The Ford Capri Is Coming Back!
March 22, 2023
The Ford Capri is making a return to the world of motoring and is expected to go on sale next year. However, things will be
News
New Shocks For Our Suzuki
March 22, 2023
The new shocks for our 1984 Suzuki GSX 400T have finally arrived! To make them fit as they need to, a new upper mount will
2 Classics Go Home
March 22, 2023
Our 1986 Daimler DS420 and our 1970 Bristol 411 have left the Bridge Classic Cars workshop and are now on their way back to their
Restoring A Spitfire
March 22, 2023
Another classic car will soon be arriving at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500 is coming to us for a full
Just Launched – 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850
March 21, 2023
Our 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850 is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website. After spending time in the Bridge Classic Cars Paint
Rebuilding A Jensen 541R
March 21, 2023
Classic car technician Rob has continued his work on our 1959 Jensen 541R. He has made and fitted the bulkhead heat shields, as well as
Rolls Royce Is Going To The Moon
March 21, 2023
Rolls Royce has been given funding from the UK Space Agency to continue its research into how nuclear power could be used to support a
Brake Issues
March 21, 2023
One of the issues classic car technician Steve has found with our 1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus is that there was no brake fluid going to
Back To Metal
March 21, 2023
Classic car technician Al has been stripping our 1976 Aston Martin AMV8 back to bare metal in preparation for a new coat of paint. After
Our MGB GT Delivered
March 20, 2023
Lucky winner, Michael Bambridge took delivery of his 1968 MGB GT recently. Michael won this beautiful classic car when his ticket number, 2232, was randomly
Brakes And More
March 20, 2023
All of the brakes on our 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 have been bled by classic car technician John. After bleeding the front brakes, John
Working On A Classic MGB
March 20, 2023
Our 1975 MGB GT V8 has been in the hands of classic car technician Steve. He has been fitting new poly bushes to the front
Painting Daimler Parts
March 20, 2023
Classic car technician Mauro has been painting parts of our 1964 Daimler 250 V8 including the front suspension frame. This classic car has been in
The Ferrari Roma Spider Is Here
March 17, 2023
The brand new Ferrari Roma Spider has been revealed – and it certainly seems to be causing quite a stir. This 612bhp V8 convertible supercar
The Next Generation Of Classic Car Restoration
March 17, 2023
To some people, the classic car world is one that will eventually die out as the automotive industry continues to move forwards at a blistering
Actor Theo James Drives A Classic Austin Healey During Filming
March 17, 2023
Hollywood actor Theo James has been seen driving a 1962 Austin Healey 3000 during the filming of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix adaptation of The Gentlemen. Theo
Our Audi Winner Gets His Prize
March 16, 2023
On 23rd February 2023, Daniel Ewen was randomly selected as the lucky winner of our 1973 Audi 100 Coupe S. We delivered the Audi to
Original Wheels Refitted
March 16, 2023
When our 1987 Porsche 928 Series 4 arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, it had after-market wheels on it. We have recently refitted original
The Atelier At Bridge Classic Cars
March 16, 2023
If you haven’t been to visit us in person yet, you won’t have experienced what it’s like in The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars. Work
A Saab 96V4 Returns
March 16, 2023
After being looked after at our secure storage facility, The Hangar, a couple of years ago, our 1973 Saab 96V4 has returned to us. Rather
Work Continues On Our Classic Daimler
March 16, 2023
Classic car technician Scott has been servicing the engine of our 1964 Daimler 250 V8. While doing this, Scott fitted new engine mounts and cleaned
A Successful Day At Auction
March 15, 2023
Craig has spent the day at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire at an auction hosted by H and H. There was a wide variety
An MGA Arrives
March 15, 2023
A new arrival has entered the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in the form of our 1960 MGA 1600. It usually resides in Spain with its
Competition Cancelled
March 15, 2023
We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, our 1977 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing competition has been cancelled. Here’s what you need to
From Ultra Rare To First Of The First
March 15, 2023
We have always known that our 1905 Riley 9HP is a very special vehicle. It was believed to be just 1 of 3 remaining examples
Entry Is Now Open – 1977 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
March 14, 2023
Our 1977 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website. Classic motorbikes like this don’t tend to be available
Coffee & Classics – 14th March 2023
March 14, 2023
We hosted our second Coffee & Classics event this morning from The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars. It was great to welcome a group of
The Late Queen’s Jaguar Donated To Comic Relief By Chris Evans
March 14, 2023
A 2009 Jaguar X-Type Estate that was previously owned and driven by the late Queen Elizabeth II has been donated to Comic Relief by Chris
Our BRM Delivered
March 13, 2023
The lucky winner of our 1999 Rover BRM, Neil Owen, has a stronger connection to the car than most. Neil’s late Grandfather was Sir Alfred
Sunbeam Radiator
March 13, 2023
Classic car technician Steve has fitted a new sender unit and boss to our 1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus. With the investigation and work still ongoing
The Ford Capri Is Coming Back!
March 22, 2023
The Ford Capri is making a return to the world of motoring and is expected to go on sale next year. However, things will be a bit different to the Capris of old, as the new Ford Capri will be electric!
With a price tag of around £40,000, the electric Capri is reportedly going to produce 300bhp, have a range of 310 miles when fully charged, and accelerate from 0-60mph in a little over 6 seconds. Despite being electric, there will still be plenty of recognisable features to be seen such as the traditional four headlights. To help make the Capri practical in the modern world, an interior touch screen and wireless phone charger will also be added.
The original Ford Capri was extremely well-received and sold 400,000 units within 2 years of its launch before going on to sell more than 1.8 million units up until production was stopped at the end of 1986. After being introduced at the Brussels Motor Show in 1969, the MK1 was known for its spotlights, Rostyle wheels, and bulging bonnet. Back then, a Capri would cost you less than £1000 for an entry-level model.
The Capri has been seen and loved at car shows all over the world and celebrated its 50th birthday at the Silverstone Classic in 2019. With several celebrity Capri owners, some of these classics have been sold for more than £70,000 in recent years.
In addition to its popularity on the road, the Ford Capri also experienced success on the race track with multiple touring car championship titles to its name.
Ford confirmed that it plans to launch seven new electric vehicles by 2024 so we might be seeing more iconic classic Fords make a return of sorts in the next 12 months (including an electric Transit Van) so the Capri might still be joined by some of its former road mates very soon.
New Shocks For Our Suzuki
March 22, 2023
The new shocks for our 1984 Suzuki GSX 400T have finally arrived!
To make them fit as they need to, a new upper mount will need to be made on the drive side. The stub to the collar on the frame will need grinding off so it can be drilled out and a new one welded in. On the other side of the bike, a spacer and dome note should be all that is needed.
2 Classics Go Home
March 22, 2023
Our 1986 Daimler DS420 and our 1970 Bristol 411 have left the Bridge Classic Cars workshop and are now on their way back to their owner in the Netherlands.
Both cars have been completely transformed from how they looked when they first arrived with us and we are very excited to see them be reunited with their owner. The 1970 Bristol 411 was a right-hand drive vehicle before our team of classic car technicians converted it to a left-hand drive. Once converted it was rebuilt and eventually turned into the beautiful classic car you can see in the images below.
The 1986 Daimler DS420 originated in America before being brought to us. Since being in the workshop, its colour has changed from white to blue and various other issues have been resolved to get the car into the condition it leaves us in.
After a lot of time and effort, it is always great to see restored cars leaving the Bridge Classic Cars workshop and being returned to their owners.
We hope our customer enjoys their restored classics and we look forward to seeing them being driven on the roads in the Netherlands.
Restoring A Spitfire
March 22, 2023
Another classic car will soon be arriving at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500 is coming to us for a full restoration.
This will be the 4th concours restoration for one of our customers. We will be working closely with them over the coming weeks and months to determine the final specifications of the registration. However, one thing that has already been confirmed is that it will stay as a left-hand drive vehicle. As it will be heading off to France once it leaves us, the current configuration is ideal.
We are looking forward to work beginning on our 1976 Triumph Spitfire very soon and we are sure it will look incredible once the restoration is complete.
Just Launched – 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850
March 21, 2023
Our 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850 is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
After spending time in the Bridge Classic Cars Paint Shop and having a full re-paint, this is one of the best-presented classic minis we have ever had as a competition car.
Tickets are available to buy now so don’t miss your chance to be the new owner of our 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850.
Rebuilding A Jensen 541R
March 21, 2023
Classic car technician Rob has continued his work on our 1959 Jensen 541R. He has made and fitted the bulkhead heat shields, as well as bolting the rear axle and front suspension cross member into place.
The engine of this rare Jensen is now also back with the car. Rob actually came up with an innovative new way of getting the engine back into the car and this is something the whole team will look to implement going forwards.
As we are well-known for some of our restoration work on Jensens 541Rs, it shows that the experience the classic car technicians, like Rob, have is allowing them to come up with new ways of restoring these cars and keeping them on the road for as long as possible.
We will certainly be delving deeper into the new engine fitting process very soon but, for now, it is exciting to see our 1959 Jensen 541R coming back together nicely.
Rolls Royce Is Going To The Moon
March 21, 2023
Rolls Royce has been given funding from the UK Space Agency to continue its research into how nuclear power could be used to support a future human base on the moon.
Going into space obviously requires a dependable power source to keep the multitude of systems operating during missions. Things like life support and communications are of paramount importance, and scientific experiments also need to be conducted with a consistent power source.
As nuclear power has the potential to drastically increase the amount of time humans could stay on the moon in future missions, scientists and engineers at Rolls Royce are working on a Micro-Reactor programme which aims to develop technology to power a lunar base.
The UK Space Agency has given £2.9 million in funding to the project with the aim of delivering an initial demonstration of a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor. This round of funding comes after a £249,000 study in 2022 which was also funded by the UK Space Agency
Nuclear Power
Rolls-Royce plan to have a reactor ready to send to the moon by 2029. While the project is primarily focused on powering facilities off-planet, the aim is to create a world-leading power and propulsion capability for multiple industries and needs including a clean, green, and long-term power source. Micro-Reactor technology also has a lot of potential to be used for commercial and defence applications too.
A nuclear Micro-Reactor is relatively small and lightweight when compared to other power systems and generates continuous power regardless of location, available sunlight, or any other environmental conditions. Along with their engineers, Rolls-Royce will be working with several other parties including the University of Oxford, the University of Bangor, the University of Brighton, the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Nuclear AMRC.
Thanks to the £2.9 million in funding, Rolls-Royce can now further strengthen its knowledge of these highly complex systems. The project will focus on three key features – the fuel used to generate heat, the method of heat transfer and the technology to convert that heat into electricity.
Making The Moon A Permanent Base
The UK Space Agency recently announced that funding of £51 million was available to UK companies to help develop communication and navigational technology to support missions to the moon. It forms part of the European Space Agency’s Moonlight Programme which has the goal of having a constellation of satellites in orbit around the moon.
Partnering with Rolls-Royce is just one step towards future astronauts and rovers having the capabilities to navigate the lunar surface safely, as well as helping to support scientific experiments.
What The Experts Say
George Freeman, Minister of State at the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology said:
“Space exploration is the ultimate laboratory for so many of the transformational technologies we need on Earth: from materials to robotics, nutrition, cleantech and much more. As we prepare to see humans return to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, we are backing exciting research like this lunar modular reactor with Rolls-Royce to pioneer new power sources for a lunar base. Partnerships like this, between British industry, the UK Space Agency and government are helping to create jobs across our £16 billion Space Tech sector and help ensure the UK continues to be a major force in frontier science.”
Abi Clayton, Director of Future Programmes for Rolls-Royce said:
“The new tranche of funding from the UK Space Agency means so much for the Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor Programme. We’re proud to work collaboratively with the UK Space Agency and the many UK academic institutions to showcase the best of UK innovation and knowledge in space. This funding will bring us further down the road in making the Micro-Reactor a reality, with the technology bringing immense benefits for both space and Earth. The technology will deliver the capability to support commercial and defence use cases alongside providing a solution to decarbonise industry and provide clean, safe and reliable energy.”
The Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, Dr Paul Bate, said:
“We are backing technology and capabilities to support ambitious space exploration missions and boost sector growth across the UK. Developing space nuclear power offers a unique chance to support innovative technologies and grow our nuclear, science and space engineering skills base. This innovative research by Rolls-Royce could lay the groundwork for powering continuous human presence on the Moon, while enhancing the wider UK space sector, creating jobs and generating further investment.”
Rolls-Royce In Space
With this partnership between the UK Space Agency and Rolls-Royce, it is a clear sign that big names in the automotive industry are much more than just car manufacturers. They have the potential to not only change people’s day-to-day lives by creating convenient vehicles, but they also have the potential to change the future of humanity on a planetary level.
Brake Issues
March 21, 2023
One of the issues classic car technician Steve has found with our 1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus is that there was no brake fluid going to the near-side front wheel. After disassembling the brake compensation valve, Steve found that this was caused by the internal piston being fitted the wrong way round at some point in the vehicle’s life.
While working on the brakes, Steve also found that the master cylinder reservoir seals were fitted incorrectly. This meant that the brake fluid was blocked from filling the rear chamber and going to the rear brakes.
Steve continues to work on our 1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus and will carry on investigating and resolving the reported issues while we have the car in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Back To Metal
March 21, 2023
Classic car technician Al has been stripping our 1976 Aston Martin AMV8 back to bare metal in preparation for a new coat of paint.
After Scott stripped most of the components from this classic Aston Martin, Al continued the prep work until it was just a bare metal shell. Even in this state, you can still see how stunning our AMV8 is but, once it leaves the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop, it will look even better and be one step closer to getting back out on the road with its owner.
Our MGB GT Delivered
March 20, 2023
Lucky winner, Michael Bambridge took delivery of his 1968 MGB GT recently.
Michael won this beautiful classic car when his ticket number, 2232, was randomly chosen during our live draw held on 9th March 2023.
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars loves MGBs and this one is no exception. We would like to congratulate Michael again on his win and we hope he enjoys being an MGB owner.
Brakes And More
March 20, 2023
All of the brakes on our 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 have been bled by classic car technician John. After bleeding the front brakes, John reassembled the front suspension. All the brakes were bled as it was noticed that the brake fluid looked high in water content.
John went on to clean and fit new bonnet bushes and pins. He rewired the loom to the bonnet as it was hard-wired to it previously – John had to cut the wires to remove the bonnet. Once the bonnet was refitted, the wiring was completed and connected to the inside of the bonnet and to the new connector plug.
The bonnet ram was cleaned and repainted before John went on to refit the stereo and interior. While doing this, he noticed that the horn and the main beam flash weren’t working. After checking and replacing the fuse, John found some ‘interesting’ wiring behind the dash which had been done prior to coming to us.
Exhaust blow was coming from the downpipes so these were removed, cleaned, and resealed. The thread of 3 studs had gone so these were removed and replaced with nuts and bolts instead. After tightening and testing, everything was working as it should.
Working On A Classic MGB
March 20, 2023
Our 1975 MGB GT V8 has been in the hands of classic car technician Steve. He has been fitting new poly bushes to the front suspension as well as fitting new front bump stops too.
Steve went on fit a new universal joint to the steering column as his work continued on our classic MGB GT V8.
MGBs are very popular with the team here at Bridge Classic Cars and this one is a great-looking classic so we are enjoying having it in the workshop for a little while.
Painting Daimler Parts
March 20, 2023
Classic car technician Mauro has been painting parts of our 1964 Daimler 250 V8 including the front suspension frame.
This classic car has been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for a few weeks now and work has been ongoing to get it back out on the road after being in storage for several years.
The Ferrari Roma Spider Is Here
March 17, 2023
The brand new Ferrari Roma Spider has been revealed – and it certainly seems to be causing quite a stir.
This 612bhp V8 convertible supercar is the first front-engined Ferrari to have a fabric roof since 1969 when the 365 GTS4 was released. The new Spider is heavier than the Roma Coupe (84kg heavier, in fact) but the added weight is mostly the result of the roof storage and wind deflector that helps increase comfort and aerodynamics.
The wind deflector rotates the backrest of the rear seats into a position where it sits behind the driver and passenger’s head. This clever design is deployed with the press of a small button on the centre console. Speaking of the centre console, the new Spider has the familiar Roma dual-cockpit look thanks to the high position of the control panel.
Performance figures are pretty impressive too with 612bhp being generated from the 3.9-litre V8 turbo. 0-62mph is done in 3.4 seconds and you can carry on all the way up to just under 200mph. It also has an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox and it sounds even better than previous models thanks to the new exhaust tune.
The roof can be opened or folded away in 13.5 seconds and this can be done at any speed up to 37mph. Inside the car, the driver benefits from an 8.4-inch central display and, as an optional extra, a screen can be added to the passenger side too.
A Ferrari like this certainly won’t come cheap and the UK price point has not yet been confirmed by Ferrari. However, a smart guess would be that it will be more expensive than the coupe which currently starts from around £175,000. This might make it an unobtainable car to most but, even admiring it from a distance, you can’t help but appreciate its stunning looks.
The Next Generation Of Classic Car Restoration
March 17, 2023
To some people, the classic car world is one that will eventually die out as the automotive industry continues to move forwards at a blistering pace towards an alternative fuel future.
However, classic cars hold so many memories and interesting stories that more and more of the younger generations are finding their way into classic car restoration. One such person is 19-year-old Luke Henshaw who is the Heritage Vehicle Apprentice at The Great British Car Journey in Ambergate, Derbyshire.
Actor Theo James Drives A Classic Austin Healey During Filming
March 17, 2023
Hollywood actor Theo James has been seen driving a 1962 Austin Healey 3000 during the filming of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix adaptation of The Gentlemen. Theo plays the lead character of Eddie Halstead in the highly-anticipated series that takes place in the same world as the widely successful film of the same name from 2019.
Theo was dressed smartly as he drove the classic Austin Healey through the grounds of the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire. This is the same location that has been used for scenes in Bridgerton, Pearl Harbour, and 28 Days Later.
A camera could be clearly seen attached to the front of the car catching action shots of the actor driving the blue and white vehicle.
Theo has previously starred in multiple high-profile films such as The Divergent Trilogy (Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant), Downton Abbey, How It Ends, and The Time Traveler’s Wife.
In the series, Theo’s character, Eddie, inherits his father’s large estate before discovering that it is actually a marijuana empire.
Guy Ritchie is the man behind the creation of The Gentlemen TV series and he will also direct the first two episodes. When talking about the new series, Guy said “The world of ‘The Gentlemen’ is a little bit of me, I’m thrilled that with Netflix, Miramax and Moonage we have this opportunity to inhabit it once again.
‘We’re looking forward to bringing fans back into that world, introducing new characters and their stories and I am excited to be doing it with this extremely talented cast.’
‘The Gentlemen’ is expected to be released towards the end of 2023 and we are sure that it will be an extremely popular series but, for now, we are more than happy to simply admire the 1962 Austin Healey 3000 being driven around the beautiful Badminton Estate.
The full story and images can be seen here.
Our Audi Winner Gets His Prize
March 16, 2023
On 23rd February 2023, Daniel Ewen was randomly selected as the lucky winner of our 1973 Audi 100 Coupe S.
We delivered the Audi to Daniel today and we are pleased to see that he was very happy to have this stunning classic car parked up on his driveway.
Daniel’s winning ticket number was 2041 which was drawn live on our Facebook page.
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to congratulate Daniel again and we hope he enjoys his very special Audi 100 Coupe S.
Original Wheels Refitted
March 16, 2023
When our 1987 Porsche 928 Series 4 arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, it had after-market wheels on it.
We have recently refitted original wheels back onto our classic Porsche to help it look much closer to how it would have looked when it left the Porsche factory back in 1987,
Our 1987 Porsche 928 Series 4 continues to make good progress and we are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this beautiful 928.
The Atelier At Bridge Classic Cars
March 16, 2023
If you haven’t been to visit us in person yet, you won’t have experienced what it’s like in The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars. Work still continues to make this space a very comfortable and enjoyable place to be for petrolheads, car clubs, and other classic car enthusiasts.
Since our licensed bar has been installed, we have had a new fire exit fitted, and some new furniture has been made too. Recently, we have begun the process of finding the best way to heat the beautiful events space.
We have had 2 wall-mounted heaters fitted and these are being tested to see if they are up to the job of heating the 2450 square feet building.
The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars continues to develop and improve. With more and more events being added to the calendar, we hope to see you in The Atelier very soon.
A Saab 96V4 Returns
March 16, 2023
After being looked after at our secure storage facility, The Hangar, a couple of years ago, our 1973 Saab 96V4 has returned to us.
Rather than going into storage though, this time it is in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop to investigate and resolve some issues that the owner has been experiencing. One of these is that a puddle of clutch fluid was found on its garage floor and pressure has been lost.
Our team of classic car technicians will investigate what might be causing this and look to resolve it ready for this rally car to get back out on the road.
Work Continues On Our Classic Daimler
March 16, 2023
Classic car technician Scott has been servicing the engine of our 1964 Daimler 250 V8. While doing this, Scott fitted new engine mounts and cleaned the old caked-on grease and oil from the engine. He also replaced the brake master cylinder.
Scott moved on to refitting the rear axle. However, while he was building it back up, he noticed that the threads were damaged on the off-side rear half shaft so a new shaft and bearing were ordered.
While waiting for the new shaft to arrive, Scott removed and stripped the front axle. Once the new parts were here, the old half shaft was removed and replaced with the new shaft and bearing.
A Successful Day At Auction
March 15, 2023
Craig has spent the day at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire at an auction hosted by H and H.
There was a wide variety of vehicles available for sale throughout the day, and Craig ended up purchasing more than one, which will find their way to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in the next week or so.
A successful auction trip is always a good day and we are very pleased with the new additions to our collection – more on those very soon!
In the meantime, here’s a little behind-the-scenes look at some of the vehicles going to auction.
An MGA Arrives
March 15, 2023
A new arrival has entered the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in the form of our 1960 MGA 1600.
It usually resides in Spain with its owner but has been left with us to recommission. While the recommissioning won’t happen straight away, due to how busy our team of classic car technicians are with our current projects, the car will stay with us until work is complete.
We are very much looking forward to having our MGA in the workshop and we are excited to get work started on it.
Competition Cancelled
March 15, 2023
We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, our 1977 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing competition has been cancelled.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Everyone who has purchased tickets for this competition will receive a full refund on Monday 20th March 2023
Or
- If you would prefer, you can receive £10 in competition site credit for each ticket you have purchased
If you have entered the competition, please check your email inbox as you would have received additional information about your refund options.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by this cancellation and wish to thank you for your ongoing support.
From Ultra Rare To First Of The First
March 15, 2023
We have always known that our 1905 Riley 9HP is a very special vehicle. It was believed to be just 1 of 3 remaining examples since it first arrived in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, however, we have recently learned that it might actually be even rarer and even more special than that!
After being contacted by Geoff Haviland, Chairman of The Riley Cars Heritage Trust, it appears that our Riley 9 is likely to be a prototype for the model that went into production, and was the first automobile to come with removable wheels. If this is the case, then it is a possibility that our Riley is the very first of the first cars to have removable wheels.
The Riley 9HP V-Twin was first released to the public at the 1906 Motor Show and was known as a 1907-season car. However, we have information to say that our Riley dates back to 1905, again, indicating its prototype status. The bench seat of our 9HP also shows its prototype potential as the vehicles that came off the production line had 2 seats instead of the one that ours has.
All signs seem to be pointing to the fact that our 1905 Riley 9HP is something extraordinarily special and helped to lay the foundations of the highly successful run of Riley vehicles that followed.
Entry Is Now Open – 1977 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
March 14, 2023
Our 1977 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
Classic motorbikes like this don’t tend to be available for very long so, if you want your chance to be the new owner of our Gold Wing, tickets are available now.
Coffee & Classics – 14th March 2023
March 14, 2023
We hosted our second Coffee & Classics event this morning from The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars.
It was great to welcome a group of fellow classic car enthusiasts to enjoy a coffee with us as well as have a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Our Coffee & Classics mornings happen on the second Tuesday of every month. With this and other exciting events coming up over the next few months, we hope to see even more of you very soon.
Thank you to everyone who came to see us this morning and we look forward to seeing you all again in the near future.
The Late Queen’s Jaguar Donated To Comic Relief By Chris Evans
March 14, 2023
A 2009 Jaguar X-Type Estate that was previously owned and driven by the late Queen Elizabeth II has been donated to Comic Relief by Chris Evans and his motoring event, CarFest, to help raise money for the charity’s Red Nose Day appeal.
The Queen was photographed driving the car and the original vehicle handbook confirms the registration as PYN 1F which belonged to the late Monarch.
The 2009 Jaguar X-Type Estate comes in Emerald Fire with a Barley Leather interior. It was designed by Ian Callum and has a sunroof, automatic transmission, electric windows, climate control, and a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate. It has covered 73,000 miles and it was previously sold at auction in November 2022 for £43,000.
If you want to own this extremely special vehicle, you won’t need to pay out that much though. Instead, you can win it by sending a simple text message. Full details here.
When speaking about donating this very special Jaguar, Chris Evans said “I’m so grateful CarFest is able to support Comic Relief and I’m thrilled that we are able to donate this very special historic car, and so pleased to be able to share it with another enthusiast, especially for such an important cause.”
Samir Patel, who is the CEO of Comic Relief said “We are enormously grateful to Chris Evans and CarFest for this generous donation for Red Nose Day – this truly is a prize like no other we have ever been able to offer our supporters. This is an extraordinary opportunity to own a real piece of history and will be such a special prize for the lucky winner.
“From homelessness to mental health problems to food poverty, the money raised will help people facing incredibly tough times in the UK and around the world. Huge thank you to everyone who enters.”
Red Nose Day 2023
Red Nose Day 2023 will be taking place on Friday 17th March 2023. All the money raised will go towards supporting people who are struggling due to the cost of living crisis as well as trying to tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, and food poverty both nationally and internationally.
Part of the money raised will also go towards helping the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Our BRM Delivered
March 13, 2023
The lucky winner of our 1999 Rover BRM, Neil Owen, has a stronger connection to the car than most.
Neil’s late Grandfather was Sir Alfred Owen who, at the age of 21 became the Chief Executive of The Rubery Owen Group. After being run by his father up until his death, the Rubery Owen empire dominated the light steel industry in Britain for the first half of the twentieth century. Once Sir Alfred took over though, it expanded on a global scale.
In 1952, The Rubery Owen Group (under Alfred’s control) acquired the BRM Formula 1 team. The team was struggling but that was soon to change. Along with the team’s fortunes, the team name was also changed from BRM to the Owen Racing Organisation, however, the cars were still always known as BRMs.
Despite now picking up occasional international victories, Sir Alfred wanted more and even threatened to close the team down for good if success was not achieved. With the introduction of the new BRM P57, driver Graham Hill became the world champion with BRM also taking the constructors championship at the same time.
Sir Alfred Owen continued to sponsor the BRM team until his death in 1975. The team would ultimately come to an end just 2 years later in 1977.
Now Neil Owen is the new owner of our 1999 Rover BRM. It seems a fitting home for this car and is something of a homecoming to the family that kept BRM racing for so many years.
Neil was randomly selected as the winner of our BRM with his ticket number 1890 during the live draw held on 2nd March 2023. Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to congratulate Neil again on winning the car and we are extremely happy it has gone to someone with such a deep connection to the vehicle.
Sunbeam Radiator
March 13, 2023
Classic car technician Steve has fitted a new sender unit and boss to our 1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus.
With the investigation and work still ongoing with this classic car, Steve and the rest of the workshop team will continue working on it until it is driving as it should and is ready to go back to its owner.
