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1958 Jensen 541R

Boot Carpet And More

October 10, 2022

For the last few weeks, the interior of our 1958 Jensen 541R has been getting lots of attention from Lydia and Brian. Recently, Lydia turned

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Saying Goodbye To Our 1958 Jensen 541R

November 1, 2022

The time recently arrived for us to say goodbye to our 1958 Jensen 541R.

This beautiful classic car came to us from Holland and spent a few months with us while our team of classic car technicians bought it back to life. It leaves us looking very different to how it looked when it first arrived at our workshop and we are very happy to see it move on to its next chapter.

More Carpet, Side Panels, And Some Cleaning

October 13, 2022

Classic car technician Brian has continued his work on the interior floor of our 1958 Jensen 541R. After attaching the transmission tunnel cover, he then refitted the tunnel into the car before fitting the carpet.

He then went on to fit the side panels, and refit the rear seat, before giving the new carpet a good clean.

While Brian was working on the carpet, Lydia was re-covering one of the panels that had to be adapted following an adjustment made to the fibreglass frame underneath it. She covered this with carpet before binding the edges with vinyl.

Boot Carpet And More

October 10, 2022

For the last few weeks, the interior of our 1958 Jensen 541R has been getting lots of attention from Lydia and Brian. Recently, Lydia turned her attention to the boot of the car – specifically, the boot carpet.

After lots of measuring, cutting, making patterns, and double-checking everything, Lydia was able to get the boot carpet fitted and looking good.

Restoring a classic car isn’t just about getting it running and making the bodywork look good. At Bridge Classic Cars, every part of the car gets the same levels of attention, including areas that most people won’t see – like the boot.

While Lydia was busy working in the boot, Brian was busy completing more work on the interior of the car. He fitted carpet to the front and rear footwells, the bulkhead, and trial fitted the handbrake carpet.

Brian also fitted the sliding covers to the kick panels and cut the sound deadening for the transmission tunnel before glueing it to the tunnel and cutting out the required access holes.

It’s All Coming Together

October 6, 2022

Brian continues to work on the interior of our 1958 Jensen 541R. He finished cutting the centre section foam to fit around the centre pad before glueing the cover and calico backing down and fitting the brackets.

Brian then installed the rear seat into the car and it looks great!

The interior continues to look better and better with each task being completed. The rear seat looks comfortable and we’re sure any passengers who eventually sit on it will agree too.

Progress, Progress, Progress

October 5, 2022

Brian and Lydia continue to work on the interior of our 1958 Jensen 541R.

Lydia has been busy covering the remaining door card as well as covering the back of the rear squab with black vinyl to give it a neater and more appealing look. She also covered the metal frame that Clinton made, which is the frame that will go in the middle of the rear seats.

Lydia then cut out the carpets for the footwell of the car before moving on to covering the metal for the air vent sliders.

The task Lydia is currently working on is spray painting the metal rails that the air vent sliders will go on.

Meanwhile, Brian has been making new rear cappings, and glueing foam to the cappings before covering them in vinyl.

He also cut the strip of wood that went on to be screwed to the body of the car so the cappings could be attached. Brian then installed the door panels as well as making the patterns for the footwell sound deadening and carpets.

Brian also fitted the door panels before fitting the carpet and sound deadening he made the patterns for earlier.

One extra job that Brian did was to add wood ends to the ceiling pad to make it fit perfectly.

Dash, Rear Seats, And Extra Bits

September 28, 2022

Our 1958 Jensen 541R has been seeing lots of progress recently. This has continued with Clinton making new air vent shutters and runners for the car.

In addition to Clinton’s hard work, Brian has been making the dash pad metal rail and covering this in foam and vinyl.

Brian has also made the metal brackets for the rear seat and painted these too. He didn’t stop there though as he went on to make the metal brackets for the headliner front pad, fitted brackets to the front squab, fitted the rear window top trim panels, fitted the side window top trim panels, installed the rear quarter panels, and fitted the rear squab.

As you can see from this long list of completed tasks, our 541R is coming along nicely and our classic car technicians will continue to work hard until it is fully restored and back on the road where it belongs.

Rear Quarter Panels Complete

September 27, 2022

Lydia has completed more interior work on our 1958 Jensen 541R by getting the door cards and rear quarter panels finished.

She used original Jensen pieces as patterns to make new leather and vinyl versions. Lydia sewed these together before they were glued and stapled to the frame.

More Interior Work – 1958 Jensen 541R

September 26, 2022

The interior of our 1958 Jensen 541R is beginning to make some good progress. In addition to the interior carpets and the interior leather that has already been installed, work has started on the kick panels, door panels, and rear quarter panels.

Interior Carpets -1958 JENSEN 541R

September 23, 2022

With new paintwork and new seats, it was time for the internal floor of our 1958 Jensen 541R to get some attention.

Some fairly tricky areas needed new carpet so a variety of patterns and templates were needed to make sure everything fit perfectly in the car.

As work continues on this beautiful classic car, both the exterior and the interior have come a long way since the car first arrived at our workshop. With work continuing at a steady pace, the 1958 Jensen 541R is certainly making some good progress as it continues on its restoration journey.

Together – 1958 Jensen 541R In Full Bodywork

September 9, 2022

The 1958 Jensen 541R has worked on getting all the panels onto the car to double-check fitment after paint.

The team have put the one-piece clamshell bonnet and both doors and boot lid onto the classic GT cars to begin adjusting and checking over everything to make sure there’s no interference and damage any of the paintwork.

It’s incredible to see the car together as a whole and see all of the various lines and curves which blend into one another on the body of the car.

Finishing Touches – Finishing The Seat Pockets and Rear Seat Bases on the 1958 Jensen 541R

September 9, 2022

The trim shop at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ have been working on more parts of the 1958 Jensen 541R.

The team have been working on finishing up the amazing fluted rear seat bases. Each line of the fluting has been carefully stitched by hand by Lydia closely following the original as a reference. The covers are now finished and stretched around the bases.

After that, Lydia could work on getting the handmade seat pockets attached onto the back of the front seats before trimming the hoop base and fitted it to the underside of the seat back.

Inside – Working on the Interior of the 1958 Jensen 541R

September 9, 2022

With the paint shop now finished with the 1958 Jensen 541R, the Bridge Classic Cars trim team can begin working on the interior of the car insitu.

To begin with, the trim shop have made new wooden bases for the front seats of the classic 541R which have been made specifically to fit each individual seat perfectly. Along with that, the team could make the new rear window trim rib, which was cut and refined by hand to ensure the best possible fit of the arch by the rear window of the classic GT car.

The trim shop then used the old door cards to begin templating for the new handmade pieces for the aesthetic rework of the 541R. Brian has carefully refined each door card to fit tightly into the door while also leaving enough room for the material which will wrap around the fibreglass panel.

Then finally he could make the kick panels. These were template and then transferred to ply wood.

Special Touch – Unique Finish on the Seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R

September 6, 2022

The 1958 Jensen 541R has been having more pieces of its interior made by the Bridge Classic Cars trim team but this time with some unique and personal touches.

The rear seat bases of the classic Jensen have been completely stripped back for the team to inspect and take measurements for the rarely seen fluting of the material which will be carried over onto the new pieces.

Lydia has carefully measured and tested to get the spacing and symmetry of the fluting just right before committing it to the final material. The whole seat base has been entirely made for scratch including the foams and underpinnings specifically to fit the car.

This is a wonderful little touch and something a bit different and unique for this very special car.

Back and Sides – Handmade Seat Parts for the 1958 Jensen 541R

September 2, 2022

The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop have been working on making more of the handmade parts for the interior of the 1958 Jensen 541R.

This time, Lydia has been working on trimming the backs and sides of the front seats. Each of these parts, including the foam pieces, have all been made and cut specifically for each of the seats to get the best fit for them both.

Lydia has carefully stretched and pulled the material to make sure there were as few creases and folds as possible. The bases will be finished with the cushion and bases that will help to pull the material of the bases taught.

Up Front – Trimming the Front Seats on the 1958 Jensen 541R

August 30, 2022

The Bridge Classic Cars trim team have been busy stripping down and retrimming the front seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R.

The team have stripped the seats all the way back and removed any old padding or coverings to begin to remake the seats to the customer’s specifications. Each piece has been completely hand-cut and made for the seats to ensure the best possible fit and finish for the car.

These were then put together over the modern foam backings to finish.

Centre Piece – Retrimming the Armrest of the 1958 Jensen 541R

August 24, 2022

The trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have been making progress on the interior of the 1958 Jensen 541R.

The team have retrimmed the centre console/armrest on the classic Jensen. Each individual piece has been hand-cut and finished to give it the best possible fit. The team retrimmed the top piece in leather whilst the rest of the part is done in colour-matched vinyl as well as some of most of the others pieces from the interior of the car.

In Colour – Body of the 1958 Jensen 541R Painted

August 23, 2022

The 1958 Jensen 541R has been back into the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint booth to have its body painted.

The team began by getting the doors and grille painted in a dark silver/bronze colour, contrasting against the beautiful dark blue of the roof. Then, each piece was clear coated and left to cure.

The body was then taken into the booth to be finished. Chris, one of our amazing painters, laid down layer after layer of the paint letting it cure before applying the clearcoat which is being left to harden before it can be sanded and fully polished to a mirror-like finish.

Here are some photos of what it looks like together:

Remake – Replacing the Broken Ceiling Pad on the 1958 Jensen 541R

August 22, 2022

The Bridge Classic Cars interior trim team have been back working on the 1958 Jensen 541R.

The team have been repairing the top rail for the ceiling pad inside the classic GT car. The team have remade the wooden piece by hand using traditional methods to make a total replica of the original piece for the car.

On Top – Painting the Roof of the 1958 Jensen 541R

August 22, 2022

The 1958 Jensen 541R has been in the body shop to be perfected and prepared in preparation for the careful painting of its roof.

The team firstly covered the area in polyfan, which was then sanded back to double check for any low or high spots and then it was taken into the paint booth, reprimed and then the most important part of this particular stage.

The team then set about painting the large, curved roof in special Lobelia Blue, its original colour according to the Jensen records. The team laid down layer after layer of the deep, rich blue across the roof and scuttle panel of the classic GT car.

Close Contact – Retrimming and Stripping Interior Pieces of the 1958 Jensen 541R

August 17, 2022

The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on more of the interior pieces of the 1958 Jensen 541R in at our Suffolk HQ.

To begin with, our trim Lydia has retrimmed some of the interior trim panels in new leather to go towards the elegant and stylish final finish on the car. All of these pieces have been specially tailored and glued tight onto the panels to get the right fit and finish for the car.

Next, Lydia began by stripping back the original glovebox on the car to be prepared and readied to be refinished to the rest of the interior.

Built-Up – Making The Rear Seat of the 1958 Jensen 541R

August 17, 2022

The Bridge Classic Cars interior trim team have been working on making the rear squab seat of the 1958 Jensen 541R from scratch.

Brian, one of our trimmers, has handmade each of the wooden pieces before fitting them together and refining their shape before the various coverings and foams are installed.

Final Stage – The 1958 Jensen 541R in Final Primer

August 10, 2022

The 1958 Jensen 541R has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paint booth to have its final stage of primer laid down onto the bodyshell.

The team have been working hard to prepare the bodywork of the classic GT car. Every surface has been carefully sanded, worked and primed several times over to make sure everything is perfect.

Then the final glass-like primer could be sprayed onto the bodyshell and left to cure properly in our in-house oven.

Final Drive – Getting the 1958 Jensen 541R Ready for Final Primer

August 9, 2022

The 1958 Jensen 541R has been having its final stages of sanding finished before it is taken into the Bridge Classic Cars paint booth for its last stage of primer.

The classic Jensen has been worked on by the body team to perfect each curve and shape across the entire car as a whole. Then, some of the panels were taken into the booth to have their final coat of primer before the bodyshell is taken in soon.

Finesse – Sanding the 1958 Jensen 541R

August 5, 2022

The paint and body team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on the 1958 Jensen 541R in preparation for the colour stage of its work with us.

The team have been sanding and finessing each individual panel in the pursuit of absolute perfection we aim to achieve on all of our restoration projects. Chris, one of our paint and body technicians, has been using varying sandpapers and abrasives to get into every shape and curve across the body of the classic GT car.

Stripped Back – Stripping Back the Dashboard on the 1958 Jensen 541R

August 5, 2022

The trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have worked on stripping down and refurbishing the dashboard of the 1958 Jensen 541R.

Everything from the instrument cluster to the wooden structures has been completely stripped back to their core components to be inspected, refurbished and reassembled as part of the car’s aesthetic restoration. Any metal pieces were completely stripped and cleaned down before being sprayed in hardwearing black.

Onto the Next Stage – Filler and Primer on the 1958 Jensen 541R

July 25, 2022

The 1958 Jensen 541R has had its filler work completed by the Bridge Classic Cars paint and body team. Chris, one of our paint and body specialist, has been carefully perfecting the body lines and curves of the classic Jensen with minimal filler work.

Each panel and piece was worked on by the team in the absolute pursuit of perfection. From electrical sanders to the finest of sandpaper, the team have made the body of the 1950s GT car superb.

Then, it was time to get all the panels and the body into our in-house spray booth.

The classic Jensen was then taken into the paint booth to have the 2nd round of its primer laid down. First was the normal primer before then having its body and all the panels finished in Polyfan.

The team will then inspect and assess the body before moving on to the next stage of the cars aesthetic work.

Stripped – Tearing Down the Seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R

July 19, 2022

The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars have begun work on stripping back the rear seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R in with our team for paint and trim work.

Lydia, one of our trimmers, has carefully unpicked the covers to expose the foam core underneath. All of these pieces are being used for reference as part of the work, so are carefully organised and stored for the time being.

Once the covers had been taken off, Lydia could then begin piecing together and shaping out the new foam which will make up the core of the new rear seat of the 541R.

Inside the Workshop – 1958 Jensen 541R in Primer

July 13, 2022

Check out the latest video from Bridge Classic Cars! We go into the paint booth as the team get primer on the 1958 Jensen 541R.

This is the first stage of getting the fibreglass-bodied GT car in perfect condition before its Ice Blue Metallic paintwork.

Bridge Classic Cars are award winning Classic Car Restoration and Maintenance specialists. Your pride and joy is in safe hands with our expert Classic Car Technicians. Take a look at our awards here.

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