Martin Roper Photography

To mark the completion of our 1961 Jaguar XK150S sympathetic restoration we’ve called in the expertise of Martin Roper Photography to give it a well deserved photo shoot…this time, in our own grounds here in Suffolk.

Here we have some amazing photos of Martin in action.

Jaguar XK150 carbs are clogging up

Ady is currently working on some running issues we are having with our 1961 Jaguar XK150S. From image one you can see corrosion and dirty that has collected within the filter which depending on its position will affect the running of the vehicle. We are now stripping the carbs to give them a good clean and to remove all debris building up inside.

Fitting the brand new 72 spokes

The brand 72 spoke wheels have arrived from MWS (Motor Wheel Service) Fitted on brand new tyres, supplied by the guys at We Fit Any Tyres Anywhere.

MWS Full Stainless Steel wire wheels are manufactured using state of the art technology. Special processes were developed after long years of Research and Development in making these wheels. Full stainless steel wheels are made of superior Austenitic grade stainless steel that has excellent protection against corrosion.

The Stainless Steel rims and shells are polished to a superior natural finish in special purpose machines. The hand polishing by highly skilled craftsmen compliments this.

The Stainless Steel spokes and nipples are electro polished to match the lustre and colour of the rims and shells.

The Wheels are specially treated as a final process to retain the lustre and colour.

100% inspection on finish on all the parts ensures only the best quality products are passed out.

More plating for our XK150S

Tony from Wyatt Polishing is now working on the final few pieces of our 1961 Jaguar XK150S re-chroming. We should hopefully see everything returned to us in a matter of days for refit.

Fitting up the new XK150 Exhaust

We have now fitted up the brand new exhaust system to our Jaguar XK150, supplied to us by SNG Barratt.

Introducing SNG Barratt

“SNG Barratt is trusted and valued by Jaguar owners all over the world, and has been for over 30 years. Our knowledge and experience can help to keep your car on the road. Whether it is a classic Concours saloon, restoration project or a modern everyday family car – our unrivalled range of parts spans vehicles from 1949 through to current models.

Through our skilled in-house manufacturing team we produce thousands of parts that are no longer available anywhere else, safeguarding the future of many historically important vehicles. We own Sovy, original equipment manufacturer for Jaguar and other British marques. You can access these and over 100,000 more via our four branches (UK, USA, Holland & France), meaning that there isn’t a corner of the globe that we cannot reach.

You can be assured of our commitment to quality by our ISO 9001 accreditation and genuine Jaguar Parts Dealership Authorisation. At the same time you can still expect the highest customer service driven by our core family values, as established by the Barratt family all those years ago. As Jaguar owners ourselves we understand your needs and are committed to continual reinvestment, housing dedicated Research & Development facilities. The opportunity to fit and fully test new parts allows us to develop solutions and paves the way for future enhancements.

Not just a faceless company, we’re on the road throughout the year at a range of events where you can take advantage of our popular pre-order collection service and chat to our knowledgeable team. Our open door policy allows us to regularly welcome visitors; whether it is to our in-house shop counters or guided tours of our workshops and warehouses.”

Jaguar XK150S fit up

The freshly re-chromed bright work has now returned from Tony at Wyatt Polishing for us to fit back up.

We’ve also had a visit from Car Glass and Trim to refit the rear window for us.

Still a way to go but Dave has progressed well today with the refit today with the rear almost complete as we move forwards from there.

Protecting the underside of our XK150

Our 1961 Jaguar XK150S is back on the ramp today to have the underside treated and sealed.

A light layer of stone chip has been applied to the area prior to paint to help further assist with protecting against dirt and debris from the roads.

Jaguar XK150 components to paint

A few more key components to paint on our 1961 Jaguar XK150, then the respray is complete and the rebuild can begin.

Our Jaguar XK150 has been resprayed

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This Saturday, Chris completed the respray of our 1961 Jaguar XK150. Finished to match the factory specification, the original early log book lists it simply as ‘cream’

The car has had the weekend in the oven to settle, set and harden before Chris returns to it on Tuesday.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”25673,25674,25675,25676,25677,25678,25679,25680,25681,25682″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Jaguar XK150S ready for paint

Our 1961 Jaguar XK150S has had a guide coat and primed and is now ready for paint.

The respray of the body shell and body panels will commence this weekend.

Jaguar XK150 in primer

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Epoxy primer is used to seal a non-porous finish. It is recommended as the first base coat over any bare steel like on our 1961 Jaguar XK150. These base coats or epoxy primers can be used over fiberglass, plastic or the black iron phosphate coating.

This primer can also be used on cracks and dents. Its bonding capacity is excellent and produces a good surface finish. Epoxy primers not only offer excellent adhesion to metals, but also serve as a proper base for extra undercoat products, top coats and paint.

A two-part epoxy primer contains zinc phosphate, which acts as corrosion-inhibiting pigment. Epoxy primers can be used to waterproof materials that consequently protect the bare metal from oxidation. A dry, very clean surface is needed before applying epoxy primer. Two-part epoxy primer needs to be mixed thoroughly before applying.

Since paints in the automobile and marine industries are very important for resisting corrosion (rusting), epoxy coatings are widely used as primers to improve the adhesion of the metal surface. Epoxy primers are also used in structural steel coatings for high-build thickness with the application of only one or two coats.

A two-part epoxy primer is known as structural steel primer. It needs two components that are cured chemically through cross-linking. This two-part epoxy primer produces a film that is resistant to abrasion, chemicals and moisture. It is very suitable for use on properly prepared steel and concrete. This primer is also recommended for power plants, marine applications, water treatment plants and tank exteriors.

Further advantages of this primer include:

• Water resistance
• Corrosion inhibiting
• Excellent adhesion

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”25497,25498,25499,25500,25501,25503,25504,25505,25506,25507,25508,25509,25511,25512″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Primers are the most common undercoats used when refinishing car body shells.

They are great for building up and levelling areas or surfaces.

They provide a smooth surface for paint and they are great for adhesion as they provide a strong bond between the sheet metal or old paint and the new paint. Primers are rust resistance so they resist the formation of rust where they adhere to the sheet metal. They are able to fill sanding and grinding marks in old paint, sheet metal and fillers and can be sanded smooth or levelled quickly and easily. They act as a protective barrier to prevent the paint from soaking in and a good high-build primer should be ready to sand in as little as 30 minutes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”25514,25515,25516,25517,25518,25519,25520,25521″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Jaguar XK150S – Body Preparation

Chris has made more progress on our 1960 Jaguar XK150S body as we prepare for a full external respray. The front wings have been fully stripped of existing paint as have the doors, boot lid and bonnet.

The doors, boot lid and bonnet have also been primed and are now waiting for paint when the rest of the car is ready.

We should hopefully be in a position next week where the rest of the car is stripped of existing paint and we can then look at priming the body shell ready for paint.

Jaguar XK150S – Body Preparation

We are pleased to welcome Chris Jeffreys to the Bridge Classic Cars family as of today and already he’s getting stuck in to one of our many paint projects that we have.

Our 1961 Jaguar XK150S will be one of the first cars into our paint booth this year for a full respray. At present, Chris is busy removing the existing paint which had micro-blistered . In order to tackle this issue it is best to strip the paintwork back to metal and re-apply the paint using the correct procedures at each stage.

We are progressing very well so far but a long way still to go.

Tidying the engine bay of our 1961 Jaguar XK150S

Apart from needing a thoroughly clean and some certain area detailed and freshened up, our 1961 Jaguar XK150S engine is running and driving wonderfully. With that in mind we concentrate our efforts on perfecting the look rather than re-writing the rule book.

The once black areas have been cleaned of surface rust, masked up and coated in a new coat of high temperature black finish.

Preparing the chrome for Wyatt Polishing

With our 1961 Jaguar XK150S now externally de-chromed we have organised the bright work ready for Wyatt Polishing to begin the re-chroming process.

De-chroming our 1961 Jaguar XK150S

Work has now begun on our 1961 Jaguar XK150S. The chrome is currently being removed and will be handed over to Wyatt Polishing in Thetford for the full re-chrome treatments.

An early morning drive in our XK150

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]John and Craig were in bright and early this morning. It was 6:30am and the sun was starting to rise through the clouds. It was a lovely crisp morning, the roads were beautifully peaceful and whilst we waited for our visitor Craig took the opportunity to enjoy a quick drive out in our Jaguar XK150.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”22637,22636,22635,22634,22633,22632,22631,22630,22629,22628,22627,22626,22625,22624,22623,22622,22621,22620,22619,22618,22617,22616,22615,22614,22613,22612,22611,22610,22609,22608,22607,22606,22605,22604,22603,22602″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Detailing our 1961 Jaguar XK150 ready for re-sale

Although our 1961 Jaguar XK150 has been off the road for many years it didn’t take much to get her up and running…enough to enjoy a drive back to our workshops! First things first, we decided to call upon the amazing skills of Paul Johnson Valeting to get her looking lovely once again and give us a better insight to what work may need to be carried out prior to resale.

The walk around of our 1961 Jaguar XK150

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The car has now been treated to a fantastic full detail by Paul at Paul Johnson Mobile Valeting.

Check out the amazing transformation on our walk-around video.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpnpxRKmPqI” align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Coming soon: 1961 Jaguar XK150

Due to a recent family bereavement of a very good customer of ours we have acquired this delightful British classic. Meet our 1961 Jaguar XK150 S.

Owned by the same family through 3 generations our XK150 S has been off the road for a number of years but has been dry stored for all of that time which makes for a very solid and lovely project.

We are now searching for a new home for her and someone who is looking for a small project.

She will take very little to get back on the road.

Source: Hagerty Insurance

The Jaguar XK150 was introduced in 1957 as a replacement for the XK140. It is a front engine, rear wheel drive sports car and came in fixed-head coupe (FHC), drop-head coupe (DHC) and roadster forms, although production of the latter was delayed due to a fire at Jaguar’s Brown’s Lane plant.

The XK150 was Jaguar’s response to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster. In its 250 bhp “S” configuration, it was faster than the XK 120 and XK 140, and even quicker than the C-Type to 100 mph. It was comfortable and weather-tight, with disc brakes from the D-Type racer. The XK 150 initially had the 3.4-litre engine of the 140, but the 210 bhp 3.8-litre engine from the Mark IX saloon was offered in late 1959.

Visually the XK150 was a much bulkier car than the preceding 120 and 140, with curved windshield, high wings and a bigger grille. The roadster was fitted with wind-up windows and lost the cut-down doors of its predecessor. Interior space was increased and coupe and convertible adopted the leather-trimmed dashboard of the roadster. Overdrive was optional, as was an automatic transmission.

Tuning options included the 210 bhp “Special Equipment” 3.4-litre model, with blue cylinder head. The most desirable model is the XK 150S. Notable for its straight-port head, high-lift cam and triple SU carburettors the XK150S developed 265 bhp with the 3.8-litre motor and distinctive gold-painted cylinder head. Final versions of the XK 150S were capable of 0-60 mph in seven seconds.

Total Jaguar XK150 production was 9,398 examples and of these, the XK150S model totalled 1,466 units, with 924 roadsters, 349 FHC and 193 DHC. Production halted as soon as the E-Type appeared.