New Look to the Building Exterior

Work is well underway on the new office and reception at Bridge Classic Cars and today we started the improvements on the exterior of the building too.

Thanks to the guys at GB Roadart on Farthing Road in Ipswich, after a brief consultation with Paul we were happy with the prices they gave and little under a week later the lads arrived to lay our new yellow lining.

Just need a nice downpour now to wash away the chalk marks but it looks great.

Hidden classic car collection

Today, Bridge Classic Cars were personally invited to view a very unique and special collection of classic cars.

It was a lovely sunny morning, we were surrounded by beautiful green fields and picturesque views for miles. The gates we were looking for were tucked away, almost hidden amongst the trees. As we entered the gardens, incredibly, it was like time had stood still. Wherever you looked you were welcomed by the site of another classic motor vehicle. It was like the scene from a movie or one of those many programmes you see on the TV!

Each and every vehicle in this unique collection has been used and enjoyed by the current owners and we were lucky enough to view the huge collection of photographs and listen to the great stories relating to them all.

Unfortunately, as happens all too often, the years have passed by and now the collection is not enjoying the roads of today!

Almost all of the cars in the collection have been dry stored for many years, apart from the few that you can see that have been covered over.

Every vehicle we have seen today is now up for sale but the current owners have made it clear, they would love the collection to go to be enjoyed and not just taken away to be left to deteriorate further. The collection does not need to be sold, however, to the right buyers that are willing to bring them back to life, they have now made the decision that they can go.

Amongst the collection is:

• 1923 Studebaker Light 6 EL Phaeton
• 1925 Peugeot Bebe Commercial
• 1937 Chrysler Wimbledon
• 1937 Studebaker President
• 1947-1958 AC Sports Saloon 4 Door
• 1947-1958 AC Sports Saloon 2 Door
• 1970 Dodge Polera Convertible 383 V8 (1 of 800 built)
• 1977 Ford Ltd 4 Door 351 Cleveland V8
• 1979 MG Midget 1500 with Hard Top
• 1955 Ford Consul, with 45000 miles

Bridge Classic Cars At Kersey Mill

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With both our 1990 Jaguar XJS and 1999 Jaguar XJR Supercharged now prepared and ready for this week’s classic car auction in Kings Lynn, as with all of our classic cars, it was time for the final photoshoot.

The setting we chose was the stunning grounds of Kersey Mill, just outside Hadleigh in Suffolk.

We’ve known Alison and Steve at Kersey Mill for many years and we are so grateful that they allowed us around the grounds for the morning.

As always, Jason at Sugar and Spice Photography does a superb job for us. The great thing about Jason is he’s a true professional, he’s a master at what he does which means I can sit back (apart from when I’m taking pictures of him sitting back) and let him get on with the job in hand.

It was also lovely to see a Riley RME 1500 parked up at Kersey Mill, was shame the owner was not nearby otherwise they too could have joined in the shoot.

Here’s a sneak preview of some of the images from the shoot.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”4463,4465,4466,4464,4447,4448,4449,4450,4451,4452,4453,4454,4455,4456,4457,4458,4459,4460,4461,4462,4467,4468,4469,4470″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Elveden Classic and Vintage Car Show 2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By kind permission of Lord & Lady Iveagh and following the enormous success of last years Elveden Classic & Vintage Car Show, we are delighted to return to the walled courtyard gardens on the Eleven Estate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”4311,4312,4313,4314,4315,4316″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

A day out in Felixstowe

On such a glorious summers day and being so close to the beach we would’ve been mad not to take a trip out to Felixstowe to enjoy the sunshine today.

We parked up and took a little walk along the front heading to The Fludyers Hotel for a coffee and we bumped into this beauty!

A real head turner, I’m sure it has it’s mixed opinions but we love it!!

Looks like Essex police have got a new toy

www.bridgeclassiccars.co.uk

Bridge Classic Cars welcomes John to the team

This week we welcomed a new member to the Bridge Classic Cars team.

John, a motor vehicle technician with over 28 years experience within a local franchised dealer.

He’s joined the Bridge Classic Cars team at one of our busiest times so we are thrilled to have him on board and we look forward to seeing his area’s of expertise put to the test: servicing, repairs and diagnostic faults. John is qualified in MOT testing, he’s also a qualified air conditioning and diagnostic technician, he’s an ATA accredited technician and a qualified First Aider.

As a keen classic car enthusiast himself, John owns a Ford Escort RS2000, MkI.

Europcar at Aberdeen Airport

As a regular traveller to Aberdeen and with a 4am start it is always good that when you go to collect your hire car that there is one there as Europcar is in great demand.

Ted and his team always try and go the extra mile in getting me a diesel car with Bluetooth as the roads from Aberdeen to Elgin are not the best.

Ted and his team at Europcar, Aberdeen Airport.

You are always greeted with courtesy and a smile from Tammy (Second Left) but that is not to say that the others are not just as courteous.

As a VIP status customer with Europcar they always try and upgrade me where they can into the next range of vehicle.

On Tuesday 24th May 2016 I arrived as normal and Ted asked if a Focus would be ok for this week to which I agreed.Whilst filling in the paperwork he asked if I was travelling alone. When I said ‘yes’ he smiled and handed me the keys to:

2016 Mercedes SLK 250D

On arriving at the Mansion House Hotel and Country Club in Elgin I was greeted and signed in by Becky who, straight away, saw the car and insisted on a sit-in.

Becky, sitting outside The Mansion House Hotel and Country Club, Elgin

When you return to Aberdeen Airport with your car it has to be inspected for damage. Again you are welcomed into the office whilst one of Ted’s team checks the car and signs it off. (Whilst left alone this gives you the opportunity to fill your pockets with the free sweets!)

Thanks Ted and the team, see you Tuesday! (I am rather partial to Range Rover Sports)

A future classic at John Grose Ford in Ipswich

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The lights ahead were changing to red…as I started to slow my pace on the dual carriageway all I could hear was this raw grasp of something coming up behind me. As I looked in my rear view mirror I caught a glimpse of the bright red back end of something soon to be appearing beside me…as I looked down to my side there she was, a future classic!

Here I was witnessing my first 2016 UK right hand drive Ford Mustang Fastback and if possible, looking and sounding even better than you imagine, quite rightly described by Ford themselves as ‘a legend redefined’.

And it was even more pleasurable today to see a collection of these beauties on show in our hometown, at John Grose Ford, Ransomes Europark, Ipswich.

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We get behind wheel of the muscular 412bhp V8 in right-hand drive form in the UK. Does it live up to the legend?

The Ford Mustang is one of the most famous cars of all-time; it’s arguably up there with the Volkswagen Beetle, Citroen 2CV and Porsche 911. However, Ford’s best known sports car has never been officially sold in the UK, and even grey imports that made it here have all been left-hand drive.

• Best sports cars to buy right now

But the brand is making amends with the all-new 2016 model, and Auto Express has got its hands on one of the first UK-spec cars. However, there’s a lot more to the latest Mustang than simply engineering it as a right-hooker, as it’s the first of its kind to get fully independent suspension front and rear, while Ford’s engineers have worked hard to ensure that the car delivers the kind of handling and performance that European customers and roads demand.

From the outside, the newcomer certainly looks like it means business. There are retro touches to the design of the nose and tail, plus a bulging bonnet and muscular wheelarches. And while the Mustang is a big car, it’s well proportioned and makes its presence felt on the road.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”4129,4130,4131,4132,4133,4134,4135,4136,4137,4138,4139,4140,4141,4142,4143,4144″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Inside, the dash has a mixture of retro design touches and modern displays. The rotary audio controls and bank of toggle switches to change driving modes are positively old school, while Ford’s latest eight-inch SYNC2 infotainment touchscreen and large central trip display are easy to use.

Overall, build quality is good, but there are some hard plastics and cheap-feeling buttons dotted around, plus the silver plastic and chrome trim on the centre console are a bit on the tacky side.

The long body means the Mustang is pretty practical for a coupe. There’s plenty of room up front, while the back seats are usable, too. In fact, the equally large (and more expensive) Nissan GT-R has far less room for back seat passengers.

Practicality is one thing, but what really matters is how the new Mustang drives. Fire up the 5.0-litre V8, and you get a traditional burble from the exhausts. Blip the throttle, and the whole car shakes, while selecting Track mode from the Driving Modes screen adds a bit more volume. It’s not as loud as a Jaguar F-Type, but it’s still a pleasing sound.

The six-speed manual gearbox has a short and crisp shift, which is helped by a user-friendly clutch. In reality, the six gears are there to help boost efficiency, because when you press on, fourth gear is all you really need to make fast progress.

Indeed, if you want to get anywhere near the claimed 20.9mpg economy figure, then you’ll find that the big, torquey V8 is happy to turn at 750rpm in sixth at 30mph if you’re cruising around town.

It’s in corners where the Mustang really needs to impress, though, and it does exactly that. The steering is light yet responsive and there are three levels of assistance – with Sport mode adding decent weight to the wheel. The traction control system has four settings; Track mode reduces the amount of electronic intervention to allow you to play with the throttle on the exit of bends, or there is the option to turn it off completely.

The 5.0 GT model comes with a limited-slip diff as standard, and the combination of fast steering and quick throttle response means the Mustang will tail slide all day if you’re so inclined. But there’s more to the Ford than just power oversteer, as the chassis also delivers decent handling. The suspension isn’t overly stiff, but body roll is well controlled and the car has an agility that defies its large dimensions.

This GT version also benefits from Brembo brakes, and while the pedal is quite sharp under foot, there’s plenty of strong and consistent bite from the six-piston calipers. The Mustang also features an Electronic Line Lock function, which is a party trick Ford has taken from drag racing.

The system fully applies the front brakes, which then allows you to spin up the rear tyres with the throttle. It’s designed to get the rears warm for standing starts at the track (Ford states that the system is for track use only), but it’s a bit of a novelty in truth. Use it frequently, and you’ll soon be on first-name terms with your local tyre fitter, as you eat your way through endless sets.

So, the Mustang is impressive in corners, yet it’s equally accomplished when you want to take it easy. The ride is comfortable at motorway speeds and only really becomes unsettled over big bumps, while tyre and road noise are well suppressed considering the big rubber tucked away at each corner.

There’s a minor issue with forward visibility due to the large hump of the bonnet ahead of you. But overall the Mustang is easy to manoeuvre, plus you get a reversing camera as standard.

We’ve established that the Ford is an accomplished drive, it looks good and benefits from useful electronic tech, but perhaps the most astonishing thing about the car is its price. In the US, the Mustang has a reputation for delivering affordable performance, and that’s something it maintains in the UK.

A price tag of £33,995 is excellent value when you consider the performance on offer, while standard kit includes sat-nav, climate control, keyless entry and go, auto xenon lights and all of the mechanical bits already mentioned – which is more than enough to overlook some of the cheaper cabin materials on show.

If you want a car with similar performance, then the BMW M235i is equally fast and is arguably better built, yet it doesn’t have the character or charm that the Mustang simply oozes from every pore.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Key Specifications”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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Step foot through the front doors of John Grose Ford, Ransomes Europark in Ipswich, right there in front of you will be one of the most beautiful modern day sport cars you’ll ever find…in stunning orange…it’s the 2016 Ford Mustang, UK specification, Right Hand Drive.

Use it as your high days and holidays sports car, enjoy it when the sun comes out but be sure to look after it and cherish it, this car is a future classic and in years to come this will be the car sitting in the showroom at Bridge Classic Cars![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Visiting our good friend Tim

As with all good restorations it’s key to build up great relationships with the people in the know. With so many passionate classic car enthusiasts around today it makes life so much easier when you know you can pick up the phone and speak to someone who’s been there and done that.

And when it comes to Jaguar E-Types there’s not many people around today that knows more about these beautiful machines than our good friend Tim Walton.

On Thursday Craig took a trip up to Coventry to spend some time with Tim and whilst there it would have been criminal not to have a sneak preview of his current E-Type restoration.

Game of Thrones arrives at Ipswich Volvo dealership

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Iron Throne prop from Sky Atlantic’s Game of Thrones arrives at Ipswich Volvo dealership.

The Iron Throne set piece from hit Sky Atlantic TV series Game of Thrones arrived in Ipswich this week, ready for budding Kings and Queens to have their pictures taken on the iconic prop.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYn35a2dSPY”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Donalds Volvo dealership in West End Road, Ipswich is hosting the set piece as part of the car manufacturer’s sponsorship with Sky Atlantic, with the Ipswich dealership landing the prop for an exclusive one-off weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday, members of the public are being invited to come down in their best fancy dress and have their picture taken for free, as well as taking part in competitions and a quest in the showroom.

Benjamin Grant, group marketing manager, said: “I was going back through Volvo’s Facebook feed and they did a pop-up shop at a Volvo event in Manchester with the throne.

“I just wrote to them asking if it was available for dealerships, and it was available for that weekend.

“It’s quite exclusive for a dealership to have it so it’s very exciting.”

The showroom will be open from 9am-6pm on Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sunday.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]