News

MGBGT V8 works

One for the future: we have our 1975 MGBGT V8 in need of a few remedial alterations and a possible full respray. The underneath of

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The secret key…

Whilst cleaning up and refurbishing our 1972 Jaguar E-Type’s dash we discover, tucked neatly behind the dash, a rusty key. We have no idea what

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Priming our E-Type bodyshell

Prostrip automotive restoration specialise in removing paint, rust and other contaminants from all types of vehicles and substrates involving steel and aluminium, ranging from classic cars to vintage motorcycles. Their vast in-house facility ensures they have the correct and most cost effective process to suit your application.

Prostrip Ltd. Has developed Phos-Stripโ„ข a chemical dip process for the removal of paint, rust and under seal from complete car shells or individual panels. Its chemical formulation strips away contaminants from all internal and external areas.

Our 1967 Jaguar E-Type body shell has now been through the Prostrip treatment.

We’ll now apply primer to the exposed shell to prolong any deterioration whilst we store the shell ready for the restoration to commence.

MGBGT V8 works

One for the future: we have our 1975 MGBGT V8 in need of a few remedial alterations and a possible full respray.

The underneath of the car is in very good condition. Some of the under seal is missing and other sections have become detached, which allows moisture and wet to get between the floor pan and the underseal. This will eventually cause the floor pan to rust and hole.

The webasto roof seems to be getting stuck so we will need to investigate the poor clamping of the opened webasto roof and repair.

The car has micro blistered in multiple areas and this requires to be taken back to bare metal and resprayed. The only way to successfully eradicate the micro blistering 100% and to achieve the required finish is to respray the total car.

We will look to strip the car totally, remove the front and back screens, to prepare, paint in original two tone colour and reassemble, using new rubbers where required.

It also appears that the engine mounts are weak causing the nearside exhaust manifold to rest on the inner wing.

Repairing the Jensen’s fibreglass body

The fibreglass bodyshell of our 1957 Jensen 541R arrived to us in a pretty sorry state, covered entirely in miniature cracks and blisters that have developed over time.

Repairing the fibreglass body is quite a time consuming task but one that is a necessity in ensuring the finest results with the restoration. Any imperfections at this stage will be heightened as we progress with the restoration and every care and detail is required with this section of the rebuild.

A Corvette powered Jensen

Our Jensen 541R has now been fitted with the newly built Corvette Engine and brand new 5 speed Tremec gearbox.

Body repair begins on our Morris J

Darren and Andrew are busy (well Andrew is, Darren’s chatting on his phone!!) working on the body of our 1959 Morris J, to get it repaired, welded and ready for paint preparation.

Jaguar E-Type: Sound Deadening

The boot area of our 1972 Jaguar E-Type has now been cleaned up and fitting with a new Tetrosyl sound deadening layer. Not only does this tidy up the area but also acts as a sound barrier to cut down the noise level inside the car. making for a more pleasurable driving experience.

Tetra Pad Textured Sound Deadening Pads are designed to absorb vibrations in sheet metal panels and provide an effective sound insulation. Formulated to give maximum flexibility even in cold conditions, these may be applied to vehicle panels, floors, engine compartments, garage doors etc.

The secret key…

Whilst cleaning up and refurbishing our 1972 Jaguar E-Type’s dash we discover, tucked neatly behind the dash, a rusty key.

We have no idea what the key is for but what a fantastic hiding place.

Brian has now stripped and cleaned the dash surround ready for the newly refurbished dials to be refitted.

Mercedes 220 Engine work

Our objective is to investigate the poor running of our 1953 Mercedes 220 engine. Already, we have discovered a defect in the carburettor. As you can see from the images below, we have laid a flat edge across the top and one edge shows a slight concave whereas the other shows a convex. This should be completely flat and these are very minor but enough for the carburettor to be operating with a weakness.

We have now stripped the carb and flattened the edge all over to remove the imperfections before rebuilding.

Re-routing the pipework

During this weekend’s Ipswich to Felixstowe run an unusual noise had appeared whilst driving.

Now in our workshops to be investigated we have diagnosed it to be coming from the crankshaft breather pipe knocking against the exhaust.

Having now re-routed the pipework the noise seems to have gone and the car is now back at home.

Building up our new rear diff

John is currently rebuilding the up-rated rear diff for our 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.

We are fitting new groove and drill up-rated discs, pads and calipers. We are fitting a Series 3 set up and installing new easy bleed pipework.

The Turks Head Beer, Cider & Gin Festival

This weekend saw the fourth year of The Turk’s Head Beer, Cider and Gin Festival. We were there with our good friends Jack and Arabella on Sunday to experience first hand the amazing selection of ales, real ciders and unusual gins in the marquee.

Thank you as always and we’ll see you next year.

The Turkโ€™s Head is an award winning proper country pub serving perfectly kept local real ales. We are well known for our extensive gin selection and wine list, from our wonderful house Merlot to a fragrant Chablis from our fine wine list, with many available by the glass. We also have a fabulous restaurant and use the finest local ingredients to create menus offering beautifully executed seasonal dishes.We welcome dogs in the bar and the snug and they can often be found curled up in front of one of our log fires on a chilly afternoon, after a long walk in the beautiful Suffolk countryside. Our โ€˜Indulgent Brunchโ€™ is available on Saturdays from 10am until 2pm. You can enjoy a bowl of porridge with caramelised apples, a full English breakfast or huevos rancheros along with many other dishes. There is an indulgent drinks list to accompany it with teas and coffees, juices and smoothies, brunch cocktails and fizz.

We are extremely proud of our team and our pub. We have been named โ€˜Best Pub in Suffolk โ€˜ for the last two years and we have been in the finals of the Great British Pub Awards every year since we reopened in 2015. Please take a look at all the delicious options. We look forward to offering you a warm welcome at The Turks Head.”

Modifications to our 2017 Volvo V90

In our paint shop this weekend we have our 2017 Volvo V90 for some subtle modifications.

To tie in with the black wheels the owner would like all silver/chrome trims to be blackened.

After masking up the areas in question Darren gets to work applying the black finish.

The finished results are incredible. A very simple yet effective modification.

BMW M3 Evo Recommission

Peter is working on getting our 1997 BMW M3 running. Having been stored up for many years first impressions suggest that the car is immobilised and that the fuel pump is not working.

Franics Barnett Tank Badge Template

The new badges are currently being re-manufactured by the guys at Pamela David Enamels. The initial template has now been drawn up to replicate the existing design.

We have now approved the designs and the manufacturing process can now begin.

Pamela David Enamels: “Established in 1971 our family-run business has been the only one to specialise in the complete restoration and manufacture of one-off glass enamelled badgesย to original specifications using traditional glass enamels. Over our many years of unique experience we have developed working techniques which enable us to carry out every step of the involved process in-house. With satisfied clients all around the world our records show that three people from two generations of the family have restored over 15,000 badges and manufactured over 10,000 new badges as one-offs or small quantity batches. These new badges are usually to replace missing emblems which are no longer manufactured but can also be toย clients’ own designs. Unfortunately we do not restore or manufacture plastic, painted or white metal badges.”

Three for the future: 1974 Jaguar XJ6, 2003 Mazda MX5, Mercedes 280SEL

1974 Jaguar XJ6 will be visiting our paint shops very soon for some repair work. The bonnet hinge at the front requires some attention where age and weather has gotten to it. This has resulted in the nearside hinge becoming weak so will need cutting out and replacing.

Some bubbles have also started to appear around the doors which we will repair whilst in the paint shop. Addressing these points sooner rather than later is certainly for the best so that they do not deteriorate any further.

Next up we have a modern classic in our body shop, our 2003 Mazda MX5 requiring new sills.

Finally our Mercedes 280SEL W108. Requiring a full restoration, we will be working alongside the current owner to restore this wonderful car back to its former glory. We will receive the car once everything has been removed and we will be given just a body shell for welding work to commence.

1966 Riley Elf: getting ready for Ipswich to Felixstowe run

In our workshops this week we have our wonderful little 1966 Riley Elf.

With the annual Ipswich to Felixstowe classic car run looming we are looking at repairing an oil leak which has recently developed as well as carry out a full service ready for the run.

The Ipswich to Felixstowe Car Rally is an annual event in the English county of Suffolk. Up to 500 vehicles can participate in the event, starting in Christchurch Park, Ipswich. The vehicles make a 10-mile (16 km) journey to the promenade of Felixstowe, where they line up and remain there for a large part of the day.

This event, traditionally held on the first Sunday in May, is organised by Ipswich Transport Museum and are helped by volunteers from the museum. The Mayor of Felixstowe is invited to lead the procession of vehicles as a passenger in one of the historic vehicles. The event is well attended and the success is due to the hard work of Ipswich Transport Museumโ€™s volunteer force and the enthusiastic participation of the vehicle owners โ€“ many of whom travel long distances to attend.

The vehicles assemble in Christchurch Park at Ipswich from 8.30 to 10.30am, then start to leave for Felixstowe at 11.00am, where they are displayed along the promenade during the afternoon (from about 12.00pm onward).

Please contact Ipswich Museum through their website https://www.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk/ for further information.

This event will be taking place on Sunday 5th May 2019.

BBC Radio 1’s Mollie King Experiencing the Land Rover Experience

Source: Instagram @mollieking

BBC Radio 1‘s Mollie King showing off her impressive skills to her 830k followers in the driving seat of the new Land Rover Evoque at the Land Rover Experience Eastnor.

Welcome to the Land Rover Experience Eastnor

“Experience the true spirit of adventure in its purest form. 66 miles of carefully managed trails in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the grounds of Eastnor Castle. Land Rover Experience Eastnor provides a unique adventure that encourages drivers to push both the vehicle and themselves to the limit. The terrain here is so varied and challenging that it has been used for decades as a secret test facility to refine and test the off-road capability of every new Land Rover. Featuring steep slippery inclines, articulation tracks, ruts, open ground and deep water, you really will have a true-to-life driving experience.

So whether you are looking at organising an event, professional driver training for your company, adventure days or a gift voucher for that special someone in your life. Land Rover Experience Eastnor is a truly unforgettable experience.”

1997 Bentley Turbo R in primer

Having etch primed the exterior sections of our Bentley we are now in the stages of final high build primer. The car has now been smoothed down and masked ready for top coat to be applied.

1952 MG TD: remedial works to be carried out

Prior to our 1952 MG TD heading off to it’s new home, we need to carry out a few small but very important improvements to the car.

The battery has become tired over time. Having checked the performance of the current battery we will be required to fit a new one in order for it to keep charge and consistency.

Under the bonnet and within the engine bay the paint has started to bubble where it has met with some toxic substance.

The leak has been detected and repaired, the area surrounding has been cleared of all components. We have removed all of the paint back to bare metal and treated the area in order for it to dry and remain uncontaminated.

1956 Ford Consul: Strip down and body repair

The strip down and repair of our 1956 Ford Consul is now well underway with Mauro concentrating his efforts full time on the project.

Everything removed has been carefully wrapped,documented and accounted for and is now in storage awaiting refurbishing and/or refitting.

The welding work is currently on going and we would expect to hand over to our painters for preparation in around a week’s time.

1997 Bentley Turbo R: Strip Down

Work on our 1997 Bentley Turbo R respray has begun. Chris is busy stripping the car down.

The bumpers have been removed and the top polished piece detached so we can look to remove the paint. At some stage, the top polished trim has been body colour matched but unfortunately the work has been carried out directly onto the polished area without any preparation so the paint has flaked off.

The bubbled areas around the windows will be cut out and/or properly treated all around the car prior to paint. The arches are showing signs of corrosion so these will be addressed.

The new window weather strip rubbers will be fitted as will the new speakers in the door cards.

All four wooden trims in the doors have been removed and sent away to be professionally refurbished.

Bridge Classic Cars visit AS Motorsport

Ady popped in to see his good friend Andrew at AS Motorsport this week.

Introducing AS Motorsport

David Brown had always set his sights on a win at Le Mans. This was to be achieved in 1959 together with victory in the World Sports Car Championship by the team of DBR1โ€™s. This model proved to be highly successful, and along with the larger engined DBR2โ€™s, scored many wins on both sides of the Atlantic. After achieving their goal, Aston Martin then concentrated on single seater racing. Only five DBR1โ€™s and a pair of DBR2โ€™s were ever constructed.

AS Motorsport recreates the glory of these cars with the production of the highly detailed ASM R1 Le Mans.

Each car is built to order with the customer having a range of options from which to choose.

Andrew Soar grew up on the Family Farm in Bressingham, South Norfolk, and was involved in the smooth operation of it from an early age. Finding the engineering aspect intriguing and enjoyable, he learnt skills ranging from Blacksmithing with ‘Billy the Smithy’, to electronics found on GPS harvesters; as well as how to siphon petrol from his father’s car to propel an old banger around the stubble fields, but that is another story!

Having completed an engineering apprenticeship and knowing that Agriculture would not provide sufficient income for all the generations involved in the running of the arable farm, Andrew found he liked the challenge of college life, and began lecturing in the Technical Department. He stayed there for ten years, teaching engineering and gaining the skills and experience that would stand him in good stead for the future.

Further diversification ensued, working as a consultant in the Construction and Engineering Sector, specialising in the safety and operation of heavy plant, with a worldwide, multinational company as a prime customer.

In between times though, the mid-nineties brought a brief spell of wanderlust which resulted in more engineering work, but this time in the Great Plains of the USA. It is probably here that the spark which was kindled, aged 11, with a Morris Minor on a stubble field, grew into the flame and roar of V8 muscle cars. On returning home, the building of kit-cars ensued, starting with a Cobra 427, which went through a series of V8 engines and gearboxes, each an improvement on the next, and various suspension developments.

However, working away from home all the time finally gave way to the wish to be ‘at home’ on the farm. With a new wife to support, an engineering business was started from the farm, undertaking specialist jobs on other Cobra’s. Cobras have remained a theme, with the 289 shape being the current example, sporting a custom designed chassis and suspension.

1975 MGB: new wiring loom

We are currently fitting up the brand new wiring loom, supplied to us by our friends at Autosparks.

Autosparks are the ‘go-to’ people when it comes to brand new wiring looms.

“The origins of Autosparks date back to around the 1920’s when itโ€™s founder, Mr Henry Colomb, formed an electrical business in Beverley Road, Hull.

It is unclear when the progression from electrical to auto-electrical took place although we do have a certificate from the Trade Mark authorities dated July 1954 registering the original company logo as seen below.

Under the ownership of Henry and the management of Mr Cliff Dalton, Autosparks Ltd flourished and by the 1980โ€™s was a well established and well respected company. With Mr Colomb, then retired, living in Malta, and Mr Dalton reaching retirement age, the running of the company was left to a younger family member and with growing competition, the company finally collapsed in August 1991.

Meanwhile I began my business, R D Components, in November 1977, initially manufacturing and selling spares for the legendary BSA Gold Star motorcycle. Within 12 months I was doing full restorations and one of the items I had to make myself was the Wiring Harness. From there I built virtually a full range of Harnesses for all Post-war British Motorcycles, even supplying the reborn Triumph Motorcycles at Meriden. By 1983 I had began producing harnesses for classic cars, as well as manufacturing original equipment harnesses for the prestigious Aston Martin Lagonda marque which continued until the models at the time, the V8 and Lagonda saloons, were phased out in 1990. The rate at which R D Components grew and the quality of its products soon undermined the strength of, and the then complacent attitude of Autosparks. In 1991 we bought and moved Autosparks down to our base in Sandiacre, Nottingham.

Over half of the 30 plus workforce that are with me today were around at the time of the takeover offering an unrivalled wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure that the quality of everything we produce remains very high.

Today Autosparks produces a range of Harnesses for classic Motorcycles, Cars, Tractors and Commercial Vehicles as well as supplying original equipment Harnesses to smaller volume manufacturers including such diverse applications as some of the top British Sportscars, European Road Sweepers and a range of Emergency Vehicles.

Roger Davis

AUGUST 2012

Since writing the above, probably ten or eleven years ago, the company has moved forward again. I decided that it was time to bring some younger blood into the ownership of Autosparks so in November 2005 we formed a limited company once more introducing new directors and shareholders. Debbie Johnson, who has for many years ran the โ€˜businessโ€™ side of the company as well as building up a wealth of knowledge of the products joined me as director and shareholder as well as three of the long term staff as shareholders.

Our workforce remains solid with, apart from a few of retirements, the same core members of staff that have served us well for so long.

Roger Davis”

1962 TVR Grantura: polishing the brightwork

Rather than sourcing new, we have spent some time tackling the original chrome work to see how well the chrome work can be polished and the results are fantastic…

Martin Roper Photography

To mark the completion of our 1961 Jaguar XK150S sympathetic restoration we’ve called in the expertise of Martin Roper Photography to give it a well deserved photo shoot…this time, in our own grounds here in Suffolk.

Here we have some amazing photos of Martin in action.