News

Sunbeam Radiator

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

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Recreating The Past

Since being started for only the second time in several decades, our 1905 Riley 9HP continues to make progress. With so little information about the

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Going To Auction

Our 1974 Triumph Stag is going to auction. Classic Car Auctions will be offering this beautiful classic car for sale and we are sure that

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Tickets Available Now

Our 1976 Leyland Mini Clubman 110 is live now on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website. This beautiful classic mini underwent extensive restoration and has

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Little Eva Spotted

Images of our 1961 Mini Deluxe ‘Little Eva’ were shared recently on social media by N G Vehicle Logistics. They were transporting the beautiful classic

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A New Arrival

We have recently welcomed our 1987 Porsche 928 Series 4 into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. It has come in for our team of classic

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Progress Images

After the recent progress update that we received from JAL Restorations about our 1984 Suzuki GSX400, we have now received some images of the bike

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Bespoke Tables

The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars continues to transform into a unique events space. Whether it is being used for a live draw through Bridge

Read More ยป

Paint Prep

Our 1996 Rover 220 Turbo has continued its time in the Bridge Classic Cars Paintshop as it is being prepped for a new coat of

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Enjoying A DB9

Nick Jones was the lucky winner of our 2005 Aston Martin DB9 back in December last year. Since he took delivery of his new car,

Read More ยป

Sunbeam Radiator

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.

The Investigation Begins For Our 1975 MGB GT V8

A recent arrival to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop is our 1975 MGB GT V8. It has come to us so our team of classic car technicians can investigate and resolve a number of issues that the owner has reported.

Some of the issues to be investigated include the car not starting from cold, setting up and tuning the restored carbs, as well as a few other points of interest too.

Classic car technician Steve began his investigation of our classic MGB GT V8 and found various worn and cracked front suspension bushes. He also noted that the front bump stops were coming apart.

Steve went on to get the base settings for the jet heights in order to set up the carburettors very soon.

Refitting An Engine

John has been preparing our 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 for its engine to be reinstalled.

A new clutch was fitted and the gearbox and overdrive unit were refitted too. John also painted various suspension pieces black where the paint had chipped off previously.

As the engine installation continued, John began making the connections and refitting the ancillaries. The sump bung thread was bad so the bung wouldn’t tighten. This was stripped and tapped out so a new helicoil could be fitted. The bung was then refitted with PTFE tape and sealer.

The overdrive wires to the gear knob switch split during insulation. John shrink-wrapped these to protect them before fitting the gear leaver. The engine and gearbox oils were filled and the car was tested on the ramp before final fit-up took place. John found that overdrive now worked fine in 4th gear so the reassembly of this classic E-Type could continue.

John went on to refit the front hubs. He also bled the brakes before refitting and tightening the wheels. The radiator was also put back in the car.

The owner of our 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 requested that the steering column bearings were replaced so John made sure this was done. He stripped and removed the column and, as he was doing so, John noticed that it had had its bearings looked at before. The bearings were replaced and the column was spaced out with a large washer. John then refitted the steering column.

Once the steering column was refitted and aligned, John made sure that the old bearings were kept secure for the owner of the car to see. He ran the car up to temperature and the fans cut in as they should.

Our 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 is now ready for its engine installation to be finished this week as John continues his work on this beautiful classic car.

A Repaired Boot Load Cover

The boot load cover on our 1987 Porsche 928 Series 4 was damaged when it arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Classic car technician Brian has recently repaired the cover ready for the car to eventually be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.

To repair the cover, Brian first cut calico material out before glueing it to the original damaged material. He then cut out calico material for the other side of the cover and glued it to the original.

Brian then fitted the newly repaired cover back into the car and, as you can see from the photos below, it looks great!

The Welding Continues

Classic car technician Rob has, once again, been working on our 1960 Jensen 541R. One of the areas he has been focused on is the right-hand side rear body frame and B post. These were both made and welded into place.

Rob then went on to repair and weld the front bulkhead and A posts on both sides before clamping the newly made boot floor ready for welding. The new boot floor was made by Monty to help in the restoration of our rare Jensen 541R.

The Back Of Our Amphicar

Classic car technicians Christian and Monty have been doing more work on our 1964 Amphicar 7-70. They have been completing repairs on the boot lid and the rear quarter of this very interesting vehicle.

Any repairs of classic vehicles need to be completed to very high standards but, when the vehicle is going to go into the water, extra care needs to be taken to ensure it can withstand the rigours of life on the road and in the water.

More Repairs On Our Beetle

Classic car technicians Christian and Monty have been completing more repairs on our 1974 Volkswagen Beetle. This time, they have been focussed on the scuttle and the front wing.

Once these areas had been sorted, the rear wing was also repaired.

Christian and Monty have done a great job with the repairs to our Beetle and we are looking forward to seeing ‘Delilah’ returned to her owner in the not too distant future.

Painting Our Rover 220

Once our 1996 Rover 220 Turbo was prepped for its primer, it was moved into the paint booth ready for its new coat of paint.

After having primer applied, our 220 was prepared for paint by classic car technician Al. Once Al had put its base colour on, lacquer was also applied.

Now that the new paint job has been completed, our 1996 Rover 220 Turbo is looking great and we are looking forward to seeing progress continue to be made over the next few weeks.

An MGB GT V8 Arrives

A recent arrival to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop is our 1975 MGB GT V8. It has come to us so our team of classic car technicians can investigate some starting issues.

The whole car will be assessed so we are able to come up with a plan of action for its future.

Snow Day – Our 1969 MGC GT in the snow and should you drive your classic in the winter

It’s a divisive viewpoint in the classic car world – Do you use your classic in the snow and clean it down afterwards or keep it tucked away?

Well, the cold weather was closing in on our Suffolk HQ this morning. As the snow began to fall across the surrounding countryside, some of our own cars which are stored outside whilst awaiting time in the workshop got a light dusting. One of those, was our personal 1969 MGC GT.

That’s what sparked this question. In period, these cars would of course have been taken out and driven in all weathers but as their rarity and age grow so does the scarcity in which they are used in the majority of cases.

During the cold snap a few years ago, I owned a 1972 Volkswagen Beetle 1300 and proved (if only to myself) that categorically it was the greatest all-terrain vehicle of all time. With no ABS, no power steering or traction control to interfere with driving and all its mighty 36BHP heading straight to the rear wheels with the weight of its flat-four engine sitting right above it, the grip was phenomenal as I drove on my hour long commute across the wintery Suffolk countryside on back lanes and B-roads.

But, it did pay a price. I forgot to clean down the wings and front edge of the pan which began to corrode. This would ultimately spread and caused me some more issues down the line. But, I learnt from that. Just like with a modern car, the salt and moisture will begin to cause damage and corrode components if left.

It’s not as noticeable with modern cars as it is with classics, perhaps down to the wider use of plastics and composites for body panels and trims or better weather proofing in modern paints and coatings but if left long enough for long periods of time, the dreaded bubbles start to appear…

Our customer cars do not go outside in this kind of weather. At the first hints of any rain or not ideal weather, they are brought inside for safe keeping and cleaned down instantly before being put away in the shelter of our workshop.

But it’s an interesting thought, do you use them in the winter or keep them tucked away?

Behind The Scenes Of Our MGB GT Live Draw

Last night we held the live draw of our 1968 MGB GT from The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars.

Live draws are always fun and it was great to hear that the lucky winner, Michael Bambridge, was very happy to be chosen at random as the new owner of our classic MGB.

If you haven’t been to one of our live draw events, you may not know what goes on behind the scenes, however, the photos below will give you an idea of the atmosphere during a live draw.

Beastie Goes To Its New Home

Our 1972 Rover P6 4500S has been delivered to lucky winner, Stephen Price.

This one-of-a-kind classic car was won in our live draw held on 23rd February 2023 when Stephen’s winning ticket number, 156, was randomly selected as the winner.

Despite it being a very cold and snowy day during the delivery, Beastie looks very much at home with Stephen and we are sure he will love this very special vehicle.

Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to congratulate Stephen again and we hope he enjoys Beastie as much as we did.

A Container Arrives

Finding space for all the classic vehicles that come into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop can be a big challenge. To make some additional secure storage for the workshop team to make use of, a container has recently arrived.

This extra space allows the technicians to be able to make effective use of the workshop while still being able to keep the special classics that come to us safe and secure.

Spring Into Spring

Though the weather today may be bleak and in some places snowy, the early flowers popping up in hedgerows and on grassy banks promise that spring is just around the corner. Pops of colour and low yellowy sun symbolise the beginning of another year filled with adventure.

For many of you, the winter months signal a time when the precious motors are tucked up warm in a garage or storage facility however, those with a year-round driver have been able to enjoy journeys out on crisp, frosty(but not icy) mornings. Some even ventured out to welcome in the New Year with Bridge Classic Cars back at the beginning of January and enjoyed a bright day driving followed by a cosy lunch in a local pub.

Now, as the nights draw out, the car community awakes en masse from its slumber. Tarpaulins and carcoons are pulled back, chrome is polished to perfection and paintwork buffed lovingly to its pre-hibernation glory. The event season begins.

For Bridge Classic Cars this year, the calendar is buoyant with events to suit every car lover, we want to welcome you to monthly live draws with music and fun as well as more car meets and coffee mornings for a more intimate vibe. We have special guests sharing their stories and lives with us, on stage at The Atelier. First, we welcome Ed Stafford, shortly followed by Martin Donnelly plus many more special guests. Soon to be revealed! We have days out in the local area allowing us to celebrate Suffolk and classic cars all in one go. Rallies, charity events and car shows scattered through spring and summer meaning there is fun, entertainment and a warm welcome for all the family.

Coming To Collect Our Mini

Our 1989 Rover City Mini 1000 E was collected from the Bridge Classic Cars workshop today by lucky winner, Adam Hutchinson.

As Adam lives locally to us, we invited him to come and see us for a tour of the workshop and to see his Mini in person. It was great to see Adam meeting his classic Mini for the very first time and he certainly seemed extremely happy with it.

Adam won our 1989 Rover Mini City 1000 E in the live draw held on 16th February 2023. His ticket number, 3662, was chosen at random as the winner.

Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to congratulate Adam again and we hope he has lots of fun in his classic Mini.

DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal – 1 Year On

On March 3rd 2022, the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal was launched. This happened due to the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia. As the situation has continued to progress in the last year, more and more aid is needed and the DEC continues to do all they can to assist as many people as possible.

Since its launch, the appeal has raised more than ยฃ400 million. As a result of these funds, almost 2 million people benefited from access to clean water, 392 000 people received assistance in accessing food, and 71 000 people were able to access primary healthcare services.

ยฃ38 500 Raised By Bridge Classic Cars

Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars is very proud that we have contributed in some way to the DEC’s cause of helping the Ukranian people. We raised ยฃ38 500 for the appeal through one of our competitions. Previous winner, Jar Joyce, returned his prize (1989 TVR S2) back to us so we could run another competition for it with the money raised going to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

With the support of Jar and several other companies and friends, the competition was a great success and we were extremely happy to raise a large sum of money for such a worthy cause.

The Mission Continues

The conflict in Ukraine is still ongoing and more help is needed. The DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal continues, as does our passion to support charities working to help people in need.

If you would like to read more about how we raised ยฃ38 500 for the Dec Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, the full story can be read here.

We have raised money for a number of charities. Our other charity work can be seen here.

Recreating The Past

Since being started for only the second time in several decades, our 1905 Riley 9HP continues to make progress.

With so little information about the vehicle available, our team of classic car technicians are working extremely hard to recreate, rebuild, and bring this rare classic back to life.

Recently, some of the wooden bodywork was re-fitted to our Riley to see what further work needs to be completed on it. The fuel tank was also attached and the holes where the radiator will eventually be attached can be seen in front of this.

Our 1905 Riley 9HP will be restored to as close to original as possible and, with the bodywork starting to come together, it is an exciting time in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.

Going To Auction

Our 1974 Triumph Stag is going to auction.

Classic Car Auctions will be offering this beautiful classic car for sale and we are sure that it will be a popular lot on auction day.

As you can see from the images below, it looks very impressive outside of our secure storage facility, The Hangar.

Auction date and time TBC.

Tickets Available Now

Our 1976 Leyland Mini Clubman 110 is live now on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.

This beautiful classic mini underwent extensive restoration and has been finished to a very high standard.

Classic minis are always popular competition cars and, as this one is such a great example, tickets will likely sell fast!

Trojan Records Clothing

The history of Trojan Records Clothing goes all the way back to 1947 when, in Lambrete, Milan, Ferdinando Innocenti’s 123cc scooter was launched. The scooter in question was the Lambretta, named after the district in which it was created and, subsequently, revealed to the world.

The Lambretta was a huge success in Italy and beyond. In 1951, it arrived in the UK and by 1959 it had overtaken the sale of Vespas, which had already established itself prior to the arrival of the Lambretta.

Throughout the 1960s, the Lambretta developed a very English personality, despite being an Italian scooter, and it became a popular mode of transport across the country.

Once the production of Lambretta scooters ceased, the brand it had built and the values it had created lived on and, in 1997 the Lambretta clothing range was launched. The first Lambretta shop opened on Carnaby Street in 1997 before a second opened in the Victoria Quarter, Leeds and a third opened in Covent Garden in 2002.

A Sub Brand Emerges

In 2015, Lambretta launched a sub-brand called Trojan Records. This was a limited clothing range that proved to be successful enough for it to be established as its own fashion brand in 2015.

Trojan Records clothing has become known for its stylish and classic apparel that pays homage to its Ska roots. This Jamaican heritage is still present in the range of Harringtons, polos, parkas, button-down shirts, fine-gauge knitwear, track tops, tees, and trousers.

All of the apparel in the Trojan Records range is high-quality and timeless and incorporates parts of traditional favourites while also keeping in tune with contemporary styling.

Trojan Records And Bridge Classic Cars

It may seem odd that a classic car restoration company is talking about clothing and style. However, here at Bridge Classic Cars, we appreciate all things classic and Trojan Records Clothing certainly fits the bill.

Something new and exciting is coming very soon so keep your eyes peeled for more Trojan Records and Bridge Classic Car news.

Our Rover 216 Delivered

We recently delivered our 1994 Rover 216 Cabriolet to lucky winner, James Blocksidge.

James won our 216 in the live draw held on 16th February 2023 when his ticket number, 1916, was randomly selected as the winner.

Everyone here at Bridge Classics Car would like to congratulate James again – we hope you enjoy your new car!

Little Eva Spotted

Images of our 1961 Mini Deluxe ‘Little Eva’ were shared recently on social media by N G Vehicle Logistics. They were transporting the beautiful classic Mini to Somerset on behalf of South Norfolk Classics.

Little Eva was won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions back in October 2022 and we hope that she will be enjoyed in Somerset or anywhere else she ends up.

A New Arrival

We have recently welcomed our 1987 Porsche 928 Series 4 into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.

It has come in for our team of classic car technicians to investigate and resolve a few issues. Some of the issues that will be looked at include inconsistent revs during start-up, the fuel gauge is also inconsistent, knocking on the driver’s side at low speed, and the boot spoiler appears to be a little loose.

While this beautiful classic Porsche is with us, we will also be checking the entire vehicle for any imperfections or corrosion issues as well as checking for any electrical issues too.

Our 1987 Porsche 928 Series 4 is already a great-looking car and we are very much looking forward to seeing it drive out of the workshop and back onto the road in the near future.

Progress Images

After the recent progress update that we received from JAL Restorations about our 1984 Suzuki GSX400, we have now received some images of the bike too.

As this is a custom project, the classic motorcycle will continue to change its appearance and transform into the bike that Bridge Classic Cars Director, Craig is looking to build.

Featured In The Jensen Owners Club Magazine

In the latest edition of the Jensen Owners Club magazine, you will find an article that talks about some of the classic Jensens that we have at Bridge Classic Cars.

As we have restored and worked on so many Jensens in the past (and still currently have some in the workshop), it is great to have an article published by the JOC.

Looking Good In White

After being prepped for a new paint job by Mauro, classic car technician Chris painted our 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850.

Perhaps the biggest difference is on the back of our classic mini which had a black boot lid, but this is now in matching white.

Our 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850 looks great with its new paint and we are looking forward to seeing it eventually be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.

Bespoke Tables

The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars continues to transform into a unique events space.

Whether it is being used for a live draw through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, a car meet, one of our coffees and classics, or any other occasion, it is a creative space that brings any event to life.

As The Atelier is such a unique space, it is only fitting that the furniture within it is unique too. That’s why our skilled team have made bespoke tables that are now being used in The Atelier.

Paint Prep

Our 1996 Rover 220 Turbo has continued its time in the Bridge Classic Cars Paintshop as it is being prepped for a new coat of paint.

Classic car technician Mauro took the bonnet back to bare metal before preparing the body for primer.

Once everything was prepped, our Rover 220 Turbo had primer applied in preparation for its new paint to go on very soon. The bumpers also had primer applied.

Enjoying A DB9

Nick Jones was the lucky winner of our 2005 Aston Martin DB9 back in December last year. Since he took delivery of his new car, Nick has clearly been making the most of it, and recently sent us an update on how life as a DB9 owner has been going.

He has had bespoke luggage made for the Aston. It was made by Bagworld in Redditch and Nick is also getting a holdall made up too as there is enough room in the boot for a holdall to sit on top of the cabin bags he had previously made. A personalised number plate has also been added.

Nick told us that he is thoroughly enjoying the car and still can’t believe that it only cost him ยฃ15! Now that we have had two double winners, Nick continues to enter in the hope that he might one day be our third!

We love hearing from our winners and it’s always great to hear that they are loving the vehicles they won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.

Thank you to Nick for sharing the below images and update with us, we are very happy to see the DB9 is being appreciated and enjoyed as it should.

More Fabricating And Welding

Classic car technician Rob has continued his work on our 1960 Jensen 541R.

Rob has made new door steps and fitted these. He has also made the left-hand B post and welded this in before doing the same for the left-hand rear body frame parts.

The rear floor mounting panels were replaced too.