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McLaren P1 Lego

July 15, 2024

The British supercar manufacturer, McLaren Automotive, in partnership with the LEGO Group, has created something many collectors will be looking to get their hands on:

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Land’s End To John O’Groats Using Sustainable Fuel

July 17, 2024

To mark the 35th anniversary of the Mazda MX-5, four models – one from each generation – completed a 1,000-mile journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats using sustainable fuel. These vehicles, powered entirely by 100 per cent biofuel from SUSTAIN, became the first cars to complete this iconic route across the UK using sustainable fuel.

The Mazda MX-5, which debuted at the 1989 Chicago Motor Show, has always set the standard for pure, lightweight sports cars, with driver engagement at its core. To date, over 1.2 million MX-5s have been produced at Mazda’s Ujina plant in Hiroshima, with more than 135,000 sold in the UK. The four cars that completed the 1,000-mile drive were part of the Mazda UK Heritage Fleet: a 1990 1.6-litre Mk1 from the car’s UK launch year, a 10th Anniversary Mk2, a 25th Anniversary Mk3, and a 30th Anniversary Mk4, each marking a special occasion in the MX-5’s history.

Images: Mazda

Each generation of the Mazda MX-5 made the journey using SUSTAIN 100 RON E5, a second-generation biofuel from Coryton. This fuel, free from fossil fuels, is produced from agricultural waste and by-products from non-consumable crops. The cars required no modifications to use this drop-in fuel, which recycles existing atmospheric carbon absorbed by plants, unlike fossil fuels that release additional CO2.

The 1,000-mile trip featured stops at four organisations that are helping to demonstrate the potential of sustainable technologies. Although the 100 per cent biofuel used is not yet publicly available, other SUSTAIN fuels are, showcasing the crucial role sustainable fuels can play in de-carbonising both modern and classic cars.

Images: Mazda

Since June 2023, the Mazda UK Heritage Fleet has been powered by SUSTAIN Classic 80 sustainable fuel, which is available to the public. In 2022, the Mazda MX-5 became the first vehicle to drive 1,000 miles across the UK and complete laps in each home nation’s circuit using sustainable fuel.

Commenting on Mazda’s latest sustainable fuel achievement, Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director at Mazda Motors UK, said: “The MX-5 is Mazda’s brand icon and it embodies all that is great about our products. Mazda’s unceasing commitment to refining the vehicle over its 35-year history has always focused on its core mission of delivering driver engagement and fun from behind the wheel. It’s great that it was a quartet of MX-5s that became the first cars to drive this famous route using sustainable fuel, as it’s always been a sports car that delivers efficiency through its lightweight and compact design. Furthermore, it’s highly appropriate that a car famous for driver fun has highlighted the part sustainable fuel can have in de-carbonising classic motoring in the future”.

He continues, “Mazda is committed to reducing CO2 emissions from every car and believes that all options available must be used to achieve climate neutrality. In the future through Mazda’s SKYACTIV Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture, continued electrification will go hand in hand with the development of advanced internal combustion engine technology. While, with the wide use of Mazda M Hybrid mild-hybrid, the all-electric Mazda MX-30, the unique Mazda MX-30 R-EV parallel hybrid, the self-charging hybrid Mazda2 Hybrid and the plug-in hybrid Mazda CX-60 PHEV, across Mazda’s current range this multi-solution approach is already clear to see”.

Adding, “In many regions of the world Mazda is investing in different projects and partnerships to promote the development and use of renewable fuels in cars. In Japan, Mazda is involved in several joint research projects and studies as part of an ongoing industry-academia-government collaboration to promote the widespread adoption of biofuels from microalgae growth and bio-diesel from used cooking oil, while in Europe, Mazda was the first OEM to join the eFuel Alliance”.

David Richardson, Director at SUSTAIN, said: “Achieving the first-ever drive from Land’s End to John O’ Groats on 100% sustainable biofuel is something we’re extremely proud of. It’s particularly poignant to be teaming up with Mazda on the MX-5s 35th birthday. Sustainable fuel is a genuine way we can keep vehicles such as these on the road for many years to come, whilst reducing their environmental impact. Over the 1000-mile trip, we calculated that around 981kg of CO2 was saved by using SUSTAIN in the four MX-5s to replace fossil fuels. Imagine the difference we could make if more motorists followed suit.“

Adding, “Electric vehicles are increasing in numbers, but there are many millions of combustion engine cars on our roads – it surely makes sense to reduce the emissions from those vehicles if we can. Yet many people don’t realise it’s an option or know how sustainable fuel works. There are a lot of misunderstandings. We need support from those in power to enable sustainable fuel production to be scaled up, which could happen relatively quickly. There is no silver bullet solution to tackle the environmental impact of the automotive sector – we should be using all the available technologies to give us the best chance to make a real difference.”

The Four Stop Locations

Stop 1: Motor Spirit, Bicester Heritage Centre, Oxfordshire

Stop 2: Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC), Sheffield University

Stop 3: Windermere Boat Club (WMBRC), Lake District National Park

Stop 4: Celtic Renewables and Caldic, Grangemouth, Scotland

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Back to the Workshop – Our 1939 Jaguar SS100

July 16, 2024

The Bridge Classic Cars transport team have moved our 1939 Jaguar SS100 from our storage facility, The Hangar, to our Pettistree workshop.

After the car finished the gruelling Mille Miglia, the car headed home and went into storage. Soon, the Bridge Classic Cars team will be getting this stunning piece of automotive history up onto the ramps to check it over post adventures.

Fuse Box Covers, Brakes Adjusted and High Beam Switch on our 1956 Jensen 541

July 16, 2024

Our technician Paul has been moving forward at an incredible rate on our 1956 Jensen 541. To begin with, he’s fitted up the fuse box cover under the bonnet of the classic Jensen. He could also fit up the speedo cable into the car, refit the dashboard and secure the throttle pedal into place.

During its initial build up, Paul noticed that the high/low beam switch was faulty so had a new one placed on order. It has now arrived so he could install it into the car and then after removing the wheels (which have been sent away for refinishing) he could adjust the brake drums.

Assessing the 1974 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster

July 16, 2024

The workshop team at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ have been working on assessing the 1974 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster which recently arrived at Pettistree from our secure storage facility, The Hangar.

The first stage was for our trim team to take a look at the cabin of the classic sports GT car. Lydia, one of our incredible trimmers, carefully checked over every aspect of the cars interior to compile her condition report which was given to the workshop supervisor to put together with the mechanical teams check over which began as soon as Lydia was done. But, she did not there are some areas of the cabin which will require new sections such as the carpet set which in her words appears to be ‘badly moth damaged’.

The purpose of the assessment, is to gain an overall view of the condition of the car. To see whether the car is in need of a complete and total restoration or a recommission. Our technicians have decades of experience on working on classic cars and have a methodical and safety based approach to checking over the cars.

Rob, one of our restoration technicians whose background is in restoring Triumphs as well as maintaining and restoring classic formula 1 cars, was put in charge of checking over the E-Type V12 and compiling his report which has also been passed onto the workshop supervisors along with the interior assessment by Lydia.

Whilst the supervisors and leadership team are formulating a plan for the E-Type Roadster, our transport team safely loaded up the classic sports car into our enclosed trailer and took the car back to our secure storage facility, The Hangar. There, the car was placed in its Carcoon and put back on charge.

McLaren P1 Lego

July 15, 2024

The British supercar manufacturer, McLaren Automotive, in partnership with the LEGO Group, has created something many collectors will be looking to get their hands on: the LEGO® Technic™ McLaren P1™. This collaboration is all about paying tribute to one of the most innovative hypercars of all time.

The McLaren P1™ set new standards in hypercar performance and is widely considered to be the most capable, most technologically advanced, and most dynamically superior supercar of its era. Taking advantage of McLaren’s motorsport engineering, the P1™ featured huge advancements in weight reduction, packaging, high-speed performance, powertrain, and aerodynamics.

Designed to be ‘the best driver’s car in the world on both road and track,’ the McLaren P1™’s design and technical specifications made it the perfect candidate for the LEGO Technic team to recreate in 1:8 scale.

Part of the LEGO Technic Ultimate Car Concept Series, this new 1:8 scale model has 3,893 elements, each featuring a unique serial number that unlocks exclusive behind-the-scenes content. The model boasts a 7-speed gearbox with two shifter drums, suspension, a V8 piston engine, an adjustable rear wing, and dihedral doors with an advanced mechanism. This is not your typical LEGO set, creating this model mirrors the skill, technical capabilities, and quality of building the real P1.

Image: McLaren Automotive
Image: McLaren Automotive
Image: McLaren Automotive
Image: McLaren Automotive
Image: McLaren Automotive
Image: McLaren Automotive
Image: McLaren Automotive

The LEGO Technic design team worked closely with McLaren Automotive to incorporate as much cutting-edge functionality as possible. The goal was to create a model that stands as a tribute to the real P1™ and showcases McLaren’s well-known engineering excellence.

Tobias Sühlmann Chief Design Officer, McLaren Automotive said “It’s amazing to see so many of the elements from the original P1 brought to life by the LEGO team for the LEGO Technic McLaren P1™. I hope this collaboration inspires the next generation of designers and engineers to push the boundaries of automotive innovation.”

Kasper Rene Hansen, Designer, LEGO Group said “From the exterior with aerodynamic shapes to the interior and V8 piston engine – the real McLaren P1™ is an incredible car. We wanted to capture these details in the best way possible with our LEGO Technic model and we did not want to compromise in any way

“Therefore, we worked on multiple variations of the car to test different designs. We also faced a huge challenge with the iconic butterfly doors because they needed a new mechanism to stay open. It was a great experience to recreate the McLaren P1™ and I’m hoping all supercar enthusiasts out there are ready to explore the details and intricacies of the real McLaren P1™ in LEGO Technic form.”  

The LEGO Technic McLaren P1 set will be available at www.LEGO.com/McLaren and LEGO Stores from 1st August 2024 priced at £389.99. If you buy the set between the 1st and 7th of August 2024, LEGO Insiders will receive the LEGO Technic McLaren P1 Logo as a gift with purchase.

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Launch Party Feedback

July 15, 2024

It’s almost two weeks since the launch party of the Bridge Classic Cars Members Club.

The whole team felt that it was a great success and we were proud of the event we had put together. Over the last week or so, we have had a number of emails, phone calls, and conversations with our guests who have also said we did a fantastic job. Here is a selection of just a few:

“Just a quick note to thank you for a great evening on Friday. Both Philip and I were ‘blown away’ by the new Members Club and by the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to us. We wish you every success with this venture.“

“Just to say thank you for the invite and for an enjoyable evening to see the cars on display, the workshop, the food and music and the enthusiastic attendees. I was given a copy of the Rare and Unique Vehicles magazine by the author as a memento.“

“Just to say thank you for a nice evening on Friday.“

“Thanks for a great evening on Friday, shame about the rain, looking forward to seeing you soon. Would love to come on the Lotus trip, but regret we are away at my daughter’s graduation in Manchester so can’t make it. Hope you have a great trip, keep up the good work“

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A Perfect First Drive

July 12, 2024

We recently completed the full restoration of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire.

Its very happy owner came all the way from his home in France to collect this beautiful classic and to take it for its first drive….back to France!

As first drives go, that’s a big one but our Spitfire and its owner made it back home with no issues.

Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars is looking forward to seeing it out and about on even more adventures.

Bentley Unveils Fourth-Generation Continental GT Speed at Goodwood Festival of Speed

July 12, 2024

Bentley introduced the fourth-generation Continental GT Speed on the first day of this year’s Festival of Speed. The car is being presented twice, once in the hillclimb and the second in an innovative ‘underwater’ display.

The Continental GT Speed, available in both coupe and convertible models, is the most powerful road-going Bentley ever. Equipped with an all-new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain, it delivers 782 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, surpassing the previous W12 engine. Despite its enhanced performance, the new powertrain achieves a reduction in CO2 emissions to just 29 g/km.

Complementing its powerful engine, the GT Speed features a sophisticated new chassis system. This includes two-chamber air springs, dual-valve dampers, Bentley Dynamic Ride (48V active anti-roll control), eLSD, and torque vectoring. These advancements result in exceptional body control and the most comfortable ride in a Continental GT to date, with a 49:51 rear-biased weight distribution for the first time.

Image: Bentley
Image: Bentley
Image: Bentley
Image: Bentley
Image: Bentley

The exterior design marks the most significant revision to the Continental GT’s appearance in 20 years, embracing a new design direction for Bentley. Notably, it is the first mainstream Bentley since the 1950s to feature single headlamps.

Inside, this new model introduces advanced wellness seat technology, air ionisation, three-dimensional leather textures, modern quilting, and technical finishes such as dark chrome.

In addition to the two Continental GT Speed models on the Hill Climb, a third example is uniquely displayed near the Kinrara Enclosure, celebrating the unofficial ‘Underwater Speed Record’—the fastest a car has ever travelled through a tunnel, reaching 208 mph (335 km/h).

The ‘FOShtank’ display is a bespoke adaptation of Bentley’s glass ‘Toy Box’ units from their Dream Factory campus in Crewe. This version includes a custom-built fish tank, a tongue-in-cheek nod to the underwater theme.

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P1 Fuels At Vintage Bentley

July 12, 2024

Last night, Craig and I were invited to Vintage Bentley as part of an evening hosted by P1 Fuels. We also had a great stay in the De Vere Horsley Estate Hotel.

P1 Fuels are synthetic e-fuels that act as a drop-in solution to fossil fuels. Any petrol car can be run on P1 without any need for modification or changes in driving behaviours.

The evening was all about the future of the automotive industry and the huge part that synthetic fuels, like P1, can play in that. It was incredible to hear about the progress that P1 Fuels have made over the last 12 months and their extremely exciting plans for the next couple of years.

I have always championed synthetic fuel as the most logical and realistic solution to sustainable transport so I was extremely happy to be invited to hear about the company in person.

Richard Hammond gave a short talk on his experience using P1 Fuels in his cars and he was also on hand to have a chat about how he sees the future of the automotive industry.

We plan on having much more involvement with synthetic fuels. We want to keep classic cars on the road while still taking our green responsibilities very seriously too…this could very well be the answer!

Final Check Over – 1971 MGB Roadster

July 12, 2024

Our 1971 MGB Roadster is in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for its final check over before it heads off to its new owner. During the checks, Jon found out that the stop light had stopped working so a new one was placed on order.

New Arrival – 1974 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster

July 12, 2024

Earlier this week, we welcomed a new arrival to our Suffolk HQ in the shape of this 1974 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster. The car was transported over to our Pettistree workshops for our team to take a look at the car for its owner and appraise its overall condition.

It’s always nice to welcome new classics into the family here, and we seem to be working on a lot of E-Type’s recently!

Our 2003 MG ZT V8 Stripped and Ready for Paint

July 12, 2024

Our 2003 MG ZT V8 has been getting into shape ahead of its repaint under the watchful and skillful hands of our painter Alan.

He’s worked on getting the car back to bare metal in places and then reworked certain areas so when he does lay down that stunning dark blue, everything will look absolutely sensational.

Perfect Fit – Remaking the Dashpad of our 1956 Jensen 541

July 12, 2024

Our trim team are always engaged in the constant pursuit of perfection, and their most recent exploit is the dashpad of our 1956 Jensen 541.

Our trimmer Lydia made the dashpad for our classic Jensen a few months ago now, but the project is now at the stage of having its interior put into the car bit by bit alongside the mechanical team getting the car back into place in the new finishing workshop. During this, Lydia noticed that the dashpad of the car didn’t quite perfectly fit as she liked and also was the wrong shape in some place and obscured the view to some of the dials and also got in the way of some of the switches.

So, Lydia stripped the piece down and slimmed it down which allow it to function properly alongside making the piece aesthetically fit better into the classy and sophisticated interior of the 541.

Ready to Go – 1970 Morris Minor 1000

July 12, 2024

Our 1970 Morris Minor 1000, which found itself stranded outside our Suffolk HQ has been worked on by the team here and ready to hit the road again!

But, before it left our workshop. Tony gave the car a once over to make sure she looked her best before her excited owner came to pick her back up.

Working on our 1981 Austin Vanden Plas

July 12, 2024

The 1981 Austin Vanden Plas is in the workshops at our Suffolk HQ for the team to get a few jobs done on the classic hatchback. First up, Jon has been working on the lift pump which he noted was leaking so he made up some new gaskets and sealed them back onto the car.

Next up, Jon began working on getting the rear end of the car back into shape. He realigned the bumper to make it even and square to the body before removing the rear axle mounts for them to be cleaned and refurbished.

Stripping Back the Dash of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe

July 12, 2024

Our technician Rob has been methodically working his way through stripping the dashboard of our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe. Each individual piece that is removed was carefully inspected and evaluated before being bagged and labeled. The dash itself, which is wooden, will be repaired and restored by a local specialist while the clocks and gauges will be sent away to be completely refurbished for this stunning piece of sports car history.

Along with working on the dashboard, Rob has also been working on stripping back some of the controls such as the throttle pedal assembly and handbrake, getting them to where they can be carefully sandblasted and then painted.

Cleaned and Ready – Our 1954 Daimler Conquest Roadster is ready for a date with destiny

July 12, 2024

Our 1954 Daimler Conquest Roadster has been moved from our restoration workshops, across our site to its new home in the Classic Lounge. This unique, handbuilt roadster was loaded in by the team to be kept safe ahead of the marketing team taking it out on a very special photo/video shoot.

But, since the car has been moved into its new home – Tony gave the car a one over and got it looking majestic surrounded by our other dream classic in the new home of the Members Club.

Repairing our 1986 Fiat X1/9

July 11, 2024

To begin with, Jon has taken over the preparation of our 1986 Fiat X1/9. He is carrying on with repairing this rare and quirky sports car, beginning with getting the bonnet releases to work correctly.

Jon had to remove the catch and latch out of the car to modify it in order to accept the new cable. In order to get everything routed correctly through the car, he had to dismantle the scuttle panel. But with everything now in place, he could work on getting everything back in place and move onto the next job on the list.

First up was an inspection of the brakes on the car. After clearing the disc of any surface rust, Jon could them back onto the car but not before inspecting all brake lines, hubs and bearings. He then inflated all tyres to the correct pressure before refitting them to the car, except for the offside rear which must be left off in order to replace the cambelt.

He then sorted out a few small jobs on the car such as repairing a battery terminal and make new wooden shims for the battery tray of the car and stripping the air cleaner to clean it out and fit to the car.

While Jon was busy working on the X1/9, our workshop manager John has been working on getting the headlight motor to work correctly. The nearside motor would go up and down on its own and the offside one wouldn’t return into its storage space. John stripped out the motors, and had to replace the brushes and diodes in the offisde motor. Once he got everything back into the car, he replaced the fuses with fresh unit and everything worked perfectly.

Back on the car, Jon worked his way through and replaced the fuel filter and also rubbed back and cleaned down the brake pipes in order to check everything was ok. The next step was a common issue with the X19 series of cars, the ignition coil kept heating up. So, Jon actually fitted a new coil to confirm this was a general problem and not an issue with the original coil. The new one also heated up, so the original was put back on the car and John regapped the spark plugs, check all of the earthing straps and anything else he could. Ran the car up to temperature and the coil still kept getting hot, so after the cambelt is changed – he will continue investigating.

Whilst replacing the timing belt/cambelt on the X1/9, Jon began by taking the timing cover off to align and set the timing marks before removing the belt. Then, as a matter of course, Jon removed the tensioner and backing plate. After pulling the old pulley off of the backing plate, he could press the new tensioner pulley onto the plate and refit to the car. Whilst everything went back together, when Jon began to refill the coolant the engine began to leak.

Looking into it further, Jon discovered that the tensioner backing plate was leaking coolant. So, he removed the engine mount (which also uses the tensioner backing plate) and then could work on cleaning the surfaces up before making a new gasket for the plate. Along with the gasket, Jon could begin work on getting the tensioner pulley back on the plate and then align the timing marks before refilling the coolant system and thoroughly checking for any leaks.

Now, the car is ready to head off for its MOT very soon.

Repainting our 1973 Porsche 914

July 11, 2024

Our paint and body team here at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ have been busy at work with our 1973 Porsche 914. Although the car looked good, the paintwork had become tired. So, the team have made the decision to revitalise this beautiful aircooled sports car. The team worked on getting the body in perfect condition before our technician Mauro took it into the booth to lay down several lays of the stunning light blue paint.

After the paint had completely cured, it could be taken out of the booth/oven for the team to go through the various stages of flattening the paint and the polishing the paint work to a mirror finish like you see it here.

Stripping the centre console of our 1979 Ferrari 400

July 11, 2024

Workshop manager, and electrical guru, John has been working on stripping down the centre console of our 1979 Ferrari 400. The wood itself will be refurbished for the car, but while it is out John is testing all the switches and making any repairs that are needed. Another part which is being worked on by John is the choke cable which wasn’t connected upto the lever which controls it.

Run Up and Final Checks on our 1954 Daimler Conquest Roadster

July 11, 2024

Jon has been working on getting our 1954 Daimler Conquest Roadster back into tip top condition. This handbuilt, unique and rare example of the car needed some expert attention to get it running and driving just as it should.

The final part of the work, is to sort out the last few little leaks and adjustments needed. Jon sorted out the steering box leak and then ran through all the gears on the ramp, adjusting the shift rods, before bringing the car down and outside to run the car up to temperature and checking for any coolant leaks.

Back Home – Our 1959 Jensen 541R Returns Home After a Checkover

July 11, 2024

Our 1959 Jensen 541R, which was recently restored, came back to our Suffolk HQ for its first check up after being used and enjoyed by its new owner.

Along with a check up and oil change, the team had to do a couple of little revisions for the owner. But, after being given the green light by the workshop – our transport team loaded the car into our enclosed trailer and took the classic GT car back home for its excited owner.

1952 Austin A40 in Storage

July 11, 2024

Our barn-find 1952 Austin A40 Sports Carbiolet has been moved by our transport team to its new home in our safe and secure storage facility, The Hangar. Since coming out of its slumber, the team have worked very hard to get this car back to its former glory whilst also preserving the cars originality.

Now, it will be kept safe and dry for years to come.

Working on the Dashboard and Gearbox of our 1956 Jensen 541

July 11, 2024

Paul, one of our restoration technicians, has been working his way through the list of finishing jobs on our 1956 Jensen 541 project. With the car now moved into the finishing room of our workshop, the team are full speed ahead on getting this classic GT back on the road.

To begin with, Paul has worked on getting some of the wiring sorted behind the dashboard. Then, he could move on to reworking the drain plug for the gearbox. Along with having to reprofile the position, Paul also had to repair several threads in the gearbox case with a helicoil.

Safe and Sound – Our 1939 Jaguar SS100 safely in storage

July 11, 2024

Our 1939 Jaguar SS100 has had quite the summer! Completing the Mille Miglia and then going on tour around Europe, its time for the car to get a bit of TLC and some rest.

Since arriving back, the car has been looked over by the team and cleaned up ahead of our transport team moving the car over to our safe and secure storage facility. There, it was safely moved into its protective carcoon and put on charge to be kept safe and sound.

The Potential of AI in the Automotive Industry

July 11, 2024

The automotive industry is going through some big changes right now. This seems to have coincided perfectly with the huge growth and continued development of artificial intelligence (AI). As a result, it should be no surprise that AI is finding its way into the automotive industry in a number of ways. If the use of AI in the automotive world continues, there could be even bigger changes still to come!

Enhancing Vehicle Safety

One of the most significant potential contributions of AI in the automotive industry is improvements in vehicle safety. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are a prime example, utilising AI algorithms to improve road safety by monitoring the environment and making real-time decisions. Features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, automatic braking, and pedestrian detection rely heavily on AI to process data from sensors, cameras, and radar systems.

AI-powered safety systems can reduce human error, which is obviously a leading cause of accidents. For instance, Tesla’s Autopilot and General Motors‘ Super Cruise use AI to enable semi-autonomous driving, assisting drivers with steering, braking, and lane changes under certain conditions.

While I think there is still a long way to go, as AI technology evolves, fully autonomous vehicles could become a reality and be driving on our roads in the not-too-distant future.

Manufacturing Processes

AI isn’t just being used in driving cars, it is also changing how they are made. In manufacturing, AI systems can optimise production lines, ensuring higher efficiency and precision. Predictive maintenance powered by AI can accurately predict equipment failures before they occur, reducing downtime and reducing maintenance costs. Robots equipped with AI can perform complex tasks with higher accuracy and speed than humans, improving overall productivity.

AI-driven analytics can also optimise supply chain management by predicting demand and managing inventory more effectively. This ensures that manufacturers can respond swiftly to market changes, reduce waste, and lower operational costs.

Personalised Driving Experience

AI enables a more personalised driving experience by learning and adapting to individual driver behaviours and preferences. AI-powered infotainment systems can suggest routes, and music, and even control in-car climate settings based on the driver’s past behaviour and preferences.

Additionally, AI can offer accurate maintenance schedules based on the vehicle’s usage patterns and the driver’s habits. This goes a long way in making sure the vehicle remains in optimal condition and reduces the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns.

Autonomous Vehicles and Mobility Services

I think that the ultimate potential of AI in the automotive industry lies in the development of fully autonomous vehicles. Self-driving cars could be an absolute game-changer in time-saving, safety, and overall stress levels. Autonomous vehicles could significantly reduce traffic congestion, lower emissions, and provide mobility solutions for those unable to drive, such as the elderly or disabled.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Despite the promising potential, the integration of AI in the automotive industry presents several challenges and ethical considerations. Ensuring the reliability and safety of AI systems is a priority, as failures could have severe consequences. Developing robust AI algorithms that can handle the vast array of driving scenarios is a complex task that requires significant investment in research and development.

Data privacy is another big concern. AI systems rely on huge amounts of data to function effectively, raising questions about how this data is collected, stored, and used. Ensuring that AI systems adhere to strict data protection regulations is essential to maintaining public trust.

Ethical considerations, such as decision-making in life-threatening situations, also need to be addressed. For instance, how should an autonomous vehicle prioritise safety in unavoidable accident scenarios? Establishing ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks is crucial to navigating these complex issues.

The Potential of AI in the Automotive Industry

AI’s potential in the automotive industry is immense!

If used correctly, it could make big changes in how we travel, and how we look at cars in general.

In my opinion, AI isn’t a big, bad, scary thing that many see it as. I think there is still a long way to go until it is ready to be fully embraced but, I certainly think it could lead the way into our modern version of the industrial revolution!

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Working on the sills of our 1973 Ferrari 246 GTS

July 11, 2024

The fabrication team at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ have been working on getting our 1973 Ferrari 246 GTS ‘Dino’ back into tip-top condition.

Christian, one of our talented fabricators, has been working his way through the areas of corrosion on the car to make up new panels to perfectly fit this stunning classic sports car. Each individual piece that is cut off of the car is saved by Christian to use for templating and fitment of the new pieces giving the best results as each panel is tailored specifically for that part of the car.

Clio pictures from it’s owner

July 11, 2024

Sometimes we work on projects and never actually get to see the car. Take our recent Renault Clio seat repair. The seat arrived to us minus a car, we carried out the work required and the seat went back home.

On this occasion, the customer was kind enough to send us in some images of the car throughout the stages of repair so we got to see what work has been done on her. It’s lovely to see the projects and to know that we had a hand in bringing them back to life.

Heading Home – Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire leaves our HQ

July 11, 2024

Goodbye’s are always bittersweet. Our team spent so much time invested passionately in each and every project that we do, that we develop significant relationships with the cars that we bring back to life. Case and point – our 1976 Triumph Spitfire.

This Java Green classic sports car arrived in our workshops in March of 2023 as a left-hand drive red rolling shell. Over the past nearly 18 months, each of our departments have poured their heart and craft into making this a perfect example of a car we feel proud to have built.

Every square inch of the car has been worked on by a member of our team in pursuit of the most perfect Spitfire for our client, who took delivery of the car yesterday at our Suffolk HQ before taking the car on a wonderful road trip to get to know their new pride and joy.

Although every one of our restorations is special, some of them just seem to take on a personality all of their own just like this one. We’re excited to see it leave but sad to say good bye – we want to wish our creation, and its owner, many happy miles together.

Bridge Classic Cars are award winning Classic Car Restoration and Maintenance specialists. Your pride and joy is in safe hands with our expert Classic Car Technicians. Take a look at our awards here.

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