Mr Dixon – Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire

September 23, 2020

“Great firm and I can not wait for my TR3 to be delivered”

Mr Middleton – Beaminster, Dorset

September 23, 2020

“Great company to deal with, staff very helpful and friendly. Would recommend, I do their competitions”

The Camaro’s Coming!

September 23, 2020

Not quite our usual classic, but this monstrous 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is set to be attending our Classic & Sports Car & Bike Show in January 2021.

Owned by a good friend of Bridge Classic Cars, this head turning car was made famous by holding a starring role in the 2007 Transformers movie.

Featured in the movie as the vehicle mode of the Autobot Bumblebee, the car gained such popularity from the films it led to Chevrolet going on to produce their very own ‘Bumblebee’ editions of the car. All four of which fetched over $500,000 in a group sale in the US last year.

If you’re planning to bring your classic or sports car or bike to our show in January – let us know! The show isn’t just for owners though, we welcome anyone, with or without a car or bike to come along. We’re already so excited to see everyone there!

Road Runners Rinse

September 23, 2020

Our striking 1971 Lotus Europa that arrived with us last week is having her first wash in well over ten years.

After spending her entire life as part of the Dew family in Suffolk, having been passed down through the generations, it was finally time for the Lotus to be welcomed into a new family; the Bridge Classic Cars family.

Like most barn find classics, we first needed to give her a well-deserved and thorough scrub.

We’re still toying with the idea of removing her Road Runner sticker from the side panel. It certainly brings some fun to the classic sports car, but it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea that’s for sure!

Next we plan to remove the gearbox, recommission the brakes and service the engine.

Hopefully she’ll be be back to her road-running self in no time!

Is this Sierra really rarer?

September 23, 2020

This 33-year-old Ford Sierra Cosworth is set to fetch a cool £100k at auction because it’s claimed to be ‘the best one in the UK’ of only 500 ever made.

https://www.facebook.com/BridgeClassicCars/posts/3105893702867155

We only have to take a look into our archives and current competitions to see that Fords are becoming increasingly popular.

Earlier this year we ran a Ford Mustang competition where over four thousand tickets flew off the shelf and one lucky winner was handed the keys after spending just £7.50 on his ticket.

We also ran a draw to win a 1991 Ford Sierra Sapphire which only had just over 4,500 miles on the clock. Another incredibly popular competition prize.

Our latest competition Ford is our awesome 1979 Ford Escort RS2000. A similar low-mileage MKII Escort RS2000, also finished in Diamond White, sold at Silverstone Auctions in 2017 for a whopping £97,000!

So could this mean the estimation on this Ford Sierra Cosworth could well be accurate? We’ll have to wait and see..

If you don’t happen to have 100 grand burning a hole in your back pocket though, you could spend just £15 on a ticket for our 1979 Ford Escort RS2000 competition instead and join our many classic car winners. It could well be worth a small fortune if Fords continue to flourish!

“Brand New In Box” Motorbike

September 23, 2020

It’s not often we see the term ‘brand new, still in box’ when it comes to classic motorcycles. But unbelievably, this 1977 British-built motorbike is still in it’s original shipping crate some 43 years later.

The Norton Commando was shipped to a customer in Belgium who kept it in it’s original box until the time they decided to part with it. It’s since been put up for auction and is estimated to bring in approximately £20,000-£30,000.

Although we don’t know the reasons why the owner decided never to unbox this beauty, we see it time and time again where cars and bikes that are shipped overseas don’t end up getting claimed. Usually because of import taxes and other fees, it’s an expensive game!

We love classic bikes here at Bridge, so much so we’re currently running a competition for one incredibly lucky winner to become the new owner of our fantastic 1963 BSA Trials bike. Head to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website to enter.

On your bike!

https://www.facebook.com/BridgeClassicCars/posts/3105642589558933

More like Morris Major!

September 23, 2020

Our iconic 1963 Morris Minor 1000 is being treated to her final paint job this week at the hands of our very own specialist painter Chris.

“I prepped and painted all the odd bits and pieces this week” explains Chris, “including the door panels, door hinges and other smaller parts of the body itself.”

See if you can spot hanging up the wheel arches, doors and even bumpers.

These various Morris Minor parts have also been prepped and primed by Chris, ready for their final paintwork.

Chris has since completed the entire shell’s paintwork too. “It was all prepped and primed last week” Chris tells us “so she’s now had her final coat throughout”

Now Chris has fitted the additional bits and pieces back onto the shell, next up is her newly recommissioned engine – she’ll be needing that!

Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance – 2020

September 23, 2020

The prestigious Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance was held today at Blenheim Palace. The event showcases the rarest and most significant classic cars and bikes in the world.

What a pleasure it is to see our gorgeous 1949 MG YT make an appearance by personal invitation.

This stunning piece of history was a full restoration project of ours. From a complete engine rebuild, to an interior overhaul, we’ve transformed this 1940’s beauty into the elegant classic she is today.

This car was a childhood dream for a former customer of ours, Mr MacDonald. It was one of the 877 produced. Sadly, by the time this iconic car was shipped to the UK, Mr McDonald had passed.

Although he never got to drive his lifelong dream classic car, Mr McDonald’s son has upheld his fathers vision and seen the full restoration through to completion.

We’re sure Mr McDonald would be so proud to see his 1949 MG YT in the very colours he chose, glimmering in the Oxfordshire sunshine this morning.

The event itself is filled with classic cars, champagne and English tea and of course; the highly anticipated Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance awards themselves. Although our 1949 MG YT didn’t win, we’re all incredibly proud of the entire team at Bridge Classic Cars for completing such a fantastic restoration. She’s certainly a winner in our eyes!

Peugeot Paint Prep

September 22, 2020

Darren in our specialist in-house paint shop has undergone the mammoth task of prepping the entire shell of our 1972 Peugeot 504 ready to continue her restoration.

The car came into us for work on the bodywork, interior, brakes and chrome. Now that her engine is ticking over nicely and her rusty parts are fixed, the bodywork is next to undergo the transformation.

There were two main stages to this phase. “The inside needed to be blacked after the welding” Darren explains, “then I’ve prepped the entire body ready for sprayable filler.”

Darren also stripped the bonnet back to the bare metal, removing all the previous layers of paint. The next stage will be to add the primer.

The customer is opting for a VW ‘Zinn Grey’ for the paintwork and a red leather interior – what a combo!

Remove Rinse Replace Repeat

September 22, 2020

Our good friend Mary’s 1971 Triumph Spitfire is a little lighter this week as her engine has now been fully removed. Work continues to get her oil leaks and unusual noises diagnosed and repaired.

Our expert Technician Peter has cleaned and blacked the engine bay whilst the engines out. Hereafter work can begin repairing the engine itself.

The team have started with replacing all the lower engine gaskets and have sent the gearbox away to our specialist gearbox team.

Otherwise, there’s lots more planned on this little convertible sportscar. Including; fitting a new sump gasket, a new timing chain cover gasket, new valve cover gaskets and a new oil filter and fuel pump gasket.

Phew! That’s a lot to do! Looks like we have a busy time ahead with our little red Spitfire.

Viper Valet

September 21, 2020

Two of our classics have been treated to professional valets this week by our good friends at Viper Valeting in Ipswich.

Firstly was our beautiful 1971 Jaguar E-Type V12 that’s spent the long summer days on some great British road trips. Now squeaky clean and ready to be tucked up securely in our specialist storage facility over winter.

Also cleaned, was our 1949 MG YT ahead of her appearance at the Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance this week. She’s been nominated for an award so we’ve all got our fingers crossed for her!

A not-so-Mini Job!

September 21, 2020

Ady, our engine specialist, has completed an entire engine rebuild on our fabulous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe.

“She’s literally had everything done” Ady explains. “Including new pistons, new bearings, a new gasket, an unleaded cylinder head fitted and a reconditioned gearbox.”

Now all the technical work on the engine is done, it’s time to get it into the paint shop to make it look pretty! A gorgeous green is the chosen colour, we can’t wait to see it finished.

Our Morris Mini is being kept as close to it’s original state as possible. Another Mini of ours is currently with Electric Classic Cars where’s it’s undergoing a full electric conversion. Check out the latest news on this project here.

spud985 – September 2020

September 20, 2020

Our eye-catching lemon-yellow 1973 TR6 was spotted having a quick pit-stop at First. Coffee Shop this afternoon.

We completed a full roof restoration on this sporty little number a few months ago, and we’re super pleased with the final look. It’s only fitting that lemonade was the drink of choice!

Cars You Don’t See Anymore – September 2020

September 18, 2020

Our 1971 Lotus Europa was spotted near Debenham this morning by some eagle-eyed classic car fans while being transported to our workshop in Pettistree. It was then appropriately posted on the Facebook Group ‘Cars You Don’t See Anymore’.

They’ve clearly got a keen eye, as not only did they spot straight away that she’s a Lotus, they also spotted that she’s in need of a good wash!

Well, we’re happy to oblige… So, next on the ‘to-do’ list is give this stunner a well deserved wash. Thereafter, we’ll be figuring out what work needs to be done to get her back on the road.

TR6 Interior Triumph

September 18, 2020

Our gorgeous 1973 Triumph TR6 interior restoration is now complete.

The car itself is back at home with her owner Nigel. Meanwhile our specialist in-house trim shop team, Kath and Brian, have been working hard at creating this stunning diamond stitched maroon and grey leather interior.

This unique stitch work was the vision of Nigel, who came to us with little more than a simple sketch on a piece of A4. He had already made up his mind on the colour combination he wanted, to compliment the exterior paintwork he’s also having done.

The final threads were sewn earlier today and… Wow! What a fantastic end result! We cannot wait to see these interior works of art in their new home, snug within our maroon 1973 Triumph TR6. We’ll have to wait for Nigel to bring her back once fitted to show her off, we’re so looking forward to it!

1996 Nissan Patrol: Uncovering The Rust

September 18, 2020

Antony has been working on the first stage of our our 1996 Nissan Patrol restoration, getting on top of the rust!

He’s been cutting out any rotten or rusted metal and been welding in fresh steel. Frustratingly, the further inside the car we look, the more rust we’ve found. There is unfortunately quite a lot of rust within the sills and around all four arches.

Anything but mellow…

September 18, 2020

Our eye-catching bright yellow 1971 Lotus Europa arrived with us at Bridge Classic Cars HQ this morning and is anything but mellow.

Designed as the optimal Grand Prix sports car, the Europa has a lightweight fibreglass body and super responsive throttle making it great fun to drive.

Our little beauty has been in the same family since new, passed down through generations and spent the last ten years or so in a barn in Suffolk.

Her latest owner, Dan Dew of Demand Engineering in Stonham Aspal, inherited the rare sports car from his Grandfather Lawrence Dew back in 2010. “It’s been mine inherently for some years now, but still stored in my Grandfathers barn” Dan tells us. “As he’s got older, I felt it was the right time to take her off his hands and get her restored.”

There was a real buzz in the workshop today as Bridge Classic Car owners, father and son, Gordon and Craig, gushed over their latest purchase.

“It’s not often I get excited” Gordon expressed, “but today, I’m excited. You can’t take the smile off my face.”

The team at Bridge Classic Cars plan get her cleaned up and the engine recommissioned, then plan what the future holds for this little sports car from there.

We’re excited to see the progress made on our idyllic Lotus Europa, we’re sure you are too!

Chrome & Away

September 18, 2020

A variety of chrome parts are being sent away this week. Our good friends at Douglas Metal Findings are going to bring them back to life.

These parts belong to our 1957 Jensen 541R and our 1961 Morris Mini. See if you can you match which parts belong to which car!

Live Draw: 2003 Mercedes SL55

September 17, 2020

Congratulations to Robin Yates, winner of the 2003 Mercedes SL55 AMG with ticket number 4995

https://www.facebook.com/248607891929098/videos/800003140827357

For your chance to win your dream classic, head to bridgeclassiccars.co.uk/competitions

The perfect morning – Classic car chat over a cuppa…

September 17, 2020

Our gorgeous little 1990 TVR S2 was bought into us this week for a consultation by her owner Andrew Henry, of the TVR Car Club.

We chatted with Andrew about all things TVR, classics and restorations, over a cuppa of course.

On the face of it, our lovely little convertible looks in great condition. But Andrew is exploring options for an interior upgrade and we are more than happy to oblige!

Tip Top Trim Shop

September 17, 2020

Our interior trim expert Brian has been spending time with our stunning 1973 Triumph TR6 this week.

The eye-catching magenta classic is undergoing a full restoration with us and currently is getting some special treatment in our in-house trim shop.

Brian begins with the underlay. “Starting with the rear section,” he explains “I mapped out all the underlay sections then positioned and glued them into place.”

He then began on the wheel arches, “I glued foam onto the wheel arch sections” Brian explains “then glued vinyl onto them, glued the rear bulk head carpet into place and fitted the wheel arch panels over the top”.

After fixing the cockpit panel, Brian turned his attention to the side panels of the car. “I added material to the inside posts and glued in these triangular panels.”

Brian then fitted the carpet sections for both the sills and rear foot wells. Finishing off by fitting the front foot well carpets.

We are obsessed with this colour combination, magenta paint with a biscuit interior. Our customer selected these colours, as the car arrived with us totally different! It’s one of the many exciting parts of bespoke classic car restoration.

What colour combination would you choose?

Fill ‘er up!

September 17, 2020

Our specialist classic car technician Paul has built a bespoke filler neck component for our black 1960 Jensen 541R.

The customer wanted the iconic chrome Monza fuel cap. Therefore, we needed to get creative and manufacture a new filler neck to accommodate this modification.

Even though not part of the original Jensen, the Monza cap looks right at home. We love making our customers visions come to life. They do indeed have great taste!

Dave’s Diagnosed Our Poorly Jensen 541R’s Gearbox Issue

September 17, 2020

Having come into the Bridge Classic Cars Workshop with severe running issues, Dave was tasked with taking a look at exactly what was causing the fault in this beautiful Jensen.

Suspecting the fault to be within the gearbox, dave lowered the gearbox out of the car. Upon closer inspection, it was clear to see the issue. The drive plate splines were not the correct size and specification for the Jensen’s gearbox.

A drive plate is a plate that fits onto the flywheel, which in turn is mated to the gearbox. The splines within the drive plate are machined to perfectly fit the flywheel. It appears that an incorrect drive plate has been fitted.

The next step will be to source a correct Clutch assembly. There is wear on the pressure plate so John has advised to replace this while the gearbox is out.

The Midget has a Pit-Stop

September 15, 2020

Our 1972 MG Midget has come to us this week for a very quick pit-stop to change her tyres. Her owner bought her new tyres from our good friends at vintage tyres who got in touch with us to fit them.

Classic cars will often require more specialist equipment to change their tyres, which we at Bridge are happy to source.

Our engine expert Ady also checked the carburettors and found that one side was sucking harder than the other, causing an imbalance.

So after a quick pit-stop and a cup of tea – she’s off! Back on the road again. Happy driving little MG!

The Trim Team Tackle The TR6

September 15, 2020

Our super-star trim shop duo Kath and Brian continue work on the exciting 1973 Triumph TR6.

Now all the interior leather seat covers and panels are complete, they’re ready to be fitted into the car.

The team have also added the bespoke biscuit leather door panels. Now they’re fitted in place, the final additions are added like door handles and window crank.

It’s so exciting seeing a colour combination coming together, what do you think to this colour scheme?

Bits ‘n’ Bobs on the Jensen’s

September 14, 2020

Scott, one of our classic car technicians has been tinkering with several more intricate parts of both the 1957 and 1960 Jensens. “I stripped down and modified the windscreen wiper mechanism,” Scott tells us, “re-greased it, put it back together then fitted it back onto the car.”

Scott also stripped down the motor for the wipers, then cleaned the grease out, prepped and repainted it, repacked the grease then re-fitted it to the car.

Scott has also made and fitted new number plate surrounds for both Jensens. “I had to fabricate a tiny joiner or ‘mount’ as it were, for the top.”

Scott has also modified the boot lid handle as it didn’t fit. Along with sorting out the bonnet guides and rest plates and fitted the glass for the 1/4 windows and fitted them to the car too. Scott also refurbished the courtesy lights too.

“I then made a boot-prop,” Scott described. “I’ve fitted that, along with the boot catch and striker plate, then adjusted the boot so it would close.” He also then fitted the return spring to the throttle pedal.

All these little additions contribute toward what will be two fantastic cars, both looking and working. Super work Scott!

Bumper Refresh

September 14, 2020

Our 1966 Reliant Scimitar was given a bumper refresh this week. After some minor damage to the rear bumper, Darren in our paint shop has been at work getting it sorted.

“It’s a pretty unique bumper in a way” Darren tells us. “As it’s fiberglass, but it’s painted to look chrome.”

Darren sorted out the small chips and scratches then blended the colour so the bumper looks as good as new!

Transporter Road Trip

September 13, 2020

Our trusty transporter hit the road again this weekend to delivery our fantastic 1971 Rover P5B back to her owner.

Soon to be used as the bridal carriage for his daughters wedding, the Rover has had some much needed TLC from the team at Bridge including a full service to ensure she’s immaculate for the big day.

We then did a straight swap for this gorgeous red MG TD, also coming to Bridge Classic Cars for some restoration work. We’re looking forward to having this beauty in the workshop. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates!

Our covered transporter is a super secure way to transport valuable classics, especially open top cars as it protects them en route from all the elements. Get in touch if you need your pride and joy taken from A to B in style!

Welcome To The Workshop

September 12, 2020

The Bridge Classic Cars team welcomed this incredible 1972 Mercedes 280SE into the workshop this weekend.

Due to begin restorative work in October, we’ll mostly be focused on welding work around the wheel arches on the underside of the car. As you can see from the pictures, there’s a good amount of rust and damage to rectify.

We can’t wait to get her into our in-house body shop to begin work restoring her back to her former glory. Keep an eye on our project blog to see her transformation.

TR6 Is Ready For Trim

September 12, 2020

Our 1973 TR6 is ready and waiting to enter our in-house trim shop. She’s had a ton of restoration work done on the engine and body, so now it’s time to restore her interior.

Her owner has opted for a gorgeous biscuit leather for the interior. We think it’ll set the magenta paintwork off a treat! We’re looking forward to seeing the colour scheme come together over the next few weeks.

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