Projects

Daisy Is Born

Today’s the day that our 1989 VW camper ‘Daisy’ gets her wacky decals fitted. Lauren has done a grand job getting her nice and clean

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MGYT Appraisal Day

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’ve managed to spare a few hours this afternoon to have our 1949 MG Y Tourer up on the ramp for the full appraisal. From

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1960 Jensen 541S Chassis

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s the news we were hoping not to hear but unfortunately the chassis is in need of attention. With the car in full working order

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Building the bulkhead

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We are now well on the way with refitting our 1976 Maserati Merak. Probably one of our most challenging builds to date, not only did

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1989 Ford Granada in for a respray

Having been with it’s current family for many years ,our 1989 Ford Granada initially came in for some welding work to be carried out on the sills, in a view to get her back on the road with a new MOT.

Unfortunately the sills were in desperate need of some attention along with some smaller task that we carried out.

Ford Granada

Having completed the necessary work on the sills, we sat down with the owners and all made the decision that a full respray would freshen up the car’s exterior.

With the interior looking so good it would be lovely to have her back to how she should be.

Unfortunately, as with a lot of vehicles that sit still in the UK for some time each panel required attention and when every panel needs it, it’s best to do a full respray rather than trying to match up with the few good points. It’s best to make it all good again so this is what we intend to do.

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Daisy Is Born

Today’s the day that our 1989 VW camper ‘Daisy’ gets her wacky decals fitted.

Lauren has done a grand job getting her nice and clean and the workshop is toasty and warm. The perfect environment for fitting exterior decals to a vehicle…and a lovely environment to work in too, being cold is horrible! Too cold and the adhesiveย won’t bond to the metalwork.

Another note when fitting stickers to a vehicle; it must be clean but do ensure that there is no polish or cleaning products left on the bodywork, this too will prevent the adhesive from settling.

1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 Restoration

1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 Restoration

1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 Restoration

It took Harvey from Apex Signs a good few hours to finish the design, every piece was individually printed and cut to create the layered design.

VW Camper Daisy Decals

VW Camper Daisy Decals

VW Camper Daisy Decals

VW Camper Daisy Decals

VW Camper Daisy Decals

VW Camper Daisy Decals

Jaguar E-Type Series 1 returns for a full respray

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Earlier in the year we carried out some remedial work on our 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 to get her ready for the trip to Goodwood Revival.

Now the weather is a little less appealing it’s time for her to return for a full respray.

1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1

1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1

1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1

1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1

1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1

1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

We’ve found blue!!

Even those with a keen eye for detail would think our 1949 MG Y Tourer started it’s life in white…but believe it or not she was originally Clipping Blue (BMC Code: BU14, ICI Code: 0146 or 3300).

A credit to it’s former restorer this car shows almost no signs of the original blue colour.

We were starting to become a little nervous; the owner’s told us of the blue colour, all of the paperwork suggests it was blue, even looking back through the history, the signs all say she was blue but we could see very little physical evidence of this on the vehicle.

We have now completed the huge task of stripping her and just as we thought we’d covered every angle we removed a bracket. That one bracket told the full story!

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Real progress as we finish up on day 2 of the MGYT strip down

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Lauren has been hard at work over the last couple of days, stripping our 1949 MGYT of all the removable components.

As this is a complete rebuild project the entire car is to be stripped. The engine was already out of the vehicle which saved us a lot of time but all we have left to do now is a few wires under the bonnet, the bonnet itself as well as the two doors.

All interior, exterior, hood and hood frame is now off the vehicle and stored away safely ready to be assessed for cleaning, repairing or replacing.

The next big job will be to remove the shell from the chassis so it can be prepared and re-sprayed.

As we’ve mentioned a lot throughout our projects, when undertaking any restoration work be sure to take lots of photos. What you think you might remember you may forget. Having photographs is a fantastic way of referring back to how it once was.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”7947,7974,7973,7972,7971,7970,7969,7968,7967,7966,7965,7964,7963,7962,7961,7960,7959,7958,7957,7956,7955,7954,7953,7952,7951,7950,7949,7948″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

1949 MG YT the restoration begins…

Work on our 1949 MG Y Tourer was not scheduled to begin until the beginning of next year but Lauren has managed to squeeze in a couple of days this week to get started on stripping the car. Everything on this vehicle is to removed as it is a complete ‘nut and bolt’ restoration.

The car started it’s life in blue and whoever changed the colour of her has done a remarkable job, every inch of this vehicle suggests it started it’s life a white car…a real credit to it’s previous owner!

As Lauren will tell you, some cars are a nightmare to strip, some of these rusty bolts just don’t want to be loosened. Others are a dream to strip, this being one of them…so far anyway!!

At the end of day one

1949 MGYT Restoration at Bridge Classic Cars

1949 MGYT Restoration at Bridge Classic Cars

1949 MGYT Restoration at Bridge Classic Cars

1949 MGYT Restoration at Bridge Classic Cars

MGYT Appraisal Day

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’ve managed to spare a few hours this afternoon to have our 1949 MG Y Tourer up on the ramp for the full appraisal.

From first impressions Asa has reported good news. The hot climate has helped preserve the underneath which is very promising. Every exterior panel needs work but this is to be expected. Nothing is too daunting and everything is achievable.

Once the full appraisal is complete we’ll report back on our findings and then discuss the next phase of the restoration project.

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What a difference a little TLC makes

1989 Volkswagen T25 Camper Fuel Filler

As you can see, when our 1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 arrived with us at Bridge Classic Cars fuel filler cap was fitted with a stainless checkerplate surround.

1989 Volkswagen T25 Camper Fuel Filler

The checkerplate was never going to stay but once we had removed the surround we could see the extent of the work that needed to be carried out.

Now we have fitted a brand new fuel filler cap which fits the vehicle much better and looks so much more appealing and right!

1989 Volkswagen T25 Camper Fuel Filler

Stripping our 1960 Jensen 541S prototype

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The week started out with a visit from our engine builderย Don Warman. He came over from Maldon in Essex especially to inspect the engine of our Jensen. Don built our 1961 Jensenย engine so there’s no one better to perfect the running of this engine than Don.

Before he even started the engine he made the decision to take theย carburettors and distributor back to his workshops to rebuild them. Once these are rebuilt he will return to run the engine properly, only then will he decide the next step for this engine.

In the meantime Lauren has been busy stripping our 1960 Jensen 541S prototypeย of all removal components ready for the shell to be removed and the chassis to be repaired.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”7735,7736,7737,7738,7739,7740,7741,7742,7743,7744,7745,7746,7747,7748,7749,7750,7751,7752″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Ready for Wrinkles

Here we have our 1968 MGBGT dashboard stripped of all its components and ready for Trevor to work his magic on the wrinkle effect paint coating.

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Cyprus – Felixstowe – Ipswich

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This morning we welcomed the newest addition to the Bridge Classic Cars family.

Our 1949 MG YT (T is for Tourer) has been owned by the same family from new and has spent it’s entire life over in Cyprus.

The only information we were originally given was “The vehicle has been in the family since new. The vehicle which is cream in colour has been used as a family car. The engine requires a rebore and is out of the car at the present moment. The upholstery and soft top was renovated in Lincoln Green leather just over 7 years ago”

Now in the hands of its proud new owner, Mr MacDonald has been on the look out for some time for an MG Yย so when this came available on eBay he was determined to get his hands on it.

She dockedย in Felixstowe last week from Cyprus and has just arrived with us here in our Ipswich workshop for a full appraisal ready for the full restoration to commence.

Even Mike, owner ofย NTGย (one of the UK’s largest suppliers of MG parts) was excited to see this car, as soon as we told him of the history. He paid us a special visit this morning to have a good look over her, even before we had chance to get her inside!

She’ll soon be brought through our workshops for a full appraisal but even though she may look a little sorry for herself right now I think it is safe to say this is a fantastic littleย find for Mr MacDonald.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”7700,7701,7702,7703,7704,7705,7706,7707,7708,7709,7710,7711,7712,7713,7714,7715,7716,7717″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

1960 Jensen 541S Chassis

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s the news we were hoping not to hear but unfortunately the chassis is in need of attention.

Jensen 541S Chassis

With the car in full working order and with all panels in place the chassis is barely exposed on the Jensen 541S. It is not until you remove the outer sills do you fully expose the chassis which was one of our first tasks on this restoration project.

From first impressions the chassis looked good so we were all very hopeful that once the sills were removed we’d be looking at a similar condition but luck is not always on our side…with the sills fully removed it was evident to see that we were not working with a solid, acceptable chassis. What makes the Jensen 541S chassis very unique is that, in parts, it is also used as a a vacuum chamber for the braking system.

So our order of work has altered slightly, now to include the repair of the chassis. When you are looking at a car as beautiful as this and even more so, when it is one of the very first three ever to be built you know that all the hard work it will take to get this back to it’s best is well worth it.

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1959 Triumph TR3A – reports of the overdrive not operating

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This wonderful little classic has been brought in to us today as the overdrive has decided to stop working.

And as there’s an important (and secret) run that she’s due to be on on Sunday we’ve pulled out all the stops to squeeze her in.

Triumph TR3A 1959

The issue we had was that there was no power to the overdrive, at the operating solenoid.

This was chased back to the relay that had no power being sent across it.

This was then further chased back to the fuse box where the power would ordinarily be coming from. We found a poor terminal connection at the fuse box.

Thanks to our good friends down at NTG in Ipswichย who had one remaining on the shelf the job has not be held up by any parts needing to be couriered in.

Triumph TR3A 1959

Triumph TR3A 1959
When corrected, everything started to work as it should.

Then, just as we thought we could sit back we operated her a few times before the control relay packed up.

A new one was sourced immediately and she is now ready for her secret meet on Sunday.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”7645,7644,7643,7641,7640,7639,7638,7637,7636,7635,7634″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Getting ready for tomorrow’s ‘next stage’ meeting

With the majority of the components cleaned up and refurbished and the shell back from the paint shop looking stunning in Snowberry White, tomorrow we all plan to get together to discuss the next step of the build.

We are hoping that after tomorrow’s meeting we’ll have a better idea as to any special requirements that will be needed prior to the rebuild process taking place.

MGBGT Components

1968 MGBGT Restoration - Snowberry White

1968 MGBGT Restoration - Snowberry White

MGBGT painting the underside

MGBGT painting the underside

MGBGT painting the underside

Fitting the engine into our Maserati Merak.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]1976 Maserati Merak Engine

Great team work today as the newly rebuilt Maserati Merak engine was gently lowered into the vehicle before being fixed into place.

She’s finally starting to look like the gorgeous 70’s Supercar she once was.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”7595,7596,7597,7598,7599,7600,7601,7602,7603,7591″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Building the bulkhead

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We are now well on the way with refitting our 1976 Maserati Merak.

Probably one of our most challenging builds to date, not only did the car come to us as a ‘box of bits’ but sourcing parts and information regarding this vehicle has been somewhat of a challenge.

As mentioned previously, all anyone seems to have for this vehicle is a manual. I’m sure you’re thinking ‘a manual is all you need’ but when it is all in Italian it makes some tasks tricky.

Luckily we have built up a fantastic contact book of Maserati specialists who have all been great and the guys at McGrath Maseratiย have been amazing help to us today as we fitted up the bulkhead ready for the fuel tanks and engine to be fitted.

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MGBGT back from the paintshop

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our 1968 MGBGT is now back with us from the paint shop ready to be refitted.

Finished in Snowberry White the shell has been completed re-sprayed and a special Snowberry White stone chip has been applied to the underneath for extra protection.

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E-Type suspension is back from the blasting

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This morning, we took delivery of the rear suspension’s larger components from Scott at B&R Bodyworks in Gt Blakenham.

The smaller items we blast ourselves in-house but the larger and less delicate components are taken to one of our many blasting contacts. Rather than having blast cabinets they have rooms dedicated to blasting and let’s face it, they are the experts in their field.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”7334,7333,7332,7331,7329,7328,7327,7326″ title=”Before”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”7469,7470,7471,7472,7473,7474″ title=”After”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

One Watertight Camper…check!

Volkswagen T25 Camper Windcsreen

The new windscreen has now been fitted to our freshly painted VW T25 Camper.

She is now watertight.

Just a few more days till we see her back in our Ipswich workshops ready for the custom design decals to be added and the interior to be fitted up.

Volkswagen T25 Camper Windcsreen

Lots of images from our engine stripdown

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As we’ve said on many occasions, when carrying out any work on your classic car (or modern for that matter!) take lots of photos! Some of them you’ll look at in years to come and think “what did I take a picture of that for?” but trust us, that random picture might come in quite handy.

It’s easy to look at the engine you’re currently taking apart and think “I’ll remember where that goes” and then life gives you other things to concentrate on. When you finally get round to rebuilding the engine you took apart all that time ago, you have something random in your hand and you’re looking at a hole in front you questioning whether it’ll fit…that’s when the photo will come in handy!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”7491,7492,7493,7494,7495,7496,7497,7498,7499,7500,7501,7502,7503,7504,7505,7506,7507,7508,7509,7510,7511,7512,7513,7514,7515,7516,7517,7518,7519,7520,7521,7522,7523,7524,7525,7526,7527,7528,7529,7530,7531,7532,7533,7534,7535,7536,7537,7538,7539,7540″ title=”Lots of images are great for cross referencing”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

1968 MGBGT in our paintshop

Here we have the first images of the new Snowberry White finish to our 1968 MGBGT.

Snowberry White is a very creamy white. It was a very popular colour used in the 1960’s and generally speaking was used by the MG, Austin and Rover motor companies.

MGBGT painted in Snowberry White

MGBGT painted in Snowberry White

The engine has been removed.

Our 1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine has now been removed from the vehicle ready to be stripped, repaired rebuilt.

As you can see from the images, the seals have not prevented the ingress of water and unfortunately as the water has been sitting around for some time it has started to rust the components. This will need to be rectified as part of the rebuild process to prevent this from happening in the future.

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

We’ve been busy welding up various cars this week and both ramps have been hard at work but once we cleared some room in our workshops the engine was able to be removed.ย 

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

 

Removing the engine of our 1932 Vauxhall Cadet

Mark and Lauren have had a busy morning removing and loosening all of the components required to remove the engine from our 1932 Vauxhall Cadet.

Hopefully we’ll have a body minus an engine by the end of the day so it can start to be stripped and prepared ready for rebuild.

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1932 Vauxhall Cadet engine being removed

1951 MG TD Competition Abington MKII at Priory Hall, Hadleigh

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On Tuesday 20th September our completed 1951 MG TD Competition Abington MK II was taken to Priory Hall in Hadleigh, Suffolk for the celebratory photo shoot.

Priory Hall, Hadleigh, Suffolk, Weddings

We were welcomed at the beautiful hall by owner Cyndy who showed us her own MG tucked away ready for the summer.

A special thank you as always to Jason at Sugar and Spice Photographyย for his incredible skills and thank you also to Hayley and Lauren from the 1940’s harmony trio The Bombshellsย for bringing a bit of glamour to the shoot.

If you would like to see more of The Bombshells you can visit their facebook pageย and ย if you would like them perform at your event contact the team atย Halo Entertainmentย who will be more than happy to help.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”7091,7092,7093,7094,7095,7096,7098,7099,7100,7101,7102,7103,7104,7105,7106,7107,7108,7109,7110,7111,7112,7113,7115,7116,7120,7123,7126,7127,7128,7129,7130,7131,7132,7134,7136,7137,7139,7140,7143,7145,7147,7148,7151,7153,7156,7158,7159,7161,7164,7166,7167,7169,7171,7172,7178,7181,7377,7379,7381,7383,7384,7385,7392,7393,7396,7397,7400,7402,7403,7405,7406,7407,7408,7411,7415,7414,7419,7420,7422,7423,7424,7425,7426,7421″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

New UK registration has arrived

It’s been a long time coming but the new V5 UK registration is now with us. The new UK plates have been produced.

Unfortunately it was a little too late coming so our wonderful photo shoot by Jason at Sugar and Spice Photographyย with Hayley and Lauren from Halo Entertainmentย took place at Priory Hall in Hadleigh on the old plates.

I’m sure you’ll agree, it still looks incredible.

Here are the new plates, you can imagine them being on the car in the photos!!

1951 MG TD Competition New Plates

 

Engine not running as smooth as we’d like..

…and we’ve found the issues but unfortunately it will mean the engine will now need to be removed.

It’ll be removed later today and completely stripped down for internal inspection.

Whether the bloc will need to be re-bored or honed will be evident further in to the process once it has been stripped down.

Here are the images from our Endoscope you can see the damage inside bore 5 and 6. As you can see, a dirty substance has been found.

Vauxhall Cadet inside bore 5

Vauxhall Cadet inside bore 5

Vauxhall Cadet inside bore 5

Vauxhall Cadet inside bore 5

Vauxhall Cadet inside bore 5

Vauxhall Cadet inside bore

Substance found in the cooling system

Our 1969 MGB V8 is in today to be MOT’d. This was due to take place in the afternoon which gave us the morning to get a few extra jobs done to the car.

Our first job of the day was to fit the new cooling fan to the radiator, once this was in place we wired it up before refitting the bumper and grille.

A 12v socket was to be fitted to the passenger footwell too.

 

Unfortunately during our work we discovered a substance within the cooling system which needed to be immediately addressed. We are currently working on the issue to prevent it from happening again.

MGB V8 Cooling System

MGB V8 Cooling System

Volkswagen Camper T25 in primer

It’s been a busy weekend for Trevor this weekend as he worked on getting our Volkswagen Camper T25 in primer ready for paint.

1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 in primer

1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 in primer

1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 in primer

1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 in primer

On Monday morning Craig popped over to the paint shop in Needham Market to answer a couple of questions Trevor had and the good news is that she’s all painted and almost ready for the decals.

As you can see, the previously white vents and covers have now been colour coded and a decision has been made today for the new grilles to be coloured black.

New bumpers and door rubbers have been ordered today from VW Heritage, the UK’s leading supplier of VW parts…so once these have arrived and have been fitted up she’ll be looking fantastic once again!

1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 in painted

1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 in painted

1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 in painted

1989 Volkswagen Camper T25 in painted

Watch this space for more pictures, coming soon…

MGB V8 getting ready for MOT

Our 1969 MGB V8 has arrived this morning so John has been busy today getting her ready for tomorrow’s MOT.

1969 MG B V8

First job of the day was to checked it over, a fuel leak has been reported but after a thorough assessment not leak has been discovered as yet. We’ll keep our eye on this over the coming days so so far it looks promising.

1969 MG B V8


The thermostat has been refitted and we have replaced theย thermostat hose. Theย radiator has been removed and re-positioned as we have now fitted the newย fan.

MG B V8 Cooling System

MG B V8 Cooling System

The cooling system has now been flushed through and bled to clean of all impurities.