News

Transit Parts

As the restoration of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper continues to make good progress, technician Paul has made 2 brake calliper pins for it. While

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Spitfire Engine

The engine has been the centre of attention for Mauro and Rob lately. Mauro painted some of the engine components in black satin dtm while

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Another Job Done

The thermostat on our 1955 MG TF 1500 has been fitted, the carburettors adjusted and a new front bumper has been replaced on the car.

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Repairs And Prep

The two Chris’ have been working on our 1963 Bentley S3 Continental recently. The valance has been repaired and the body has begun the process

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By Road And Sea

Our 1964 Amphicar 770 is now complete! It’s great to see this stunning classic in its fully restored state. Before going home to its owner,

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Daimler Repairs

Technician James has been working on our 1964 Daimler 250 V8. The steering pump has been overhauled and has been refitted to the car along

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Retromobile 2024

For those who don’t know, Retromobile, is one of the greatest displays of automobilia on the planet. A global gathering of the most rarefied and

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Sill Step

Christian modified the sill step of our 1975 Jensen Interceptor Mk3. He also cleaned the car out and sprayed it ready for storage.

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Storage Car Work

One of our storage cars, a 1968 Triumph Spitfire was looked at by technician Steve recently. He cleaned the washer bottle as the pump was

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Competition Prep

Classic car technician Neil has been servicing our 1979 Triumph Spitfire in preparation for it to eventually be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.

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Anyone Home?

Our 1985 Austin Mini Mayfair Berkeley has been in the care of technician Neil. He has been investigating why the lights of this rare classic

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A Win And A Delivery In No Time

On Tuesday (6th February), Keith Stoddart was the lucky winner of our 1989 Ford Fiesta XR2 when his ticket number, 4198 was randomly selected by Google’s random number generator.

Keith lives up in Scotland, almost 400 miles away from the Brideg Classic Cars workshop here in Suffolk.

However, we have a wealth of experience transporting vehicles so, just over 24 hours later, Tony was pulling up at Keith’s house and handing him the keys to his new car.

Tony said it was a beautiful drive across the Pennines and was welcomed to Scotland with snow! On his way, he even managed to stop in an appropriately named shop to look for a memento or two.

It was quite late in the day when Tony finally arrived at the car’s new home but, as lucky winner Keith said, “It was well worth the wait”

Bedford HA Inspection And Repairs

As our 1982 Bedford HA Van is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website, classic car technician Jonn has been looking at it to make sure it is ready to go to the lucky winner in a couple of weeks time.

Here are his notes:

Take into workshop to finish inspection. Secure rear brake pipe to piece to rear axle. Secure wiring in offside front arch. Remove screw from offside rear tyre, not punctured. Tighten fuel tank union. Check axle and gearbox levels, ok. Tighten front crash bar. Strip brakes and inspect. Remove nearside rear adjuster and free off. Refit and adjust shoes. Delip all drums. Regrease and adjust offside front wheel bearing.

Strip and remove offside rear half shaft and bearing. Heat up bearing to remove but unable to at this point. Christian cut some plates for me to use. Heat up again and use plates to hold bearing whilst knocking half shaft from above. Remove and clean all surfaces. Make new hub gasket and clean backplate, ready for new bearing etc.

Remove rocker cover and associated parts. Check and adjust tappets. Found clearances were massive on most. Setting 0.08thou or 0.2mm. Some clearances were up to as much as 0.80thou or 2mm!!! Set to correct clearances and refit rocker cover etc. Check operation of seats. Both slide but you have to be sat in them. Found key for doors but no door lock will operate via key. If it is the correct key.

Press new wheel bearing and spacer onto half shaft. Lube o ring on bearing and hammer back into axle. Secure seal flange and backplate. Refit drum and wheel and adjust brake. Lower to ground and torque up all wheels to 68nm. Inspect drivers door lock. Remove door panel and view mechanism inside door. Found lock barrel on handle not fitted correctly. Reposition barrel inside door and test. Ok. Refit door panel. Check passengers door locks from inside. Reposition handles.

Transit Parts

As the restoration of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper continues to make good progress, technician Paul has made 2 brake calliper pins for it. While Paul was doing that, Christian fabricated some brackets for the rear side light.

Spitfire Engine

The engine has been the centre of attention for Mauro and Rob lately.

Mauro painted some of the engine components in black satin dtm while Rob unmasked the engine block and thoroughly cleaned it. The crankshaft and rear seal plate were fitted and the steering column was built up with new bushes, switches and reconditioned hardware before being fitted to the car.

The door handles were fitted with new lock barrels and keys and fitted to the car.

Rob then made the dashboard mounting plates and fitted them to the rear of the dashboard.

Jensen Paint Work

The very first Jensen we restored, our 1961 Jensen 541S has been in the paint shop with Chris. He has rubbed down the damaged area, primed, and painted the sill.

Seat Strip Down

Lydia has been stripping the seats of our 1960 Jensen 541R ready for new covers once the fabric has been chosen.

Front Hub And Suspension Strip

James has stripped the front suspension and hub parts of our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 ready for painting. Some of the bolts and pins were seized and had to be drilled out to release them. Once the parts are prepped and cleaned, new bushes and bearings can be fitted ready for reassembly.

Another Job Done

The thermostat on our 1955 MG TF 1500 has been fitted, the carburettors adjusted and a new front bumper has been replaced on the car. It has been road tested and final adjustments completed along with a clean ready for collection.

Collecting A Rare Body

Tony has collected the body of our 1955 Astin Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe after its trip to the sandblasters.

Now that it is back at the workshop, work will continue on the restoration of this rare classic.

In The Fabrication Bay

Our 1975 Cobra Project has been in the fabrication bay with Christian.

Chris has been working out the seat position and making a drill jig for the seat rails. He then cut and welded in the box section for seat placement before cutting out the hoop positions and test-fitting them. He then cut them down to a more reasonable height.

Repairs And Prep

The two Chris’ have been working on our 1963 Bentley S3 Continental recently.

The valance has been repaired and the body has begun the process of panel leveling in preparation for paint.

Doors

Workshop Manager John has been fitting up the doors of our 1987 Mercedes 500SL.

Prepping And Painting

Our 2022 Bridge C Type Replica has been spending some time in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop as Alan has been prepping the car before painting it in its new green colour.

As well as the main body of the car, Alan also painted the doors, boot lid, and other small parts.

By Road And Sea

Our 1964 Amphicar 770 is now complete!

It’s great to see this stunning classic in its fully restored state. Before going home to its owner, it will spend some time in our secure storage facility.

Daimler Repairs

Technician James has been working on our 1964 Daimler 250 V8. The steering pump has been overhauled and has been refitted to the car along with the drive belt and reservoir.

The system has been topped up, the underside areas cleaned and the car road tested. Then we checked under the car again, the steering pump and components are clean and dry now. The fluid levels were rechecked and found to be ok.

James checked the brakes while the car was on the ramp, and all was ok, although the car still had a leak from the older style “rope type” rear main. This would need the engine removing and upgrading to a modern equivalent involving modification to the engine block. Also, a small amount of coolant staining was found on the engines, but no obvious leaks when pressure testing.

Once James was finished with our Daimler, Tony loaded it into the trailer and transported it to our storage facility.

Retromobile 2024

For those who don’t know, Retromobile, is one of the greatest displays of automobilia on the planet. A global gathering of the most rarefied and elusive machinery in the classic car world.

From pre-war celebrations of incredible feats to the most modern hypercar and everything in between, it is all celebrated in at the end of January in Paris.

We unfortunately couldn’t attend this year, however our amazing friend Caroline (from Global Workshop) went along and managed to snap some incredible photos for us.

Another Competition Car Gets Ready To Leave

Now that our 1976 Leyland Mini Clubman 1100 has been won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, Jonn has been conducting one last inspection and making some repairs before it is delivered to its new owner.

Here are Jonn’s findings:

Finish inspection. Strip offside front suspension and remove hub complete. Strip and remove top ball joint, remove shims and repack with less/thinner shims. Repeat process until play removed from ball joint but still free enough to act as a ball joint. Refit hub and Co pone etc. Torque up front hub nut to 150nm. Refit wheel and torque to 61m.

Fit new nearside front subframe mount. Inspect for any other knocks. 

Remove inner rack joint from nearside. Strip old rack under my bench and fit good inner track rod to car.

Tighten inner track rod joint. Refit gaiter and secure. Refit track rod end and wheel. Carry out tracking check/adjust. Torque wheel to 61nm.

A New Shade – Our C-Type Gets Painted

The paint team here at Bridge Classic Cars have been hard at work getting our 2022 C-Type Replica into paint. The team have meticulously prepared the body and primer to get to the stage of laying down the first shades of pale green across the iconic silhouette of the car.

Dozens, if not hundreds, of hours have gone into getting the car to this stage with a large proportion of those being in the Bridge Classic Cars bodyshop.

Alan and the team have gone through every square inch of the car through every single stage to ensure the cars final finish is nothing short of perfection.

Sill Step

Christian modified the sill step of our 1975 Jensen Interceptor Mk3. He also cleaned the car out and sprayed it ready for storage.

Classic Cars And Superyachts

In such a fast moving world, there’s a certain allure to embracing the classics.  Enter classic cars and superyachts, two realms where craftsmanship, elegance, and adventure unite.  From the gleaming chrome and paintwork of classic cars to the opulent interiors of luxury yachts, these icons evoke a sense of nostalgia and sophistication that transcends time and fascinates owners and enthusiasts alike. 

Restoring a classic car or superyacht is a labour of love, requiring patience, skill, and extraordinarily high attention to detail. ย It’s a journey of discovery, uncovering hidden treasures, stories and history, preserving the legacy of these icons. ย From sourcing or fabricating rare parts to meticulously refurbishing interiors, each restoration project is a testament to the dedication and passion of enthusiasts who seek to honour the craftsmanship of generations past.ย  The restoration process creates a story in itself, just look at some of the projects of Bridge Classic Cars, you can follow the whole journey from stripping the car back, to adding the finishing touches, all on their website.ย 


The timeless appeal of classic cars and superyachts finds its ultimate expression amidst the luxurious Cรดte d’Azur. ย Against the backdrop of Monacoโ€™s clean streets and the lively promenades of Saint-Tropez, the Riviera sets the stage for an unparalleled display of sophistication and luxury. ย The global elite converges upon this coastal haven, eager to showcase their cherished possessions at prestigious gatherings like the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique and the Cannes Yachting Festival. ย Here, classic cars bask in the Mediterranean sunlight, their sleek contours reflecting the essence of Riviera elegance, meanwhile, superyachts stand as beacons of opulence in the marinas of the Mediterranean.

As custodians of automotive and maritime heritage, enthusiasts play a vital role in ensuring that classic cars and superyachts continue to inspire future generations. ย Through meticulous restoration efforts and responsible ownership, they preserve these icons for posterity. ย It’s a commitment to excellence and a reverence for the past that drives their passion and dedication.


Owning a superyacht or classic car isn’t just about the destination, it’s about the journey. ย Whether you’re exploring the scenic coastal routes of Croatia or setting sail to the remote islands of the South Pacific, the thrill of adventure is an integral part of the experience. ย It’s about enjoying the now, forging connections with like-minded individuals and creating memories that last a lifetime.

Classic cars and superyachts are more than just vehicles โ€“ they’re a passion, a pursuit, a lifestyle.  Picture yourself behind the wheel of a Jaguar E-Type, the wind in your hair as you navigate the winding coastal roads of the Cote dโ€™Azur.  Or imagine yourself aboard a 60m Feadship, cruising through the crystal clear waters of the Amalfi Coast.  These experiences could simply be dreams, or for some, a well earned pastime, transporting us back to a time, where craftsmanship and elegance were the symbols of luxury.

A New Arrival – 1989 Alfa Romeo Spider

We’ve welcomed a new arrival to our Pettistree HQ recently in the shape of our 1989 Alfa Romeo Spider Series 3.

This low slung, Italian icon will be thoroughly inspected by the workshop before becoming a future competition car.

Storage Car Work

One of our storage cars, a 1968 Triumph Spitfire was looked at by technician Steve recently.

He cleaned the washer bottle as the pump was blocked and the hand brake had a broken pivot. Steve also noted that the rear shoes were wearing thin.

Inspection And Repairs

Our 1992 Rover Mini Italian Job has been with technician Jonn. He has stripped the rear brakes, fitted new rear shoes and nearside rear wheel cylinder. He then cleaned the hub centres and wheels before securing both door mirrors and steering column cowling.

He fitted the offside rear wheel cylinder before bleeding the rear brakes. After adjusting the handbrake, Jonn checked it for operation and leaks before refitting the wheels and torquing them up.

Competition Repairs

Jonn has been making some repairs on our 1989 Ford Fiesta XR2. His notes are below:

Check brakes for any issues. Bleed full system and found lots of air in rear circuit’s. Pedal feel definitely improved. Top up reservoir. Refit rear wheels and torque up. Check auto choke mechanism. Looks OK. Refit and adjust. Choke now on as car cold. Take outside run up and carry out road test. Temp gauge only goes to top of cold section and drops again when driven. Return to workshop as choke still not coming off. Car also has a flatspot under hard acceleration. Strip and remove carb and clean out. Check diaphragms etc. Reassemble and refit. Set choke housing. It suddenly dawned on me that choke will not come off as carcisnt getting hot enough, suspect thermostat. Drain coolant. Strip and remove thermostat housing. Found thermostat broken and permanently open. Clean mating surfaces ready for new thermostat. Adjust steering as wheel was out to right when in straight line.

Carry out pdi whilst in workshop. Still waiting for rear wiper motor and thermostat.

Fit new thermostat to housing and refit housing to engine with new gasket. Connect pies and refill system with saved coolant. Are outside and run up to temperature. Check auto choke coming off when warm. Set idle and mixture. Set fast idle speed. Refit air filter and carry out road test. Stop to adjust steering twice and return to workshop.

Go into competition workshop and fit new rear wiper motor. Connect and test, ok. Secure mounting and refit wiper arm. Test, all ok. Refit boot lid trim panel with new clips.

Competition Prep

Classic car technician Neil has been servicing our 1979 Triumph Spitfire in preparation for it to eventually be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.

Lots Of Work Complete

Our 1956 Jensen 541 has made a lot of progress recently.

Paul has finished the dash mounts and has started work on the wiring. After fitting the loom, he began work wiring some of the electrical components into it.

The headlining has been fitted on our 541 too. Lydia made it from a cream vinyl with an embossed pattern. New holes for the roof bars had to be drilled as the previous holes had been repaired and filled in. Lydia then heated the vinyl and pulled it into place, making sure to remove all the creases as she went. She trimmed the excess away and tidied up the edges to make sure that the rubber for the front and back windscreens fit as they should.

Lydia then moved on to the side panels. She first covered the panels in a layer of scrim foam as the fibreglass was very bumpy. This helps to smooth out the thin headlining material. She then covered them in headlining material.

Christian got involved in the recent work too by fabricating a steering column spacer.

Anyone Home?

Our 1985 Austin Mini Mayfair Berkeley has been in the care of technician Neil. He has been investigating why the lights of this rare classic aren’t working.

Last Bit Of Paint

Alan has been adding colour to the wheel arches of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire after it had raptor applied. As well as the arches, the last few small components were painted too along with the headlight bowls and bonnet corners.

Alan then flatted and polished both sides of the bonnet.

Technician Rob has also been working on our Spitfire. He has fitted the boot lid and the lid stay was blasted and painted before being fitted to the car too.

The front side lamps were fitted to the quarter valances before these were also fitted to the car. Rob then made the brake pipes and fitted them to the brake master cylinder and pressure valve.

Latest from the team, our Transit restoration

Here is a full run down on the works carried out recently on our Ford Transit Mk2.

Tony has collected a new/old stock prop shaft whilst on his travels and it is now safely back with us here at Bridge Classic Cars HQ.

Mauro has been working on some of the smaller components to get them black up and ready for refit.

Steve has been fitting up the windows and quarter lights. We have replaced the lower mounting point for the offside quarter light frame. He has also blasted the mirror casings.

Meanwhile, Lydia in the trim-shop has cut out the plastic liner for the door cards and stuck this to the door. She has then made some minor adjustments to the door card to allow it to fit correctly under the top rail, and then put the door card clips in.

The fuel tank is in need of repair so Steve has photographed the unit to send over in preparation for the repairers.

Please hold caller… Our 1982 Bedford HA is now live

The beloved panel van formed a core moment in the automotive lives of so many. Maybe it was your first role of responsibility at work or it was an early runaround filled with friends and laughter, either way it was always there but have become a seldom sight in the UK classic car scene.

Just like this one, our 1982 Bedford HA.

Using the Vauxhall Viva as a base, the HAโ€™s were first let loose on British roads in 1964 and would continue to play a key role in the high-street landscape up until production ended in the early 1980โ€™s. A favourite with utility companies, the HAโ€™s would wear a multitude of liveries throughout their production run including the Royal Mail, British Gas, British European Airways and the famous yellow and blue British Telecom livery like our van.

After their working life was over, many of these vans would find themselves on the driveways of young petrolheads across the UK as some of their first forays onto the open road, and into a special place in their automotive hearts.

Our 1982 Bedford HA has been subject to a comprehensive restoration by a previous owner who transformed KTS 92X into the beautiful panel van that you see today and pay tribute to the bright and eye-catching British Telecom vans of the 1970s/1980s as documented in the wonderful photos of the cars transformative journey.

Now is your chance to win truly one of the most practical classics! Enter now to win our 1982 Bedford HA Van.