Finished Hood
February 22, 2024
The hood of our 1999 Rover 216 Cabriolet is finished, cleaned and ready to go. Clinton made the side tension cables for Lydia, as these
News
A Rare Non-Starter
February 22, 2024
Our 1965 Aston Martin DB5 has recently returned to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. It has come back to us so we can investigate a
A Word From Stephen Norman
February 21, 2024
Former Vauxhall MD (amongst many other influential positions), Stephen Norman recently reached out to us after seeing the arrival of our 1976 MG Midget. This
Sound Deadening And Brakes
February 21, 2024
Lydia recently covered the gearbox tunnel of our 1956 Jensen 541 with sound-deadening material. Paul has also made and fitted the brake pipes from the
Hood Going Together
February 21, 2024
Lydia has fitted the hood to our 1999 Rover 216 Cabriolet, as far as she can take it without some vital parts that she is
It’s All Coming Together
February 21, 2024
It was all hands on deck to get the headlining fitted to our Ford Transit MKII Tipper in an afternoon before the windscreen fitters arrived
Overdrive And Alternator
February 21, 2024
The overdrive on our 1980 Volvo 245 GL was not working. After investigating, Steve found that the connector under the gearbox tunnel had pulled out
Jensen Fan Switch
February 21, 2024
Jonn recently fitted a new fan switch into the radiator of our 1970 Jensen Interceptor. He then topped up the lost coolant and took it
An Ultra Rare Roof Frame
February 21, 2024
The roof frame of our 1 of 1 1905 Riley 9HP has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop with technician Mauro. Mauro painted
On Goes The Bonnet
February 21, 2024
Rob has continued with the rebuild of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire. The headlamp bezels have been fitted and the bonnet has now been fitted to
Another Car Goes Into Storage
February 21, 2024
We have recently welcomed another car into our new secure storage facility, The Hangar. This time, it was a classic MG that is now safe
Some Care For Our Van
February 21, 2024
The Bridge Classic Cars van, our 2005 Mercedes Vito has been with technician Neil undergoing some maintenance work. Neil looked at the suspension and aux
Stag Body Work
February 21, 2024
Mauro has been removing dents and completing filler work on our 1978 Triumph Stag. After this was complete, he went on to apply primer in
Caravan Camping & Motorhome Show 2024
February 21, 2024
Our friend Caroline, from Global Workshop, who provide us with our restoration management software recently attended the Caravan Camping & Motorhome Show 2024. While she
Weekend at Manor Park Classics
February 20, 2024
What a fantastic weekend we had at Manor Park Classics for their February 2024 classic auction. It’s the first time I’ve been and the second
Led Zeppelin Manager’s Ferrari 246 Dino GTS Heads To Auction
February 20, 2024
If you ever wanted to combine rock ‘n’ roll and classic cars; you’d probably end up with this…a 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino GTS purchased from
Reassembly Begins
February 19, 2024
The chassis of our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 is back from powder coating so some small new parts have been refitted. The front suspension components
Aluminium Looking
February 19, 2024
Alan has prepped the inside of the bonnet of our 2022 Bridge C Type Replica ready for paint. He masked up the bonnet with new
An Interesting New Arrival
February 19, 2024
We are used to seeing a wide range of interesting vehicles enter the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. However, we have recently welcomed something a little
Cancer Support Suffolk
February 16, 2024
We are extremely happy to be the main sponsor of the Classic and Sports Cars By The Bridge event in aid of Cancer Support Suffolk.
Interceptor Service
February 16, 2024
Our 1970 Jensen Interceptor has recently returned to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for a service, which technician Neil has been undertaking.
Riley Roof Frame
February 16, 2024
The roof frame of our 1905 Riley 9HP has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with Mauro. He has been prepping the frame before
Chassis Rebuild
February 16, 2024
The chassis rebuild of our 1954 Jaguar XK120 has begun. The front suspension and front stub axle have been fitted and, once the axle arrives
The Rebuild Continues
February 16, 2024
Technician Rob has continued his work rebuilding our 1976 Triumph Spitfire. The starter and alternator have been fitted, as have the exhaust manifold, inlet manifold,
Our Morgan Delivered
February 16, 2024
Our 1972 Morgan 4/4 was safely delivered to its lucky new owner, James, who won it through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. After being strapped into
Priming The Bonnet
February 16, 2024
Paint technician Alan has been masking up and priming the inside of the bonnet of our 2022 Bridge C-Type Replica.
DB2/4 Paint And Carbs
February 16, 2024
Our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 has made more progress in its restoration recently. Chris has painted the brake drums in satin dtm and the carbs
Vehicle Transport
February 16, 2024
We have been busy collecting and transporting vehicles in our covered trailer this week. Tony collected an MGB from Colchester and delivered it to our
Body Removal
February 16, 2024
The body of our 1960 Jensen 541R has been removed ready for work to begin on it.
Getting Things Started
February 16, 2024
An old friend returned to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop this week in the form of our 1933 Austin Seven. It came back to us
Finished Hood
February 22, 2024
The hood of our 1999 Rover 216 Cabriolet is finished, cleaned and ready to go. Clinton made the side tension cables for Lydia, as these could not be sourced online and appear to not exist! As soon as the tension cables were fitted, Lydia could commence with finishing off the hood installation.
A Rare Non-Starter
February 22, 2024
Our 1965 Aston Martin DB5 has recently returned to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. It has come back to us so we can investigate a non-starting issue.
Here are Jonn’s notes for the work completed:
Strip carbs and clean pistons. Use a micrometre to set jet depths to approx 1.6mm. Remove float bowl tops and floats and remove old petrol from carbs and replace with new petrol. Refit float and tops and reassemble. Attempt to start and car fired straight away. Disconnect fuel pipe and use pumps on car to empty tank. Refit pipe and fill with 10ltrs of E5 petrol. Run up outside and carry out road test. Return to workshop and adjust idle speed. All ok.
After Jonn had finished with our DB5, Tony delivered it back home to its owner,
A Word From Stephen Norman
February 21, 2024
Former Vauxhall MD (amongst many other influential positions), Stephen Norman recently reached out to us after seeing the arrival of our 1976 MG Midget. This is what he said:
“The MG Midget went out of production in 1978, two years earlier than the MGB and MGB GT [and coincidentally the Triumph Spitfire 1500].
The Sandglow example that you have in is not only a good-looking car but recalls to my memory that Sandglow – a staple BL colour of the mid to late ‘seventies and painted both at Cowley and in Longbridge, as witnessed on countless Minis, Allegros, Marianas and Princesses was a rare order on an MG.
That it was offered at all is down to the production of MG bodies at Pressed Steel Fisher in Cowley and their painting at Morris; specific MG colours had disappeared long before.
But Sandglow, like Tundra, was a rare colour choice on a sports car and always stood out for its rarity as much as its perception.
Mainstream on a humdrum BL Austin or Morris [or Wolseley], rare on an MG.
So typically British Leyland!
Stephen Norman“
While our MG Midget has been with us, Chris has been repairing and painting the wing.
Sound Deadening And Brakes
February 21, 2024
Lydia recently covered the gearbox tunnel of our 1956 Jensen 541 with sound-deadening material. Paul has also made and fitted the brake pipes from the master cylinder to the main pipe connector.
Paul then went on to build up the engine bay ready for the engine and gearbox. He also fabricated the rear brake wheel cylinders backing plate and fitted it in place before fitting the gearbox tunnel, and bonnet hinges. He then cleaned and painted the servo valve.
Hood Going Together
February 21, 2024
Lydia has fitted the hood to our 1999 Rover 216 Cabriolet, as far as she can take it without some vital parts that she is waiting for.
A set of tension cables was sent, but although the correct ones were ordered, we received a set for a MK5 Ford Escort!
Christian from the body shop is going to help Lydia fabricate something that will fit, and hopefully be better than what we could have ordered.
It’s All Coming Together
February 21, 2024
It was all hands on deck to get the headlining fitted to our Ford Transit MKII Tipper in an afternoon before the windscreen fitters arrived the next day. Luckily this didn’t take too long as it’s only a small roof section.
The headlining fits very crudely, being simply tucked up into a channel to secure it, without the need for glue or additional fastenings. The front is then glued on and also held in with the windscreen rubber, which is why it had to be done before the screen was fitted.
Prior to this, Lydia took the time to add some sound deadening to the roof to try and keep the cab as comfortable as possible.
Steve has also been working on our classic transit by fitting the rear lights and the newly fabricated mounts. The original gearbox has been refurbished and refitted to the van and the front bumper, end caps, door mirrors, and bonnet have all been fitted too.
Overdrive And Alternator
February 21, 2024
The overdrive on our 1980 Volvo 245 GL was not working. After investigating, Steve found that the connector under the gearbox tunnel had pulled out so he soldered a new connector on.
The alternator from our classic Volvo has returned from specialists after being refurbished. This is now ready to refit to the car.
Jensen Fan Switch
February 21, 2024
Jonn recently fitted a new fan switch into the radiator of our 1970 Jensen Interceptor.
He then topped up the lost coolant and took it outside so he could run it up to temperature. When he did this, the fans cut in and out as he wanted them to.
An Ultra Rare Roof Frame
February 21, 2024
The roof frame of our 1 of 1 1905 Riley 9HP has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop with technician Mauro.
Mauro painted the brackets in black before also painting the wood.
On Goes The Bonnet
February 21, 2024
Rob has continued with the rebuild of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire.
The headlamp bezels have been fitted and the bonnet has now been fitted to the car too. The door seals and B post capping finishers were fitted and the hood frame was bolted on.
Rob cleaned the hood frame catches and fitted them.
Another Car Goes Into Storage
February 21, 2024
We have recently welcomed another car into our new secure storage facility, The Hangar.
This time, it was a classic MG that is now safe and secure in its controlled environment in a Carcoon.
Some Care For Our Van
February 21, 2024
The Bridge Classic Cars van, our 2005 Mercedes Vito has been with technician Neil undergoing some maintenance work.
Neil looked at the suspension and aux belt of our longstanding workhorse!
Stag Body Work
February 21, 2024
Mauro has been removing dents and completing filler work on our 1978 Triumph Stag. After this was complete, he went on to apply primer in preparation for painting.
Caravan Camping & Motorhome Show 2024
February 21, 2024
Our friend Caroline, from Global Workshop, who provide us with our restoration management software recently attended the Caravan Camping & Motorhome Show 2024.
While she was there, she took some photos to show just how great the day was.
Weekend at Manor Park Classics
February 20, 2024
What a fantastic weekend we had at Manor Park Classics for their February 2024 classic auction. It’s the first time I’ve been and the second trip for Gordon and I must say, I’m super impressed with the venue and set up.
Being very interested in the media side of a business I was amazed, initially, on the broadcasting equipment and lighting they had set up in preparation for the live auction and the social media coverage going out throughout the two days. But let’s get down to business…the classic cars!
Check out the video of day 1 where I spent the afternoon having a look through the 3 halls of vehicles on display.
Then on the Saturday was big day itself, Auction Day.
We registered early doors to get our bidding card and whether the fact we were the first to register or the fact that we were mega important VIP’s, we got card number 1 which seemed to be the highlight of the weekend for Gordon.
We were greeted at the door by a very familiar face in the classic car world, Mr Paul Cowland from Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars who welcomed us with open arms and took us on a brief tour of the facilities.
We were here to buy and the 5hr trip was well worth it as the collection of cars on offer were very impressive. A total of 6 we had our eyes on…
We weren’t lucky enough to buy all 6 but that did mean we came back a little richer than we expected so it wasn’t a failure as we managed to grab 4 fantastic vehicles, 3 of which will be coming to a competition near you very soon.
Lovely to meet the team at Manor Park Classics, a special thank you to Paul Cowland for a personal guided tour which happened to start out in the men’s toilet of all places! Also, great to meet and have a brief chat with another legend in the world of classic cars, Drew Pritchard. We missed out on successfully winning his Beetle but there’s always next time!
Led Zeppelin Manager’s Ferrari 246 Dino GTS Heads To Auction
February 20, 2024
If you ever wanted to combine rock ‘n’ roll and classic cars; you’d probably end up with this…a 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino GTS purchased from new by Peter Grant, the manager of legendary rock group Led Zeppelin – and that’s exactly what’s going up for sale through an online auction with Car & Classic this week.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Pedigree Meets Italian Craftsmanship
Peter Grant, the man who played a huge role in Led Zeppelin’s meteoric rise to fame and record-breaking success, ordered his Dino as one of only 235 right-hand drive versions brought into the UK between 1972 and 1974. Its configuration alone makes it a rare classic but, with its time living the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle added in, this is one special car.
Delivered in a striking Rosso Bordeaux colour (a non-standard, non-metallic option) paired with brown leather upholstery, this Dino was one of just 114 ordered in this colour specification.
A Meticulously Maintained Car
Over the years, the Ferrari 246 Dino GTS has been well maintained by Ferrari specialists. From rebuilt suspension and brakes to the installation of a high-torque starter motor, no expense has been spared in preserving this dream classic. Now MOT-exempt due to its classic status, this Dino still offers an authentic driving experience, remaining mechanically original in most respects.
More Than Just a Car
Dale Vinten, head of editorial at Car & Classic said “With many members of Led Zeppelin known to enjoy their fair share of supercars, including many Ferraris, this Dino, formerly owned by Peter Grant, is a cherished, usable example with a proven history. It’s not just a car; it’s a piece of rock history, a fantastic piece of Led Zeppelin memorabilia, and a lovely example of a collectable 246 Dino GTS – it’s something that everyone can hopefully appreciate carries significant importance.”
The Auction
The auction will begin on 22nd February 2024 and run until 29th February 2024. Car & Classic estimates that the car will sell for between £275,000 – £350,000 and invites all interested parties to register their pre-bids here.
Reassembly Begins
February 19, 2024
The chassis of our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 is back from powder coating so some small new parts have been refitted. The front suspension components have been painted, and new bushes, parts and bearings fitted ready for attaching. We are waiting for the rear axle to be completed, but in the mean time have been recommissioning the brake system, ready to be refitted once it has arrived. We have ordered the nearside now to enable us to build up steering/suspension and brakes to the chassis while the body repair continues.
Chris has also been making some repairs to the chassis.
Aluminium Looking
February 19, 2024
Alan has prepped the inside of the bonnet of our 2022 Bridge C Type Replica ready for paint.
He masked up the bonnet with new masking tape and sheeting and painted the inside in fine aluminium.
An Interesting New Arrival
February 19, 2024
We are used to seeing a wide range of interesting vehicles enter the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. However, we have recently welcomed something a little bit different – our Raleigh Chopper MK3 ‘Ben Sherman’ Limited Edition.
As one of only 400 examples made, you’re probably not going to see many of these around.
Now that it is here at the workshop, it will be inspected, assessed, and undergo some work before its future is decided.
Cancer Support Suffolk
February 16, 2024
We are extremely happy to be the main sponsor of the Classic and Sports Cars By The Bridge event in aid of Cancer Support Suffolk.
The entire team here at Bridge Classic Cars understand how important the charity’s work is and we are very proud to be doing our part in helping them raise much-needed funds.
More information about the event can be found here and we will share more details of our involvement very soon too.
Interceptor Service
February 16, 2024
Our 1970 Jensen Interceptor has recently returned to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for a service, which technician Neil has been undertaking.
Riley Roof Frame
February 16, 2024
The roof frame of our 1905 Riley 9HP has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with Mauro.
He has been prepping the frame before applying epoxy primer ready for it to be painted black.
Chassis Rebuild
February 16, 2024
The chassis rebuild of our 1954 Jaguar XK120 has begun.
The front suspension and front stub axle have been fitted and, once the axle arrives back at the workshop, the rebuild can continue.
The Rebuild Continues
February 16, 2024
Technician Rob has continued his work rebuilding our 1976 Triumph Spitfire. The starter and alternator have been fitted, as have the exhaust manifold, inlet manifold, and exhaust system.
Our Morgan Delivered
February 16, 2024
Our 1972 Morgan 4/4 was safely delivered to its lucky new owner, James, who won it through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
After being strapped into our covered trailer, it made the three-and-a-half-hour trip to Warwick. Our driver Tony enjoyed the scenery en route and was very pleased to see how excited James was to receive his new car.
Priming The Bonnet
February 16, 2024
Paint technician Alan has been masking up and priming the inside of the bonnet of our 2022 Bridge C-Type Replica.
DB2/4 Paint And Carbs
February 16, 2024
Our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 has made more progress in its restoration recently.
Chris has painted the brake drums in satin dtm and the carbs have been finished too.
Vehicle Transport
February 16, 2024
We have been busy collecting and transporting vehicles in our covered trailer this week.
Tony collected an MGB from Colchester and delivered it to our secure storage facility before also collecting our classic Mini and Ducati motorbike to put into storage too.
Body Removal
February 16, 2024
The body of our 1960 Jensen 541R has been removed ready for work to begin on it.
Getting Things Started
February 16, 2024
An old friend returned to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop this week in the form of our 1933 Austin Seven.
It came back to us so we could investigate a non-starting issue. After Tony collected the vehicle and brought it to the workshop, technician Neil cleaned the plugs as well as adjusted and cleaned the points.
Tony then loaded the car back into the trailer and returned it to its owner.
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