
See you next year!
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2024 Festival of Classic & Sports Cars set up and take down.
August 4, 2024
Set up began early for us on this year’s stand at the Festival of Classic & Sports Cars at Helmingham Hall Gardens. The week prior to the event was glorious sunshine all week and the forecast looked good going in to the weekend so with that in mind we started the installation of the stretch tent from our friends at Events Under Canvas on the Thursday. That meant we were able to start transporting our vehicles over to site and start to lay out the display.
It was certainly less hectic this year having time on our side and the centre tent was a new feature for us this year which was an exciting new addition.
Sunday morning was a bit of a breeze to be honest. A few banners and flags to put up and then we could sit down as a team, grab a coffee and enjoy the surroundings.
The day itself is always so busy at the show that you don’t really get time to enjoy what else is there. This year especially, I didn’t even get to leave the stand so I didn’t manage to see any of the cars on display but Nick, Molly and Rob got to enjoy it a bit more when they were out and about filming the show.
You can check out the proper photos from the day here
And after a full on day which was a huge success, I think the part that was truly quite special was being the last to leave the site after clearing down. I dropped Tamas back off by his car on the top field and then had the opportunity to look back at the incredible all. A few hours previous to these photos the fields were bustling with thousands of cars and spectators all enjoying the atmosphere.
The Festival of Classic & Sports Cars is one of the best shows of the year for us and this year was one of the best of all time. Thank you so much to the team at Helmingham and we are so proud to be a big part of this show and hope to continue our relationship for many years to come.
A Summer BBQ Success
August 2, 2024
Last night, we hosted a very successful summer BBQ at The Classic Lounge.
The sun was shining, a huge variety of classic and modern cars showed up, and the food was delicious and extremely well received – so much so, that there weren’t even enough burgers left at the end of the night for the Bridge Classic Cars Team to enjoy!
We want to say a big thank you to Clement and Rebecca from Smashing Wines for making the food so mouthwatering and, of course, thank you to everyone who joined us last night.
We hope to see you all again very soon.
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A Day Behind The Scenes At Lotus
July 26, 2024
Yesterday, Molly and I had the pleasure of taking a small group on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Classic Team Lotus and the Lotus factory.
The day began with a cup of coffee at the main Lotus factory and a briefing from the Lotus team explaining what would happen throughout the day. We then made our way over the road to Classic Team Lotus.
Classic Team Lotus
Classic Team Lotus, founded by the legendary Colin Chapman, is where Lotus’s Formula 1 legacy is displayed. Here, the race cars that once dominated tracks worldwide are restored and maintained by a highly skilled team of technicians. Our guide, the extremely knowledgeable Nick Duckworth, led us through the impressive collection of classic Lotus F1 cars and told us the unique story of each one.
Highlights included seeing the Lotus 25, the car that Jim Clark drove to win the 1963 World Championship, and the Lotus 49, which was recently awarded ‘Race Car of the Century’. Nick shared the stories behind Colin Chapman’s innovative engineering principles and how they changed motor racing forever. The group had the rare opportunity to see these historic machines up close and it was certainly an experience we will all remember.
The Bird In Hand
At lunchtime, we headed over to The Bird in Hand pub. This turned out to be the perfect lunch stop with Lotus being well recognised throughout the pub. There were photos, room names, and lots more nods to the unique connection between the pub and the car manufacturer just 5 minutes down the road!
Lotus Factory
After lunch, we returned to the main Lotus factory. The contrast between the historic charm of Classic Team Lotus and the modern setup of the main factory was very noticeable! In the factory, we got to see what it takes to make a brand-new Lotus every 17 minutes! From automated machines to experienced hands, it was great to see humans and machines working together to produce some of the best-looking sports cars out there.
One of the highlights of the factory tour was our visit to Workshop 3, a part of the factory normally off-limits to visitors. Inside, we had the privilege of seeing the fastest road-legal car ever to complete a lap of the Nürburgring, the Lotus Evija, being made. There will only be about 130 of these cars made and, the ones we got to see up close were a limited run of less than 10 to be made with the recognisable JPS (John Player Special) Lotus F1 livery.
There’s a strict no photography policy throughout the factory so there aren’t any photos to show but, if you get the chance to go, you really need to see the incredible setup and how smoothly the process runs from start to finish.
The entire day was fantastic. The group of people who came with us were such great people and it was a lot of fun to spend the day with fellow car enthusiasts who all seemed to enjoy the tours as much as Molly and I did.
I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined us and another big thank you to Nick and Scott at Lotus for giving us all an incredible day – we will definitely be back again!
Feedback
“Dear Rob and Molly
Just a very brief but heartfelt thanks to you both for a splendid day on Thursday.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, and found the whole enterprise most fascinating. Thanks very much for hosting us and I am looking forward to seeing you again.”
“Many thanks for the very interesting and enjoyable visit to Lotus yesterday. It was very well planned, I enjoyed it very much albeit a bit tiring.
I look forward to another.”
Future Events
We have lots more events like this coming up so if you want to join us on one of our future trips, keep an eye on our events calendar.
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Extended hours granted on The Classic Lounge
July 25, 2024
We are extremely pleased to announce that East Suffolk Council have allowed The Classic Lounge to extend the operating hours on a number of key events throughout the year. Thank you so much to East Suffolk Council and our neighbours for your understanding and cooperation! We look forward to seeing many many of you over the coming years at Bridge Classic Cars.
Bridge Classic Cars Members Club Launch Party
July 8, 2024
On Friday night, we celebrated the opening of The Classic Lounge, the home of the exclusive members’ club by Bridge Classic Cars. The event, held in The Classic Lounge itself, right next to our workshop, was a complete success. From the moment guests arrived, when they were greeted with a glass of champagne, there was an atmosphere of class, style, and exclusivity that made for a truly unforgettable evening.
As soon as our guests arrived, all of whom had been personally invited, they were met with our 1905 Riley 9HP, the only one in existence. After a quick photo opportunity with a car that genuinely changed automotive history, they walked through the main doors and into the heart of The Classic Lounge.
With live music from Miss Leeloo Saxophonist and canapés from Paul Thompson Events, our guests got to experience first-hand what life as a Bridge Classic Cars Member is like.
As well as the moody interior of the main bar and seating area, we had a covered outdoor area too (provided by Events Under Canvas). Despite the rain, this was extremely well-received with guests being able to enjoy the fresh air of an early July evening, without any worry of the rain ruining their evening.
The location provided another level of specialness though. There aren’t many places where you can spend the evening with a fully licensed bar, food, and live music, surrounded by some of the rarest, and sought-after classic cars ever to exist. Our 1905 Riley 9HP is the only one in existence so having a photo taken with this on arrival set our guests up for what was to come. We also had our 1939 Jaguar SS100 on display. Not only is this a super-rare car, but this one returned from the legendary Mille Miglia just a few days prior and even still had the dirt from the 1000-mile race on its body.
When there were short breaks in the rain, our invited guests had the opportunity to take a look inside our workshop buildings. This allowed them to see even more classic cars including rare Aston Martins, Ferraris, Jaguars, Austin-Healeys, and more.
As far as launch parties go, this one was incredible and the whole team are extremely proud of what we have created. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined us, the entire bar team, catering team, entertainment, and suppliers who helped launch the Bridge Classic Cars Members Club in such a big way.
Full details of our Members Club can be found here.
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A Summer Car Meet
June 24, 2024
Last Thursday, we hosted our Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet and it was a huge success.
It was the first time most of our guests had seen inside The Classic Lounge and we were blessed with a warm sunny evening to enjoy and admire all of the cars and bikes that joined us.
The bar was open for guests to have an evening drink and the workshop doors were up so they could get a closer look at some of the impressive classics we are currently working on.
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Cars By The Coast – June 2024
June 20, 2024
Yesterday, we hosted a very successful Cars by the Coast event.
After meeting at the brand-new Classic Lounge at Bridge Classic Cars, we spent some time catching up with everyone, having a coffee, and, of course, admiring all of the cars that came along.
Before heading off, Nick gave everyone a short briefing about the route, where we were going, and the plan for the rest of the day.
Then we all set off to Aldeburgh via the scenic route to enjoy some time down by the coast.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, we all had a great time!
The Classic Lounge Launch Party – By Invite Only
May 16, 2024
We are delighted to announce the official launch of The Classic Lounge at Bridge Classic Cars, which also includes the launch of our brand new Members’ Club. This exclusive, invite-only event promises to be an evening of celebration, good company, and beautiful classic cars.
The night will begin with a champagne reception, and canapés will be served throughout the night as we open the doors of The Classic Lounge for the very first time. There will also be live music from Miss Leeloo Saxophonist.
Some of the Bridge Classic Cars team will be there, keen to share this very special occasion with our esteemed guests. Among the attendees will be influential figures from the automotive world and beyond, as we bring our old friends and new together.
This event not only marks the launch of The Classic Lounge but also celebrates the beginning of the Bridge Classic Cars Members Club. Our members will enjoy a wide range of benefits and events designed to enhance their passion for classic cars.
We look forward to welcoming you to an evening of celebration, friendship, and shared success.
Classic Team Lotus & Factory Tour
May 10, 2024
Since 1966, Hethel (a quiet part of Norfolk) has been home to the development of some of the most exciting and innovative cars of our time.
The Bridge Classic Cars team have organised a very special trip to Hethel to experience, first-hand, what goes on at the Lotus factory. You will get to see the entire production process up close as well as pay a visit to the test track where the Lotus cars are signed off as ready to go.
We will tour the factory, led by a knowledgeable Lotus product specialist to see the end-to-end build process, from bare chassis to completed sports car. We will then head to the local pub, The Bird in Hand for lunch and drinks (not included in price).
Classic Team Lotus
After lunch, we move on to a tour of Classic Team Lotus – a bespoke operation just across the road from the main Lotus HQ, it’s a separate business that’s dedicated to preserving and promoting the Lotus racing legend.
This is a fantastic opportunity to see a unique collection that includes some of the most historically significant race cars ever.
“Experience, first-hand, the production process. Witness the track, where the class-leading sports cars are put through their paces. Walk in the footsteps of the F1 greats, who so admirably filled the Lotus trophy cabinet.”
£140 per person – members will receive a 20% discount*
Not yet a member, why not join the community now?
Please Note
Factory and Heritage Tours involve walking for up to 2 and 3 hours respectively but we can accommodate wheelchair users also. Please let us know in advance if you require any assistance.
Visitors must be 10 years or older. Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult at a ratio of 1 adult for every 2 children.
2 responses to “Classic Team Lotus & Factory Tour”
Good morning,
Are there still any spaces for the Lotus visit on Thursday?
Looking for 1 ticket but possibly two.,.especially if there is any last minute cheeky discount ?Thank you. for your time.
Hi James,
There certainly are tickets left. Unfortunately, no last-minute discounts are planned but it would be great to see you there. It’s going to be a fantastic day!
Thanks,
Rob
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Suffolk Show 2024
May 10, 2024
We had some very exciting post today, our passes and pitch information for the Suffolk Show 2024 arrived. We are really looking forward to returning this year, this time with our own stand!
The Suffolk Show is a well established event having been running for a long time, it has been on its current site since 1960! The event always showcases the very best of local agriculture and produce including live animals. The two day event features many shows including horse events, prize cattle and sheep shearing. There are hands on activities for all the family as well as plenty of corporate stands to show you just what the county has to offer. Many industries are present, the emergency and armed services are always in attendance. You just need to keep your fingers crossed for sensible weather.
The Bridge Classic Car stand will of course feature our classic cars as well as many team members who are excited to meet you. It will be a great opportunity to discuss any restoration questions and to tell you about our new exclusive members club. We look forward to seeing you all at Suffolk Show 2024.
Rickinghall Car Show
April 29, 2024
The Jaguar Owners Club are holding their annual car show in Rickinghall, once more, on Sunday 19th May.
There will be plenty of cars for you to admire and there is also a craft fair happening inside the village hall at the same time which will have 20 stalls selling things such as wooden giftware, jewellery, cards, and more.
Food, coffee, and ice cream will be available throughout the show.
For more information about this event, please contact Geoff Short at geoffshort186@gmail.com
Good Deed 2/20 -Drive It Day 2024
April 22, 2024
Another year of Drive It Day, another brilliant turnout. Unlike last year, the weather remained dry and bright. There was a massive variety of cars spanning the eras, from pre-war to more modern fast Fords. We were delighted to welcome the Lowestoft Car Club as well as members from many other local classic car clubs. Some of our guests travelled great distances to be with us, including a 1960s Aston Martin which was an absolute show stopper, this was driven all the way from Clapham.
Prestige Catering returned and provided a tasty array of Mediterranean food which went down well. Lots of guests were kind enough to donate towards the fundraising efforts for NSPCC, this is what this event is all about. All in all it was a lovely day.
MG Owners Club Takeover
April 12, 2024
On Thursday 11th April it was a beautiful evening for the MG Owners Club to takeover our Atelier for their own exclusive event. The warm weather and late sunset marked the start of summer feelings and a fleet of classic MGs arrived early evening.
Some of the guests in attendance were familiar faces however there were lots of new people experiencing Bridge Classic Cars for the first time. Rio expertly parked them outside and managed to capture some brilliant footage of all the cars which can be seen on our YouTube channel and Lily was behind the bar and responsible for the workshop tour. There were lots of current projects visible for the MGOC to see and learn about.
The current bar was a temporary fix ahead of our relocation to our exciting new events premises next door, all of the guests on the evening have promised to return once we are up and running. All in all it was a great evening.
Riley Spring Event
April 4, 2024
The Riley Cars Archive Heritage Trust are holding their Spring Event at the Coventry Canal Basin on Saturday 13th April 2024 to display a selection of Riley cars. Bridge Classic Cars are proud to be presenting our 1905 Riley 9hp alongside a fine display of other Riley vehicles.
You will be able to visit The Riley Archive at unit 8 and view the replica of the first Riley car designed and built in 1898. Also on display is a 1903 Riley Cycle which is believed to be one of only 2 left in existence.There are also books, manuals, magazines, and photographs to browse through as well as Riley memorabilia and trophies.
Car enthusiasts and owners, as well as the general public, are welcomed free of charge and Riley car owners are invited to apply to exhibit their vehicles although spaces will be limited.
Networking At Bridge Classic Cars
April 2, 2024
This morning, we hosted our first Networking event at Bridge Classic Cars.
Despite the rain, and it being the first day back at work after a long weekend, we welcomed a group of local professionals into The Atelier and lots of new connections were made.
While they were here, attendees enjoyed a coffee, some biscuits, a tour of the workshop (including our brand new event space which is due to open very soon), and a powerful talk from Lorna Goodwin from the RSPCA. Lorna discussed the charity’s fundraising goals and important work helping thousands of animals in need.
It was great to see so many people here at Bridge Classic Cars, networking and making new connections. We like to do our bit in supporting local businesses and we hope this was successful in doing just that.
Thank you to everyone who came along and we hope to see you all again very soon.
Our first Autojumble
March 28, 2024
We had a lovely morning on Sunday at our very first Autojumble, the morning dawn bright but very cold. We were delighted to see half a dozen stall holders come along to display and also to welcome lots of you to our Atelier. The hot drinks were flowing and it was delightful to see some new and familliar faces.
We also welcomed a few new members to the team this weekend, it is lovely to have them on board. Rio was resident photographer for the morning and snapped some great shots.
A Successful Bike Meet
March 28, 2024
Last night, we hosted our second Bike Meet, and it was a great success.
With delicious food from Prestige Bars & Catering, relaxing music, and a whole lot of motorbikes to admire – plenty was going on to keep everyone entertained.
As well as enjoying the event, everyone in attendance got to see the live draw of our 2004 BMW R1150 where we found lucky winner, Andrew White.
The whole Bridge Classic Cars team had a great night and we are extremely grateful to everyone who attended. We hope to see you all again at our next event.
SCC | Private Members Visit
March 27, 2024
We recently welcomed the SCC | Private Members Club into The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars.
While they were here, they had a look at all of our current restoration projects as well as spending a bit of time admiring each other’s cars too.
They arrived in an impressive fleet of supercars and it was great to see them all. We hope to see them again soon.
New Year’s Car Meet
January 10, 2024
Thank you to all of you who turned out to attend our New Year’s Car Meet on Sunday, it was a cold but dry morning and we were astounded by the variation in cars. We had nearly 200 visitors with a variety of cars, some over a century old to modern daily drivers.
The Atelier Bar was open for hot drinks and pastries and we offered bacon sandwiches with delicious bacon from E W Revett & Sons Butchers, based just down the road in Wickham Market, and fresh bread from our friends at The Bakehouse Bakery Woodbridge.
Events like this display the comradery amongst the local classic car community with people swapping stories and advice about their experience with classic and modern cars.
The Mince Pie Drive
December 8, 2023
On 1st December 2023, we set off on a festive adventure across the Suffolk countryside – our first-ever Mince Pie Drive. The day dawned bright but extremely cold and icy. We decided to still venture out, albeit with a smaller convoy than first planned. The Bridge Classic Cars team wrapped up warm and headed out (special mention goes to our friends Garry Catchpole and Derek Rush for joining us).
The idea behind our Mince Pie Drive was to take classic cars to several local residential care homes to bring nostalgia and festive cheer to the residents and staff. There were mince pies, kindly provided by The Bakehouse Bakery Woodbridge, and carol singing from Molly and me (sorry about that folks!)
We went first to Highlands in Woodbridge before making our way to Bucklesham Grange Care Home, where we were greeted by the lovely Amanda-Jane Frank, who introduced us to the residents. Several came out to have a look at our cars, with Derek’s BMW proving to be a favourite here. Luke Deal from BBC Suffolk came along to chat with us and see what we were up to. You can listen to that interview here.
Next, we headed to Glebe House in Hollesley. The residents were just having their lunch, and talk about a meal with a view! The mince pies were a very welcome dessert! Lastly, whilst chasing the last hour of daylight, we popped to our neighbours at Lehmann House in Wickham Market.
We are so humbled by all the lovely residents and incredible care workers we met on our Mince Pie Drive. It was so wholesome to be able to remind them of yesteryear by bringing along a spectrum of cars. There really was something for everyone.
We can’t wait to do more events like this in future.
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