TR6 Crosses The Finish Line
February 12, 2021
We’re delighted to announce the completion of our beautiful magenta 1973 Triumph TR6 which has now be sent into storage with us. It headed over
News
Modifications for the Suzuki GSX 400T
February 12, 2021
Craig’s Suzuki GSX 400T has been pressure tested to check it can withstand the correct pressure with its new modifications. The seat frame is also
The Oldest Jensen’s Door fix
February 12, 2021
Our oldest Jensen, the 1957 541R has had some issues with its left side front passenger door. We’ve been working to modify it to allow
Thermo-stuck
February 12, 2021
Our 1961 541S Jensen was having issues with over-heating, but luckily, our classic car technician Paul, put his mind to investigating the issue. He found
Mercedes 500SL’s Trim Restoration Story Continues
February 12, 2021
Lydia has been focusing exclusively on Craig’s 500SL Mercedes interior restoration. Over the last week or so shes been working on the seat covers, re-working
VW Wheel Arch Welding
February 12, 2021
James has been working on the corrosion damage of our 1991 VW T4 Transporter Campervan. He’s been focusing on finishing off the sliding door and
Austin Nippy Seven Is Getting Nippy Again
February 12, 2021
We’ve received our 1934 Austin Seven Nippy engine back and can now begin reinstalling the engine back into the Austin. This little motor will be
Jaguar MKVII Brake Repair
February 12, 2021
Paul has taken a look at our 1954 Jaguar MKVII and made sure all the brakes are stripped down and ready to be overhauled. The
Ferrari Daytona’s Looking A Little Green
February 12, 2021
The bonnet and doors have finished their blocking stage and been sent back into the paint bay to be primed. When the rest of the
The Stag Arrives
February 11, 2021
Late this evening, two new motors arrived at Bridge Classic Cars HQ, a 1949 Morris Minor Lowlight and this 1971 Triumph Stag 3.0 V8. With
Amphicar Progress
February 11, 2021
Our Amphicar has taken the back bench since Christmas whilst we waited for the gearbox to come back after we encountered a bushing stuck inside
VW Rust Bust Continued
February 11, 2021
James has engineered a new window sill on the sliding door of our 1991 VW T4 Transporter Campervan. The lower part of the window sill
Peony Red Jensen Painted And Ready
February 11, 2021
We’re delighted to announce that after being smoothed and polished, our beautiful Peony Red Jensen has entered the trim shop. Chris spent yesterday smoothing and
Land Rover TLC
February 11, 2021
Our most recent edition, a Land Rover Series 2a has been checked over and is having a handful of issues addressed. One of the issues
Blocking Our Daytona
February 11, 2021
Scott has continued blocking out the Ferrari Daytona after its recent visit to the paint bay. All the primer has now been blocked down on
Jaguar MKVII Chrome Removal
February 11, 2021
Our team has begun removing the chrome on the 1954 Jaguar MKVII in preparation for bodywork and paint. For the majority of the chrome, its
Chimaera Shining Bright
February 11, 2021
We replaced the number plate lights on our TVR Chimaera so that the number plate now shines bright!
TVR Chimaera’s New Trim
February 11, 2021
Our trim department has been working hard to get the 1998 TVR Chimaera’s carpet, door panels and other pieces of fabric-to-metal trim stuck and bolted
Introducing The Original Adventure-mobile: The Land Rover Series IIa
February 10, 2021
We couldn’t resist taking the Land Rover out into the snow to get some arrival photos. Since we’re aiming to give this iconic adventure-mobile a
A Little TLC For Our Land Rover Series IIa
February 10, 2021
We’ve recently welcomed this iconic 1964 Series IIa Land Rover into the workshop, however before its ready to be photographed and released for the competition,
Black Jensen 541R Final Touches
February 10, 2021
We’ve recently re-fitted and lowered the side lights as pictured below. This was a cosmetic change that the customer requested. The pulley mechanism for the
Mercedes 500SL Interior Trim Continues
February 10, 2021
Lydia has been making the second front squab seat cover for our 1987 Mercedes 500SL. This included taking the cover off the frame which is
It’s Rutting Season at HQ: New Stag Arrival
February 9, 2021
There’s plenty of new arrivals at Bridge HQ currently, with another new competition car coming this week. We’re expecting this stunning 1971 Triumph Stag 3.0
Behind The Scenes: Mercedes 320SL Photoshoot
February 9, 2021
You may remember our blog about the Mercedes when it came in where we told you that this award winning motor is set to be
Meet The Team: Chris
February 9, 2021
Chris is our classic car painter and fabricator. Whilst you can find him fabricating bodywork and smoothing down our cars ready to paint, you’re more
Bruce Springsteen’s Unifying SuperBowl Message Features The Iconic Jeep
February 8, 2021
Bruce Springsteen stars in Jeep’s Superbowl commercial with a heartfelt message of finding unity and peace. The video is in celebration of Jeep’s 80th anniversary
Top Tips For Driving In The Snow
February 8, 2021
With arctic conditions sweeping across East Anglia, those without 4×4’s or tractors might be wondering how to get to work or the shops. The short
Car and Classic Feature Jensen 541’s
February 8, 2021
As Jensen specialists, we love seeing Jensens of all kinds represented and discussed online, but our particular favourites, the 541 series are rarely talked about.
Jaguar MKVII Receives TLC
February 8, 2021
Ady, our engine specialist has been working hard to restore our Jaguar MKVII. He’s repaired the fuel tank plugs and filters by adding new seals.
Another Day, Another Winner: 1994 Range Rover Classic
February 8, 2021
What a beautiful day to deliver someone’s dream car! On Friday morning our friends at Russells’ came to pick up our beautiful 1994 Range Rover
TR6 Crosses The Finish Line
February 12, 2021
We’re delighted to announce the completion of our beautiful magenta 1973 Triumph TR6 which has now be sent into storage with us. It headed over this morning and we felt very lucky to have such an expert lorry driver at our disposal as Bentwaters looked like a scene from the Arctic Circle. Mauro is one of our talented and hard-working technicians but also has a history as a lorry driver and is in charge of driving our lorry. We always know our lorry and cars are in safe hands with him at the wheel.
We’re expect to shooting this TR6 for its final celebratory photoshoot soon. Watch this space!
Modifications for the Suzuki GSX 400T
February 12, 2021
Craig’s Suzuki GSX 400T has been pressure tested to check it can withstand the correct pressure with its new modifications.
The seat frame is also being modified so that the curved piece of metal seen below will make up the new smaller seat frame, leaving the majority of the bike exposed for a more rugged and raw dirt bike appeal.
The Oldest Jensen’s Door fix
February 12, 2021
Our oldest Jensen, the 1957 541R has had some issues with its left side front passenger door. We’ve been working to modify it to allow it to sit more comfortbly in line with the rest of the body. With the alignment sorted, we also needed to address the ill fitting door car before it could be dressed.
One of our engineers has worked on making the inside of the door frame deeper so that the door car could fit inside.
Thermo-stuck
February 12, 2021
Our 1961 541S Jensen was having issues with over-heating, but luckily, our classic car technician Paul, put his mind to investigating the issue. He found that the wax seal in the thermostat had gotten stuck. To address this he applied a freeing agent that was left overnight so that he could ‘un-stick’ the seal the next day.
The thermostat opens to allow the engine coolant to flow through when it heats up, allowing for the cyclical movement up to the radiator, down through the radiator and round to the thermostat again. With the wax-seal seized closed, hot coolant couldn’t run through the engine, meaning it was overheating.
The thermostat works by regulating the engine temperature. As coolant flows around the engine, it collects excess heat. On leaving the engine, it travels to the radiator, where that excess heat is removed. It then makes a few more stops along its way through the cooling system and finishes back in the engine.
Mercedes 500SL’s Trim Restoration Story Continues
February 12, 2021
Lydia has been focusing exclusively on Craig’s 500SL Mercedes interior restoration. Over the last week or so shes been working on the seat covers, re-working the original material and creating new covers.
Lydia began by adding a layer of scrim foam over the top and sides of the frame to replace the old worn out padding which had turned hard. She then drew a line down the centre of the seat to make it easier to identify the middle of the cover. Once this is done, Lydia placed the cover over it and pull the calico inside it. Once fitted, she could pull it tight and glue it in place.
Lydia then applied weight to the frame springs and pulled the other edges of the cover over and under the frame. She then glued down the side flaps around the frame, cleaned up the bolts that screw into the bottom of the seat, and made a hole on each side for them.
VW Wheel Arch Welding
February 12, 2021
James has been working on the corrosion damage of our 1991 VW T4 Transporter Campervan. He’s been focusing on finishing off the sliding door and rear left door repairs. He’s cut out the right-hand side rear wheel arch, repaired the inner arch and tacked the new outer arch in place to make it ready for welding.
Austin Nippy Seven Is Getting Nippy Again
February 12, 2021
We’ve received our 1934 Austin Seven Nippy engine back and can now begin reinstalling the engine back into the Austin. This little motor will be nippy in no time!
Below you can see the re-conditioned engine with its new crank case from Ian R Bancroft Restorations:
Jaguar MKVII Brake Repair
February 12, 2021
Paul has taken a look at our 1954 Jaguar MKVII and made sure all the brakes are stripped down and ready to be overhauled. The rear brake pipes have been removed and replaced with new components.
Ferrari Daytona’s Looking A Little Green
February 12, 2021
The bonnet and doors have finished their blocking stage and been sent back into the paint bay to be primed. When the rest of the body is finished, Scott and Chris will do the same to the body which has been masked.
Chris has also added epoxy onto some of the components and primed them for black DTM (direct to metal).
The Stag Arrives
February 11, 2021
Late this evening, two new motors arrived at Bridge Classic Cars HQ, a 1949 Morris Minor Lowlight and this 1971 Triumph Stag 3.0 V8.
With a few tweaks and fixes needed, this Stag will be worked on in our workshop for a short time before being photographed and released as a new competition vehicle.
Amphicar Progress
February 11, 2021
Our Amphicar has taken the back bench since Christmas whilst we waited for the gearbox to come back after we encountered a bushing stuck inside the gearbox which needed the entire element to be taken apart and re-built.
Now with the gearbox back, we can start to reassemble the gearbox and engine.
Ady has also cleaned the floor of the Amphicar engine bay and Chris has painted it black. The engine can now be placed back in.
VW Rust Bust Continued
February 11, 2021
James has engineered a new window sill on the sliding door of our 1991 VW T4 Transporter Campervan. The lower part of the window sill had corroded beyond repair so James decided to fabricate a new element. You can see below the new piece has been stuck down and held in place before James can shape it.
Peony Red Jensen Painted And Ready
February 11, 2021
We’re delighted to announce that after being smoothed and polished, our beautiful Peony Red Jensen has entered the trim shop.
Chris spent yesterday smoothing and polishing the body so that the paint looks smooth and perfect. We’re loving the richness of the red contrasting with the soft grey roof.
This 1960 541S Jensen is now sat in our trim shop ready to start its interior restoration journey.
Land Rover TLC
February 11, 2021
Our most recent edition, a Land Rover Series 2a has been checked over and is having a handful of issues addressed. One of the issues is a fuel leak from the fuel pump behind the timing cover. John has stripped down the part to start to address the issue.
Blocking Our Daytona
February 11, 2021
Scott has continued blocking out the Ferrari Daytona after its recent visit to the paint bay. All the primer has now been blocked down on the body. There’s a few more imperfections to smooth down before the next primer coat but otherwise, its almost ready for the next step!
The term blocking out refers to smoothing over the body and filing out any imperfections to make sure the body is all straight and ready to be painted.
Jaguar MKVII Chrome Removal
February 11, 2021
Our team has begun removing the chrome on the 1954 Jaguar MKVII in preparation for bodywork and paint. For the majority of the chrome, its a realtivily simple removal, for example, the pieces on the windows are easy to remove however some are more difficult and need extra components removed to get to the chrome.
Following the fuel tank renovation, Ady has fitted the oil sump back underneath the car.
Chimaera Shining Bright
February 11, 2021
We replaced the number plate lights on our TVR Chimaera so that the number plate now shines bright!
TVR Chimaera’s New Trim
February 11, 2021
Our trim department has been working hard to get the 1998 TVR Chimaera’s carpet, door panels and other pieces of fabric-to-metal trim stuck and bolted down.
Brian and Kath stripped the TVR out ready for fitting. They started by fitting the carpet to the rear side section where the seat belts fit. Next, they fitted the side sill carpets, wheel arch sections, and cut out the foam to go in rear cockpit section.
Once they had glued the foam into rear cockpit section, the team carefully fitted the back carpet to the rear section of the TVR. They then cut the speaker holes out, glued the bottom carpet to rear cockpit section and glued the carpet to the side of the tunnel. After this was completed, the team could complete the rear section and tunnel section. The speakers and air vent could then be refitted.
After fitting the console back in, Kath and Brian could cut and fit some plywood for the rear compartment covers. Once cut, the pieces could be glued to the carpet. Next up was fitting the underlay to the front footwell section and securing the front and rear carpets.
One of the more challenging parts of this trim restoration was removing the old carpet from the door panel as the bolts were particularly stiff on the door cards. The team glued the new carpet to the door panel and fitted it into to door, as well as fitting the outer section of the door panel to the door. The final touch was to refit the speakers.
We’ve also fitted the seat belts.
Kath identified some rust but we discovered that its only surface rust which can be treated on the surface by filling the holes with rubber flanges and flange sealant to then be primed and painted.
All of the old foam has been replaced with new fresh foam, carpet has been laid in the passenger footwell, the centre console has been cleaned and repaired where needed and the trim has been cut and fitted for the upper footwell.
The board surrounding the battery in the footwell has been modified to fit better and the trim has been replaced with the new fabric. Velcro was then carefully attached so that the board can be easily removed.
The rear carpet has been fitted as well as the door cards and door trim. The leather around the door car was also cleaned before re-fitting.
The boot carpet needed to be re-fit, as did the foam on top of the fuel tank.
Kath has worked on re-lining the TVR’s boot too. She’s taken out the old carpet and fitted a new one in as well as replacing the carpet around the fuel tank and spare tyre section. The boot lid carpet has also been replaced with fresh lining. The next step is to bolt in the seats and service the car.
Introducing The Original Adventure-mobile: The Land Rover Series IIa
February 10, 2021
We couldn’t resist taking the Land Rover out into the snow to get some arrival photos. Since we’re aiming to give this iconic adventure-mobile a makeover, these shots serve as a good ‘before’ look. Stay tuned to see what it’ll look like afterwards…
Its been exactly 60 years since the Series 2a was released and it still has its original power and authenticity in-tact. Whilst these vehicles are known for being glamorised tractors, nothing beats them in terms of authentic adventure. The Series IIa retained the civilian simplicity of the Series I whilst fine-tuning the styling, updating the suspension and adding a larger 2.3-litre four-cylinder. Our Series 2a comes with desirable overdrive and free wheeling hubs which makes it unique for motors from the time.
Land Rovers have now come synonymous with adventure, camping and an outdoors lifestyle, however, they were originally designed as agriculture work-horses. Over the decades, they’ve gained a duality between agriculture and adventure.
This iconic vehicle its reminiscent of the golden era of exploration and was often seen leading the charge on the silver screen. With America’s Jeeps taking the 4×4 lead across the pond the post-war era, Land Rover Series and Range Rover Defenders stood for the UK’s iconic off-roading vehicle. You might recognise a similar green series IIa that featured in the Italian Job alongside a fleet of mini coopers.
There’s a series of complicated but nifty modes on vintage Land Rover so it can seem overwhelming to the novice driver or those experiencing vintage Land Rovers for the first time. The blog below clearly explains what each mode does:
You can expect to see this Land Rover up for grabs in the coming weeks, stay tuned…
A Little TLC For Our Land Rover Series IIa
February 10, 2021
We’ve recently welcomed this iconic 1964 Series IIa Land Rover into the workshop, however before its ready to be photographed and released for the competition, there’s a handful of works to be done on it.
A variety of parts need to be ordered including new wiper blades, new headlamps, and door rubbers.
The list of work needing to be carried out includes a variety of small jobs such as rewiring the wiper motors, re-fitting the seats, fixing a diesel leak from the injector pump, modifying the battery mount, replacing the number plate lamp, replacing rusty bolts, painting the rear body mounting plates to match either side, overspray various bolts and components, fix near side rear hub leak, remove trailer wiring and paint where the outer-side engine mounts have been welded in.
Once all these parts and some other small jobs have been completed, we can hand it over to the marketing team to shoot and present!
Black Jensen 541R Final Touches
February 10, 2021
We’ve recently re-fitted and lowered the side lights as pictured below. This was a cosmetic change that the customer requested.
The pulley mechanism for the dynamometer wasn’t running at the correct speed and therefore was not charging the battery. We sent the pulley away to be modified at Coltec. We’ve now received it back so they can be fitted. The pulley has been made smaller to allow it to spin faster and charge the dynamometer. We hope this will have solved the charging issue!
We’ve also modified the number plate plate upon the clients request. Originally the metal chrome frame that the number plate sat on was wider than the number plate, which is the original design, however our client decided he’d like the width to be shorter, therefore we modified it to his bespoke request.
Mercedes 500SL Interior Trim Continues
February 10, 2021
Lydia has been making the second front squab seat cover for our 1987 Mercedes 500SL. This included taking the cover off the frame which is something.
Lydia had to start with loosening the sides from the frame by levering the cover off. The next step was to remove the plastic parts by holding the cover down in the centre and shimming the components out. Lydia could then start peeling the cover off the frame completely and take off the plastic rings for the headrest at the top of the squab. The next step is to remove the leather cover and rework that.
It’s Rutting Season at HQ: New Stag Arrival
February 9, 2021
There’s plenty of new arrivals at Bridge HQ currently, with another new competition car coming this week. We’re expecting this stunning 1971 Triumph Stag 3.0 V8 to come to us on later in the week
Before we release it, it will need a repaint on the roof but otherwise its good to go! Keep your eyes peeled…
Behind The Scenes: Mercedes 320SL Photoshoot
February 9, 2021
You may remember our blog about the Mercedes when it came in where we told you that this award winning motor is set to be our next competition car. Well, now it’s live on the website and up for grabs!
Last week our marketing team and Charlotte set out to photograph this stunning modern classic, and its hard to not get a good shot with the bright red paintwork!
You can grab your tickets for this shiny red motor here:
www.bridgeclassiccarscompetitions.co.uk/product/mercedes-320sl/
Meet The Team: Chris
February 9, 2021
Chris is our classic car painter and fabricator. Whilst you can find him fabricating bodywork and smoothing down our cars ready to paint, you’re more likely to find him suited up in the paint shop. He’s recently been working on turning the Peony Red Jensen, peony red, a long-awaited and much-anticipated metamorphosis.
Chris’ expertise in fabricating comes from experience when he worked at a friend’ father’s body shop. There he worked with a wide variety of cars all whilst learning on the job. It’s there he found his love for it, “I enjoy the hands-on aspect of it.”
Chris tells us he has a love both fabricating and painting but wants to learn a bit more about engines and electrics of cars, “I’d like to learn a bit more about the engines, I know a lot of the other bits but I’d be interested in learning more about the electrics and engines”.
In his spare time Chris enjoys spending quality time with his family and when the weather allows, playing cricket and golf. Chris’s dream car is either a 1967 Mustang or a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hard Top Estate.
Bruce Springsteen’s Unifying SuperBowl Message Features The Iconic Jeep
February 8, 2021
Bruce Springsteen stars in Jeep’s Superbowl commercial with a heartfelt message of finding unity and peace. The video is in celebration of Jeep’s 80th anniversary and a call for Americans to find a ‘common ground’.
In the film entitled ‘The Middle’, Springsteen drives a 1980 Jeep CJ-5 convertible, and seen stationary is a 1965 CJ-5, still present with its ‘Willys’ badge.
In a statement, Global Chief Marketing Officer for Stellantis, Olivier Francois, said, ‘The Middle’ is a celebration of the Jeep brand’s 80-year anniversary and, more timely, it is a call to all Americans to come together and seek common ground as we look collectively to the road ahead.”
Top Tips For Driving In The Snow
February 8, 2021
With arctic conditions sweeping across East Anglia, those without 4×4’s or tractors might be wondering how to get to work or the shops. The short and easy answer is to stay at home and don’t venture out if you’re unsure, but for many, that might not be an option. Here are some tips for driving in the snow (according to RAC).
Before leaving:
Plan your journey to use only main roads that are likely to be gritted. Busier roads are also less likely to be as dangerous as back roads will be driven on less and therefore hold more snow. Leave plenty of time to de-ice the car and check your tyres. Always ensure you have a shovel, warm layers, appropriate shoes and a high-vis vest in the boot in case you break down.
When driving:
- Accelerate slowly, use low revs and change to higher gears quickly
- Some vehicles have ‘winter mode’ but if yours doesnt, taking off in second gear can reduce wheel spin.
- Leave plenty of stopping space
- If you start to skid, gently steer your car in the direction of the skid. For example, if the rear of the car is skidding to the left, turn your wheel to the left. Do not put your foot on the brake or accelerator, and do not take your hands off the steering wheel.
- If visibility is poor, turn on your fog lights.
- If roads have not been gritted, try to avoid driving in other cars tyre tracks as compacted snow is likely to be icier than fresh snow.
- Use the pedals and steer smoothly. Quick movements are more likely to increase the possibility of skidding.
If you do have to frequently drive in snow conditions, ensuring that your car is regularly cleaned reduces the possibility of the salt causing corrosion damage to your car.
You can see more about driving in deep snow, snow tyres and snow chains here.
Car and Classic Feature Jensen 541’s
February 8, 2021
As Jensen specialists, we love seeing Jensens of all kinds represented and discussed online, but our particular favourites, the 541 series are rarely talked about. Car and Classic have just featured an interesting in-depth article about the history of Jensen 541’s. You can read it here.
John Byrne, the author of the article delves deep into the inner workings of the iconic British car, its design and its mechanical feats of engineering.
John describes them as “Much underrated in recent times but fast becoming more appreciating classics, these exquisitely hand-made GT cars are a real gem coming from one of the most evocative British names in the realm of big, fast grand-tourers”
He continues to say, “In general, the 541 was well-regarded as an excellent long-range touring car, with ride and road holding comparable to the best contemporaries of the period. These cars are widely considered to be one of the best-looking coupes of the fifties and are unmistakable in profile.“
We’ve worked on an extensive list of Jensens from 541R’s and 541S’s to Inceptors. You can check them out here:
Jaguar MKVII Receives TLC
February 8, 2021
Ady, our engine specialist has been working hard to restore our Jaguar MKVII.
He’s repaired the fuel tank plugs and filters by adding new seals. The fourth image shows the fuel tank plug and filter being screwed into the fuel tank after being repaired. The final image shows the fuel tank sender unit being removed, so Ady could fit a new gasket.
Another Day, Another Winner: 1994 Range Rover Classic
February 8, 2021
What a beautiful day to deliver someone’s dream car! On Friday morning our friends at Russells’ came to pick up our beautiful 1994 Range Rover Classic to take it to its new owner in Oxford.
David was beaming when the car was delivered, we’re sure he’s excited to get driving his beautiful new classic! Perfect for the snow!
We also love getting getting shout outs and seeing our winners post on ther social media platforms! Thanks for the shout out!
