1968 Austin Morris Minor Van

Safe & Sound – 1968 Morris Minor Van Delivered to Scotland

The Bridge Classic Cars transporter team have delivered the 1968 Austin Morris Minor Van to its new owner up in Scotland!

The transport team loaded up the classic Morris Minor Van into our enclosed trailer for its long journey from our Suffolk HQ to begin its new life in Arbroath, Scotland with the Cargill’s. Robert entered our competition to win the classic Van which will be used for his wife’s cattery business and as something for a Sunday drive while enjoying the various country roads which wind their way through that area of Scotland.

We want to wish Robert and his wife many happy miles with their Austin Morris Minor Van and can’t wait to see the adventures it goes on!

Behind the Scenes – Live Draw of the 1968 Morris Minor Van

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!

Nostalgia – Photos of the 1968 Austin Morris Minor Van’s Restoration by its Previous Owner

The simple van is both humble and proud. It’s a reliable workhorse which has transported generations of trade and ferried countless numbers of people into their automotive journey. This 1968 Austin Morris Minor Van is much the same.

Beloved by its previous owner, its intention in life was to go and join its owner in their new life in France but as is much the way, things changed. The car was due to have a left-hand drive conversion carried out ahead of its family relocating who wanted to take the classic Moggy with them. But, it never ended up happening.

Previous to this, however, the car was given a full restoration in what appears to be the late 1990s/early 2000s. Included in the history file which accompanies the classic Austin Morris Minor Van are these series of photographs taken when all the work was carried out. Showing it in its previous colour of pale blue, the owner had the car changed over to the Sage over Old English Cream that we see the car in today. The panels were stripped back and reworked to make the classic Moggy as close to perfection as possible.

The car was obviously adored by its owner. The classic van performed both its uses though, being used as a way for its owner to transport their artwork from place to place while simultaneously partnering with them on their journey through life, as is much the way with the classic we bring into our lives.

Whether it be sentimental or a long-held adoration, we bring these classic cars into our own stories and their stories cross over into another pathway, and another, and another throughout their lives. But, each holds a place in so many hearts and minds.

Behind the Scenes – Shooting our 1968 Morris Minor Van

It’s the latest competition from Bridge Classic Cars! This wonderful 1968 Morris Minor Van is now up for grabs on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.

Since all the work had been completed on the classic Morris van by our workshop, it was time to get it ready for competition.

With this, we thought we would take you behind the scenes on the shoot with the Bridge Classic Cars team. Craig, Freddie and Monty headed out to Bentwaters to shoot the classic van under the Suffolk sun.

The little 4-cylinder engine burbled its way round the countryside for lap after lap as the team moved around the site to capture the various stills and video clips that we need for our competitions but every one of us had a huge smile thanks to this beautiful van.

And, it could be yours! Head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website and enter now for the 1968 Morris Minor Van by clicking here!

Thorough Work – Working on the 1968 Morris Minor Van

The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on the 1968 Morris Minor Van at our Suffolk HQ.

Firstly, the car was fully serviced and the valves and tappets were adjusted to specification. After this, the team began to test the classic Morris Minor. Then, upon further inspection further tasks were found.

Firstly, the team discovered a small oil leak coming from the front cover. This was removed from the front of the engine and inspected on the bench for any distortion or cracks which could cause the cover to not seal correctly. Looking further, the team discovered there was a leak coming from the front main seal of the 1000cc engine so a new one was ordered and the front cover’s gasket was stripped back and all the surfaces prepared.

The team also noticed a small issue with the carburettors on the classic Morris. After removing the needle, our team found some corrosion on the end on the needle which was causing the running issue so that was rectified and put back into the carburettor.

The team also replaced several radiator hoses as part of the new heater valve fitted to the back of the engine before the front of the Morris Minor was all put back together.

The car was then thoroughly road tested and inspected by the team who were happy to report all the issues had been resolved.

Out Back – Trimming the Rear Floor Boards and Fixing the Dash Shelf of the 1968 Morris Minor Van

The Bridge Classic Cars trim team have been working on the interior of the 1968 Morris Minor Van at our Suffolk HQ.

The team began by removing the shelf underneath the dashboard of the classic Morris in order to carry out some much needed repairs and revisions. The team retrimmed and reformed certain areas of the shelf to make it as good as new for the beautiful classic van and then revised the brackets and fixings so it held into place perfectly.

After that, the team turned their attention to the back of the car. The rear compartment has hardwood boards which make up the floors in the van. These were removed by the team and taken up to our in-house trim shop to be refinished in matching black coverings.

Dazzling – New Brightwork on the 1968 Austin Morris Minor Van

This beautiful 1968 Morris Minor Van has been in the Bridge Classic Cars body shop to have its new brightwork kit fitted to get it looking even better!

The Morris Minor Van’s original chrome had begun to pit and tarnish, so the team sourced a new replacement kit for the front end of the classic Van. Carefully, each of the pieces was removed from the fascia of the Morris in order to remove the front grille from the car.

The front grille pieces were taken to the bench and also cleaned up and certain pieces of panel work straightened to get the car in the best shape possible. Then, each section of brightwork was refitted to the car in a specific order until the front of the classic Morris Minor Van looked near enough brand new.

The finishing touch was the new bright, shiny hubcaps.

Suns Out – Some of Our Projects Waiting to Go Home

With the weather being perfect last week, we thought we would snap some photos of a handful of classic cars lounging in the sun. Some waiting for collection, some just arrived.

Our restoration workshops at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ are always busy. A constant stream of cars coming in for our team to work on or going back to their owners to be enjoyed so as Nick walked past the eclectic row of cars lining the side of our workshop, he thought he’d grab a few photos to show them off.

This Just In – 1968 Morris Minor 1000 Van

Just arrived into the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop at our Suffolk HQ is this beautiful 1968 Morris Minor 1000 Van.

This classic Morris Minor will soon go into the workshops for restoration teams to inspect and assess while also carrying out a series of jobs for the car.

Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more updates on the 1968 Morris Minor 100 Van very soon.

Coming Soon – 1968 Morris Minor 1000 Van

Soon to be arriving at the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop in Suffolk is this gorgeous 1968 Morris Minor 1000 Van.

The car will be coming in for our restoration teams to inspect and assess the car but it will also have a service, some minor paintwork carried out and reinstalling some new trim pieces for the car.

Keep an eye out very soon here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more on the 1968 Morris Minor 1000 Van.