Our E-Type Racing car is now in primer…
January 7, 2019
We are now very close to our amazing 1967 Jaguar E-Type racing project being ready for the full respray colour change. The exact colour has
News
Jaguar XK150S – Body Preparation
January 7, 2019
We are pleased to welcome Chris Jeffreys to the Bridge Classic Cars family as of today and already he’s getting stuck in to one of
V8 Corvette engine reassembly
January 5, 2019
Ady is now reassembling the V8 Corvette engine to be fitted into our 1957 Jensen 541R (chassis #328). The block has been refaced, the bores
1957 MGA visits our workshops
January 5, 2019
We had a visit today from a beautiful 1957 MGA. Gordon was on hand to look over the work that we are hoping to carry
Refurbishing the Jaguar E-type diff
January 4, 2019
Our 1972 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 diff has now been stripped, cleaned, galvanised and repainted. This is now on the shelf ready to be re-fitted when
Brand new fuel tank pickups
January 4, 2019
Our brand new fuel tank pickups have arrived this morning from Chris and the guys at Four Ashes Garage. Because of the rarity and complexity
We may look busy but we do have breaks here…
January 4, 2019
Although we do some long days here at Bridge Classic Cars we do allow the occasional 15 minute break…a bit of rest time for the
Coming Soon: 1963 Jaguar E-Type
January 4, 2019
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Arriving into our workshops very soon we have our 1963 Jaguar E-Type, in for a possible restoration. The car is a US import and whilst
Running up our V12 engine
January 3, 2019
Our 1972 Jaguar E-Type’s V12 engine is now fitted up to the test rig to check it’s running capabilities. It turned over first time with
Westerly Oceanquest re-chroming work
January 2, 2019
A rare item to source new, this piece of metalwork is from the classic Westerly Oceanquest. We will look to strip back and re-chrome the
AutoClassics – Top 10 Classic Car Stories of 2018
January 2, 2019
As we start a new year here at Bridge Classic Cars we open our inbox to a fantastic breakdown of last years stories from the
Refurbishing our E-Type gearbox
December 31, 2018
No rest for Brian over the Christmas period as he began work on the refurbishment of our 1972 Jaguar E-Type V12 gearbox. The external components
The Sheesh MG is still an attention grabber…
December 30, 2018
The now famous MGC GT owned by the Sheesh Restaurant is still a popular choice for a photo opportunity by the restaurant’s clientele. Instagram sensation
Tony at Wyatt Polishing – Brass Monkeys run
December 29, 2018
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thanks to Tony at Wyatt Polishing for the photos once again… “Nice drive with P5 on the Brass Monkeys run today”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”24890,24891,24892,24893,24894,24895,24896,24897,24898,24899,24900,24901,24902,24903,24904,24905,24906,24907,24908,24909,24910,24911,24912,24913,24914,24915″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Refurbishing the MG B Hood Frame
December 28, 2018
A lot of work is required on our hood frame to get that back to an acceptable standard. We are looking to refurbish the original
Our 1936 Riley Merlin Nine seats are now complete…
December 25, 2018
We have now completed the re-upholstering of our 1936 Riley Merlin Nine front seats using the customer’s own leather hyde. The hyde that has been
Coming Soon: 1960 Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI
December 24, 2018
Arriving in to our workshops in the early part of 2019 we have our 1960 Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI. We will wait for the
Arrived in time for Christmas: 1969 Pontiac Firebird
December 24, 2018
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]’It was the night before Christmas…’ …when we received the phone call from Ian at Schumacher Cargo Logistics to confirm the arrival of our 1969 Pontiac Firebird
Preparing our Jaguar E-Type racing bodyshell
December 24, 2018
Work on preparing the bodyshell of our 1967 racing E-type is well underway by our friends at Simon Morris Commercial Vehicle Paintshop and Repairs. They are
Herbie’s here in Suffolk
December 22, 2018
Source: Instagram Spotted this week here in Suffolk by Ipswich 102 afternoon presenter Paul Morris. Ipswich 102 – welcome from everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars After three
Work progressing on our 1971 Jaguar E-Type
December 21, 2018
Dave has now successfully re-instated the air intake to filter set up within the engine bay compartment. The radiator surround has also been fitted into
1975 MGB Interior Re-Trim
December 21, 2018
We have managed to salvage the original seat frames of our 1975 MGB. They were in quite a bad state but we have successfully repaired
Jensen 541R – Resizing the big ends on con rod
December 20, 2018
Our 1960 Jensen 541R (#328) will have ungraded and improved con rod bolts, supplied to us by ARP Automotive Racing Products, California. We are now in the
New in for the new year
December 20, 2018
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This morning, bright and early we welcomed one of our new projects for 2019, our 1977 MGBGT. One owner from new, our little MGBGT has
Our Jensen chassis have now been painted
December 20, 2018
Both of our Jensen 541R chassis’ have now been painted in POR15 Top Coat Chassis Coat Black. In the new year we will be able to
A Classic Christmas on Instagram…
December 20, 2018
We are loving the Christmas classic cars on Instagram at the minute…send in, tag @craigranson or #bridgeclassiccars if you see anymore! Source: @nickpandolfi Source: @classiccarvoyage and
Refurbishing our MGB steering column
December 18, 2018
The original steering column has now been removed of it’s wheel and clean down, treated and painted ready for refit.
Making up a number plate bracket
December 18, 2018
The car came in to us with some after-market number plate surrounds but with the car being so beautifully original we wanted to try and
Marrying the gearbox to the engine
December 17, 2018
With the engine and gearbox now completed Ady is able to reconnect the two.
Cleaning up our 1939 Packard 120
December 15, 2018
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We managed to secure another day with Paul Johnson Valeting this weekend so he spent the day detailing our 1939 Packard 120. Although we are yet to
Our E-Type Racing car is now in primer…
January 7, 2019
We are now very close to our amazing 1967 Jaguar E-Type racing project being ready for the full respray colour change. The exact colour has now been chosen but will be kept under wraps for the big reveal.
The body preparation, to this stage, has been carried out by the guys at Simon Morris in Ipswich. We have agreed to take back control once the car is ready for paint for our own paint shop to carry out the respray.
Jaguar XK150S – Body Preparation
January 7, 2019
We are pleased to welcome Chris Jeffreys to the Bridge Classic Cars family as of today and already he’s getting stuck in to one of our many paint projects that we have.
Our 1961 Jaguar XK150S will be one of the first cars into our paint booth this year for a full respray. At present, Chris is busy removing the existing paint which had micro-blistered . In order to tackle this issue it is best to strip the paintwork back to metal and re-apply the paint using the correct procedures at each stage.
We are progressing very well so far but a long way still to go.
V8 Corvette engine reassembly
January 5, 2019
Ady is now reassembling the V8 Corvette engine to be fitted into our 1957 Jensen 541R (chassis #328).
The block has been refaced, the bores have been honed and we have fitted new pistons with piston rings. Now the engine has been painted we can continue on with the re-assembly.
1957 MGA visits our workshops
January 5, 2019
We had a visit today from a beautiful 1957 MGA. Gordon was on hand to look over the work that we are hoping to carry out. This will be a possible re-paint in 2019 to get on top of a couple of imperfections that are starting to appear.
Refurbishing the Jaguar E-type diff
January 4, 2019
Our 1972 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 diff has now been stripped, cleaned, galvanised and repainted. This is now on the shelf ready to be re-fitted when the time comes.
Brand new fuel tank pickups
January 4, 2019
Our brand new fuel tank pickups have arrived this morning from Chris and the guys at Four Ashes Garage. Because of the rarity and complexity in the fuel tank pickups, our old units have been returned to Chris for a future rebuild.
Who are Four Ashes Garage
They are a family owned leading independent Aston Martin Specialist with a combined experience of over 100 years on Aston Martins, based near Stratford-upon-Avon in the Heart of England, the Company has been owned by Jean Moss and Chris Adams since January 2003.
Jean is the daughter in law of Four Ashes Founder Jack Moss and widow of Michael Moss, Jack’s son who died in 1982, Chris Adams was a family friend of Jack and family before working at Four Ashes from the early 1970’s when he joined as an apprentice technician, a proper technician with 5 years extensive training (5 years at college on day release & evenings, hard work!! ) on engines, gearboxes, suspension, brakes, axles, bodywork & vehicle refinishing.
Chris is also long term partner now husband of Jean, Chris helped with vehicle repairs from an early age (6!) with his father’s haulage business before working at Four Ashes and has run his own workshop in between Four Ashes stints, specialising in high performance cars including many Aston’s, racing of classic cars and rallying, eventually involving Works type Opel Manta 400’s in the Republic of Ireland.
Chris rebuilt his 1st Aston cylinder head when just turned 17, by 18 he was rebuilding 40% of the Aston engines that came through Four Ashes hands, including all of the race engines for MYT 625, the Racing DB2 that the garage owned, which is now owned by Chris and Jean.
They have been servicing, rebuilding, restoring and racing Aston Martin cars for well over 40 years, Chris has nearly 44 years experience with the marque.
We may look busy but we do have breaks here…
January 4, 2019
Although we do some long days here at Bridge Classic Cars we do allow the occasional 15 minute break…a bit of rest time for the guys to put their feet up!!
Coming Soon: 1963 Jaguar E-Type
January 4, 2019
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Arriving into our workshops very soon we have our 1963 Jaguar E-Type, in for a possible restoration.
The car is a US import and whilst in the states had undergone various modifications and alterations, including a V8 engine.
Our objective is to restore the car back to original condition with a few sympathetic upgrades.
Firstly we need to look for an original E-Type engine.
The car is due in to us around the end of January 2019 but work will not commence immediately.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”25287,25288,25289,25290,25291,25292,25293,25294,25295,25296,25297,25298,25299,25300,25301,25302″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Running up our V12 engine
January 3, 2019
Our 1972 Jaguar E-Type’s V12 engine is now fitted up to the test rig to check it’s running capabilities. It turned over first time with very little effort which is great news so Ady now knows what he needs to work on to refurbish and prepare the engine for refit.
Westerly Oceanquest re-chroming work
January 2, 2019
A rare item to source new, this piece of metalwork is from the classic Westerly Oceanquest. We will look to strip back and re-chrome the existing piece.
AutoClassics – Top 10 Classic Car Stories of 2018
January 2, 2019
As we start a new year here at Bridge Classic Cars we open our inbox to a fantastic breakdown of last years stories from the guys and girls at AutoClassics.
“As 2018 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on all that’s happened in the world of classic and collector cars. Below are our 10 most popular stories from 2018, ordered from first to 10th.
You, our readers, have demonstrated a taste for stories across the spectrum this year – whether it’s multi-million dollar classic exotica or a cheap muscle car in need of some TLC. Even the somewhat polarising EV conversion movement got some love from our readers this year.
We look forward to bringing you even more of the best classic car news and features in 2019. From all of us at AutoClassics, have a happy new year!”
- FBI halts $4.5 million classic car fraud scheme. Back in July, the FBI revealed and stopped a classic car fraud scheme based in America, which scammed victims out of $4.5 million…
- This muscle car dealer is selling a dream barn find collection. Restore a Muscle Car wants you to take on restoration of some of its stars…
- Pristine Ferrari 250 GTO sells for record $70 million (£52m). The GTO sold to David MacNeil is now the most expensive car of all time…
- We’ve got two, babe! Sonny and Cher’s custom Mustangs. Sonny and Cher’s George Barris-customised Mustangs were unleashed…
- This is the electric E-type that Harry and Meghan drove. The automotive lowdown from the royal wedding of the year…
- Could the Singer DLS be the greatest Porsche 911 ever? This Williams F1-inspired car is even better than we ever (re)imagined…
- There’s a Lamborghini Gallardo in this Ford Mustang. Two for the price of one has never been so literal with this combination…
- Dodi’s Auto Sales – the USA’s most unusual car dealership. TV star Dodi Khalil sells classics that no-one else would touch in Monterey…
- How Honda’s NSX beat Ferrari at its own supercar game. Honda’s first supercar became a legend with the help of Ayrton Senna…
- The incredible story of the lost 1939 Antarctic Snow Cruiser. America’s Snow Cruiser is engineering at its best. So what went wrong…
Refurbishing our E-Type gearbox
December 31, 2018
No rest for Brian over the Christmas period as he began work on the refurbishment of our 1972 Jaguar E-Type V12 gearbox.
The external components have now been stripped where necessary, blasted, cleaned and repainted.
With the individual parts complete and repainted we have now reassembled the gearbox and is ready for refit.
The Sheesh MG is still an attention grabber…
December 30, 2018
The now famous MGC GT owned by the Sheesh Restaurant is still a popular choice for a photo opportunity by the restaurant’s clientele.
Instagram sensation @MissCatherinePierce shared an amazing photo with her 20,500+ followers when she last visited the Sheesh Restaurant in Chigwell, Essex.
Tony at Wyatt Polishing – Brass Monkeys run
December 29, 2018
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thanks to Tony at Wyatt Polishing for the photos once again…
“Nice drive with P5 on the Brass Monkeys run today”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”24890,24891,24892,24893,24894,24895,24896,24897,24898,24899,24900,24901,24902,24903,24904,24905,24906,24907,24908,24909,24910,24911,24912,24913,24914,24915″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Refurbishing the MG B Hood Frame
December 28, 2018
A lot of work is required on our hood frame to get that back to an acceptable standard. We are looking to refurbish the original hood frame and once stripped and blasted the task should be relatively straight forward, albeit quite time consuming.
The end result, however, has turned out excellent and now that it is galvanised we can look to prepare and repaint.
Our 1936 Riley Merlin Nine seats are now complete…
December 25, 2018
We have now completed the re-upholstering of our 1936 Riley Merlin Nine front seats using the customer’s own leather hyde.
The hyde that has been supplied to us is very similar in colour to the original and has come to us with sentimental reasons so we were more than happy to assist with this project.
Coming Soon: 1960 Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI
December 24, 2018
Arriving in to our workshops in the early part of 2019 we have our 1960 Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI.
We will wait for the arrival before deciding what the future holds for our little Frogeye but always a favourite amongst classic car lovers we have absolutely no doubt that one way or another she’ll be back on the roads enjoying the summer nights once more.
Arrived in time for Christmas: 1969 Pontiac Firebird
December 24, 2018
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]’It was the night before Christmas…’
…when we received the phone call from Ian at Schumacher Cargo Logistics to confirm the arrival of our 1969 Pontiac Firebird into Felixstowe docks.
She had been at sea for a number of weeks taking the trip over from Canada but a couple of days prior to the phone call we were expecting the ship to be arriving. Once the containers had been offloaded and signed in we were able to collect the car.
She fired up first time and if it wasn’t for the fact that the nearside rear tyre was completely flat we would have driven her back from the docks to our Pettistree workshops. Instead we loaded up the trailer and took a de-tour to the local garage to get some air.
It was then we were able give her a good run out on the A14 and A12.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”24834,24835,24836,24837,24838,24839,24840,24841,24842,24843,24844,24845,24846,24847,24848,24849,24850,24851,24852,24853,24854,24855,24856″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Preparing our Jaguar E-Type racing bodyshell
December 24, 2018
Work on preparing the bodyshell of our 1967 racing E-type is well underway by our friends at Simon Morris Commercial Vehicle Paintshop and Repairs.
They are working on the preparation before handing her back to us, here at Bridge Classic Cars, to be painted in our paint shop.
We aim to have our body shell returned early 2019.
Herbie’s here in Suffolk
December 22, 2018
Spotted this week here in Suffolk by Ipswich 102 afternoon presenter Paul Morris.
Ipswich 102 – welcome from everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars
After three months of hard work behind the scenes (from lots of people you’ll never hear on the air!) Ipswich 102 launched their regular programmes on 102FM, DAB Digital Radio, on smart-speaker and online (find out all the ways to listen here).
Dom Atkins hosts your new Ipswich 102 breakfast show, weekday mornings from 5am. Tony Horton returns to the Suffolk airwaves through the daytime, and Paul Morris has great music and up to the minute travel news for the area into the evening. See the full programme schedule here.
Local radio for Ipswich, broadcast from Ipswich and presented by people who all live in the area and call it home.
Work progressing on our 1971 Jaguar E-Type
December 21, 2018
Dave has now successfully re-instated the air intake to filter set up within the engine bay compartment.
The radiator surround has also been fitted into position.
…and the rubbers are also now being fitted up around the door.
1975 MGB Interior Re-Trim
December 21, 2018
We have managed to salvage the original seat frames of our 1975 MGB. They were in quite a bad state but we have successfully repaired and re welding the frames before blasting and re-coating.
With the frames now complete we have fitted the brand new MGB Autumn Leaf interior trim, including new seat foams and diaphragms.
Jensen 541R – Resizing the big ends on con rod
December 20, 2018
Our 1960 Jensen 541R (#328) will have ungraded and improved con rod bolts, supplied to us by ARP Automotive Racing Products, California.
We are now in the process of resizing the big ends on the con rods to give the smooth finish required. This task will be completed by tomorrow and ready to be fitted.
New in for the new year
December 20, 2018
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This morning, bright and early we welcomed one of our new projects for 2019, our 1977 MGBGT. One owner from new, our little MGBGT has been barn stored since the 80’s with little to no attention but 2019 will be the year she’ll be back on the road.
The car will remain as original as possible, we’ll be restoring as much of the original components as we can as the car will remains as it should…with the exception of the brakes possibly.
She will remain Flamenco red with pinstripe interior. The interior is in exceptional condition which is fantastic news so we will certainly be removing these, wrapping well and preserve them.
The car will undergo no ‘re-imaging’, the bumpers will remain rubber, the chrome will be restored where possible and the car will remain original and most importantly, useable.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”24754,24755,24756,24757,24758,24759,24760,24761,24762,24763,24764,24765,24766,24767,24768,24769,24770,24771,24772,24773,24774,24775,24776,24777,24778,24779,24780″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Our Jensen chassis have now been painted
December 20, 2018
Both of our Jensen 541R chassis’ have now been painted in POR15 Top Coat Chassis Coat Black. In the new year we will be able to start work on reassembling the chassis’, to get them back on their wheels.
POR15 Top Coat in Chassis Black (was Chassis Coat Black) is a direct to metal coating designed to work incredibly well in all applications where there is a need to preserve substrates susceptible to corrosion
Chassis Coat Black paint has a smooth, satiny semi-gloss finish, and is probably more correct as original for under hood and chassis components for cars produced in the USA from the early 1950’s to today.
POR15 Top Coat can be applied directly to metal substrates, with no need for a primer or undercoat, and is formulated to form a robust barrier that sheds moisture to provide long lasting protection.
POR-15 Top Coat has excellent adhesion and when used over POR15 Rust Preventive Paint the products create a system works to provide a permanent barrier to corrosion.
- Non porous and will not crack, chip, or peel
- Amazing scratch and abrasion resistance
- Not sensitive to UV light
- Can be applied over POR-15 or other paints.
A Classic Christmas on Instagram…
December 20, 2018
We are loving the Christmas classic cars on Instagram at the minute…send in, tag @craigranson or #bridgeclassiccars if you see anymore!
and
Source: LinkedIn: Benedict Ficken
Refurbishing our MGB steering column
December 18, 2018
The original steering column has now been removed of it’s wheel and clean down, treated and painted ready for refit.
Making up a number plate bracket
December 18, 2018
The car came in to us with some after-market number plate surrounds but with the car being so beautifully original we wanted to try and keep the car exactly how it came in to us.
At the time, the surrounds were only mounted on the back so we have fabricated a bracket to hold the front number plate surround and we have also used the existing plates. These could be replaced with the pressed silver black plates which the new owner may choose to do.
Marrying the gearbox to the engine
December 17, 2018
With the engine and gearbox now completed Ady is able to reconnect the two.
Cleaning up our 1939 Packard 120
December 15, 2018
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We managed to secure another day with Paul Johnson Valeting this weekend so he spent the day detailing our 1939 Packard 120.
Although we are yet to complete the engine works on the car (due to a couple of valves having to be made) we are almost complete with the rest of the project so she’ll soon be ready for a new home.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”24702,24701,24700,24699,24698,24697,24696,24695,24694,24693,24692,24691,24690,24689,24688,24687,24686,24685,24684,24683,24682,24681,24680,24679,24678,24677,24676,24675,24674,24673,24672,24671,24670,24669,24668″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
