Chrome
March 21, 2024
The chrome components of our Raleigh Chopper MK3 Ben Sherman Limited Edition have been removed so they can be repaired.
Projects
Battery And More Checks
March 21, 2024
Our 2007 Land Rover Defender was suffering from a battery drain which John traced back to the wiring to a relay. The wiring was modified
Amphicar Transport
March 21, 2024
Tony has recently transported our 1964 Amphicar 770 from our secure storage facility back to the workshop.
Long awaited Pre Delivery Inspection complete!
March 20, 2024
It’s been a long time coming but we have finally completed the pre delivery inspection on our 1976 Leyland Mini Clubman 1100. The road test
Jaguar C-Type Replica rebuild progress
March 20, 2024
Every day is that one step closer to revealing the finished project. Our 2023 Jaguar C-Type replica is coming on leaps and bounds now with
Tracing – Looking Into an Indicator Issue on the 1939 Jaguar SS100
March 20, 2024
Workshop Manager John has been working on getting to the bottom of an issue with the indicators on the 1939 Jaguar SS100. For this, John
Like New – Shock Absorbers for the Aston Martin DB2/4’s Headed to V&C Engineering for Refurbishment
March 20, 2024
The shock absorbers for both Aston Martin DB2/4 projects have been stripped down by the workshop team to be sent away to the masters at
Final Checks – Checking our 1976 MG Midget Before Delivery
March 20, 2024
Our 1976 MG Midget is off to its new home! But before that, our technician Jon carried out the final checks on the classic sports
Finish Touches – Final 1905 Riley 9HP Parts Painted
March 20, 2024
The final parts of our 1905 Riley 9HP restoration project have been in the booth under the gun of our paint technician Mauro. Mauro has
On Top – Repairing the Roof of the 1951 Austin Devon Pickup
March 20, 2024
Chris, from the fabrication team, has been working on repairing the metalwork in the roof of the 1951 Austin Devon Pickup at the Bridge Classic
Under and Over – Preparing and Priming the underside of the 1979 Triumph Spitfire Bonnet
March 20, 2024
Mauro has been working on getting the underside of the bonnet for our 1979 Triumph Spitfire to look just as good as the top side!
Fresh Start – 1951 Austin Devon Parts Off for Blasting and Rechroming
March 20, 2024
John has been working methodically and meticoulsly through the various parts and pieces of the 1951 Austin Devon Pickup. All of these parts have to
Delicate Touch – Repairing the Rear Valance on the 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Coupe
March 20, 2024
Fabricator Chris has been working his magic on the valance of our 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Coupe. With such an impressive and handmade car, adjustments
Back in Place – Refitting the speedometer of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1
March 20, 2024
Our technician Julian has been working on getting some of the final bits and pieces finished on our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1. We previously
A New Shade – The 1956 Jensen 541 Gets New Wheels
March 20, 2024
With our 1956 Jensen 541 project moving quickly now, the team have had a chance to try out some new ideas for the car. One
Moving Along – Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire Project is Progressing
March 20, 2024
Our technician Rob has been working on our 1976 Triumph Spitfire restoration project and getting it closer and closer to handing over to its excited
Coming Together – Trim team work on the interior of the 1905 Riley 9hp
March 20, 2024
Ahead of its unveiling at the Practical Classics Restoration Show at the Birmingham NEC this weekend, our restorations teams have been working flat out to
Another One! – Our 1990 Jaguar XJ6 is here!
March 20, 2024
Our 1990 Jaguar XJ6 arrived at the workshop earlier this week and joined the growing crowd of stablemates at our HQ hidden away in the
Room for a little one? – Our 1968 Lotus Elan has arrived at the worshop
March 20, 2024
Another new arrival this week! This time in the shape of our 1968 Lotus Elan. This bite-sized, cult classic sports car has arrived at our
Welcome Home – Our ‘New’ 1991 Jaguar XJS Le Mans V12 Arrives
March 20, 2024
To celebrate their win at the 1990 24 hours of Le Mans, Jaguar would take their flagship coupe and create a very special car to
A New Arrival – 2006 Nissan Micra
March 20, 2024
We’ve welcomed a few new arrivals this week at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ! One of them being this 2006 Nissan Micra for the team
Jaguar S-Type Power Steering
March 19, 2024
Jon has just completed the task of replacing the filter in the power steering set up on our Jaguar S-Type
Replacement Fuel Filler
March 19, 2024
On a recent visit to the fuel station my existing fuel filler cap decided to fall apart in my hands so a new replacement cap
Rebuild Progress
March 18, 2024
The rebuild of our 1956 Jensen 541 by technician Paul has carried on recently. Paul fitted the engine and gearbox to the car before cleaning
Into Storage
March 18, 2024
Our 1987 Mercedes 500SL has gone into our secure storage facility. It was transported from the Bridge Classic Cars workshop to its temporary home.
Door Skins
March 18, 2024
The door skins of our 1960 Jensen 541R have been painted in DTM black.
Finished And Delivered
March 18, 2024
Our 1993 Bentley Turbo R has left the Bridge Classic Cars workshop after undergoing its pre-delivery inspection and being delivered to lucky winner, Hugh.
XK120 Chassis
March 18, 2024
Technician Julian has begun the process of fitting up the chassis of our 1954 Jaguar XK120.
Another One Done
March 18, 2024
Classic car technician Jonn has completed the PDI on our 1976 MG Midget. It is now ready to be delivered to its lucky new owner.
New home for the Bentley
March 15, 2024
Congratulations to Hugh Carville, winner with ticket number 358. Tony set off bright and early this morning to meet Hugh and hand him the keys
Chrome
March 21, 2024
The chrome components of our Raleigh Chopper MK3 Ben Sherman Limited Edition have been removed so they can be repaired.
Battery And More Checks
March 21, 2024
Our 2007 Land Rover Defender was suffering from a battery drain which John traced back to the wiring to a relay. The wiring was modified to bypass the relay which wasn’t needed. A permanent ignition feed was also fitted for the rear-view camera.
The car was then checked over before it is won on Tuesday.
During the checks, our other Jonn made the following notes:
Carry out inspection. Start repairs. Reverse lights still not working after new switch fitted. Remove multi plug and short out. Ignition on and reverse lights working. Remove switch from gearbox and grind away nut slightly so switch goes further into gearbox. Test switch plugged in but not fitted to gear ox. Operate and light works. Fit to gearbox and tighten. Test reverse lights, now working. Adjust hand brake via transmission brake shoe adjuster. Strip and remove brake pipes from across rear axle to replace.
Manufacture new brake pipes for rear. From rear flexis to calipers. Secure and cable tie Abs wiring to pipes. Remove bleed nipples and clean and blow out, refit. Inflate tyres and torque wheel nuts. Adjust washer jetvaim and test. Resecure trim around nearside rear door lock button.
Fit new rear wiper blade. Raise on ramp mp and strip rear flexi brake pipes. Corroded badly and unable to remove brake pipes from flexis. Cut front to rear brake pipes and chisel off bracket supporting rear flexis. Get Christian to make a new support bracket. Mount new flexis at axle end and secure to mount. Reconnect brake pipes across rear axle. Upon inspection found joiners for front to rear brake pipes on top of nearside chassis rail.
Manufacture new brake pipes to rear flexis. Fit each in turn shaping pipe as its fitted. Drill and paint new mount and fit and connect pipes at each end. Use small pieces of hose to protect pipes from chaffng and secure with cable ties.clear up area.
Top up brake fluid and free of all bleed nipples. With John’s help bleed brake system complete. Carry out pressure check. Tack weld weights back onto rear rpropshaft. Take outside and warm up. Carry out road test. Recheck all joints and connections on return and found small weep at nearside chassis joiner. Drain circuit and re flare original steel pipe on car. Reconnect and tighten. Re bleed circuit and pressure check. Ok this time. Carry out road test to fuel station and put £30 diesel in. Finish pdi, ok.
Amphicar Transport
March 21, 2024
Tony has recently transported our 1964 Amphicar 770 from our secure storage facility back to the workshop.
Long awaited Pre Delivery Inspection complete!
March 20, 2024
It’s been a long time coming but we have finally completed the pre delivery inspection on our 1976 Leyland Mini Clubman 1100.
The road test proved a success. Just had to inflate the tyres and torque up the wheel nuts.
Jon has refitted the engine identification plate after the engine work has been carried out and she’s now good to go. Next stop, a very understanding and patient Henry who won the car back in January and is yet to see it. I’m sure, with all the unexpected work identified in the previous pre delivery inspection he’ll now be one very happy man.
Jaguar C-Type Replica rebuild progress
March 20, 2024
Every day is that one step closer to revealing the finished project. Our 2023 Jaguar C-Type replica is coming on leaps and bounds now with the refit well and truly underway. John has been busy fitting the lights back up and the wiring back in.
The next biggest piece in the colour changing process was the bonnet and Alan has been making this a reality this week. We now have colour.
Meanwhile we have removed the spacer blocks from the boot lid pins. We have now fitted in place and masked in position.
We have heated up with hot air gun to reshape and periodically repeated the process over a few hours.
The front suspension braces are now spaced.
We have wire brushed and painted the rusty engine mount bolts and finished in black. The rusty calipers bolts have been wire brushed and paint in silver.
The fuel filler cap has been removed and the neck clamp has been slackened. Two of the screws have been removed and repositioned to the left in rotation before re-securing. Fit filler cap, grease seal and Loctite threads and knock up tight.
Tracing – Looking Into an Indicator Issue on the 1939 Jaguar SS100
March 20, 2024
Workshop Manager John has been working on getting to the bottom of an issue with the indicators on the 1939 Jaguar SS100.
For this, John has been tracing the wiring back through the car to get to the bottom of why the nearside indicators won’t cancel. For this, he has had to remove certain sections and panels in the rare cars interior to gain access to the harness and test as it winds its way through the cabin and the car.
Like New – Shock Absorbers for the Aston Martin DB2/4’s Headed to V&C Engineering for Refurbishment
March 20, 2024
The shock absorbers for both Aston Martin DB2/4 projects have been stripped down by the workshop team to be sent away to the masters at V&C Engineering for refurbishment for the projects.
Both the Coupe and Drophead’s shock absorbers will be inspected, cleaned up and rebuilt by the team before heading back to our Suffolk HQ to be fitted to the relevant cars.
Final Checks – Checking our 1976 MG Midget Before Delivery
March 20, 2024
Our 1976 MG Midget is off to its new home! But before that, our technician Jon carried out the final checks on the classic sports car.
After a couple of adjustments and reworking the choke system, he got the classic sports car to idle perfectly from a cold start and repeated this test multiple times to ensure perfect running.
Finish Touches – Final 1905 Riley 9HP Parts Painted
March 20, 2024
The final parts of our 1905 Riley 9HP restoration project have been in the booth under the gun of our paint technician Mauro.
Mauro has been working on finishing these handmade parts in thick, gloss black for the workshop team to get back on the car ahead of the car’s unveiling at the Practical Classic Restoration Show at the Birmingham NEC this weekend.
On Top – Repairing the Roof of the 1951 Austin Devon Pickup
March 20, 2024
Chris, from the fabrication team, has been working on repairing the metalwork in the roof of the 1951 Austin Devon Pickup at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ.
After carefully removing the piece from the top of the vintage truck, he has carefully remade the part in order to get it to fit back flush and properly. With it being such a crucial piece, he has taken extra care to make sure every surface is as close to perfect before he begins to reattach the part to the truck.
Under and Over – Preparing and Priming the underside of the 1979 Triumph Spitfire Bonnet
March 20, 2024
Mauro has been working on getting the underside of the bonnet for our 1979 Triumph Spitfire to look just as good as the top side!
He carefully went through and treated any areas of corrosion before carefully working the surfaces and finally taking it into the booth for it’s matching yellow paintwork to be laid down.
Fresh Start – 1951 Austin Devon Parts Off for Blasting and Rechroming
March 20, 2024
John has been working methodically and meticoulsly through the various parts and pieces of the 1951 Austin Devon Pickup.
All of these parts have to be stripped back in preparation of them going to be blasted ahead of being rechromed as part of the restoration project.
Delicate Touch – Repairing the Rear Valance on the 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Coupe
March 20, 2024
Fabricator Chris has been working his magic on the valance of our 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Coupe.
With such an impressive and handmade car, adjustments sometimes have to be made in order to get the best fitting parts and ultimately the best end result, so the valance was handed over to our fabrication team to get delicately persuaded back into shape for this beautiful 1960s luxury coupe.
Back in Place – Refitting the speedometer of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1
March 20, 2024
Our technician Julian has been working on getting some of the final bits and pieces finished on our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1.
We previously had found that the speedometer had an internal fault and had to be sent back to our gauge specialist for repairs but now, it can be fit back into the car and final testing can begin soon.
A New Shade – The 1956 Jensen 541 Gets New Wheels
March 20, 2024
With our 1956 Jensen 541 project moving quickly now, the team have had a chance to try out some new ideas for the car. One of which being the cars wheel colour.
This 541 is going to be fitted with wire wheels and to change things slightly, the team have opted for the dark red wheels you see here. This adds a beautiful flash of colour to the dark exterior and makes this car unique in its own way.
Moving Along – Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire Project is Progressing
March 20, 2024
Our technician Rob has been working on our 1976 Triumph Spitfire restoration project and getting it closer and closer to handing over to its excited owner.
With various pieces of trim both inside and out have found their way onto the Java Green 1970s sports car to take those steps towards the project being completed.
Coming Together – Trim team work on the interior of the 1905 Riley 9hp
March 20, 2024
Ahead of its unveiling at the Practical Classics Restoration Show at the Birmingham NEC this weekend, our restorations teams have been working flat out to get our 1905 Riley 9HP ready for its first public appearance in what is thought to be nearly 70 years.
The trim team have worked on getting the bench seat in place and the moldings secured ahead of the fabrication team coming in to put on some of the beautiful bronze accent pieces alongside the mechanical team getting all of the final pieces into place before systems checks.
Another One! – Our 1990 Jaguar XJ6 is here!
March 20, 2024
Our 1990 Jaguar XJ6 arrived at the workshop earlier this week and joined the growing crowd of stablemates at our HQ hidden away in the Suffolk countryside.
Room for a little one? – Our 1968 Lotus Elan has arrived at the worshop
March 20, 2024
Another new arrival this week! This time in the shape of our 1968 Lotus Elan.
This bite-sized, cult classic sports car has arrived at our Suffolk HQ for the restoration teams to take a look at and work their magic on this iconic Norfolk built sports car.
Welcome Home – Our ‘New’ 1991 Jaguar XJS Le Mans V12 Arrives
March 20, 2024
To celebrate their win at the 1990 24 hours of Le Mans, Jaguar would take their flagship coupe and create a very special car to pay tribute to their illustrious racing history – the XJS Le Mans V12.
And this, is our one! Recently arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ, the 12-cylinder GT car will find its way into our workshops very soon for our restoration technicians to check over.
Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page very soon for more on our 1991 Jaguar XJS Le Mans V12.
A New Arrival – 2006 Nissan Micra
March 20, 2024
We’ve welcomed a few new arrivals this week at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ!
One of them being this 2006 Nissan Micra for the team to take a look at. Although not a classic, its adored and enjoyed by its owner who wants to keep the car in the best condition possible so has bought it over to our Pettistree workshops for the team to take a look at.
Jaguar S-Type Power Steering
March 19, 2024
Jon has just completed the task of replacing the filter in the power steering set up on our Jaguar S-Type
Replacement Fuel Filler
March 19, 2024
On a recent visit to the fuel station my existing fuel filler cap decided to fall apart in my hands so a new replacement cap was ordered and fitted.
Rebuild Progress
March 18, 2024
The rebuild of our 1956 Jensen 541 by technician Paul has carried on recently. Paul fitted the engine and gearbox to the car before cleaning and preparing the oil filter housing for paint. He modified the wiper spindles to take new fittings, before making and fitting the starter motor main lead.
Paul then started to prepare the carbs ready to fit.
The water pump was fitted and measurements were taken to machine pulley to size. Paul fabricated the starter motor cover before starting to assemble the carbs and making seals and gaskets.
Into Storage
March 18, 2024
Our 1987 Mercedes 500SL has gone into our secure storage facility. It was transported from the Bridge Classic Cars workshop to its temporary home.
Finished And Delivered
March 18, 2024
Our 1993 Bentley Turbo R has left the Bridge Classic Cars workshop after undergoing its pre-delivery inspection and being delivered to lucky winner, Hugh.
XK120 Chassis
March 18, 2024
Technician Julian has begun the process of fitting up the chassis of our 1954 Jaguar XK120.
Another One Done
March 18, 2024
Classic car technician Jonn has completed the PDI on our 1976 MG Midget. It is now ready to be delivered to its lucky new owner. Jonns notes about the work completed are:
Drain coolant header tank and replenish with new anti freeze.
Get car round into workshop and raise on ramp. Inspect underneath for signs of knocking on floor. Found exhaust been made and stting close to rear axle and floor. Drop exhaust and grind away section of rear floor to add clearance and remount higher in relation to where it was. Grease all points. Lower to floor and check carburettors. Remove suction Chambers and pistons and clean. Use vernier to set jet heights to approx 1.7mm. Reassemble but pistons sticking in Chambers. Found air filter gaskets protruding over carburettor edge not allowing Chambers to sit flush. Cut off excess gasket from both air filters and retry. Chambers sit flush and pistons return freely. Fit P clip to fuel pipe to secure to air filter bolt. Replace both ends of rubber fuel hose. Lower to floor. Torque all wheels. Take outside and run up to temp. Adjust mixture and carry out road test. Drives better but knock still present. Get back in and rase in air. Check gearbox mount as knock seems to come from this area. Fou d metal on gearbox mount hitting floor. Fit piece of rubber between mount and floor and take outside and retest. Ok now. Bond gear knob back onto stick. All ok.
New home for the Bentley
March 15, 2024
Congratulations to Hugh Carville, winner with ticket number 358. Tony set off bright and early this morning to meet Hugh and hand him the keys to his wonderful new car.
