Priming Our AC Cobra
October 9, 2024
Our 1975 AC Cobra replica has been primed in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop.
Projects
Defender Snorkel
October 9, 2024
Jonn has refitted the painted rear bench seat to our 2010 Land Rover Defender. He also refitted the snorkel to the offside front wing and
Aston Martin DB2 Bodywork
October 9, 2024
Our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 has been in the fabrication bay with Rob. He has bolted the body centre to the chassis as well as
Jensen Engine Work
October 9, 2024
After Tony collected the engine of our 1960 Jensen 541R, Paul fitted the clutch and brake master cylinders to the car. He then cut the
XJS Inspection
October 9, 2024
Jonn has been assessing our 1994 Jaguar XJS. Here are his notes: Get car out from Classic lounge and start inspection. Carry out full inspection.
Goodbye To A Special Car
October 8, 2024
We recently said goodbye to a long-time resident of the Bridge Classic Cars workshop – our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4. It has taken a lot
Morgan – play in the distributor
October 8, 2024
Here is a picture of old the distributor that had lots of play in the bearings causing the points to open inconsistently. We have fitted
Undersealing our Porsche 914
October 8, 2024
Karl Reilly is one very lucky man having bagged himself his second prize in our competitions. Back in October 2020 Karl received the call that
Mercedes 500SL fit up continues
October 8, 2024
Continue to build up from photos. Find engine steady shock for engine mounts and strip and clean and prep for painting. Clean stripped door mirrors,
DB2 Engine
October 8, 2024
Our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 continues on its restoration journey with us. As you can see from the photos below, good progress has been made
H&H Classic Auction set up day at Duxford
October 7, 2024
What an incredibly exciting start to the week this week at Bridge Classic Cars HQ. Tony set up bright and early to delivery our first
Jaguar E-Type, an unexpected arrival
October 7, 2024
Today, we received delivery of our 1973 Jaguar E-Type Roadster unexpectedly. Having recently been purchased and subsequently imported, the new owner has taken on the
DB7 PDI
October 7, 2024
Jonn carried out the PDI on our 2001 Aston Martin DB7 before it was delivered to its new owner.
Dino In Paint
October 7, 2024
Our 1973 Ferrari Dino has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop where Chris masked it up and applied epoxy primer ready for bodywork and
Rover P5 Number Plates
October 7, 2024
Jonn has removed the old number plates from our 1973 Rover P5 and removed the tape holding it on. He then marked and drilled the
Ferrari 400 Repairs
October 7, 2024
Jonn has continued his work on our 1979 Ferrari 400 GT. Here are his notes on what he has been doing: Start pr3parations for refitting
E-Type Minor Repairs
October 7, 2024
Jonn has been doing some minor repairs on our 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2. These included some work on the sun visor, cigarette lighter and
MGB Stripdown
October 7, 2024
Classic car technician Steve has been stripping down our 1973 MGB Roadster.
Ford Thunderbird in need of some TLC
October 4, 2024
Welcome to Bridge Classic Cars! Our latest arrival is our 2002 Ford Thunderbird very much in need of some TLC. The car has been in
Gearbox rebuild on Jensen 541R
October 4, 2024
Work in progress on our gearbox and overdrive unit rebuild.
WIN Our MG ZT
October 2, 2024
The 2003 MG ZT SE 260 V8 was an attention-grabber within MG Rover’s ZT range, as it was a performance-oriented saloon featuring a potent 4.6-litre
Latest Arrivals – 1956 Jensen 541 and 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera S
September 30, 2024
The Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ is always a busy place – with classics and modern cars coming in and out of our workshops every
Help from Hospitality Answers
September 30, 2024
Tony is very much used to spending his time out on the road, delivering and collecting vehicles in our own covered transport. More often than
Porsche 914 Pre Delivery Inspection
September 30, 2024
Our Porsche 914 is currently awaiting collection from Karl, our recent double winner, having scooped the first prize of our Triumph TR3 back in 2020.
Daimler Double Six Returns
September 30, 2024
No sooner had the car arrived with the new owner were we back on the road going to collect it. As with all classic cars
Mercedes 500SL fitting up continues
September 30, 2024
To help with the fitting up of our Mercedes 500SL Jon has used the Mercedes 380SL that we currently have in The Classic Lounge as
Continuing Work on the 1951 Austin Devon Pickup
September 30, 2024
Our paint and body specialist Alan has been working on getting the 1951 Austin Devon Pickup back into tip top condition. He has been working
Land Rover Defender – preparing for competition
September 30, 2024
With the arrival of my new (old) Land Rover Defender 110 I have decided to hand my beloved 2010 Land Rover Defender 90 over to
Rebuilding the Carburettor of the 1979 Volkswagen Type 2 Bay Window
September 30, 2024
Our amazing workshop manager, John, has been working on the 1979 Volkswagen Type 2 Bay Window which is in our workshops for a couple of
Priming Our AC Cobra
October 9, 2024
Our 1975 AC Cobra replica has been primed in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop.
Defender Snorkel
October 9, 2024
Jonn has refitted the painted rear bench seat to our 2010 Land Rover Defender. He also refitted the snorkel to the offside front wing and screen and secured it in place.
Aston Martin DB2 Bodywork
October 9, 2024
Our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 has been in the fabrication bay with Rob. He has bolted the body centre to the chassis as well as bolting on the rear wheel arches ready to start assembling the rear bodyshell.
\rob then clamped the bodywork in place to allow alignment of the internal steel frame. Once he was happy, he started welding it together.
Jensen Engine Work
October 9, 2024
After Tony collected the engine of our 1960 Jensen 541R, Paul fitted the clutch and brake master cylinders to the car. He then cut the heat shield to shape and fitted it to the bulkhead.
Paul went on to prepare the fuel tank before fitting it. The flywheel has also been prepped.
XJS Inspection
October 9, 2024
Jonn has been assessing our 1994 Jaguar XJS. Here are his notes:
Get car out from Classic lounge and start inspection. Carry out full inspection. Remove wheels and inspect brakes. Remove nearside rear caliper and turn disc round 1 stud hole to align adjustment hole for handbrake shoes. Reassemble. Adjust rear brakes and test. Refit all wheels and torque up to 95nm. Check and inflate all tyres inc spare. Put new wheel brace in boot with o.e jack. Adjust washer jet aim and test. Top up engine oil and run and check auto gearbox oil level, ok.
Goodbye To A Special Car
October 8, 2024
We recently said goodbye to a long-time resident of the Bridge Classic Cars workshop – our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4.
It has taken a lot fo hard work from the entire workshop team but now, at last, “Moonbeam” has gone home.
Morgan – play in the distributor
October 8, 2024
Here is a picture of old the distributor that had lots of play in the bearings causing the points to open inconsistently. We have fitted a replacement distributor and cap.
Undersealing our Porsche 914
October 8, 2024
Karl Reilly is one very lucky man having bagged himself his second prize in our competitions. Back in October 2020 Karl received the call that he had won the Triumph TR3. 4 years on, he still owns the TR3 and is now the proud owner of prize number 2, our Porsche 914.
But before the car can leave our workshops we have tidied up the underneath by cleaning up any loose debris and giving a fresh coat of underseal.
Mercedes 500SL fit up continues
October 8, 2024
Continue to build up from photos. Find engine steady shock for engine mounts and strip and clean and prep for painting. Clean stripped door mirrors, Polish chrome and back to black rubber edging. Pop over to Classic lounge to take some reference photos of doors. Find door seal and tape to place. Find fixings and all chrome trims for offside door. Unable to find all parts for nearside door as of yet. Still sorting through stuff.
View wiring diagram for wire colurs and termination points. Route and pull wiring through body to front grill area. Label wiring ready.
We’ve sourced some foam from Lydia in the upholstery department which can be used for the heater flaps. The old foam flaps have been cleaned up and we’ve applied double sided tape.
Cut foam to size and stick to the flaps. Jon has refitted the flaps to the heater box and tested each one as its fitted. The process has been repeat for all flaps inside the heater.
Apply foam to heater matrix and fit to heater box.
DB2 Engine
October 8, 2024
Our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 continues on its restoration journey with us.
As you can see from the photos below, good progress has been made on its engine and gearbox.
H&H Classic Auction set up day at Duxford
October 7, 2024
What an incredibly exciting start to the week this week at Bridge Classic Cars HQ. Tony set up bright and early to delivery our first car, the Dodge DA to Duxford for this weeks H&H Classic Auctions.
Then it was a return to the workshops to pick up car number two, our Vauxhall Wingham to get that safely over to Duxford too.
Meanwhile I joined Molly and nick over at Duxford to record this week Torque Show. We caught up with Paul from H&H Classic Auctions and had a little wander around the aircrafts. The full episode will be out later this week on our YouTube channel.
Jaguar E-Type, an unexpected arrival
October 7, 2024
Today, we received delivery of our 1973 Jaguar E-Type Roadster unexpectedly. Having recently been purchased and subsequently imported, the new owner has taken on the car with the hopes and dreams of working on it himself now he celebrates his retirement.
Two and a half hours in to a very pleasant drive back home the car started to cough and splutter before eventually giving up on the A14.
Our good friend Bradley from Vehicles2Go happened to be passing by when all of this happened and as he was driving with an empty trailer offered his assistance.
Jaguar in Cambridge were unable to assist in getting the car running so Bradley called us to see whether we could take on the task.
The car is now with us at the workshops and the customer continued on with his 250 mils journey without his car but aims to come and collect it and and when we have discovered the problem.
DB7 PDI
October 7, 2024
Jonn carried out the PDI on our 2001 Aston Martin DB7 before it was delivered to its new owner.
Dino In Paint
October 7, 2024
Our 1973 Ferrari Dino has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop where Chris masked it up and applied epoxy primer ready for bodywork and panel levelling.
Chris then fitted the under tray and the sills to the frame work of the car.
Rover P5 Number Plates
October 7, 2024
Jonn has removed the old number plates from our 1973 Rover P5 and removed the tape holding it on. He then marked and drilled the new plate and secured it on the car. The new bolts were then painted black.
Ferrari 400 Repairs
October 7, 2024
Jonn has continued his work on our 1979 Ferrari 400 GT. Here are his notes on what he has been doing:
Start pr3parations for refitting centre console and switches. Tidy wiring and fit new gear selector light. Bulb not working g. Replace bulb and test holder 9ff the car and works fine. Refit. Check fuses and power supply to bulb, no power. All fuses ok spin all fuses in holders and retry. Light works now. Dash lights in cluster appear to not be working but all ok after playing with rheostat. Fit battery from under my bench for now for testing and reassembly purposes. Battery may be physically to big to be a permanent fixture.
Continue to sort and tidy wiring under centre console. Reconnect bulb and holder for ashtray but bulb blown and none in stock. Mount controls to centre console wooden panel. Swap,parts fromnew choke control lever and mount. Start to fit choke cables. Found new piece of cable to use as second cable. Route and mount to,offside bank of carbs and route cable from centre console to nearside bank of carbs. Require bulb so can’t fit centre console yet.
Centre console ready to fit. With John’s help start making all cable connections to centre console. Fit all 4 cables for choke, heater, and both side direction controls for heater. Temperature valve seized but stuck in hot position. Connect all switches and test. All works. Finish fitting centre console and fix in position as best as I can. Continue with ch9ke able set up. Start to make bracket for second choke cable.
E-Type Minor Repairs
October 7, 2024
Jonn has been doing some minor repairs on our 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2. These included some work on the sun visor, cigarette lighter and the dash lights.
MGB Stripdown
October 7, 2024
Classic car technician Steve has been stripping down our 1973 MGB Roadster.
Ford Thunderbird in need of some TLC
October 4, 2024
Welcome to Bridge Classic Cars! Our latest arrival is our 2002 Ford Thunderbird very much in need of some TLC. The car has been in dry storage for some time now and has made it’s way into our possession from the storage company. What do you think?
The Ford Thunderbird was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company as a personal luxury car from model years 1955 to 2005 (with a 1998–2001 hiatus), across 11 generations.
This model being from the 11th generation, the styling reverted to its original two-passenger personal convertible configuration. The eleventh-generation Thunderbird uses the Ford DEW platform also used by the Lincoln LS sedan (and the Jaguar S-Type); the Ford Mustang is loosely based on it.
With sales dropping significantly after its first model year, Ford discontinued the eleventh-generation Thunderbird after the 2005 model year; the final vehicle was manufactured on July 1, 2005.
From its introduction in 1955 to its final phaseout in 2005, Ford produced over 4.4 million Thunderbirds.
Gearbox rebuild on Jensen 541R
October 4, 2024
Work in progress on our gearbox and overdrive unit rebuild.
WIN Our MG ZT
October 2, 2024
The 2003 MG ZT SE 260 V8 was an attention-grabber within MG Rover’s ZT range, as it was a performance-oriented saloon featuring a potent 4.6-litre V8 engine. This was very different from the rest of the ZT lineup, most of which were front-wheel drive with smaller, less powerful engines. The rear-wheel-drive configuration, paired with the V8, gives the ZT 260 a muscle-car-like personality while still maintaining MG’s British charm.
The engine in our ZT 260 is the same as you’d find in a Ford Mustang of the same era. It delivers 260 bhp and a very impressive 410 Nm of torque, making it one of the most powerful saloons MG Rover ever produced.
Available to win now through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
Latest Arrivals – 1956 Jensen 541 and 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera S
September 30, 2024
The Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ is always a busy place – with classics and modern cars coming in and out of our workshops every week. Last week, we welcomed 2 more brand new arrivals. A 1956 Jensen 541 and a 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera S. Both of these stunning cars will be looked at and taken care of by our restoration technicians.
1956 Jensen 541:
2007 Porsche 911 Carrera S:
Help from Hospitality Answers
September 30, 2024
Tony is very much used to spending his time out on the road, delivering and collecting vehicles in our own covered transport. More often than not it may be an early start or a late finish for Tony but we aim, as best as we can to return home at the end of every trip. Sometimes however, that’s just not possible.
Last week, Sheila, winner of our Ford Zephyr received her vehicle from Tony at the far north of Wales before he headed on to Runcorn to collect one of two vehicles from Manor Park Classics.
The trip saw Tony cover just under 700 miles which is far more than what was achievable in one day.
So we called upon the assistance of Lyndsay at Hospitality Answers. Lyndsay has a wealth of experience in the hospitality field and is quick to help us source good, quality hotels. For us, it is not about looking for the cheapest hotel, it’s about looking for quality, convenience and practicality. If you’ve been on the road all day and are towing a trailer the size of a coach you want to be able to relax in a nice comfortable environment. Grab yourself a drink!
Thank you as always to Hospitality Answers for finding somewhere lovely for Tony to stay.
Porsche 914 Pre Delivery Inspection
September 30, 2024
Our Porsche 914 is currently awaiting collection from Karl, our recent double winner, having scooped the first prize of our Triumph TR3 back in 2020.
The pre delivery inspection has been completed. We have re-shaped and fitted the driver’s door speaker cover as it had a tendency of popping off.
Karl still owns his TR3 and has visited our workshops many times to enjoy our car shows and events.
Daimler Double Six Returns
September 30, 2024
No sooner had the car arrived with the new owner were we back on the road going to collect it. As with all classic cars there are often trials and tribulations that have to be overcome. Things that go un-noticed or issues that develop when you least expect them.
The customer had reported that the sunroof was rubbing slightly when it was being opened so Steve removed the panel, adjusted and refitted. It now works perfectly and the rubbing has stopped.
We were also told of a slight rubbing/catching sound coming from underneath so some further investigation was required. The exhaust down pipe flange that had been welded in the wrong position and was hanging down too low could be the culprit. We have replaced the down pipe with the flange swivelled up for more clearance.
Fitted new front discs, pads and hose to cure to cure brake imbalance.
Having tested the car none of the reported problems are present so the car is good to return home.
Mercedes 500SL fitting up continues
September 30, 2024
To help with the fitting up of our Mercedes 500SL Jon has used the Mercedes 380SL that we currently have in The Classic Lounge as a good reference point.
As with all of our restorations the technicians and marketing teams here at Bridge Classic Cars work very well together to ensure that plenty of images are taken throughout the entire process
This makes the fitting up process much easier if any questions are asked. Here we have images of the bonnet furniture being fitted back up.
Continuing Work on the 1951 Austin Devon Pickup
September 30, 2024
Our paint and body specialist Alan has been working on getting the 1951 Austin Devon Pickup back into tip top condition. He has been working the panels and making sure that not only are all the gaps perfect but also the cab panels are perfectly level and curved where they need to be.
Land Rover Defender – preparing for competition
September 30, 2024
With the arrival of my new (old) Land Rover Defender 110 I have decided to hand my beloved 2010 Land Rover Defender 90 over to the competition team as a future giveaway. For some time now we’ve all been torn as to whether it goes as a competition. We originally purchased the Defender for that very reason but I became attached to it immediately so that made it difficult for me to part with it. Then we decided to add Bridge Classic Cars branding to it which in turn made it difficult for the marketing team to let go of it.
It looks amazing, fits perfectly with our brand so it’s become a brilliant tool for us and attended many of our summer shows in 2024.
The next decision I needed to make was whether to fit a new loc-and-fold seat in the rear so it became more practical for use with my family. Just as I was about to hit the button on the order I was offered a 2013 Land Rover Defender 110!
So my future plans changed…
Now the car is being prepared for competition. The Clarke yellow box in the back has been removed. It was always handy to have but was a bit of a pain as when fully opened it caught on the nice new back panelling we had installed so we’ve removed the box.
My plate HEZ350 has been removed and the car is now fitted with the original number.
As you can see, like all Defenders, the front screen pillar is starting to suffer from the harsh weather so a trip to the paint shop to be tided is next on the agenda.
The car was undersealed recently so is great underneath but some of the add-ons are starting to show signs of service wear so some attention will be paid to them too.
Then after that, the car will undergo a full and thorough detail so removed all signs of the branding and bring the car back up to the beautiful condition that it is.
Rebuilding the Carburettor of the 1979 Volkswagen Type 2 Bay Window
September 30, 2024
Our amazing workshop manager, John, has been working on the 1979 Volkswagen Type 2 Bay Window which is in our workshops for a couple of jobs.
This time, John has been rebuilding the carburettor of the classic aircooled Volkswagen chasing down a slight dead spot. John completely cleared out the entire carburettor including spending meticulously inspecting and cleaning out the jets. After that, John fitted up the new gasket and filter kits before getting it back on top of the flat-four engine.
