One for the future: Owen Kett work experience

We had the pleasure of Owen joining us for work experience here at Bridge Classic Cars. We were really impressed with Owen’s attitude and know he’ll go far in this industry. We really hope Owen gained some valuable experience and enjoyed his time here with us. We wish Owen all the best for the future and would love to see him back here at Bridge Classic Cars in the future!

Classic & Sports Car & Bike Show Preparations

Busy weekend ahead as we work on the final preparations for the biggest event of the Bridge Classic Cars calendar, our Classic & Sports Car & Bike Show on Sunday 28th July.

Vincent has arrived with his incredible Mk1 VW Golf. Unfortunately the man himself is unable to join us on Sunday but he has kindly given his car to show.

And the CarCrazedFool has arrived with his wonderful 2019 Aston Martin DBS59 we featured previously. Be sure to join us on Sunday and enjoy!

Read up all about the New Aston martin DBS59

Ady and Andrew: Race Preparation

Our boys Ady and Andrew are keeping themselves busy of their time away from the workshops preparing their race cars for some upcoming events.

Ady has just completed the body and paintwork on his Spedeworth Formula Lightning Rod with the 2 Litre Ford Pinto Engine.

Source: Spedeworth Motorsports

“The Ford Sierra may have all but disappeared from Britain’s roads but on the ovals they live on in the rear-wheel-drive Lightning Rods.

This formula offers old-school side by side non-contact racing, with high speeds and spectacular tail-slides guaranteed from these experienced drivers. Many drivers come into the formula after competing in contact classes so they have the skill and competitive nature to put on an excellent show every time.

Drivers from across the UK and Ireland travel to Spedeworth/Incarace’s raceways on a regular basis to take on the stars of the ovals, and tight NASCAR-style battles have become a common feature of Lightning Rod meetings.

The highlights of the Spedeworth/Incarace calendar are the annual National Championship Weekend staged over three days at Hednesford Hills Raceway and the two day Spedeweekend spectacular held at Foxhall Heath Stadium, Ipswich which will be the stage for the 2015 World Championship.

The Lightning Rods can be seen at all Spedeworth and Incarace operated tracks over the year.”

Andrew is also looking to return to the track in his BriSCA F2.

Source: BriSCA F2

A brief history of BriSCA F2 Stock Car racing.

Junior Tens racing was introduced to the short oval raceways of the UK in August 1960, they were designed to offer the working man a chance of Stock Car racing without the prohibited expense of trying to run against the big spenders in the Senior Stock Car class.

Junior Tens became Juniors and then were eventually renamed BriSCA Formula Two Stock Cars, and the Senior Stock Cars are what we today call BriSCA Formula One Stock Cars.

The growth of BriSCA Formula Two Stock Cars during the 1960’s was astonishing, with tracks opening in various parts of the country, with the South West becoming a particular stronghold of the sport.

During the 1970’s dramatic modernisation of the sport took place, which saw the racing become limited to the South West, before the sport went nationwide again in the late 1970’s, before being reintroduced to Scotland in 1981.

Near year on year growth in the driver ranks now sees BriSCA F2 racing as the largest open wheeled Stock Car sport in the country with nearly six hundred registered drivers, and tracks that span from Aberdeenshire in Scotland right down the to the South West of England, touching base in the North East, Lancashire, Yorkshire, The Midlands, the East Coast region, and the South East.

There are several main manufacturers of BriSCA F2’s, but drivers can build their own cars if they wish, as long as they comply with the strict construction rules.

Unlike big circuit racing, Stock Car racing sees the stars of the sport start at the rear of the grid; to win they have to force themselves through the grids of cars with use of the front bumper being allowed. It is a contact sport, but out and out wrecking tactics are not allowed.

New Arrival: 1 of 7 Vauxhall VX220’s

Collected from London this morning we have a very rare modern classic. Perfect for the collector, investor, petrolhead, thrill-seeker.

2003 Vauxhall VX220i, registered new in January 2003.

1 of only 7 remaining in the iconic British Racing Green, a very unusual colour to find on a VX220. Complimented beautifully by green leather and green hood.

The first owner owned the vehicle from January 2003 to October 2018, a fantastic 15 years. The second and current owner has owned the car from October 2018 to the present day.

The car comes with full service history from new as well as a Vauxhall Motors literature packs including very rare, non-published exclusive items.

The current mileage reads 66443 on previous odometer [supplied] and 200 on new odometer.

The interior has been subject to a full Premium Scottish Leather re-trim, new fabric roof, new door pockets and new lumbar pump costing £1590.00. A new starter motor and after-market heater kit have also been fitted £1079.46. New instrument binnacle, switchgear, steering wheel at a cost of £235.08. Brand new alternator, front discs and pads [Brembo], rear discs and pads [Brembo], battery, engine mounts, seat foams, stabilizer shaft, front and rear shock absorbers [Spax], battery isolation switch at a cost of of £4258.68.

Comes with no advisories and is a real collectors piece.

Supporting our boy Andrew with his Brisca F2 stock car

Here we have the new pictures of our boy Andrew Warne’s BriSCA F2 Stock Car.

His car is powered by a Ford 2.9 litre Zetec engine for the short oval racing.

…now complete with the Bridge Classic Cars logo proudly on the side.

The New Aston Martin ‘DBS 59’

Confirmed to be attending this year’s Classic & Sports Car & Bike Show we have the very special 2019 Aston Martin DBS 59.

Source: Jardine Motors Official Website

Aston Martin DBS 59 – The Latest Limited Edition Model From Aston Martin Cambridge.

Aston Martin Cambridge hosted a unique handover event at 24 hours of Le Mans.

Aston Martin Cambridge, hosted a special five-day handover event for 24 new Aston Martin ‘DBS 59’ owners during Le Mans weekend ‘DBS 59’ a Q by Aston Martin: Commission by Aston Martin Cambridge celebrates sixty years since Aston Martin’s iconic 1-2 finish at Le Mans in the DRB1.

Owners were also given the opportunity to drive their new Super Grand-Tourers around the track for a parade lap ahead of this year’s Le Mans race.

Richard Eniffer, Dealer Principal at Aston Martin Cambridge, said: “Our unique handover event at Le Mans this year has been a triumph. ‘DBS 59’ strikes a careful balance between a timeless design that respects Aston Martin’s history and a modern take that celebrates its future. Each model is a stunning example of automotive excellence and design aspiration and will offer the owners a truly unique motoring experience in the years to come.

“We were delighted to create such a memorable handover event for everyone involved and were pleased to be joined by representatives from the highly talented design and engineering teams at Aston Martin who worked with us to turn our vision into a reality. To see the sheer joy on the 24 owners’ faces as they were given the keys was the perfect ending to this commission.”

Simon Lane, Director of Q and Special Project Sales at Aston Martin Lagonda, added: “Projects like ‘DBS 59’ showcase the capability of ‘Q by Aston Martin’ to deliver unique design projects that enhance Aston Martin’s original designs. By working on each project at a granular level, we can find detailed design features that look beautiful while creating points of interest and sentiment for owners. Each ‘DBS 59’ honours an hour of the iconic 24 hour race and pays homage to the number of laps, the drivers who risked their lives and the date that our 1-2 win occurred – to create a stunning project that duly honours this historic achievement.”

Every detail of ‘DBS 59’ has been meticulously thought through from the recreation of seat material used on the winning DBR1 to the unique bronze shift paddles. Following a careful study of the DBR1’s own paint exterior, Aston Martin Racing Green was the outwear chosen for ‘DBS 59’. Gloss finish carbon fibre on the roof panel and strakes add a striking juxtaposition against the lustrous green.

Bronze details such as the ‘Superleggera’ bonnet badging, bespoke front grille, brake callipers and 21” forged Y spoke satin duotone wheels nod to the bronze switches and dials on the Le Mans winner. Further exterior details, such as the individually numbered roundel painted on the fender, and the bespoke tyre wall arrow decal, breathe the spirit of racing into the already impressive performance of the DBS Superleggera.

Aston Martin Martin DBS59 Project

To honour Aston Martin’s first win at Le Mans in 1959, Aston Martin Cambridge created DBS 59, the commission of a limited edition collection of 24 DBS Superleggeras.

The limited edition cars took design and styling cues from the Aston Martin DBR1 racing car which powered to victory 60 years ago against the motoring might of marquees such as Ferrari and Porsche.

The collection will be a celebration of Aston Martin’s Le Mans heritage and a celebration of modern motoring through the DBS Superleggera.

The cars were offered for sale at £325,000, and were handed over to their lucky owners at a spectacular event at the renowned Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans during the race weekend of 15th/16th June 2019.

The handover was a truly unique car and an unforgettable handover experience for the lucky 24 owners.

Design Specification

Exterior

​​Paint – Aston Martin Racing Green
Bodypack – 2×2 Twill Carbon Fibre – Gloss
Tail Lamps – Smoked
Bonnet Louvres – 2×2 Twill Carbon Fibre – Gloss
Side Louvres – Side Louvre – Black Painted
Mirror Caps – Gloss Black Painted
Roof and CHMSL Cover – 2×2 Twill Carbon Fibre – Gloss
Roof Strake – 2×2 Twill Carbon Fibre – Gloss
Brake Calipers – Q – Bronze Anodised
Underbonnet Pack – Q Gold Pack
Wheels – 21” Forged ‘Y’ Spoke Wheel – Satin Black/Satin Bronze

Interior

Seat Type – Sports Seat Plus
Interior Trim Split – Duotone Split – Obsidian Black and Chestnut Tan – Contemporary Leather
Welt – Contrast – Ivory
Seating – Powered Seat Bolster Adjustment
Bespoke heading – Pure Black Obsidian Black Leather
Trim Inlay – Trim Inlay – Piano Black
Jewellery Pack – Dark Chrome
Audio System – Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Audio
Carpet Cabin – Obsidian Black Lightweight
Floor Mats – Heavy Pile Floor Mats – Match Environment 2 Binding

Exterior

Tyres – Standard Tyres to have a single ‘Arrow’ Painted to each Wheel.
Roundel Graphic – Painted White Roundel – Numbered 1-24
Rear Aero Blade Foils – Bronze DBR1 Outline Foil to the Forward-facing Plane on the Rear Decklid Blade
Lipstick – Bronze Lipstick around the Front Grille
Bonnet Louvres – Body-painted Carbon Fibre Bonnet Louvres
Side Louvres – Body-painted Carbon Fibre Side Louvres
Rear Script – Script to be Painted Bronze
Superleggera Badge – Script to be Painted Bronze
Q Fender Badge – Bronze Q Fender Badge
Wings Badges – Union Flag Wings Badge – HM Stirling Silver
Personalised Sill Plaques – Containing Side Profile of Winning DBR1 and Stating ‘Built to Commemorate 60th Anniversary of the DBR1 Victory at Le Mans’ – Sill Plaques to be Anodised Black

Interior

Bespoke Rear Environment – Bespoke Saddle Leather Helmet Pods, with Housing for Race Suits and Gloves
Bespoke Trim Inlays – Painted Aston Martin Racing Green
Headrest Embroidery – Bespoke ‘DBS 59’ Logo in Ivory Tread
Bespoke heading – Painting by Martin Tomlinson to be a Printed Colour Image.
Passenger Airbag Cover – 60th Anniversary’ Embroidered on the Passenger-side Airbag Cover – Ivory Stitch
Paddle Shifters – Painted Bronze – to Match the Bronze Colour on the Switches of DBR1
Engine Plaque – Final Inspection Plaque – Bespoke Logo and Numbered (1 of 24)
Bespoke Seat Backs and Door Inserts – Seat Material inspired by the DBR1 trimmed to the Seat Backs and Door Inserts (quilted area)

Accessories

Race Suits – 1959 Blue Race Suits, with Logo (Left Chest) & Wings (Right Chest) Embroidery (x2 Suits Per Car)
Race Gloves – Replica of Carroll Shelby’s Gloves (2 Pairs Per Car)
Goggles – Halcyon Design – Brown Leather – Black Painted Rims (2 Pairs Per Car)
Luggage – Bespoke 2 Piece Luggage Set Matching to Interior Trim.
Bespoke Handbook Cover – Finished in Chestnut Tan & feature the DBS59 logo (1 Per Car)
Bespoke Build Book – Finished in Chestnut Tan (1 Per Car)
Bespoke Key Pouch – Finished in Chestnut Tan (1 Per Car)
Helmet – 1959 Replica Race Helmet – Helmet Painted AM Racing Green, Black Lip around Front of Peak with Bespoke Logo in White on Front (2 Helmets Per Car)

Aston Martin DBS 59 Technical Specification

Dimensions

Vehicle length – 4705 mm
Vehicle width – 2145 mm
Vehicle height – 1280 mm
Wheelbase – 2805 mm
Unladen weight (DIN) – 1845 kg
Engine / Cylinders – V12 Twin Turbo
Engine Capacity – 5.2 litre
Max Torque – 900 Nm
Max Power – 725PS/715bhp
Top Speed – 211 mph / 339.6 kph
Acceleration – 0-60 mph / 3.4 seconds
Fuel Consumption (Combined) – 12.4 l/100km
CO2 Emissions – 285 g/km

European Fuel Ecomomy Figures

Official government fuel consumption figures in litres/100km for the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera: urban 18.0; extra urban 9.1; combined 12.4. CO₂ emissions 285 g/km. The mpg/fuel economy figures quoted are sourced from official regulated test results obtained through laboratory testing. They are for comparability purposes only and may not reflect your real driving experience, which may vary depending on factors including road conditions, weather, vehicle load and driving style.

Source: Jardine Motors Official Website

A visit from our friends at Suffolk Sportscars

Out on a test drive in the beautiful SS100, Suffolk Sportscars have called in to our workshops to pay us a little visit and show our John some developments possibly suited to our Jensen 541R rebuild.

Suffolk Sportscars Official Website

Suffolk Sportscars is dedicated to the production of the visually exact reproduction of the legendary Jaguar SS100, they have been in continual production of these cars for over 20 years. It is a pure and true in it’s form, and is fully recognised and accepted by all the Jaguar car clubs around the world.

The SS Jaguar 100 was originally designed in 1935 by William Lyons, the founder of Jaguar Cars Limited. You will find a history of the SS Jaguar 100 within their website.

The SS Jaguar 100 is one of the most important cars every produced in England. It marked the high point of English sports car design before the start of World War II. When the leading motoring writers of Europe selected their choice of the 100 most important cars of the 20th century, they included the legendary SS Jaguar 100. Surely there cannot be a more iconic or widely recognised car ever produced in such limited numbers. Only 314 SS Jaguar 100s were ever made, so for a car to be so well recognised signifies it as one of the most significant Art Deco vehicle designs, and also, a hugely significant vehicle in British motoring history.