Repaired – Fixing the Seat Base on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
August 23, 2022
The trim shop at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ have been working on repairing the seat base of the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster while
1951 Jaguar XK120
Tightened Up – Replacing and Retightening Trim on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
August 22, 2022
The 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster has been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop to have some smaller jobs finished off. The team have gone through
Built-Up – Making The Rear Seat of the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 17, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars interior trim team have been working on making the rear squab seat of the 1958 Jensen 541R from scratch. Brian, one
Double Checked – Checking the Fuel Sender on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
June 24, 2022
As part of the checks on the reported fuel gauge issue with the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster, Jon has checked some wiring on the classic
Sealed Up Tight – Fixing the Rear Cam Seal on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
June 24, 2022
Our technician Jon has been looking into an oil leak at the back of the engine on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster. After inspecting the
Refresh – Gearbox Service and Checking a Fuel Issue on the 1951 Jaguar XK120
June 24, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars team have been working on the Jaguar XK120 with this round of work comprising of a gearbox oil change and looking
Behind the Scenes – Live Draw of the 1968 Morris Minor Van
June 24, 2022
Last night, Bridge Classic Cars Competitions found out who the lucky winner of the 1968 Morris Minor Van was and as always, we live streamed
Next Up – Sorting the Brakes and Sump on the 1951 Jaguar XK120
June 24, 2022
The workshop at Bridge Classic Cars have been working through the list of jobs on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 in with us. Next up for
Adjust and Inspect – Checking Over the Valvetrain of the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
June 24, 2022
The 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop has had our technicians looking into the source of some noises believed by the
Run Through – Road Testing the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
June 16, 2022
The restoration workshop have been tasked to look into a few items for the owner of the stunning 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster. To look into
This Just In – 1951 Jaguar XK120
June 14, 2022
Arriving this afternoon at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ was this breath-taking 1951 Jaguar XK120 for our workshop to look into. The car has
Repaired – Fixing the Seat Base on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
August 23, 2022
The trim shop at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ have been working on repairing the seat base of the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster while at our restoration workshop.
The team have removed the seat base from the car in order to repair the stitching which has come apart. For this, our trimmer Lydia carefully unpicked the sides to remove the cover to restitch it properly and make sure the repair is near enough invisible to keep the originality of the stunning 1950s roadster.
Tightened Up – Replacing and Retightening Trim on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
August 22, 2022
The 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster has been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop to have some smaller jobs finished off.
The team have gone through each of the trim pieces to tighten down the necessary hardware, with any marred or damaged pieces replaced. The team also took the opportunity to recheck the hardware used for fixing down the seats in the gorgeous 1950s roadster.
Built-Up – Making The Rear Seat of the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 17, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars interior trim team have been working on making the rear squab seat of the 1958 Jensen 541R from scratch.
Brian, one of our trimmers, has handmade each of the wooden pieces before fitting them together and refining their shape before the various coverings and foams are installed.
Double Checked – Checking the Fuel Sender on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
June 24, 2022
As part of the checks on the reported fuel gauge issue with the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster, Jon has checked some wiring on the classic Jaguar.
Jon has been in the boot of the Roadster to check the wiring for the fuel tank sender which also controls the fuel gauge. He checked the overall condition of the connections as well as performing a continuity test on the circuit.
All came back completely clear and showing a good ground.
Sealed Up Tight – Fixing the Rear Cam Seal on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
June 24, 2022
Our technician Jon has been looking into an oil leak at the back of the engine on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster.
After inspecting the engine once it had been run up to temperature, he found the offside rear cam cover was weeping past its seal. After removing it, he found the seal was not the correct arrangement for the back cover on the cylinder head. Comparing it to the resource materials we have for these engines as well as several other freshly built Jaguar straight-sixes from the era we have in our workshop, Jon could come up with a solution to fix the oil leak once the cover was reinstalled.
After the test, there was no longer an oil leak from the back of the cylinder head. However, the rear mains eal in the engine does leak and out the bottom of the bell-housing of the gearbox.
Refresh – Gearbox Service and Checking a Fuel Issue on the 1951 Jaguar XK120
June 24, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars team have been working on the Jaguar XK120 with this round of work comprising of a gearbox oil change and looking into a fuel issue.
To begin with, the team began to look for a reported fuel leak at the rear of the car. Jon inspected all pipework to and from the tank, with no evidence of a leak anywhere to be found with all fittings tight and secure. Next, he looked into the issue of the fuel gauge not reading correctly, however for the team here the gauge worked correctly on test.
Moving on with the work we had been asked to carry out was a gearbox service on the classic Jaguar. For this, the team had to remove the gearbox drain and allow the entire casing to empty completely (the team also inspected the oil for any debris) before moving into the cabin of the XK120. Carefully they moved the carpets back and cover them. Then they could remove the inspection plate which allows the team to fill the gearbox from the top of the transmission. After that, the plate was put back on and secured, and carpets fitted back into place and hoovered throughout by the team.
Behind the Scenes – Live Draw of the 1968 Morris Minor Van
June 24, 2022
Last night, Bridge Classic Cars Competitions found out who the lucky winner of the 1968 Morris Minor Van was and as always, we live streamed it on our Facebook page!
Moments before the live stream started, the classic Morris van sold out completely!
The night began with a walkaround of our new competitions building with Hayley and Freddie showing everyone watching along what we’ve got coming up and what is currently live on our Competitions website.
Then, Hayley handed over to our director Craig for a brief tour around our restoration workshop to show you a very special moment where we had 3 Jensen 541’s in for work, all in different stages of their build. From a bare chassis back from sandblasting to a full rebuilt frame and then a finished and complete 541R.
But, it was time to give the audience what they had been waiting for. Finding out just who had won the classic Morris Minor Van. So, using our random number generator and pre-published entry list the team began the process.
As Hayley input the numbers between 1 and 4199 in the number generator the anticipation built. Messages of luck were shared between total strangers on the internet wishing each other well. Then with one click of a button, the new owner had been found.
Robert Cargill had been allocated ticket 1124 – The number that had appeared on the random number generator and checked against our entry list.
After finding his details, Hayley gave him a ring live on the Facebook stream with possible the best reaction we have ever had to a competition. Robert and his wife were absolutely ecstatic with their new classic Morris Minor!
Remember, you could be getting that phone call too! There are always new dream classics going up on our Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website for you to enter, head over there now and get your tickets!
Next Up – Sorting the Brakes and Sump on the 1951 Jaguar XK120
June 24, 2022
The workshop at Bridge Classic Cars have been working through the list of jobs on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 in with us.
Next up for our technicians is to sort out a binding front brake. Upon inspection, Jon found one of the wheel cylinders was in need of a rebuild, and looking closer discovered an issue with a brake hose. The cylinder was completely stripped down and thoroughly cleaned before reassembly. Then, once in place, Jon could remove the brake hose and replace it with a brand new piece before cleaning up the rest of the brake system and bleeding the brakes.
Next up was for Jon to sort out an oil leak from the sump. Assessing the sump area he found the inspection cover gasket had begun to weep so it was replaced with a brand new gasket before he turned his attention to the sump plug. Removing the sump bung, Jon found an issue with the threads which weren’t allowing the bung to be tightened down correctly and seal. So, the team carefully remove the threads and installed a Helicoil in its place for the sump bung to thread into and tighten down correctly.
Then, the engine could be refilled with oil and level checked.
Adjust and Inspect – Checking Over the Valvetrain of the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
June 24, 2022
The 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop has had our technicians looking into the source of some noises believed by the team to be coming from the legendary straight-six engine.
For this, Jon removed the cam covers on the top of the engine to inspect the tolerances on the tappets which control the valves. After checking these against the spec, Jon did the necessary adjustments to each individual piece until all were within the original specifications for the car. Whilst there, Jon noticed some slack in the cam chain which controls the valves in the engine. On the Jaguar, this can be adjusted to either tighten or loosen the chain which was adjusted until the chain tension was also as close to the original specification as possible.
After everything was checked and double-checked, the cam-cover could go back on with brand new gaskets as well as new breather gaskets to ensure a tight seal for the straight-six. Then, it could be run up and tested and Jon reported no noises occurring in the engine bay.
Run Through – Road Testing the 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
June 16, 2022
The restoration workshop have been tasked to look into a few items for the owner of the stunning 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster. To look into some of those issues, the classic Jaguar roadster has been carefully road tested by the team.
Firstly, our restoration technician Jon has been testing the car to try and locate the mentioned unusual engine noise from the straight-six. The team will test the car in varying conditions (driven, idle, visual inspection) in order to look into any possibilities for the noise.
With the XK120 Roadster back into our workshop, tucked away in the Suffolk countryside, it will be moved onto one of our ramps to begin visual inspections of the car and some other items noted by its owner.
This Just In – 1951 Jaguar XK120
June 14, 2022
Arriving this afternoon at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ was this breath-taking 1951 Jaguar XK120 for our workshop to look into.
The car has been worked on by various specialists since the current owner purchased the car several years ago but since its last visits with them has developed a few little niggles that the team here at Bridge Classic Cars will be having a look into.
There are also a few areas the workshop technicians will be looking into such as inaccurate gauges and a sticking front brake. Along with that, the team will look into the set-up of the carburettors which feed the straight-six engine (including a small issue with the choke) and servicing of the gearbox.
We’re excited to show you more very soon on the 1951 Jaguar XK120 here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.
