The Next Stage – Priming the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 11, 2022
The paint and body team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on getting the 1958 Jensen 541R into the next stage of its journey
1958 Jensen 541R
Refurbished – Refurbishing Pieces from the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 7, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop have been working on more pieces of the 1958 Jensen 541R. Lydia first worked on the seats of the
Masked Up – Bodyshell of the 1958 Jensen 541R Ready for Primer
July 7, 2022
The bodyshell of the 1958 Jensen 541R has been moved into the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint booth. The team carefully cleaned off any dust,
First Step – 1958 Jensen 541R Body Panels in Epoxy Primer
July 6, 2022
The first panels from the 1958 Jensen 541R have been moved into the in-house paint booth/oven here at Bridge Classic Cars for its next step
Starting Anew – New Seat Base Foams for the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 6, 2022
The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars have worked their skill and craft in making the brand new seats foams for the 1958 Jensen 541R.
Remove & Rebuild – Teardown, Refurb and Refoam of the 1958 Jensen 541R Seats
July 5, 2022
The trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on refurbishing the front seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R which is in at our
Perfect Lines – Bodywork on the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 1, 2022
The body shop at Bridge Classic Cars have been refining the bodywork on the 1958 Jensen 541 after its fibreglass repairs have cured. The team
Strip Down – Tearing Down the Seats and Panels of the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 1, 2022
The trim team have begun the interior side of restoring the 1958 Jensen 541R. The first stage is to strip back the fibreglass bucket seats
In the Cracks – Fibreglass Repairs on the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 29, 2022
After being stripped down and inspected, the body of the 1958 Jensen 541R has been checked over and had the start of its fibreglass repairs
Check & Sort – Work Begins on the 1958 Jensen 541R in the Bodyshop
June 29, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R which arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ recently from Holland has begun its first steps into colour with our
Inspection – The Bridge Classic Cars Paint & Body Team Inspecting the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 28, 2022
The paint and body team at the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop have been out to inspect the 1958 Jensen 541R which arrived yesterday at
This Just In – 1958 Jensen 541R Arriving from Holland
June 27, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars workshop welcomed the latest arrival to our Suffolk HQ recently, another very special Jensen. This 1958 Jensen 541R is actually one
Full Service – Servicing and Fixing the Bonnet Stays on the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 22, 2022
The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars have carried out a full service on the 1958 Jensen 541R which is in at our Suffolk HQ.
Inspection – Going Through the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 17, 2022
The team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working their way through the 1958 Jensen 541R in order to compile a full condition report for
Coming Soon – 1958 Jensen 541R
June 15, 2022
Arriving soon at the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop at our Suffolk HQ is this 1958 Jensen 541R. The car will be coming over from
This Just In – 1958 Jensen 541R
June 13, 2022
This stunning green over white 1958 Jensen 541R has just arrived into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop at our Suffolk HQ for the team to
Good as New – Paint Repairs on the 1958 Jensen 541R Navy
April 28, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R Navy has been in the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop for some paint repairs following the hinge adjustments to the
Changes – Working on the Bonnet and Suspension of the 1958 Jensen 541R ”Navy”
April 25, 2022
The restoration technicians in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop at our Suffolk HQ have begun works on the 1958 Jensen 541R known to us as
Gone Through – Inspecting the 1958 Jensen 541R
April 21, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R ”Navy” has been into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for our team to inspect and report back on a few bits
The Next Stage – Priming the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 11, 2022
The paint and body team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on getting the 1958 Jensen 541R into the next stage of its journey with the team at our Suffolk HQ.
Previously, the team finished masking up classic GT car ready for the first stage of primer to be laid down onto the car in preparation for its Ice Blue Metallic paint job.
The team made sure to cover the body evenly and thoroughly to get the best start to the paintwork as possible. And now with the car in primer, the team will sand it back to look for any adjustments that need to be made.
Refurbished – Refurbishing Pieces from the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 7, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop have been working on more pieces of the 1958 Jensen 541R.
Lydia first worked on the seats of the 541R with stripping down the backrests and beginning to re-foam the piece.
Then, it was time to strip down and completely refurbish the centre-console cubby for the interior of the classic Jensen. Stripping everything back to its base components, remaking some parts and cleaning up others in order to get all the parts ready to be retrimmed.
Masked Up – Bodyshell of the 1958 Jensen 541R Ready for Primer
July 7, 2022
The bodyshell of the 1958 Jensen 541R has been moved into the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint booth.
The team carefully cleaned off any dust, debris or dirt from the classic GT before it was then masked up and cleaned down once more in preparation for the team to begin laying the epoxy primer on the fibreglass shell.
First Step – 1958 Jensen 541R Body Panels in Epoxy Primer
July 6, 2022
The first panels from the 1958 Jensen 541R have been moved into the in-house paint booth/oven here at Bridge Classic Cars for its next step into colour.
After numerous hours perfecting the panels and body of the classic Jensen, the pieces were handed over to the paint team for their work to begin. Beginning, with epoxy primer. Each of these parts had several coats of the hard wearing base coat for the team to rework and then repeat the process with several different primers in order to have a perfect base to lay down the Ice Blue Metallic soon.
Keep a look out on the Bridge Classic Cars website very soon for more on the incredible 1958 Jensen 541R.
Starting Anew – New Seat Base Foams for the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 6, 2022
The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars have worked their skill and craft in making the brand new seats foams for the 1958 Jensen 541R. The team discovered what was left of the original cushion material after the covers were removed and could then begin to build them out of new, more modern materials.
Lydia, one of our amazing trimmers, carefully put together the combinations of foams in different thicknesses and densities to give the right amount of support once the seat base is all back together.
Once the pieces had been put together, Lydia could begin to hand shape the foams to their original contours to slip under the new covers which will be made by our in-house team.
Remove & Rebuild – Teardown, Refurb and Refoam of the 1958 Jensen 541R Seats
July 5, 2022
The trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on refurbishing the front seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R which is in at our Suffolk workshops from Holland.
The interior of the car has been put in the hands of our trimmer Lydia who has been working on stripping down the original seat ahead of not only its rebuild but its new colour.
To begin with, the team have separated the front and back of the fibreglass bucket seat in order to begin removing the original black coverings which have been put to one side as use for references in the new templates. Then, the team could begin separating the foam from the bases.
Once completed stripped down to its base components, the team could sand back the pieces and anything that needed to be repainted could be done properly.
After that, Lydia could work on setting the new foam pieces into place before beginning to refine and contour them into the correct shape and form for the new blue coverings which the team will make specifically for the car.
Perfect Lines – Bodywork on the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 1, 2022
The body shop at Bridge Classic Cars have been refining the bodywork on the 1958 Jensen 541 after its fibreglass repairs have cured.
The team use a specialist fibreglass filler to perfect the lines on the classic 1950s GT car and make sure that everything is just right for the car. The team will only use filler where absolutely necessary and the vast majority will be completely sanded from the body.
This is the first step into the team getting the car ready for its Ice Blue respray.
Strip Down – Tearing Down the Seats and Panels of the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 1, 2022
The trim team have begun the interior side of restoring the 1958 Jensen 541R. The first stage is to strip back the fibreglass bucket seats and rear panels.
The team carefully unpick all of our restoration pieces, catalogue each piece and store it for templating later. With the team having done over a dozen Jensen 541 interiors by this point, they have perfected the art of disassembly on them.
The team begin by separating the base from the back and then remove everything down to its fixings, covers and foams in order to inspect and assess any of them.
The team also stripped down the handmade rear quarter panels to their coverings, backboards and the hand shape wooden framework.
In the Cracks – Fibreglass Repairs on the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 29, 2022
After being stripped down and inspected, the body of the 1958 Jensen 541R has been checked over and had the start of its fibreglass repairs in the Bridge Classic Cars bodyshop.
The team have gone over the entire body to inspect any visible cracks or defects in the body before sanding back certain known and suspect areas to find any piece of the composite body which will require attention. In some areas, simply a small build-up material is needed to strengthen or flatten out a particular place.
Once the matting was laid down onto the panels and then resined, it is left to cure and harden before being sanded down.
Check & Sort – Work Begins on the 1958 Jensen 541R in the Bodyshop
June 29, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R which arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ recently from Holland has begun its first steps into colour with our in-house body team.
The team have been assessing and inspecting the body of the classic Jensen for any damage to the fibreglass or to any fittings/trim work. Once this was done, the body shop could begin to remove the parts off of the body individually before cataloguing and putting them safely into storage to await its reassembly by the team later in the process.
Inspection – The Bridge Classic Cars Paint & Body Team Inspecting the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 28, 2022
The paint and body team at the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop have been out to inspect the 1958 Jensen 541R which arrived yesterday at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ from Holland.
Chris and Mauro inspected the body for damage and areas which need repair or refinement in order to come up with a plan to get this stunning 1950s GT car into the best shape possible before heading into the booth for its paintwork.
The car will be finished in Ice Blue Metallic with a Lobelia Blue roof by the team for its owner.
This Just In – 1958 Jensen 541R Arriving from Holland
June 27, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars workshop welcomed the latest arrival to our Suffolk HQ recently, another very special Jensen.
This 1958 Jensen 541R is actually one of the prototype cars produced by Jensen as a proof of concept for the automatic gearbox option. It is also believed one of its original owners was part of the Lever family, which went on to become the global company behind Unilever.
It also features a custom, handmade grille which was made by the owner for the car that the team will incorporate into the reassembly for its owner but our team will be delivered to the customer with its signature radiator flap, a key element of the 541R.
This 1958 Jensen 541R has come to us from the Netherlands for our body and trim teams to work their craft on the classic GT car. The car will be fully assessed for any repairs that need to be made before it is refined and worked on by the body team while the trim shop begins work on the interior of the classic 541R.
The car will be finished in Ice Blue Metallic with a Lobelia Blue roof by the paint team with a complimenting dark blue interior and grey piping.
We’re always excited to welcome another 541 into the Bridge Classic Cars family and can’t wait to show you the progress very soon on this special 1958 Jensen 541R.
Have a look at the gallery below of the 1958 Jensen 541R as it arrived on its trailer from Holland!
Full Service – Servicing and Fixing the Bonnet Stays on the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 22, 2022
The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars have carried out a full service on the 1958 Jensen 541R which is in at our Suffolk HQ.
Dave, one of our restoration technicians, has carried out the service to the classic Jensen which also involved some work in the distributor to make sure this beautiful 1950s GT car runs smoothly and perfectly every time.
While in the workshop, Dave took the opportunity to carry out a repair to the bonnet stays of the car to make sure the bonnet stays open and does suddenly drop on whoever is working on it.
Inspection – Going Through the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 17, 2022
The team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working their way through the 1958 Jensen 541R in order to compile a full condition report for the owner of the beautiful 1950s GT car.
Our technician John has gone through the entire car front to back in order to check each individual system as well as a full visual inspection of the car’s mechanicals. He has found a couple of things to note which have been reported back on, one of them being a gap in the spring shackle of the car.
The passenger’s side rear spring shackle shows a gap between the eyelet and hanger which isn’t present on the driver’s side. This is something John has worked on and made a spacer in order to take up the space to ensure everything remains aligned and square.
Coming Soon – 1958 Jensen 541R
June 15, 2022
Arriving soon at the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop at our Suffolk HQ is this 1958 Jensen 541R.
The car will be coming over from the Netherlands to join our other 541 projects that the workshop teams are hard at work on.
Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page soon for more on this incredible project.
This Just In – 1958 Jensen 541R
June 13, 2022
This stunning green over white 1958 Jensen 541R has just arrived into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop at our Suffolk HQ for the team to have a look at.
The team here are well-versed with the Jensen 541 family, having either restored or worked on over a dozen of the classic sports GT’s so this one is in good hands. We have been tasked with carrying out a full service on the car as well as a complete and total inspection for the owner.
The team will also investigate the possibility of some upgrades in the cabin and a thorough check of the gearbox’s operation as requested by the client.
Keep a look out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more very soon on the 1958 Jensen 541R.
Good as New – Paint Repairs on the 1958 Jensen 541R Navy
April 28, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R Navy has been in the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop for some paint repairs following the hinge adjustments to the classic Jensen by the restoration workshop.
The hinge had fallen out of adjustment and caused some paint damage to the edges of the bonnet and driver’s door. Not a problem for the paint team.
After carefully colour matching the existing Navy Blue paintwork, the team then began to sand and prepare the area meticulously to get the area perfectly flat and into shape before primering could start.
After primer, the area was sanded down once more before being cleaned and masked off and the whole car was taken into our in-house spray booth for the colour to be laid down. After several coats of matched Navy Blue, the area could be clear coated and polished ready for the car to be finished by the restoration workshop.
Changes – Working on the Bonnet and Suspension of the 1958 Jensen 541R ”Navy”
April 25, 2022
The restoration technicians in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop at our Suffolk HQ have begun works on the 1958 Jensen 541R known to us as ‘Navy’.
The team began by carrying out several jobs on the rear axle of the classic Jensen. The rear axle strap required a repair to be carried out on it and along with that, repositioning of the brake pipe to a safe location on the rear axle.
The team then began working on preparing the front suspension to be stripped so the team can replace the perished bushes in the upper arms, making sure the front suspension is the best condition possible.
One issue that was noted by the owner of Navy, was that the one-piece fibreglass bonnet was interfering with the driver’s door when opened. The team began the process of adjusting the hinge in order to get the correct spacing and alignment for the panel and not contact the edge of the door.
Gone Through – Inspecting the 1958 Jensen 541R
April 21, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R ”Navy” has been into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for our team to inspect and report back on a few bits and pieces for its owner.
First off, the team have noticed a small oil leak coming from the front of the classic Jensen. Looking closer, our technicians Paul believes that this slight weap is coming from the front oil seal on the engine.
Next, Paul looked at a strong smell of fuel from the engine bay and found there to be a leak coming from the carburettors.
Also as part of the inspection of the classic Jensen, it was noted that the rubber bushes which form an important part of the suspension, have been to degraded. These are rubber and exposed to the elements so they do perish over time.
