AC Cars has announced a new 2.0-litre performance-focused engine option that will debut in 2026. This addition will complement the existing naturally aspirated and supercharged
Some weeks at Bridge Classic Cars we have a workshop full of customer’s car, other weeks we have a workshop full of our own competition
Broad Arrow Auctions will be offering a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider with Scaglietti coachwork, chassis number 1451 GT for sale during its
Honda and Nissan, two of Japan’s largest car manufacturers, have announced plans to merge, potentially forming the world’s third-largest automaker by sales. Mitsubishi Motors, a
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024 Winning a classic car for just a few pounds is always an
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024 The August bank holiday three-day racing festival starts with the annual Friday
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024 Driver is a digital publication from Bridge Classic Cars that will have 3
As millions prepare for Christmas road trips across the UK, a recent survey of over 3,000 Volkswagen owners has revealed the nation’s favourite motorways. Topping
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024 Limited100 is based in Nottingham and specialises in limited edition, handcrafted automotive wall
This week’s episode of Torque Show was extremely fun to film. We were joined by Max from Coachbuilt Whisky and Mike O’Conner from Ress. We
Auto Trader has released information relating to automotive trends that have emerged throughout 2024. As Auto Trader averages over 82 million visits and 203 million
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024 The Blueprint – Without this millennia old concept, we wouldn’t have a
Our 2002 Ford Thunderbird has been in the paint shop. After its bumpers were primed and painted, other parts of the car received the same
Our 1968 Lotus Cortina has only been here in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for a relatively short period of time. However, Jonn has already
Eddie Stobart, the man behind one of Britain’s most recognisable and well-known haulage firms, has passed away at the age of 95. Eddie first started
Our 1964 Mercedes 230SL has been in the experienced hands of classic car technician Steve. He cleaned up the loose sealer and surface rust around
Dave has recently been extremely busy with our 1969 Audi 70L. The car needed to be completely stripped down for the rest of the work
While out on our Mince Pie Drive, the driver’s door release cable snapped on our 1961 Austin Mini 850. Once it had finished helping us
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024 In the New Forest in Hampshire, you’ll find one of the most
Our recent competition winner Phil has opted for delivery of his Porsche 911 rather than the cash alternative which we are thrilled about. As the
I feel very proud to say that I have become an Associate Member of the Guild of Motoring Writers! The Guild is the UK’s largest
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024 Winning a classic car for just a few pounds is always an
On Friday 20th December 2024, the very first issue of Driver, a brand new publication from Bridge Classic Cars will be released! What Is Driver?
In a recent study by Warrantywise, conducted in collaboration with OnePoll, it was found that nearly half (46%) of UK drivers cannot identify most of
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024 Just down the road from the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, Seckford Hall
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024 It can get cold in the workshop or at your local classic
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024 Limited100 is based in Nottingham and specialises in limited edition, handcrafted automotive wall
Our technician Steve has been working away on the gorgeous 1967 Mercedes 250SL ‘Pagoda’ that we currently have in our workshop. The car had reportedly
Nigel and Richard over at Coltec Engineering are currently working their magic on our Maserati BiTurbo engine. We are very much looking forward to the
Our technician Jon has been working his magic on the 1969 Daimler 250V8 which is currently being checked over and repaired in our restoration workshops
AC Cars has announced a new 2.0-litre performance-focused engine option that will debut in 2026. This addition will complement the existing naturally aspirated and supercharged V8 models in the GT Roadster and GT Coupe lineup.
The new engine, designed in collaboration with a leading global powertrain developer, will be tailored to the high-performance potential of AC Cars’ advanced GT platform. It will come in two power configurations, with outputs reaching up to 390bhp. The lighter weight of this engine compared to the V8 models will allow for additional carbon fibre elements in the chassis, further enhancing performance and efficiency.
To accompany the new engine, AC Cars will offer a dual-clutch gearbox, ensuring smooth and responsive performance. Customers will also have the option of a six-speed manual transmission.
“This is a key step in our programme of growth, yet allows us to stay true to what define us. Offering clients a wider choice of performance engines will broaden the appeal for our exclusive sports cars, and means we can reach the markets that impose higher taxation of large displacement engines.”
David Conza, CEO of AC Cars
Reservations for the new AC Cobra GT models are now open, with prices starting at £235,000 (including VAT). Full specifications and final pricing are set to be revealed in spring 2025.
For more information or to make a reservation, visit AC.Cars or contact the company directly at info@ac.cars.
Some weeks at Bridge Classic Cars we have a workshop full of customer’s car, other weeks we have a workshop full of our own competition cars. No two weeks are the same and heading into the final week of 2024 we were busy as always working on both.
If you watched our recent Torque Show you’ll see that Jon is the man in charge of our competition vehicles, making sure they are all in tip top shape for shoot day, draw day and delivery day.
Check out our Torque Show on YouTube where Molly digs a little deeper into Jon’s roles and responsibilities here at Bridge Classic Cars:
Here is a little sneak peak at what Jon’s been up to this week, on his final full week in the Bridge Classic Cars workshops before we pack up for Christmas.
1987 Maserati BiTurbo
We’ll start off with the Maserati. We’ve fitted the new bonnet rams and boot rams. Then moved on to work on the choke. We’ve remove the old choke cable, drilled out the end of the new cable to take a 5mm bolt. Prepared for fit but the cable is different from the existing one we’ve had to modify it.
Then we’ve route through the dash and out into engine bay before securing it to the control lever mount, connected it to the lever and tested.
1987 Mercedes 500SL
Then on to my own Mercedes 500SL. Jon spends his weekends (before Ipswich Town kicks off) progressing with my 500 SL. He has now attend to the heater. The clips are now here for the heater box. We’ve worked out how controls fit and fixed both side controls to the heater. The bolts have been cut to length and secured the controls into position. He’s then fitted the top vent outlet and vacuum controls.
1975 Volkswagen Beetle
Then on to our Volkswagen Beetle 1303. Time for it to go on to the ramp to be fully inspected and appraised. We’ll then carry out a full report of what work is required.
1969 Daimler 250 V8
And as we briefly spoken about previously. Our 1969 Daimler 250 V8, although is an absolutely beaut of a car, it seems to be struggling with running so it’s now time for Jon to attend to this issue.
Fit 8x visual spark checkers and run up. We have viewed the sparks to see if they drop out at point of rough running and all appear good. So we’ve now stripped and removed the carburettors starting with nearside first. Strip, clean and inspect but nothing seems to be wrong so we have cleaned, reset and refitted.
Jon then repeated this procedure for offside carb and again nothing seems wrong. We reassemble after cleaning and refit.
Check for leaks with ignition on and all is ok. We run up to temperature, test again and it’s still the same. We’ve ordered a set of points to convert back to points from electronic ignition system to see if this makes a difference.
1968 Ford Lotus Cortina
We’ve discovered a large split in inner arch where bonnet mounts so Jon has called upon the skills of welder Pete to tackle this one for us!
Whilst Jon gets on with stripping the offside rear brakes and fitting new handbrake contact pad into the lower shoe. Refitted the wheel and torque up.
Once Pete had completed the weld repair, Jon could then refit the bonnet and align before running up to temperature and carrying out a road test.
Jon has found no gate between 1st gear and reverse gear and the car is holding back, not pulling as it should so we’ve had to return to the workshop.
Strip and remove under dash shelf and centre console.
We have then removed the gearbox remote gear shift to inspect. Found new ball/fulcrum has been fitted and is too tight to lift the lever and select reverse.
Strip and grind out ball socket until ball is loose enough in socket for lever to lift before greasing and refitting.
Grind away at nylon gate until lever will no go into reverse position without being lifted.
Refit nylon gate to bottom of the lever.
Next up, we’ve refitted the cover for the remote gear lever before refitting the centre console. Tested all gears and all ok.
Strip down, remove the top and all jets. We’ve then inspected and cleaned, blown out and reassembled. We’ve repeated this process for rear carbs before reassembling. Lastly for this one, Jon cleaned and refilled both air filters.
1960 Austin Healey 3000
This week, we also saw the welcome return of our 1960 Austin Healey 3000. Last with us in 2020 having some remedial paintwork carried out, the owner has decided to let the car go and offered it to us as potentially a future competition car.
Broad Arrow Auctions will be offering a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider with Scaglietti coachwork, chassis number 1451 GT for sale during its third annual Amelia Auction on March 7th & 8th 2025. This auction will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island in Florida, and the vehicle is estimated to sell for between $10 million and $14 million (around £8 million – £10 million).
The car is the second of just eight aluminium-bodied 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione models ever built. It carries an incredible history, including participation in the iconic Le Mans race. This was actually the first California Spider equipped with the competition-spec Type 128 F engine, producing 262.5 horsepower. It also features a Type 508 D ribbed gearbox, a 9.6:1 compression ratio, an external oil cooler, enhanced suspension, and a 35-gallon fuel tank with an external filler cap.
“This is the crown jewel of all open Ferraris and arguably the gold standard of desirability for any road-going collectible convertible. Chassis no. 1451 GT’s existence helps define the very essence of what makes the 250 GT California Spider so revered—a car equally capable of securing podium finishes at Le Mans and best-in-show awards on the world’s most exclusive show fields. The car’s stand-alone significance and combination of Le Mans and U.S. racing history make it a perfect fit for The Amelia weekend at the racer’s concours.”
Barney Ruprecht, VP of Auctions, Broad Arrow
Completed just five days before the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans, chassis 1451 GT made its debut under the banner of Luigi Chinetti’s N.A.R.T. team. Driven by its first owner, American car dealer and racer Robert “Bob” Grossman, along with co-driver Fernand Tavano, the car achieved an impressive fifth-place overall finish and third in the GT class. This result remains the most successful competitive outing for any 250 GT California Spider.
After its racing debut, the car was returned to the Ferrari factory, where it was finished in its current metallic silver livery. Grossman continued to race it extensively in the U.S. throughout 1959 and 1960.
Under subsequent owners, chassis 1451 GT continued to shine in both historic racing and Concours events. It has been a regular feature at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for several decades, most recently appearing in 2024. Its status is further enhanced by its Ferrari Classiche certification, which confirms the preservation of its original components through multiple restorations.
Potential buyers can learn more about the vehicle at broadarrowauctions.com.
Honda and Nissan, two of Japan’s largest car manufacturers, have announced plans to merge, potentially forming the world’s third-largest automaker by sales. Mitsubishi Motors, a smaller partner in Nissan’s alliance, is also involved in the discussions. The move comes as car makers face the urgent need to adapt to the industry’s rapid transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving technologies.
Merger Details and Timeline
The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore unifying their operations under a joint holding company. Honda will initially lead the new company while maintaining each brand’s identity and principles. A formal merger agreement is expected by June 2026, with the combined company planned for listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by August of the same year.
The merger could create an automotive powerhouse worth over $50 billion based on the combined market values of Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi. Together, the companies produced about 8 million vehicles in 2023, a long way off Toyota’s output of 11.5 million but significant enough to compete with other global giants like Volkswagen.
Opportunities and Challenges
The merger aims to reduce costs and accelerate progress in electric vehicle development. Nissan brings expertise in battery production, gas-electric hybrid systems, and large SUVs with body-on-frame designs, while Honda is known for its hybrid technology and global reach.
However, challenges remain. Honda President Toshihiro Mibe admitted there are still “points that need to be studied and discussed,” adding that the merger’s success is not guaranteed.
Nissan has faced financial and reputational struggles since the 2018 arrest of former chairman Carlos Ghosn on charges of fraud, which he denies. The company has since implemented significant restructuring, including layoffs and cuts to global production capacity. CEO Makoto Uchida, who took a 50% pay cut to address the company’s issues, said Nissan must become more efficient to remain competitive.
Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan’s credit outlook to “negative,” saying that profitability issues were made more concerning by North American price cuts. However, the company retains strong cash reserves of 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion).
Stock Market Reaction and Industry Context
News of the merger has spurred positive reactions in the stock market. Nissan’s shares rose 1.6% on Monday, building on a 20% jump after the initial merger reports. Honda’s shares also saw a 3.8% increase.
The merger reflects a broader industry trend toward consolidation as automakers worldwide face rising costs, new technological demands, and the need for scale to compete effectively.
At a routine briefing, Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasised the importance of Japanese car makers staying competitive in areas such as battery technology and software development. “Measures needed to survive international competition will be taken,” he said.
Industry Implications
If completed, the merger would position Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi to compete more effectively with global leaders like Toyota and Volkswagen. The combined resources could accelerate advancements in EV and autonomous driving technologies, helping the companies catch up to industry leaders in these areas.
Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi are already collaborating on EV components and autonomous driving research, an effort formalised earlier this year.
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024
Winning a classic car for just a few pounds is always an exciting prospect. However, imagine winning your dream classic without having to pay a penny.
The winner of today’s competition will receive £50 of site credit added to their account. This means they can buy tickets for any of our current or future competitions up to the value of £50 without using any of their own money!
The most up to date list of prizes in our advent calendar can be seen here
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024
The August bank holiday three-day racing festival starts with the annual Friday evening fireworks display. Saturday and Sunday bring a nostalgic summer atmosphere with live music, family entertainment and world-class racing.
The prize for day 22 is 2 Richmond passes for one of the three days – more information can be seen here.
The most up-to-date list of prizes in our advent calendar can be seen here
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024
Driver is a digital publication from Bridge Classic Cars that will have 3 issues per year. It’s a celebration of the stories, people, and machines that make the automotive industry so exciting. As long as you have even the slightest interest in cars, Driver will very likely have something for you.
Each issue will cover topics ranging from restoration projects and sustainable motoring to personal stories from classic car owners. The debut issue certainly sets the tone for what you can expect in future editions.
The most up-to-date list of prizes in our advent calendar can be seen here
As millions prepare for Christmas road trips across the UK, a recent survey of over 3,000 Volkswagen owners has revealed the nation’s favourite motorways. Topping the list is the M6 in Cumbria, loved for its stunning Lake District scenery and the convenience of Tebay services.
Close behind are the M4 and M40, with the M40 highlighted for its fast and picturesque route through the Chilterns and Cherwell Valley.
Other well-loved routes included the M62, which features the iconic Stott Hall Farm and reaches England’s highest motorway point at 1,221 feet above sea level. Scotland’s M74, M8, and M9 also ranked highly, with the M5 earning praise for Gloucester’s popular farm shop services.
Volkswagen’s range of electric vehicles (EVs) proves ideal for extended holiday drives. Most of the brand’s ID. cars have a range sufficient to cover 500 miles with just one charging stop, according to WLTP calculations.
The survey, conducted in November, involved 3,132 Volkswagen owners, 58% of whom drive EVs.
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024
Limited100 is based in Nottingham and specialises in limited edition, handcrafted automotive wall art.
The name explains the concept very well, each print is limited to just 100 examples and each individual order is numbered with where it fits in the run of 100. The subject of the prints is always a desirable car and the images are taken by top automotive photographers.
To add to the desirability of the prints, every piece is handmade in Nottingham using top-quality, sustainable materials such as eco-friendly framing and water-based paints. Each print also comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed by the artist and curator, confirming its limited-edition status.
I’d like to say a big thank you to Simon, founder of Limited100 for being so generous with prizes offered in the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar competition 2024.
Full details about Limited100 can be found here
The most up-to-date list of prizes in our advent calendar can be seen here
This week’s episode of Torque Show was extremely fun to film. We were joined by Max from Coachbuilt Whisky and Mike O’Conner from Ress.
We also had one of our technicians, Jonn join us so it will certainly be a jam-packed episode.
We are very excited for you to see it tomorrow.
Auto Trader has released information relating to automotive trends that have emerged throughout 2024. As Auto Trader averages over 82 million visits and 203 million advert views per month, the team had a huge amount of data at their disposal to spot patterns in consumer behaviour.
SUVs were the most popular body type, with 708 million views on the platform. Last year’s most popular, the hatchback, couldn’t retain its title as SUVs powered past. On the other end of the scale, hearses were the least viewed category, with just 1,091 views.
The electric vehicle (EV) market continued to grow, with the Hyundai IONIQ 5 being the most viewed new electric car, generating 536,000 views. Following closely behind were the Kia EV9 and Porsche Taycan, with over 500,000 and 462,000 views respectively. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model 3 was the fastest-selling used EV, typically selling within just 19 days.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class was crowned the fastest-selling petrol model, selling in an average of 17 days. However, as drivers transition to electric vehicles, the UK has reached “peak petrol,” with 18.7 million petrol cars still in circulation. However, this is now expected to decline.
Black cars remained the most sought-after colour for the fourth consecutive year, with over 600 million views. Grey and white followed, attracting 467 million and 362 million views, respectively. Notably, green-coloured cars saw a 24% spike in interest in June 2024, influenced by the popularity of Charli XCX’s “Brat” album, which brought the vibrant “brat green” into the spotlight.
The Volkswagen Golf was the most popular used car with 64 million views, while the Land Rover Range Rover led in the new car category with nearly 2.2 million views. Unique listings on the platform included a 1969 Volkswagen Beach Buggy from the TV show The Bugaloos, priced at just under £20,000.
Despite production ending, the Ford Fiesta remained the most advertised car, with 106,000 listings. Interest in the Land Rover Defender increased by 39%, partly due to its appearance in the BBC series The Traitors.
Chinese EV manufacturer BYD saw a massive 69% weekly increase in advert views during the Euro 2024 tournament, thanks to its partnership and advertising presence during the matches.
On the luxury end of things, a Pagani Huayra was listed for £3 million, making it the most expensive car on Auto Trader in 2024. A 2009/2010 Vauxhall Astra was the cheapest, listed for just £75. Other models also saw pricing shifts, with the Peugeot 308 Sport rising by 73%, while the Honda Civic Executive saw a 53% price drop.
The personal Honda NSX of the late F1 legend Ayrton Senna sold for £500,000, giving one lucky buyer a genuine piece of motorsport history.
It will be interesting to see what trends emerge as we head into 2025!
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024
The Blueprint – Without this millennia old concept, we wouldn’t have a clue what to do on our pride and joy. The artistry and craft of creating a blueprint is something that we here at Bridge Classic Cars celebrate and champion.
So much so, that we’ve created a hand-printed limited edition T-Shirt to show our love for this form of design and its connection to our wonderful world of classic cars.
With the handprinted process, each of our T-Shirts is entirely unique. Meaning every single piece is entirely unique to each owner of our classic blueprint t-shirts.
This exclusive design is limited to just 75 T-shirts.
The most up to date list of prizes in our advent calendar can be seen here
Our 2002 Ford Thunderbird has been in the paint shop. After its bumpers were primed and painted, other parts of the car received the same treatment before it was put back together again.
Our 1968 Lotus Cortina has only been here in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for a relatively short period of time. However, Jonn has already completed various tasks to get it ready to go into competition. Here are Jonn’s notes about what he has been doing:
Heater matrix back from repair. Stick foam to edges of rad to protect and blow out heater box. Refit rad and use foam to seal edge of heater. Screw back together. With John’s help refit heater into car. Secure and start refitting ancillaries etc
Continue to install heater box. Fit carpets. Tidy wiring under dash. Refit centre console and map,light. Uee velcro to stick carpet in position. Refit seats and se are. Raise on ramp and refit fuel tank sender with new seal and ring. Refit wire and feed pipe. Put petrol back in car and Inspect for leaks, none found with either pump running. Refill coolant with vacuum fillin tool. Held 25hg vacuum for 5 mins. 3fit lotus badge to steering wheel.with double sided tape. Remove bonnet. Mask engine and sand down offside inner wing around hinge fixing as wing looked cracked and found hole that requires welding. Refit offside headlight chrome surround.
New wheels arrived and Graham swapped tyre from old to new. Refit nearside rear wheel and torque up. Build up brakes for offside, waiting for handbrake clip. Fit drum and wheel for now.
Eddie Stobart, the man behind one of Britain’s most recognisable and well-known haulage firms, has passed away at the age of 95.
Eddie first started the business in the 1950s, beginning with agricultural work in Cumbria. Over the years, what started as a small operation grew into a logistics giant under the leadership of his son, Edward. Today, the Eddie Stobart name is seen all over the country in the form of its green-and-white lorries.
The Eddie Stobart brand gained a strong following from its customers, passers-by and members of the public. A big part of this was because each lorry was given its own name – chosen by the driver.
Eddie actually retired from the business a while ago, but his influence was always felt throughout the company. His son, Edward, took over from his dad and was able to turn the Eddie Stobart name into something of an empire that continues to be hugely successful. So successful in fact that there have been documentaries made about the company, as well as toys, models, and a whole range of merchandise.
Tributes to Eddie have been shared on social media from people who have felt inspired by the legend that was Eddie Stobart.
Eddie Stobart 1929 – 2024
Our 1964 Mercedes 230SL has been in the experienced hands of classic car technician Steve. He cleaned up the loose sealer and surface rust around the rear arches and the rear chassis rails before applying a new coat of under seal.
New rear wheel cylinders have now been fitted as the old ones were corroded and seized. The front brake callipers have both been stripped down, cleaned, and new pistons and seals fitted as the old ones were corroded and very stiff in operation.
Dave has recently been extremely busy with our 1969 Audi 70L. The car needed to be completely stripped down for the rest of the work required to be completed.
Once Dave had finished stripping our Audi, the car moved on to the next stage of paint stripping and welding repairs where required.
While out on our Mince Pie Drive, the driver’s door release cable snapped on our 1961 Austin Mini 850.
Once it had finished helping us spread some festive cheer to local care homes, Jonn repaired the cable and it is now back as good as new!
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024
In the New Forest in Hampshire, you’ll find one of the most interesting places for petrolheads – the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu. Although, even if you aren’t a typical “car person”, the museum is still an incredible place to visit.
Established in 1952 by Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu as a tribute to his father, the museum has grown into an award-winning display of around 300 vehicles, all of which have played a part in automotive history.
The museum’s collection covers all the way back to early horseless carriages to some of the latest makes and models. A personal favourite of mine is 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 museum is part of the Beaulieu Estate, which also includes the Palace House, home to the Montagu family since 1538, the ruins of Beaulieu Abbey, and so much more.
The most up to date list of prizes in our advent calendar can be seen here
Our recent competition winner Phil has opted for delivery of his Porsche 911 rather than the cash alternative which we are thrilled about. As the car only had 5 months MOT remaining it will arrive to Phil with a nice clean bill of health having just passed a new MOT successfully, with no advisories. We’ve also carried out the pre deliver inspection before finally filling the car with P1 fuel before carrying out a quick road test. All ok.
I feel very proud to say that I have become an Associate Member of the Guild of Motoring Writers!
The Guild is the UK’s largest organisation for automotive media professionals, and being part of it feels like a huge step forward on my professional journey.
For those who don’t know, the Guild is an incredible community of journalists, photographers, authors, broadcasters, and creatives, all connected by their love for cars and storytelling. To now have a place among them is both an honour and a chance to dive even deeper into an industry I’ve come to love.
Joining the Guild feels like a natural fit for me. I didn’t come into the automotive space through the usual route, but over time, I’ve developed a real passion for sharing the stories behind cars – from classic restorations to the future of synthetic fuels. Whatever I’m writing about, I can’t wait to keep contributing and learning alongside some of the best in the business.
A big thank you to the Guild of Motoring Writers for welcoming me and also a huge thank you to Craig for his continued support. I’m looking forward to connecting with fellow members and hopefully adding my voice to this amazing community.
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024
Winning a classic car for just a few pounds is always an exciting prospect. However, imagine winning your dream classic without having to pay a penny.
The winner of today’s competition will receive 5 free tickets into one of our current competitions. This means they can enter the draw without having to pay a penny.
The most up to date list of prizes in our advent calendar can be seen here
I have owned a TR2…TR3…. TR4 and a TR4A. Guess what’s missing!!
Come on Santa make my dreams come true.
On Friday 20th December 2024, the very first issue of Driver, a brand new publication from Bridge Classic Cars will be released!
Driver is a digital publication that will have 3 issues per year. It’s a celebration of the stories, people, and machines that make the automotive industry so exciting. As long as you have even the slightest interest in cars, Driver will very likely have something for you.
Each issue will cover topics ranging from restoration projects and sustainable motoring to personal stories from classic car owners. The debut issue certainly sets the tone for what you can expect in future editions.
The idea for Driver has been around for a long time and it is now finally coming together. The first issue will be sent to everyone on our mailing list and shared on social media completely FREE. From there, members of the Bridge Classic Cars Members Club will have the subscription included in their membership and, for non-members, a yearly subscription will cost just £10.
There will be content in Driver that you won’t find anywhere else and there will also be discount codes for competitions from time to time too.
Our launch issue has lots of automotive content within and we are very excited for you all to read it!
Here is a quick snapshot of what issue number 1 of Driver will feature:
If you are on our mailing list, keep an eye on your inboxes on Friday as the very first issue of Driver will be with you sometime in the morning.
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars hopes you enjoy it and we hope that you subscribe to experience the 3 issues coming in 2025 too.
In a recent study by Warrantywise, conducted in collaboration with OnePoll, it was found that nearly half (46%) of UK drivers cannot identify most of their vehicle’s dashboard warning lights. This could mean that around 23 million drivers don’t know what their car is telling them resulting in poor vehicle maintenance and safety.
Modern cars are equipped with increasingly advanced dashboard systems designed to inform drivers about their vehicle’s health. These range from straightforward indicators like low washer fluid levels to critical warnings about brake system malfunctions or engine issues. However, the survey found that 3% of drivers – potentially 1.5 million people – cannot identify any warning lights at all.
This lack of understanding not only increases the likelihood of expensive repairs but also poses potential safety risks. Ignoring the dashboard lights can lead to delayed repairs, worsening damage, and heightened costs. In some cases, these oversights could endanger both drivers and passengers.
“Your car’s dashboard warning system is one of its first lines of defence. These warning lights aren’t just about convenience – they’re essential for your safety and the health of your vehicle. Modern cars bring incredible advancements, but they also require drivers to stay informed. Taking the time to understand your car could save you thousands in repair costs, and with your car likely being one of your biggest investments, learning what those warning lights mean is one of the best ways to protect it and stay safe on the road. And if the worst happens? That’s what we’re [Warrantywise] here for, but remember that if it’s found that a driver has driven when a warning light has been on, it can mean that a warranty claim is declined. Therefore, it’s important motorists know what their warning lights mean and when to act.”
Antony Diggins, Managing Director of Warrantywise
As cars are becoming more technologically advanced, the variety and complexity of warning lights have expanded, making it even more important for drivers to understand their meaning. Acting quickly when a warning light appears can help prevent costly breakdowns and safeguard warranty coverage.
For more information, visit www.warrantywise.co.uk.
The data cited in this article was compiled from research conducted by OnePoll in 2024. The survey was based on responses from a representative sample of 2,000 UK: Car owners.
Source of data:
1 The Plan for Drivers
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024
Just down the road from the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa is a stunning location to stay and relax. The lucky winner will no doubt have an incredible time.
The most up-to-date list of prizes in our advent calendar can be seen here
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024
It can get cold in the workshop or at your local classic car meet up.
Why not be like the Bridge Classic Cars team and get yourself one of our workshop sweatshirts?
Timeless and stylish, our black sweatshirts with screen-printed insignia show the world that you’re part of our team.
The most up to date list of prizes in our advent calendar can be seen here
See all the current winners of the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar 2024
Limited100 is based in Nottingham and specialises in limited edition, handcrafted automotive wall art.
The name explains the concept very well, each print is limited to just 100 examples and each individual order is numbered with where it fits in the run of 100. The subject of the prints is always a desirable car and the images are taken by top automotive photographers.
To add to the desirability of the prints, every piece is handmade in Nottingham using top-quality, sustainable materials such as eco-friendly framing and water-based paints. Each print also comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed by the artist and curator, confirming its limited-edition status.
I’d like to say a big thank you to Simon, founder of Limited100 for being so generous with prizes offered in the Bridge Classic Cars Advent Calendar competition 2024.
Full details about Limited100 can be found here
The most up to date list of prizes in our advent calendar can be seen here
Our technician Steve has been working away on the gorgeous 1967 Mercedes 250SL ‘Pagoda’ that we currently have in our workshop. The car had reportedly developed a knocking or clunking sound which was isolated to the selector rod hitting the gearbox mount due to excessive play in the mount itself.
Steve swapped out the old perished mount, which tightened everything back up and allowed the selector rod the clearance to operate fully and freely.
Nigel and Richard over at Coltec Engineering are currently working their magic on our Maserati BiTurbo engine. We are very much looking forward to the engine returning to our workshop for it to be fitted up.
An exciting competition for 2025, our very rare and very desirable Maserati BiTurbo.
I caught up with Nick Fiore, winner of our 1991 Maserati BiTurbo Spider this week. Even after all this time he’s still loving his Maserati and enjoying many trips across the UK and Europe. Could you be Maserati winner number 2?
Meanwhile, back at Bridge Classic Cars HQ, Jon has been reassembling the manifold and is now all painted. We have used the O-ring kit to make new seal for plenum, aligned the choke and throttle arms and tested with the plenum fitted.
All bolts have been cleaned and fitted with new new washers. Secure plenum, ready to go.
We’ve removed both door panels in preparation for the dent removal process to occur. Once all tiny dents have been removed we have refitted both door panels.
Our technician Jon has been working his magic on the 1969 Daimler 250V8 which is currently being checked over and repaired in our restoration workshops at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ in Suffolk.
When the car arrived, it was taken out on test and found that under load it would lose 2 cylinders. So, Jon got it into the workshop to check that out and give the whole car a look over with a fine tooth comb. At this point, Jon is tracking down some electrical issues in the classic saloon along with a thorough inspection and test of the cooling system.
”Finish earth wire in boot, tape into loom, connect and test, ok. Carry out cooling system pressure test. Leave at 15psi and check over for signs of leaks. Tighten various jubilee clips but still holding pressure after 10 mins. Check heater valve operation . Lever stiff and won’t stay in position as if cable seized or loose.heater valve moves by hand. Get off ramp. Refit drivers carpet. Strip centre console and check heater cable. Found cable bent up and twisted. Strip and straighten cable both ends. Work cable in and out. Reattach to heater valve. Remount cable to lever and test. Works now. Refit centre console. Check interior lights. No power. But with power probe they all work. Check cigarette lighter socket, no power. Check fuses and found blown fuse. Replace and test, ok now.”
After sorting out the wiring issue, Jon could move onto getting to the bottom of the running issue with the Daimler.
”Take outside and warm up. Still holding back and won’t rev smooth up the rev range. Return to workshop. Check cap and rotor and elec ignition. Remove spark plugs clean and regap. Remove offside carb suction chamber and piston. Inspect, needle a bit green and rough. Clean all parts and remove float bowl lid and suck out fuel. Clean inside and blow through. Set jet depth with verniers. Reassemble carb and check piston free.”
”Continue with carb clean. Repeat yesterday’s work on nearside carb. Needle looks OK on this carb. So clean and blow out. Set jet depth and refit piston and suction chamber. Ignition on and check for leaks, ok. Refit air filters and take outside and warm up. Starts and idles fine but still won’t rev. Check timing 10 btdc, spot on. Check leads fitted in correct firing order. Pull leads off 1 at a time to check for what feels like a misfire. Hard to tell. Adjust carbs, still the same.”
He then inspected the ignition system, which had an electronic pick up unit fitted. He closed up the gaps as much as possible whilst also removing and checking each spark plug individually and regapping them to spec, before running the car back up again. Although it had helped the issue, Jon has ordered a new spark tester and will continue with his diagnostics once this arrives.
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