A Thorough Inspection
January 11, 2024
Jon has been carrying out the inspection of our 1974 Mini 850 Van. He began by topping up engine oil and screenwash in washer bottle,
1974 Mini 850 Van
A beloved workhorse – Our 1974 Mini 850 Van is ready to be won!
January 3, 2024
The panel van has been a welcomed workhorse for generations. With its utilitarian practicality, the panel van has done everything from moving house to making
This Just In – 1974 Mini 850 Van
December 7, 2023
This morning, along with a few other new deliveries, we welcomed this gorgeous 1974 Mini 850 Van! As we mentioned with our 1982 Bedford HA,
A Special Delivery and a Unique Collection
December 7, 2023
This morning we took delivery of a collection of new cars destined to be won by lucky winners for our competitions as well as our
A Thorough Inspection
January 11, 2024
Jon has been carrying out the inspection of our 1974 Mini 850 Van.
He began by topping up engine oil and screenwash in washer bottle, aling with checking all other necessary fluids. Next step was a full strip, clean and inspection of all brakes and then refitting the drums and adjusting till just right. Following that, he fefit all wheels and torque to 60nm before inflating all tyres to 26psi. One of the final stages of maintenance was to put 5 liters petrol in and attempt to start. The Mini started ok, but the petrol gauge showed no moment. After manually wiring the fuel sender the gauge began to work. Jon drained the fuel and remove the sender unit from the tank. He found sender seized and rusted so proceeded to strip and clean/free off.
Jon cleaned the contacts and re-assembled before fitting back into the car and test through range – He reported back it is working fine now, refitting the unit back to the tank and put the fuel back in. After checking the guage, it now reads half a tank.
Finally he secured the battery, lubricated the sliding windows and then carried out road test.
After the road test and finishing the inspection, Jon carried out road test before returning to the workshop. On returning, he adjusted the passengers door lock, adjusted the idle speed and then road tested again with our trimmer Lydia in the back on the classic Mini van to pin point rattles which was traced to the rear door lock. Returning to the workshop, Jon removed the lock mechanism from rear door to strip and inspect. Using double sided tape with backing left on to remove any play from the mechanism rods. After opening up the mechanism, he found not a single ounce of grease inside mechanism – So thoroughly lubricate with grease and reassemble. Refit to door and test. No rattles now.
A beloved workhorse – Our 1974 Mini 850 Van is ready to be won!
January 3, 2024
The panel van has been a welcomed workhorse for generations. With its utilitarian practicality, the panel van has done everything from moving house to making memories.
Now Bridge Classic Cars wants you to relive and relove those memories with our gorgeous 1974 Mini 850 Van.
With its beautiful dark green paintwork, over a simple but elegant black interior, our Mini panel van was subjected to a full nut and bolt restoration between 2000 and 2013 commissioned by an adoring previous owner. Included in the cars history file are invoices which relate to the cars restoration where no stone was left unturned in bringing this classic Mini back to life.
Powered by a small and simple 848cc 4-cylinder engine and 4 speed manual gearbox, this little Mini has a practical and easy-going charm.
Originally classed as a commercial vehicle, many of these panel van sadly do not exist today due to being in constant heavy use in their younger years, but this one has been cherished since its early days it would seem with the odometer showing just a shade over 28,000 miles, which is believed to be original, since it was first registered in Devon on the 1st of June 1974.
This is your chance to win this sensational bite-sized panel van for just a few pounds!
Full Gallery & Video:
This Just In – 1974 Mini 850 Van
December 7, 2023
This morning, along with a few other new deliveries, we welcomed this gorgeous 1974 Mini 850 Van!
As we mentioned with our 1982 Bedford HA, we love a panel van here at Bridge Classic Cars and this is one of the nicest ones we’ve seen. Like the others, soon this pint sized workhorse will be headed into our workshop were our skilled technicians can inspect and assess the car to make sure it is ready for its lucky new owner.
A Special Delivery and a Unique Collection
December 7, 2023
This morning we took delivery of a collection of new cars destined to be won by lucky winners for our competitions as well as our 1938 Vauxhall Wingham Cabriolet being brought back to us safe and sound.
The new cars included a Morgan Plus 4, a Mini 850 Van and a very yellow 1982 Bedford HA Panel Van safely tucked away in the trailer of our friends at EM Rogers.
One by one, these classics were unloaded and taken round to our usual photography spot for us to capture them before they begin their journeys. But, we do like to grab photos of the action!
Along with delivering our classics back to us, EM Rogers were also here to collect a very special car destined for its new owner.
The team have been readying the Riley Stelvio ahead of its journey and today was the day where it would leave our Suffolk HQ bound for a new life since arriving from South Africa earlier in the year.
