News

Belgravia Classic Car Show 2018

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Following the success of the inaugural event last year, Belgrave Square Garden once again opened to the public with the second Belgravia Classic Car Show which

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MG B Tundra Green Restoration

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We were recently commissioned to source and restore a matching number MG B in Tundra Green. Being a very rare colour originally, Tundra Green proved

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1968 Jaguar 240

Having been stored locally in a garage in Ipswich for many years our latest addition is our 1968 Jaguar 240. At present she’s a non runner

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Jaguar 240 – Leaking Clutch

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our 1967 Jaguar 240 is in with us this week to investigate an issue with the clutch leaking. Upon further inspection the slave cylinder looks

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1928 Hillman 14 re-commission

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tucked away, not too far away from our Ipswich workshops, is our gorgeous 1928 Hillman 14. As you can, the car is very well looked after

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Getting our 1928 Hillman back on the Suffolk roads

Work as begun on the re-commissioning of our 1928 Hillman Fourteen.

She has been very well looked after over the years but as she has been standing for some time without a lot of use the owner has agreed for us to have her in the workshops for a full health check ready for the summer.

Source: Hillman 14 Wikipedia

The Hillman Fourteen is a medium-sized 4-cylinder car announced by Hillman’s managing director Spencer Wilks, a son-in-law of William Hillman, at the end of September 1925. This new Fourteen substantially increased Hillman’s market share and remained on sale into 1931. During this time it was the main product of the company.

Belgravia Classic Car Show 2018

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Following the success of the inaugural event last year, Belgrave Square Garden once again opened to the public with the second Belgravia Classic Car Show which took place on Sunday 24 June 2018.

The event showcased 150 of some of the finest motors throughout history and also featured live music, swing dancing and a range of food stalls.

Our roving reporter ‘Cousin Claire’ unfortunately forgot to invite us along to enjoy the day with her but I have managed to pinch her photos of the day…and ‘technically’ it’s not copyright infringement because we are family!![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”20029,20030,20031,20032,20033,20034,20035,20036,20037,20038,20039,20040,20041,20042,20043,20044,20045,20046,20047,20048,20049,20050,20051,20052,20053,20054,20055,20056″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Fabricating the new door skin

The thick layer of external filler has now been successfully removed and a new door skin has been rebuilt and fitted. We are not too far away now from having the body shell ready for paint.

DH Coaching & Consulting out in her Aston

‘Hugo ready for his first driving lesson’.

Our good friend Danielle, Director of DH Coaching & Consulting and Hugo enjoying a day out with Hugo in her Aston Martin.

Our neighbours at Le Mans

They put us next to the noisy, rowdy lot this year at Le Mans this year but we didn’t mind…

MG B Tundra Green Restoration

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We were recently commissioned to source and restore a matching number MG B in Tundra Green.

Being a very rare colour originally, Tundra Green proved to be a very difficult find but having searched the country high and low we eventually found an abandoned matching number car suiting our criteria perfectly.

We now have the car back in our new workshops in Pettistree and will be future restoration for us at Bridge Classic Cars.

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Correcting the running issues on our 1979 Ford Escort

The original task was to install new, upgraded carbs to our 1979 Ford Escort but having seen the carbs that Mr B was hoping to have fitted we advised that this would not be a suitable choice.

Whilst in, we decided to correct the running issues that had occurred. We carried out a cylinder leakage test and adjusted the valve clearance. we replaced the spark plugs and the gaskets.

We were also informed of a stop light issue on the rear so whilst in our workshops we fixed the fault.

1979 Ford Escort 1300L

Riley Redwing History

About the little ‘Redwinger’

Here we have some old cuttings relating to the origins of our little 1925 Riley Redwing.

A Very Special Car: 1925 Riley Redwing Coming Soon

The Riley Redwing (or Red Winger) was one of the most desirable light cars of its period.

This particular model is believed to be 1 of only 4 ever produced. Currently en-route to join the Bridge Classic Cars family, this very special car will soon be with us and available to buy.

Bridge Classic Cars Is Recruiting

Would you like to join one of the most successful car restoration companies in the U.K?

As the move to our new bespoke premises in Pettestree near Woodbridge is nearing completion we are looking for new stars to join us.

If you have the experience we have the facilities…

Time served motor mechanics and restorers required to join our amazing team.

Our website will give you the standards we work to and the exciting cars we get to work on.

We are currently looking for talented people to join our journey.

Your preferred skills are in general mechanics, welding, auto electrics, engines, braking systems, body preparation and paint.

We are not looking for one person who can do it all, we are looking for an experienced team of exceptional talent that can work together to do it all.

One of the most exciting prospects will be our new purpose built paint shop and vehicle preparation area.

If you think you have the talent to compliment our team then email your CV to info@bridgeclassiccars.co.uk or call us on 01473 742038 for a chat.

1968 Jaguar 240

Having been stored locally in a garage in Ipswich for many years our latest addition is our 1968 Jaguar 240.

At present she’s a non runner with the brakes completely seized but after a little TLC we’ll have her back up and running in no time.

Due to our current workload we are considering selling her on as a restoration project but we’ll see.

1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

New arrival: 1971 Bedford J Type Truck

New arrival to Bridge Classic Cars, our 1971 Bedford J Type Truck is in with us a future project. At this early stage we are unsure what the end result could be as the owner has many ideas for her new life.

All we know is that she has spent the majority of her life in New Zealand before landing on UK shores a few years back and has since been stored with little to no use.

The brand new windscreen is manufactured

The order was placed at the back end of 2017 so it has been a long wait for the production of our Jensen 541S windscreen but the wait is over.

Due to the rarity of the car itself there are very few, if not any, brand new screens still in existence.  We therefore commissioned for a brand new screen to be manufactured in Finland and due to complications in the factory a 4 week lead time ended up being 7 month lead time but the wait is finally over.

The screen has arrived and along with the brand new rubber is now fitted and in position.

Refurbishing the XJR Wheels.

Our wheels have returned fully refurbished thanks to the guys at Wheelworx in Bury St Edmunds.

Now fitted on brand new Continental 225 45 17R tyres supplied by Ken and the team at Fast-Fit next door.

We are now on the final stages of the restoration with just the finishing touches to complete. The paint imperfections are now being completed and then it’ll be a trip back to Demand Engineering for the exhaust tailpipes to be fitted and then we are looking at a final once over before she heads back home.

British Heritage, Classic and Sports Cars

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We had an amazing day at Sandown Park Race Course for Barons British Heritage, Classic and Sports Cars auction.

In the auctioneer’s words the ‘star of the show’ was our stunning 1975 Maserati Merak, generating a huge amount of attention on the day with many admirers speaking to us personally to learn about the journey we took with the restoration of this car.

With a guide price of between £65000 and £80000 someone got themselves a fantastic deal when the hammer dropped at £69000. Not the result we were looking for with our expectations being more in the region of £95000 but the deal has been done. She’s now off to enjoy her new life with her new owners.

Having loaded her up the day before from our new Pettistree premises, we set off on the road early and it was great that we did as we got a fantastic position within the auction hall on the day.

[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”19894,19892,19891,19890,19889,19888,19881,19874,19875,19882,19883,19884,19885,19886,19887,19880,19879,19878,19877,19876,19871,19872,19873″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]She even made the front cover, looking lovely outside Priory Park.

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The Ickworth Hotel Photoshoot – 1967 Jaguar E-Type

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The photo shoot of one of our most popular restorations was held on 23rd May 2018 at the stunning setting of The Ickworth Hotel.

A huge thank you to Viv, Faye and the team down at the hotel for welcoming us so warmly on the day.

The perfect back drop for one of our most beautiful restorations. We couldn’t have asked for a better time to complete the project, just one week after the famous pictures of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day driving away in a Series 1.5 roadster.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”19939,19938,19937,19936,19935,19934,19933,19932,19931,19930,19929,19928,19927,19926,19925,19924,19923,19922,19921,19920,19919,19918,19917,19916,19915,19914,19913,19912,19911,19910,19909,19908,19907,19906″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Repairing the broken XJR seat

Tommy has successfully completed the welding repair of our 1996 Jaguar XJR seat. Once finished, he coated the brackets in gloss black ready for Pete to refit.

Jaguar 240 – Leaking Clutch

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our 1967 Jaguar 240 is in with us this week to investigate an issue with the clutch leaking.

Upon further inspection the slave cylinder looks to be almost new, however, the master cylinder is in need of replacing.

Thanks to SNG Barratt as always for supplying us with a brand new master cylinder and now that it’s fitted up its time for a few test runs.

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1996 Jaguar XJR complete with new exhaust system

A huge thank you to the guys down at Demand Engineering as we now have a brand new, custom made stainless exhaust system fitted to our 1996 Jaguar XJR Supercharged.

The mufflers and tailpipes are yet to be fitted as the rear bumper need to be attached. Once attached we will be able to line up the rear of the exhaust system.

 

1965 Amphicar stripped of all existing filler

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whilst preparing the body for paint we discovered that the car had a large quantity of filler in places (see previous article)

This all needed to be removed so we could fully investigate the extent of the work required.

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Replacing the roof lining

The ceiling cloth has been removed so that we can make up a brand new one. It is a common issue for the Jaguar XJR ceiling cloth to drop as a result of the adhesive that was originally used not functioning as it should.

A new ceiling cloth is being produced as we speak and will be reinstall later in the week.

We can then look to refit the interior and finish off the final parts of the rebuild.

1928 Hillman 14 re-commission

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tucked away, not too far away from our Ipswich workshops, is our gorgeous 1928 Hillman 14. As you can, the car is very well looked after but unfortunately, to the owner’s own admittance, she is not used half as much as she should be but it may be time to find a new home.

In with us for a general check over and re-commission, the car will go through a series of checks to ensure the engine is running right and all levels are accurate. Replacement seals and gaskets will be fitted all round.  The braking system will be assessed fully, stripped, cleaned and replaced where necessary.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”19808,19809,19810,19811,19812,19813,19814,19815,19816,19817,19818,19819,19820,19805″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

1992 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 MOT

Today, we were greeted with the beautiful, raw tones of our 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera 4.

A classic that appeals to everyone, our Porsche is in our workshops today for the annual MOT.

We’ll also need to look into a slight oil leak that has developed. This will be a future project and one that will take a little more time to rectify.

For now, she’s MOT’d and ready to go home for the summer.

1992 Porsche 911 Carrera 4