Back to its core – stripping our 1973 Ferrari 246 GTS
June 27, 2024
The 1973 Ferrari 246GTS ‘Dino’ has been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshops for a few weeks now with the restoration team getting started on
Projects
Recommission work on our Daimler Conquest
June 27, 2024
Loads has been happening this week on our 1954 Daimler Conquest as we continue to work through the recommissioning process. Some key activities include; securing
Progress on our 1989 Daimler Double Six
June 26, 2024
Our technician Jon has been hard at work getting our 1989 Daimler Double Six back into fully working order. Here’s what he’s currently been doing
Washer issues on our 2010 Renault Wind Roadster
June 26, 2024
John has been working on getting to the bottom of why the washers on our 2010 Renault Wind have stopped working. To check the pump,
Charged Up – Replacing the regulator on our 1952 Austin A40
June 26, 2024
Our workshop manager has been working on our very special barn-find 1952 Austin A40 sports cabriolet. After it having its first test drive late last
More progress on our 2022 Bridge C-Type Replica
June 26, 2024
The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars have been making progress on our 2022 Bridge C-Type Replica. Everyday the car gets closer and closer to
Moving and Upgrades – Our 1958 Austin Healey 100/6
June 26, 2024
Our 1958 Austin Healey has been back into the Bridge Classic Cars worshops at our Suffolk HQ to have a couple of jobs finished off
Repairing the seats on our 1952 Fiat 1900A.
June 26, 2024
Our trim shop have been giving the task of repairing the seats on our incredible 1952 Fiat 1900A. The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars
Servicing and Checking Over our 1964 Jaguar Mk2 3.8
June 26, 2024
We recently welcomed a 1964 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 to the Bridge Classic Cars for our team to take a look at a few little issues
Brake Work on the 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4
June 26, 2024
Our restoration team have been making amazing progress on our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 at our Pettistree workshops. Our technician Steve, who is the main
Off to a new home – Delivering our 1972 MGB Roadster to our lucky winner
June 26, 2024
Recently, Peter won our 1972 MGB Roadster through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. But before the team took the trip down to deliver the car to
Returning Home – Our 1996 Jaguar XJS Heads Back to its Owner
June 26, 2024
The 1996 Jaguar XJS, which has been safely tucked up in storage for a few months, has made its way to our Pettistree workshops ahead
A Recent Visit – EADT video team at Bridge Classic Cars
June 26, 2024
We recently welcomed the video team from East Anglian Daily Times to our Suffolk HQ to show them around after our announcement of being finalist
Italian Made
June 26, 2024
While Lydia was working on our 1952 Fiat 1900 A, she removed the seat cover and exposed the foam underneath. Once she had, the original
Another Chance To Win An MGB
June 25, 2024
Our last competition MGB sold out in just a few days. Now that lucky winner Peter has taken delivery of his beautiful classic roadster, we
New Arrival – 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12
June 25, 2024
Another new member of the Bridge Classic Cars fraternity, this stunning 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 which arrived this morning at our Pettistree HQ
New Arrival – 1973 Porsche 914
June 25, 2024
This week, we’ve welcomed a few new classics to our Suffolk HQ – the first being this beautiful 1973 Porsche 914. Revered by many for
Interceptor In Paint
June 24, 2024
Our 1975 Jensen Interceptor MK3 has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop with Chris. He prepped the inside and underneath of the car
Jaguar Service
June 21, 2024
Julian has been servicing our 1964 Jaguar MKII. Here are his notes:
MOT Pre-Check
June 21, 2024
Julian has been giving our 1996 Jaguar XJS V12 a checkover in preparation for an MOT. Here are his notes: Remove all wheels and remove
X19 Gearbox And Spitfire Diff
June 21, 2024
Tony recently collected the gearbox of our 1986 Fiat X1/9 ready to go back in the car. While he was out, he also collected the
More Competition Prep
June 21, 2024
Jonn has been continuing his work preparing our 1989 Daimler Double Six for someone to win it in the near future through Bridge Classic Cars
More Paint And The Rebuild Begins
June 21, 2024
Our 1960 MGA has continued its stay in the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop. Mauro painted the wings while Chris painted the rest of the
In And Out
June 21, 2024
We recently welcomed our 1968 Morris Mini 850 back into the workshop. It didn’t stay long though as Tony has already delivered it back to
Our Newest Arrival
June 21, 2024
Earlier today, our 1952 Fiat 1900 A arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop and it comes with a very special story. An executive from
Conquest Almost Complete
June 21, 2024
Technician Jonn has been hard at work on our 1954 Daimler Conquest Roadster preparing it to soon go live on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. Here
Jensen Progress
June 21, 2024
Paul has continued his hard work on our 1956 Jensen 541. Here are his notes of what he has been up to: Fabricate throttle pedal
Restoration Complete
June 20, 2024
Our Ford Transit MKII Tipper is very close to leaving the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Before it leaves us, I wanted to put it back
First Colour – Laying paint on our 1960 MGA Roadster
June 14, 2024
Mauro has been working on getting the MGA Roadster back into its signature vibrant red. Our 1960 MGA Roadster has been perfectly prepared by the
Wheels on our 2010 Jaguar XKR off for refurbishment
June 14, 2024
Our 2010 Jaguar XKR, which recently around at our Pettistree workshops, has been under the car of our technician Jon. The alloy wheels of the
Back to its core – stripping our 1973 Ferrari 246 GTS
June 27, 2024
The 1973 Ferrari 246GTS ‘Dino’ has been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshops for a few weeks now with the restoration team getting started on revitalizing this iconic sports car. Most recently, the car has been in with our body team aswell as our workshop teams to begin the process of repairing corroded and damaged sections of the car.
To begin with, the workshop team have been carefully removing all of the trims and accessories from the exterior of the car – making sure to catalogue and document each piece that is removed for the moment when it is ready to come back together in our brand new finishing workshop.
After that, the car could be transferred into our body shop for Chris and his team to begin the process of taking the cars paintwork back to reveal areas of corrosion and damage highlighted during the cars assessment. Most notably, the sills which have actually corroded all the way through in places along with other areas which will require the careful and delicate attention of our fabricator, also called Chris.
Recommission work on our Daimler Conquest
June 27, 2024
Loads has been happening this week on our 1954 Daimler Conquest as we continue to work through the recommissioning process.
Some key activities include; securing the ignition switch into the dash. Jon has remove the reserve tank cable and blanked hole with a grommet. He has remove the carburettor suction chambers and pistons.
We have removed the float bowl tops and cleaned all parts. Then moving on to adjusted the float arms and checking the needle valves before refit. The jet depths have then be reset.
The carbs have been rebuilt and we have refitted the air filter, new spark plugs. The coolant has been drained too.
Jon has stripped the steering column centre and attended to a short circuit in the wiring loom inside the column.
Work continues on the steering column as we cut the wires to length and make new loom for horn and indicators. Make connections at horn push/indicator switch in centre of steering wheel.
Jon and John have rebuilt the loom down the shaft whilst Clinton went off to repair the split in the column tube.
Adjust ring inside steering wheel for indicator cancel function. Tap out the thread in the ring to secure and tap out the grub screw hole for securing centre to wheel.
We have then fitted the column tube, olive and securing nut to lower column and tightened in the correct position so indicator the switch was at the top of the steering wheel. Next up was to connect the wiring and test but the horn remained temperamental. The fault has been traced to the horn itself. We’ve now remove the horn and ordered a new one.
Finish grille top plate replacement and re-secure the grille.
We have tightened the bonnet catches each side and lubricated.
Wire in front fog lights. We’ve measured the lengths and madee twin core looms to run from the switch on the dash to each fog light before remove the fog lights and testing the bulbs. Both ok.
Jon has run wires along the existing loom and into the car, connecting them at the fog light ends and reassembling. The loom has been tested by connecting to the live feed from ignition, all ok.
Connect to fog light switch.
Make small wire from sidelight feed on back of light switch and connect to other side of fog light switch.
Turn on sidelights and test. Ok.
Connect the earth wire for interior fan and test.
Tighten offside mirror.
External work next. We have inflated the tyres, torque up the wheels and refitted the wheel trims.
The nearside window have been refitted and we have elongated the holes as the window catches on the A pillar. A bit more fettling required on this one.
Progress on our 1989 Daimler Double Six
June 26, 2024
Our technician Jon has been hard at work getting our 1989 Daimler Double Six back into fully working order. Here’s what he’s currently been doing ”Remove rear wheels. Cut rear suspension bolts and replace with new bolts fitted the other way round. Drill out rivets in nearside rear arch and apply sealer. Re drill and re rivet. Trim off excess alloy front arch liner.seal boot to body area under fuel tank above rear axle. Refit wheels. Adjust and tighten mirrors. Drill and fit fire extinguisher between seats.”
”Take outside and disconnect heater pipes. Use hose to flush heater matrix. Clear water flowing after 2 mins. Reconnect and top up system. Run and test”
Washer issues on our 2010 Renault Wind Roadster
June 26, 2024
John has been working on getting to the bottom of why the washers on our 2010 Renault Wind have stopped working.
To check the pump, John had to jack the car up and remove one of the wheels to get access to the bottom of engine bay. After checking out the pump, he determined that the pump had failed and placed a new one on order.
Charged Up – Replacing the regulator on our 1952 Austin A40
June 26, 2024
Our workshop manager has been working on our very special barn-find 1952 Austin A40 sports cabriolet.
After it having its first test drive late last week, the team noticed that the charge light was not switch off while running. Looking into it further, John removed the wiring to the dynamo and checked its charge rate which was measured at 17.2 which indicated that the regulator was faulty – so the team fitted a new unit to the car and all was happy afterwards. And, John even had time to fix the interior mirror.
More progress on our 2022 Bridge C-Type Replica
June 26, 2024
The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars have been making progress on our 2022 Bridge C-Type Replica. Everyday the car gets closer and closer to completion and with that, the list of major jobs get smaller.
Recently, our workshop manager has been checking off some of the smaller jobs on the tribute to a Le Mans legend. This time he has fitted the leather straps which hold down the spare wheel as well as the side reflectors onto the car.
Moving and Upgrades – Our 1958 Austin Healey 100/6
June 26, 2024
Our 1958 Austin Healey has been back into the Bridge Classic Cars worshops at our Suffolk HQ to have a couple of jobs finished off before it had a very special date.
The team found that the original kill switch in the car wasn’t working correctly anymore so replaced it with a new one before checking the car over for the transport team to deliver to a very special photoshoot with our marketing team. The results of which, you’re going to have to wait a little while longer to see.
Repairing the seats on our 1952 Fiat 1900A.
June 26, 2024
Our trim shop have been giving the task of repairing the seats on our incredible 1952 Fiat 1900A. The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars is one of our busiest departments, but our trimmer Lydia has worked her magic on fixing up the seats of the classic Italian saloon.
The stitching on both seats had popped and somewhere in the cars passed, someone had attempted to fix this with superglue… So Lydia carefully unpicked each section which had been ‘repaired’ in order to fix it correctly. Then she could carefully stretch the covers back over the foam and frames.
Servicing and Checking Over our 1964 Jaguar Mk2 3.8
June 26, 2024
We recently welcomed a 1964 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 to the Bridge Classic Cars for our team to take a look at a few little issues and also to service the classic Jaguar before taking back to its owner.
Here’s what our technician Julian has done ”Removed float bowls, found rear needle jet stuck on rear carburettor, replaced needle jet and cleaned float bowls etc. Replaced spark plugs, changed oil, checked all levels. Removed and resealed thermostat housing. Drained fuel from tank and filter housing and replaced with 2 gallons. Road test. Advisory notes, rear pinion seal leaking, gear stick linkage worn, rear propshaft UJ worn.”
After that, it was handed back over to our transport team to get the car safely back home.
Brake Work on the 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4
June 26, 2024
Our restoration team have been making amazing progress on our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 at our Pettistree workshops.
Our technician Steve, who is the main technician on the project, has been getting the running gear and brake system back onto the newly refinished chassis of the classic Aston Martin. He has fitted up the original hubs in order to begin work on the brake system with the drums and all hardware in place to begin to map out the intricate network of brake pipes to connect everything up when the time comes.
Off to a new home – Delivering our 1972 MGB Roadster to our lucky winner
June 26, 2024
Recently, Peter won our 1972 MGB Roadster through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. But before the team took the trip down to deliver the car to him personally, the workshop checked it all over and then it was handed over to our transport team to get loaded up safe and sound in our enclosed trailer for the journey to its new home.
Once we arrived, Peter met us excited to meet his new pride and joy – and raring to go on the cars maiden voyage under his ownership. You’ll be able to see the video on this very soon over on our YouTube channel.
Returning Home – Our 1996 Jaguar XJS Heads Back to its Owner
June 26, 2024
The 1996 Jaguar XJS, which has been safely tucked up in storage for a few months, has made its way to our Pettistree workshops ahead of being transported back to its excited owner.
The classic Jaguar GT was loaded up by our transport driver Tony into our enclosed trailer and safely taken back home.
A Recent Visit – EADT video team at Bridge Classic Cars
June 26, 2024
We recently welcomed the video team from East Anglian Daily Times to our Suffolk HQ to show them around after our announcement of being finalist in two categories for this years Business Awards.
Our marketing manager Rob was on hand to give them a tour of the workshops as well as answer any questions they had ahead of the awards evening on the 4th of July.
Italian Made
June 26, 2024
While Lydia was working on our 1952 Fiat 1900 A, she removed the seat cover and exposed the foam underneath.
Once she had, the original factory details that had been etched onto the foam were still visible. This is a great example of the quality, time, and effort that went into this car at the Fiat factory. As the only right-hand drive 1900 A, lots of care was clearly taken to make this a fantastic car.
Another Chance To Win An MGB
June 25, 2024
Our last competition MGB sold out in just a few days.
Now that lucky winner Peter has taken delivery of his beautiful classic roadster, we thought it only fair to offer you one more chance to win an MGB for yourself.
Our 1971 MGB Roadster is live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website right now.
For just £8.00, you could be the lucky person who is the next owner of this stunning car.
New Arrival – 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12
June 25, 2024
Another new member of the Bridge Classic Cars fraternity, this stunning 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 which arrived this morning at our Pettistree HQ in Suffolk.
The car will be assessed and looked over by the team very soon who will report back their findings for the cars owner.
New Arrival – 1973 Porsche 914
June 25, 2024
This week, we’ve welcomed a few new classics to our Suffolk HQ – the first being this beautiful 1973 Porsche 914.
Revered by many for its lightweight, low-slung simplicity, the 914 is the equivalent of the 1970’s Boxster and was a favourite amongst sports car fans of the time. So, it’s always a pleasure to have one arrive at our workshop for the team to take a look at.
Interceptor In Paint
June 24, 2024
Our 1975 Jensen Interceptor MK3 has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop with Chris.
He prepped the inside and underneath of the car ready for dtm and raptor. He then applied epoxy to all of the inside and engine bay.
Chris then applied dtm satin black and raptor to the inner wheel arch parts.
Colour was also applied to the back of the doors and hinges.
MOT Pre-Check
June 21, 2024
Julian has been giving our 1996 Jaguar XJS V12 a checkover in preparation for an MOT. Here are his notes:
Remove all wheels and remove all brake pads, clean and grease pads and refit, changed brake fluid. Undo front exhaust clamps and reseal exhaust pipes, check all levels. Heater stuck on hot, have fitted a link pipe to vacuum pipes under passenger mat s temporary fix, suspect faulty heater panel. Left hand exhaust cat has a small crack on the weld this would need to be removed to be fixed.
X19 Gearbox And Spitfire Diff
June 21, 2024
Tony recently collected the gearbox of our 1986 Fiat X1/9 ready to go back in the car. While he was out, he also collected the diff from our 1976 Triumph Spitfire.
More Competition Prep
June 21, 2024
Jonn has been continuing his work preparing our 1989 Daimler Double Six for someone to win it in the near future through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
Here are his notes:
Strip caliper. Remove all dust seals, pistons and seals. Clean thoroughly. Use new brake fluid to assemble with new seals and refit pistons. A couple of the pistons have corrosion but should seal after cleaning. Make new brake pipe from caliper to flexi hose.
Bend new brake pipe to rough shape of old pipe. Fit caliper and spacers to car. Fit new brake pipe and secure. Let gravity feed brake fluid into caliper. Refit pads and lubricate. Bleed caliper and test under pressure. No signs of leaks at this stage. Check brake operation and wheel spins freely upon release. Refit wheel and torque to spec.
Remove Aav from nearside engine. Clean thoroughly and attempt to free off. Test in hot water but valve slide inside seized. Requires new valve.
More Paint And The Rebuild Begins
June 21, 2024
Our 1960 MGA has continued its stay in the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop. Mauro painted the wings while Chris painted the rest of the car before the rebuild began.
In And Out
June 21, 2024
We recently welcomed our 1968 Morris Mini 850 back into the workshop. It didn’t stay long though as Tony has already delivered it back to its very happy owner.
Our Newest Arrival
June 21, 2024
Earlier today, our 1952 Fiat 1900 A arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop and it comes with a very special story.
An executive from the Gas Board in Norwich got a Fiat 1900 as a company car when he was working abroad in 1951. He loved it so much that when he came back to the UK, he ordered one to bring back with him but needed it to be right-hand drive. In 1952, the only right-hand drive Fiat 1900 was sold new in the UK to the happy executive.
Unfortunately, he fell ill in 1955, and the car stayed unused in his garage for the next 40 years. Around that time, the most recent owner was in the UK working for a Fiat and Nissan dealership. He heard about the car and, after some negotiations with the original owner’s daughter, managed to get it. The garage was opened, and this beautiful classic, affectionately known as “Granddad” was found with only 21,000 miles on the clock.
After 40 years locked away, the engine and aluminium brake shoes were completely seized, and the car still wore its original tyres. New steel brake shoes were machined, and replacement tyres were fitted. The paint and chrome are all original which adds to the uniqueness of this car – believed to be the only factory built right-hand drive 1900.
The previous owner of the car took it to South Africa with him where it was used regularly for more than a decade. Recently, it’s been living back in the UK, safely locked away all over again. Now it’s here at the workshop, who knows where it will go next…
A fascinating story for a very special car.
Conquest Almost Complete
June 21, 2024
Technician Jonn has been hard at work on our 1954 Daimler Conquest Roadster preparing it to soon go live on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
Here are his notes from his recent work:
While drivers seat out, take chance to fit new battery. Remove old battery from behind drivers seat. Fit new battery and secure and fit connections. Refit cover. Hover out. Remove bung from floor and top up gearbox level. Refit bung and carpet and refit drivers seat.
Mount washer bottle to nearside inner wing in engine bay. It’s the inly place I can fit it and wiring loom is in the way. Cut loom and extend wires to coil, oil pressure switch and solder all joints. Shrink wrap and remount higher up inner wing and secure. Mount bottle and drill and fix bracket to wing. Fill up and connect pipes. Test. Adjust jets and retry, ok. Start to refit grill. Test fan direction correct. Swap wires so it now sucks air in front and blows through radiator.
Wash off gearbox. Tighten all bolts around sump area. Tighten bung. Drain rear differential. Clean both bungs and wash off. Apply Ptfe and fit drain bung. Fill with new oil and fit level bung.
Strip nearside front brake. Remove old wheel cylinders. Clean backplate and enlarge holes to take new wheel cylinders. Fit new cylinders and refit shoes. Refit drum and adjust shoes. Start the same process for offside front. Paint exposed bare metal areas black.
Strip offsidefront brake and repeat processes as nearside front. Clean and refit drum and adjust shoes.
Finish front brakes and bleed with pressure bleeder. Remove air filter and attend to bulkhead grommets a nd cable/wire routing. Remove distributor vacuum pipe. Replace bulkhead grommets. Secure wires to column. Drill and fit p clips to secure wiring in offside engine bay bulkhead area. Remove and re route speedo cable. Ch9ke able and hand throttle cable. Secure wiring under dashboard.reconnect cables and set/test. Tighten wing bolts.se are wiring away from throttle link at bulkhead. Drill out and fit new ball joint to gear change rod across bulkhead. Will need adjusting and setting as gears not aligned with column selector.
Grease all points from underneath. Carry out oil and filter change. Fit new filter and sump bung seal. Top up oil run and test. Refit front wheels.
Jensen Progress
June 21, 2024
Paul has continued his hard work on our 1956 Jensen 541. Here are his notes of what he has been up to:
Fabricate throttle pedal stop and fit cable,fit trim to door apertures, fit speakers in parcel shelf,find and match parts for doors chrome etc.
Prepare window chrome for chroming,fit heater hoses and fabricate mounts,cut perspex rear windows using template.
Fit front grill and reshape to fit,fit rear side windows,fit front bumper and measure up for spacers,prepare trim for window for lydia, modify air box to take return spring.
Restoration Complete
June 20, 2024
Our Ford Transit MKII Tipper is very close to leaving the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Before it leaves us, I wanted to put it back where it was photographed for the first time and give it another photoshoot to see how far it has come.
The workshop team has tried to keep as much of our Transit the same as when it arrived – including the name ‘Lee’ that has been engraved on the steering wheel at some point in its past.
It now forms part of the vehicle’s history.
First Colour – Laying paint on our 1960 MGA Roadster
June 14, 2024
Mauro has been working on getting the MGA Roadster back into its signature vibrant red. Our 1960 MGA Roadster has been perfectly prepared by the paint and body team here at our Suffolk HQ and now that the panels are in paint, the next step is to bring the body of the car in and get it looking the same!
Wheels on our 2010 Jaguar XKR off for refurbishment
June 14, 2024
Our 2010 Jaguar XKR, which recently around at our Pettistree workshops, has been under the car of our technician Jon. The alloy wheels of the car have been removed to be taken off to a local specialist to be refurbished.
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