Storage…in with one, out with another
October 21, 2024
Having been in storage, within a CarCoon for almost a year, I have decided to get my 2000 Peugeot 306 Cabriolet back on the road…just
1952 Fiat 1900 A
New Exhaust
October 14, 2024
Steve recently fitted a new stainless steel exhaust to our 1952 Fiat 1900A. This wasn’t quite as straightforward as he had hoped though as the
Fiat 1900A Carpets
August 29, 2024
The carpets are of our 1952 Fiat 1900A are now finished and what a transformation this has made to the car! Here is what Lydia
Fiat Brakes
August 19, 2024
Steve has reconditioned the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, and relined the brake shoes of our 1952 Fiat 1900A. The old cylinders were leaking and had
Making a New Carpet Set for our 1952 Fiat 1900A
July 26, 2024
Our trim team have been hard at work on the 1952 Fiat 1900A which is in the finishing workshop at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ.
Interior repairs on the 1952 Fiat 1900A
July 19, 2024
Our trim shop can work wonders, just like with the interior of our 1952 Fiat 1900A. This incredible one-of-one Fiat has been carefully worked on
Repairs Finished and Sealed on our 1952 Fiat 1900A
July 19, 2024
Our fabricator Chris has finished up his repairs on our 1952 Fiat 1900A. After doing a bit of finishing work on the new jacking points
Repairing the jacking points on our 1952 Fiat 1900A
July 19, 2024
Our fabrication team have had the 1952 Fiat 1900A back up on the ramps in our fabrication bay to assess and remake the jacking points
Work Continues On Our Fiat 1900A
July 5, 2024
Classic car technician Steve has been continuing his work on our 1952 Fiat 1900A. He replaced the broken and poorly made rear dynamo supporting bracket
Fiat 1900 A Inspection
July 3, 2024
Classic car technician Steve has been looking at our 1952 Fiat 1900 A. Here are his notes: Wheel cylinders either seized or leaking and contaminated
Repairing the seats on our 1952 Fiat 1900A.
June 26, 2024
Our trim shop have been giving the task of repairing the seats on our incredible 1952 Fiat 1900A. The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars
Italian Made
June 26, 2024
While Lydia was working on our 1952 Fiat 1900 A, she removed the seat cover and exposed the foam underneath. Once she had, the original
Our Newest Arrival
June 21, 2024
Earlier today, our 1952 Fiat 1900 A arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop and it comes with a very special story. An executive from
Storage…in with one, out with another
October 21, 2024
Having been in storage, within a CarCoon for almost a year, I have decided to get my 2000 Peugeot 306 Cabriolet back on the road…just in time for the WINTER!!
Sure, it maybe isn’t the best time for the convertible to come out of hibernation but due to the fact that we are making a few large changes to our storage facilities, it kinda made sense fore the car to come out for a check over.
We’ll give it a once over in preparation for the MOT which is scheduled for a few weeks time. Jon has carried out a full check over and road test. We’ve topped up the levels, inflated the tyres, torqued up the wheel nuts and put 5ltrs of clean fuel in. Everything seems ok and she’s ready for the MOT.
As we bring our Peugeot 306 Cabriolet out of storage, we welcome our 1952 Fiat 1900A in. It’ll only be for a few weeks until we can make some space in The Classic Lounge.
New Exhaust
October 14, 2024
Steve recently fitted a new stainless steel exhaust to our 1952 Fiat 1900A. This wasn’t quite as straightforward as he had hoped though as the exhaust had to be made in-house as it is not possible to source one of these from elsewhere.
Fiat 1900A Carpets
August 29, 2024
The carpets are of our 1952 Fiat 1900A are now finished and what a transformation this has made to the car!
Here is what Lydia had to say about it:
“Before, the car was looking dark, dingy and depressing, and now it has been given a new lease of life with these stunning woollen carpets and mats. The carpet has been lovingly trimmed with a complimentary green edging.
Our 1900A will likely be the envy of Fiat owners everywhere when they lay their eyes on the pea-green masterpiece. Please take note of the fabulous custom stitched heel mat, also made from the complimentary green vinyl, adding a touch of je ne sais quoi to the vehicle.”
Steve also refurbished the hand brake shoes and refitted them as the old ones were contaminated from the leaking differential seal which has also now been replaced.
Fiat Brakes
August 19, 2024
Steve has reconditioned the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, and relined the brake shoes of our 1952 Fiat 1900A.
The old cylinders were leaking and had contaminated the shoes with brake fluid.
Steve also removed the old fuel pump blanket plate and gasket as it was leaking before fabricating a new one.
Making a New Carpet Set for our 1952 Fiat 1900A
July 26, 2024
Our trim team have been hard at work on the 1952 Fiat 1900A which is in the finishing workshop at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ. Our trimmer Lydia has been making a whole new carpet set from scratch for this unique classic Fiat to fit perfectly inside the cabin and to replace the original which was very heavily worn and damaged.
Interior repairs on the 1952 Fiat 1900A
July 19, 2024
Our trim shop can work wonders, just like with the interior of our 1952 Fiat 1900A. This incredible one-of-one Fiat has been carefully worked on at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ by our trimmer Lydia, who has been generally tidying up the whole interior and repair some small parts of the headliner of the car to try and preserve the cars originality.
Repairs Finished and Sealed on our 1952 Fiat 1900A
July 19, 2024
Our fabricator Chris has finished up his repairs on our 1952 Fiat 1900A. After doing a bit of finishing work on the new jacking points on the car, he could then seal the underside of the sills to protect them from corrosion.
Repairing the jacking points on our 1952 Fiat 1900A
July 19, 2024
Our fabrication team have had the 1952 Fiat 1900A back up on the ramps in our fabrication bay to assess and remake the jacking points for this rare, unique and wonderful classic Fiat.
Work Continues On Our Fiat 1900A
July 5, 2024
Classic car technician Steve has been continuing his work on our 1952 Fiat 1900A.
He replaced the broken and poorly made rear dynamo supporting bracket with a more substantial one. He then replaced the starter motor wiring before placing and rerouting the dynamo wiring.
Steve then tidied up the wiring in the battery compartment and added a battery clamp before removing the carpet underlay in preparation for the jacking points to be welded.
Fiat 1900 A Inspection
July 3, 2024
Classic car technician Steve has been looking at our 1952 Fiat 1900 A. Here are his notes:
Wheel cylinders either seized or leaking and contaminated brake the brake shoes. All parts have been removed and sent away for refurbishment.
Jacking mount corroded and require welding.
Exhaust system corroded and poorly repaired.
Picture of old frayed chassis to engine earth strap and new replacement.
Repairing the seats on our 1952 Fiat 1900A.
June 26, 2024
Our trim shop have been giving the task of repairing the seats on our incredible 1952 Fiat 1900A. The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars is one of our busiest departments, but our trimmer Lydia has worked her magic on fixing up the seats of the classic Italian saloon.
The stitching on both seats had popped and somewhere in the cars passed, someone had attempted to fix this with superglue… So Lydia carefully unpicked each section which had been ‘repaired’ in order to fix it correctly. Then she could carefully stretch the covers back over the foam and frames.
Italian Made
June 26, 2024
While Lydia was working on our 1952 Fiat 1900 A, she removed the seat cover and exposed the foam underneath.
Once she had, the original factory details that had been etched onto the foam were still visible. This is a great example of the quality, time, and effort that went into this car at the Fiat factory. As the only right-hand drive 1900 A, lots of care was clearly taken to make this a fantastic car.
Our Newest Arrival
June 21, 2024
Earlier today, our 1952 Fiat 1900 A arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop and it comes with a very special story.
An executive from the Gas Board in Norwich got a Fiat 1900 as a company car when he was working abroad in 1951. He loved it so much that when he came back to the UK, he ordered one to bring back with him but needed it to be right-hand drive. In 1952, the only right-hand drive Fiat 1900 was sold new in the UK to the happy executive.
Unfortunately, he fell ill in 1955, and the car stayed unused in his garage for the next 40 years. Around that time, the most recent owner was in the UK working for a Fiat and Nissan dealership. He heard about the car and, after some negotiations with the original owner’s daughter, managed to get it. The garage was opened, and this beautiful classic, affectionately known as “Granddad” was found with only 21,000 miles on the clock.
After 40 years locked away, the engine and aluminium brake shoes were completely seized, and the car still wore its original tyres. New steel brake shoes were machined, and replacement tyres were fitted. The paint and chrome are all original which adds to the uniqueness of this car – believed to be the only factory built right-hand drive 1900.
The previous owner of the car took it to South Africa with him where it was used regularly for more than a decade. Recently, it’s been living back in the UK, safely locked away all over again. Now it’s here at the workshop, who knows where it will go next…
A fascinating story for a very special car.
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