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1975 MG B Roadster

Re-instating the MGB engine

April 16, 2019

We have now successfully re-instated our newly refurbished 1800cc engine for our MGB roadster. The engine has been completed rebuilt by our in-house engine builder

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Out & About – Photos of our 1975 MG B Roadster in France

June 1, 2022

We’ve been sent some incredible photos by the owner who commissioned our 1975 Tunda Green MG B Roadster of the car in France.

The owner has had 3 cars built by the Bridge Classic Cars team. Along with the 1975 MG B Roadster is the 1973 Magenta Triumph TR6 and the soon to be completed 1973 Jaguar E-Type Roadster ‘Fern Grey’.

Soon, the E-Type will be joining the stable which spend their time between here in the UK and France, where they will get to enjoy and experience these absolutely stunning views!

From Our Director – Celebrating our Friendship with Stephen Norman

February 25, 2022

In 2018, I had one of the last 500 MG Midget rubber bumper cars to run off the assembly line for sale.

I was contacted by a gentleman from Luton who asked if he could come and look at it the following Saturday.

Having had a previous bad experience with a company in Luton we joked that before he came he had to admit that he wasn’t anything to do with that company and an appointment was set.

Saturday morning was dry, the car was clean and Stephen turned up. He loved the car but admitted immediately that it wasn’t the car for him. Hey ho, can’t win them all. Would you like a coffee?

Stephen was immediately drawn to the Etype series one rebuild under construction and was very complimentary of our work and attention to detail.

Stephen and I are similar ages although I look a lot younger. Coffee poured we talked about all the cars we had cut our teeth on and then he admitted that the reason he was looking at the midget was that he had in fact as a younger man owned an MGB roadster, rubber bumper in the famous Tundra Green and loved it. He then went on to say that the Etype in the shop was lovely but he didn’t consider rebuilding any more classic cars due to his previous bad experience with restorers.

I tried to impress on him that not all restorers can be tarred with the same brush and he said if I ever came across the infamous Tundra Green let him know as who knows he may chance another rebuild.

Liking a challenge I set straight out on a journey of MGB discovery.

He then asked about the other company in Luton that I had asked him if he was in their employ. I joked that they had done me harm but again not all of their trade can be tarred with the same brush.

What do you do then Stephen, I asked. Casually he said ”I am the Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors”. Wow!!!!

Bridge Classic Cars moved into new premises in Pettistree near Woodbridge and like all companies setting up a new plant buying as cost-effective as possible. We went on a Saturday morning to our local Auction as some Pallet racking was on offer and it was just what we needed.

Whilst waiting for the Auction to start I received a phone call, ”Are you looking for a Tundra Green MGB, rubber bumper as I have one?” My quest had at last been fruitful. ”Yes, how much?” ”Don’t you want to know the condition?” I really needed just the competitive cost as it was to be a Concours rebuild. ”£1000”. ”I need to make a call and I will get back to you”.

The call was made, the car was bought and suddenly I was going to build a car for the Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors.

The car we built can be seen on our completed Projects on our website as can all of our work.

During the build and the numerous visits that we had a couple of things happened. Stephens’s love of all things automotive shone through and our personal friendship grew.

During one visit he noticed a Senna Brown TR6 that I had bought for myself. I love those he said, could you build me that for the same sort of cost, I wouldn’t want it Brown I would want it in Magenta. The second build started and the friendship continued to flourish. Again the build can be seen on the website.

A call one evening from an excited Stephen said that he had been offered a new position and that he was to become “Senior Vice President Sales, Marketing and After Sales based in Ruesselsheim, Germany” and that would be it until his retirement.

Retirement, I think this has always played on his mind as did the Etype that he originally saw in our workshop.

”When I retire I would like to have a Series 3, V12, Etype, convertible, with a hardtop in Heather (pink) with cerise leather (nearly pink) God it’s the colour thing again. Tundra Green now Heather. Can you build me one but it has to be left-hand drive, a new twist. ”

I found a white car in America that was owned by a Hollywood film producer, fitted the bill perfectly but unfortunately, the cerise leather was somewhat harder to find and it had to be the exact colour as Stephen knows what he wants and he is a perfectionist.

The car was shipped and without doubt, it was the straightest, rust-free car we have ever had through the shop. Now we had to tackle the issue of colour. If it is not heather then it has to be Fern Grey (green again) with green leather (green again).

The car is nearing completion as is Stephens’s illustrious career as one of our automotive legends. As I write this Stephen will retire at the beginning of next week on the 28th February 2022 and all at Bridge Classic Cars wish him a happy retirement and a special thank you from me for the business, the trust you have put in my company and for the friendship that I know will continue for many years to come.

Happy retirement and I will see you on the 11th of March 2022 for some driving of some spectacular cars.

MGB’s New Luxurious Water

June 30, 2021

Our MGB has transition to the luxurious Evans water for its engine which is waterless coolant to accompany the new water pipe. We first need to drain and flush the system with engine flush and then top it up with Evans coolant. We’re also waiting on a new battery isolator switch to arrive so we can fit that.

Two Special Classics Off Home Soon

June 29, 2021

We’re delighted to announce that two of our classics have been finished and will be sent off to their owner in Germany very soon. The Tundra MG B was finished a while ago and has been sitting in storage whilst we completed the TR6 but now is the first chance we’ve had to have them both finished and side by side.

With just a few final touches to be made to the Magenta TR6, these two stunning classics will soon be ending their time with us. Watch this space…

MGB Tundra In For Service

May 25, 2021

This classic tundra MGB Roadster is in for a simple check up and service as it has been stored with us since its completion.

TR6 and MGB Tucked Up At Bentwaters

February 25, 2021

Our newly finished Triumph TR6 and its friend, the Tundra 1975 MGB have been stored up in Bentwaters whilst we work on the third in this trio, a Beverly Hills Jaguar E-Type that’s in for a full 180 transformation. All three cars are owned by the same clients, making it an exciting set of projects. With these two tucked away in our Hanger at Bentwaters, we can get cracking on the Jaguar.

New Carpets In The MGB

February 3, 2021

Our 1975 Tundra Green MGB has popped back in for a new carpet before its stored with us. Brian in the trim shop has recently fitted the new carpet sides around the pedals.

For those that might not remember the Green MGB, here’s a photo of it when it first came to us.

Once the carpet had been fitted, we loaded it up onto the lorry to transport it to our hanger.

Veteran Car Run – London to Brighton – November 2019

November 6, 2019

We were at the oldest celebration of motoring this Sunday 3rd November, the 2019 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. More than 400 pre-1905 vehicles took took to the road.

Over 120 years since the first run in 1896, it was wonderful to see so many of these Veteran vehicles make the journey from Hyde Park in Central London to the coat of Brighton.

It was fantastic to see friends of Bridge Classic Cars, Stephen Norman MD Vauxhall Cars and Jeremy Townsend Director of Communications Vauxhall Cars crossing the finish line in Brighton. We also saw television presenter, Alan Titchmarsh in his veteran vehicle.

Gordon saying hello to Vauxhall’s MD, Stephen Norman and Director of Communications, Jeremy Townsend.

To read a more detailed write up of the event, check out the Veteran Car Run’s article here.

Alan Titchmarsh arriving at the finish line in Brighton
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019
  • London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019

Early morning trip to London

October 12, 2019

Early morning trip to London today to deliver our 1975 MG B Roadster. In our workshops for a couple of small tweaks and a general check over but now safely back home.

1975 MG B Roadster – ready for competition

September 19, 2019

Our recently completed 1975 MG B Roadster has already enjoyed a trip around Europe and has been back with us for just over a week being prepared for the upcoming concours competition.

A late trip to the London’s city centre as we deliver the car back to it’s owner all prepared and ready.

MGB Roadster Home Time

July 22, 2019

Today’s the day we introduce our 1975 MGB Roadster to it’s new home in the city.

First trip out was a big one, we’ve heard from the owner that the trip from London to Luton went very well. Next stop Sicily…

1975 MGB Roadster: Restoration Complete

July 7, 2019

Back in 2018 we were commissioned to source an MGB Roadster for the Managing Director of one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, who had such a car as his first Management Car Plan car and wanted it recreated as was. We understand that he is delighted with the result.

Originally sourcing the car was somewhat of a challenge due to the specific criteria that was involved.

The car must be an original car, with a factory specification finish of Tundra Green. The car must also have the original engine present so all numbers matching.

We tracked down the car in Kettering, looking very sad and untouched and parked up under a tree.

The car has now undergone a full and thorough nut and bolt restoration. No stone has been left un-turned. The complete project can be found within the projects section of our website.

A huge thank you to Matt Woods Photography for a wonderful photo shoot to mark the completion of this incredible restoration journey.

Automotive photographer Matt Woods of Matt Woods Photography has built up a reputation for exceeding client expectations and excellent customer support.

He has been commissioned by leading brands and magazines around the world.

Matt has a passion for cars hence why he specialises in automotive photography. Saying that, Matt regularly takes other work for commercial and business customers.

Throughout Matt’s career he’s had over 250 and counting Magazine Front Cover shoots for a wide variety of publication.

MGB Interior and Hood Re-fit

June 30, 2019

Final stages of our 1975 MGB Roadster rebuild now and the interior fit out is taking shape with the brand new hood being fitted up too.

1975 MGB Roadster Engine Run Up

May 29, 2019

Here is Ady and Pete successfully running up our MG B roadster engine for the very first time in the restoration project.

Refurbishing our Rostyle Wheels

May 29, 2019

Not the easiest of wheels to restore our friends at Wheelcare Refisnishing had their work cut out when we presented two sets of original Rostyle wheel in need of restoration.

Our 1975 MG B Roadster and 1977 MG BGT will soon be sitting on fresh looking rims.

Source: Wiki

Rostyle wheels are a notable design of automobile wheels of American origin but made under licence by the British firm of Rubery Owen. The Rostyle wheel was especially popular during the 1960s and 1970s.

The wheels had a characteristic pressed steel form with raised ‘spokes’, and were painted aluminium-grey on the spokes and rim and black between the spokes to imitate the open space of true magnesium alloy wheels. They were designed for use without the need of hubcaps or wheel covers but usually had a centre cap carrying the emblem of the car manufacturer.

In the United States, the wheel style was manufactured in Lansing, Michigan, by the Motor Wheel Corporation[2] and found fame in the 1960s and 1970s on Muscle cars like the Pontiac GTO, Ford Torino, Shelby Mustang, Plymouth Barracuda and AMC Javelin. In an American context the wheel style was known as the “Magnum 500”. Hence, the first British cars with “Rostyle” wheels were referred to in early road tests as having “Magnum style” wheels.

The first appearance of Rostyle wheels on the Rover P5B met with descriptions of them by some testers as “raffish” and “gaudy” and ill-befitting a luxury saloon. At that time, some Rover road testers also referred to the wheels as “Ro-style”, suggesting that the name, if not the style, may have first been developed specifically for wheels fitted to Rovers. Although this surfaces as “fact” on forums it is not correct. The name “Rostyle” is a portmanteau word deriving from “R-ubery O-wen” (the manufacturer of the wheels) and “Style”: “ROstyle”: “Rostyle”.

The firms MG and Rover, amongst other British sporty cars in the 1960s often specified Rostyle wheels as original equipment instead of ones made of light alloy or wire spoked wheels. Chromium-plated Rostyle wheels were made for Jensen, Rover and, famously, the Ford Cortina 1600E, originally designed for Ford Chairman Len Crossland’s wife.

Rostyle wheels were the only wheel option on the Range Rover for many years following its introduction. These 16-inch Rostyles were used on the Range Rover until 1986 when they were replaced by alloy wheels. The Rostyles then became optional fitment to the short wheelbase Land Rover (the wheels were not strong enough for use on the long wheelbase models). The Land Rover maintained its optional Rostyle wheels until 1995, becoming the last vehicle to offer them from new.

As well as in Britain, similar wheels were made under license in Germany and Argentina.

Special masks must be made to paint the wheels of restored cars to resemble the originals.

Max Sinclair, the sales manager for Rubery Owen in the 1960 to 1980 period has stated that “We changed the face of motoring, and Mag wheels followed us as their reliability improved.”

1975 MGB Roadster – Bumpers, Brakes, Engine Bay

May 22, 2019

Our 1975 MG B Roadster restoration is progressing nicely. With the bumpers having been repaired and restored they have now been fitted to the car. The brakes have been built up and the plates have now been fitted. The badges are in position, everything is lined up and it’s starting to look like a proper car.

Soon we have the wheels fitted and then we’ll know we are nearing the end! The car is nearing completion ready for it’s European road trip next month.

1975 MGB: new wiring loom

May 1, 2019

We are currently fitting up the brand new wiring loom, supplied to us by our friends at Autosparks.

Autosparks are the ‘go-to’ people when it comes to brand new wiring looms.

“The origins of Autosparks date back to around the 1920’s when it’s founder, Mr Henry Colomb, formed an electrical business in Beverley Road, Hull.

It is unclear when the progression from electrical to auto-electrical took place although we do have a certificate from the Trade Mark authorities dated July 1954 registering the original company logo as seen below.

Under the ownership of Henry and the management of Mr Cliff Dalton, Autosparks Ltd flourished and by the 1980’s was a well established and well respected company. With Mr Colomb, then retired, living in Malta, and Mr Dalton reaching retirement age, the running of the company was left to a younger family member and with growing competition, the company finally collapsed in August 1991.

Meanwhile I began my business, R D Components, in November 1977, initially manufacturing and selling spares for the legendary BSA Gold Star motorcycle. Within 12 months I was doing full restorations and one of the items I had to make myself was the Wiring Harness. From there I built virtually a full range of Harnesses for all Post-war British Motorcycles, even supplying the reborn Triumph Motorcycles at Meriden. By 1983 I had began producing harnesses for classic cars, as well as manufacturing original equipment harnesses for the prestigious Aston Martin Lagonda marque which continued until the models at the time, the V8 and Lagonda saloons, were phased out in 1990. The rate at which R D Components grew and the quality of its products soon undermined the strength of, and the then complacent attitude of Autosparks. In 1991 we bought and moved Autosparks down to our base in Sandiacre, Nottingham.

Over half of the 30 plus workforce that are with me today were around at the time of the takeover offering an unrivalled wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure that the quality of everything we produce remains very high.

Today Autosparks produces a range of Harnesses for classic Motorcycles, Cars, Tractors and Commercial Vehicles as well as supplying original equipment Harnesses to smaller volume manufacturers including such diverse applications as some of the top British Sportscars, European Road Sweepers and a range of Emergency Vehicles.

Roger Davis

AUGUST 2012

Since writing the above, probably ten or eleven years ago, the company has moved forward again. I decided that it was time to bring some younger blood into the ownership of Autosparks so in November 2005 we formed a limited company once more introducing new directors and shareholders. Debbie Johnson, who has for many years ran the ‘business’ side of the company as well as building up a wealth of knowledge of the products joined me as director and shareholder as well as three of the long term staff as shareholders.

Our workforce remains solid with, apart from a few of retirements, the same core members of staff that have served us well for so long.

Roger Davis”

MGB: Brakes and Exhaust refit

April 24, 2019

The front and rear brakes have now been rebuilt and fitted. The front wheel bearings have also been replaced.

The newly refurbished radiator is back in position, as is the new steering rack and steering column.

The front sub frame and rear axle have been replaced, complete with new bush kits.

Front and rear shocks have been replaced along with new leaf springs.

We have replaced all brake pipes throughout and today, fitted the brand new exhaust, complete with fitting kits.

MGB: Building up the rear axle

April 17, 2019

The rear axle of our 1975 MGB roadster is now rebuilt and ready for refit. Pete is currently working his way through the rebuild of the car so now we are at the stage where the car will really start to take shape and you’ll see the progress pick up pace.

Re-instating the MGB engine

April 16, 2019

We have now successfully re-instated our newly refurbished 1800cc engine for our MGB roadster. The engine has been completed rebuilt by our in-house engine builder Ady and is once again looking stunning alongside the Tundra Green paint finish.

1975 MGB Reassembly

April 12, 2019

We are now well on the way with our 1975 MG Roadster as we head into the reassembly stage.

With brand new parts as well as refurbished parts on the shelves ready, John and Peter are busy working together to get everything perfectly and secure fitted back into position.

As you can see, the headlights, rear lights, boot fixings are all in position. John is fitting up the new wiring loom and Peter is busy building up the freshly restored running gear.

John loves a photo!!

1975 MGB in paint

March 22, 2019

First few pictures of our freshly painted Tundra Green MG B roadster.

Our MGB Roadster is in paint

March 13, 2019

The last few images of the car in final prime ready to be painted

Chris has now started on the top coat paint of our Tundra Green 1975 MGB roadster. Later this week we’ll be able to reveal the new look and get ready for the rebuild to then commence.

MGB Roadster ready for paint

March 13, 2019

The preparation of the body shell is now complete and today we are ready to enter the spray booth to have the first coat of Tundra Green stone chip applied to the underside.

Bridge Classic Cars are award winning Classic Car Restoration and Maintenance specialists. Your pride and joy is in safe hands with our expert Classic Car Technicians. Take a look at our awards here.

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