Kath has been starting to fit the front squab seats and their carpet backs to the frames.
She began by stapling the sides of the front squab to the wooden part of the frame. She then trimmed back the foam on the flutes, to lay nice and flat on the back. Then she stapled the front of the squab to the wood of the seat frame, making sure it fitted nicely. Piping was then stapled around the back edge. The carpet back was placed on top of this, just inside the piping.
The first front squab is now ready! Exactly the same process will be carried out for the second one.
Bridge Classic Cars and lots of our friends were there to enjoy the weekend and it was also where we launched our latest competitions in partnership with Lotus and Community Sports Foundation.
Introducing the 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition; you could be getting your hands on the very first Elise of the final edition for just £9.00 and if that wasn’t enough to wet your appetite, you will be treated to a tour of the world famous Lotus factory in Hethel, Norfolk.
All of the proceeds from this incredible competition go to the CSF charity, enabling them to carry out their vital work helping people with disabilities.
Did you head to this year’s Festival of Speed and did you spot our Elise?
Our good friend Jack received images from his pal Dan beside our Elise. Dan is a fellow classic car enthusiast, owning a beautiful Triumph TR4, he took a trip to the Goodwood race circuit for the weekend of fun;
Local businessman, good friend to Bridge Classic Cars and the man with the beautiful Mk1 Golf and McLaren, Vincent Cheung enjoyed the weekend at Goodwood alongside his pal, automotive photographer, Roger Chan. Check out Roger’s work at rchanphotography.co.uk
Check out the images sent through to us from Vinnie:
And a walk around of the Lotus Evija and newly launched Lotus Emira.
Nigel Bromley, Head Of Brand Marketing for Group Lotus kindly shared some great images to his socials over the weekend.
We’re in the process of reconstructing the Aston Martin DB2/4 bonnet which is showing signs of dubious structural integrity. The team have removed the frame from the bonnet so that they can fix it. This had to be done by cutting it in half and sliding it out on either side, meaning that when they fit it again, it’ll be welded back in position. The two metals together had caused bio-Metalic corrosion so new parts need to be fabricated.
Brian has been working to remove the covers from the rear sear rub backs on our Aston Martin DB2/4. He’s taken apart the covers and used them to mark out leather for new covers. He’s then sewn the covers together and glued the original foam back onto the metal seat. Brian has added extra layers of foam over the top of the original foam to pad it out and increase the comfort. He’s then finished by glueing the covers to the bottom edge of the metal backs, leaving the top undone until it is fitted to base section of the rear seat.
Kath and Brian have been working on recovering the ceiling lining in Craig’s Aston Martin DB9. Brian begun by undoing the side panels above the window and unclipping the headliner panel. He then removed the cover and foam so that he was able to glue the cover back down to the panel, making sure he glues the excess flap to the back. Once the headliner had its new cover, he could fit it back in place with Kath’s help.
After many discussions, we’ve decided on the interior for our Mille Miglia Aston Martin DB2/4. The carpet will be a dark grey with claret red seats and 1206B Schiefer grey piping.
We’ve now almost finished working on Craig’s 2005 Aston Martin DB9 which alongside its paint and trim work, needed the power steering addressing, the rear light replacing due to a leak, the driver’s door rubber seal replaced and the inside door handle mounts refurbishing.
The interior door handle mounts were previously worn and exhausted so we took them apart, cleaned them and repainted them so that now that look good as new.
We’re currently working through the process of selecting the interior trim with our client for our rare Aston Martin DB2/4. The choice is between the red leather trim and a selection of grey tones for the carpet and piping. It’s important we select the correct shades to not only look good but to resemble the original interior.
Paul has been working on Craig’s 2005 Aston Martin DB9 which recently showed some severe signs in its power steering. The bushings had been wearing on one side, showing that the power steering mechanism had been sitting unevenly. We are now endeavouring to solve this by replacing the bushings and bearings.
We’ve pulled in the helpful hands of Kath and Lydia to tackle the paint stripping on our Aston martin DB2/4 Mark I. Normally found in the trim shop, Kath and Lydia have been showing off their ability to jump between disciplines. Using a rough pads, Lydia and Kath have been scraping off all the paint.
They started by masking up all the open places on the car where chemicals could potentially drip through. They then used blades to scratch the surface to help the nitromors paint stripper work in better. The next step was to apply paint stripper onto the roof of the car which was then covered with plastic while it worked itself into the paint. They did the same on the sides and then scraped the paint off. Once the team got down to the red oxide, they could use thinners to scrub the rest of the paint off the car.
Now that its done, the car is sat in its original bare metal and its ready for the next stage.
Kath has been recovering the seats in Craig’s Aston Martin DB9 which were looking worn and in need of sprucing up. They have now been completed after a few weeks of hard work addressing the worn interior. When we took this project to a recent show, we presented the passenger seat (the only one finished at the time) next to the car, and it was lovingly nicknamed the ‘ejector seat’.
Kath begun by removing the cover slowly. Prior to this, the airbags had been disarmed by Aston Martin. She then unclipped the handle mechanism and removed the airbag. After removing the retainers from the inside of the metal frame, Kath could then remove the squab which was held in place with velcro. She then removed the switches and cable ties, and gently pulled the cover out from around the wire. Once all the components were taken out, Kath could mark up the leather for the new cover.
Kath then began to unpick the leather parts and puts the retainers to one side to use later. For each leather cover, Kath will unpick, draw around the parts and make new pieces based on those patterns. She adds in Velcro and the retainers as she begins to remake all the covers. Working through all the squabs, bases and backrests of both the passenger and driver’s seat, Kath also had to sew on new pockets and seatbelt covers. The process of each seat was the same however the process of doing both needed a keen eye for detail to ensure the sleek stiff leather fitted perfectly along with the switches and airbags.
During the renovation of the driver’s seat, Kath amended the exposed metal bar on the bolster base and repaired the holes in the foam bolster.
The bonnet to our DB2/4 has been stripped to bare metal by Matt in the paint shop so that the fabrication bay can see what’s underneath the paint and understand what needs addressing and fabricating before it goes back to paint.
Aston Martin has partnered with Racing Pride for Pride month 2021 to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ awareness, diversity and inclusion in motorsport. The Racing Pride logo will feature on Aston Martin’s car at the French GP later this month.
Racing Pride is an initiative set up in 2019 with Stonewall to positively promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity within the motorsport industry and its partners. Pride month runs through the entirety of June and often includes events, festivals, campaigns and encourages conversations.
The campaign will highlight the strength of the LGBTQ+ community within motorsport and the automotive industry. As well as showing support by wearing the Racing Pride logos on their cars, the partnership will also provide inclusivity and awareness workshops for Aston Martin staff.
Racing Pride’s co-founder, Richard Morris said: “This landmark partnership between Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team and Racing Pride will have a widely felt positive impact for the LGBTQ+ community.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the team as it constantly strives to create an inclusive culture in which all team members are respected, empowered, and valued.
It marks a hugely significant step in Racing Pride’s journey to positively promote LGBTQ+ inclusion through motorsport.”
Much like International Women’s Day, Black History Month and BLM, Mental Health Awareness Month and the other important social activist-led celebrations, we understand that the set month shouldn’t be the only time we celebrate, discuss and advocate for equality and in particular for June, gay rights. We advocate for equality both in the workplace and in the industry and understand the barriers that are still in place for those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Every year Pride Month falls in the month of June to celebrate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riot which happened on June 28th 1969 when police raided a gay club called Stonewall Inn in New York. Although the police gave the excuse that the bar was operating with an incorrect licence, it was later revealed that the raid was about nothing more than harrassing and arresting LGBTQ+ people in one of the few safe places in New York in 1969. A diverse crowd of lesbians, gay men and transgender women, many of whom were people of colour, lashed back at the police. Six days of protests and demonstrations then ensued which became known as the Stonewall Riot. The next year, New York held an event to commemorate the first anniversary of the riots and soon grew into what we now know as Pride Month.
The flag not only stands for the LGBTQ+ community and gay rights but also incorporates several other flags such as transgender rights and has recently had a black and brown stripe added to celebrate gay people of colour for whose stories haven’t been told and for whom experience added boundaries due to their skin colour as well. The flag was created by gay artist and drag queen, Gilbert Baker in 1978 who was then commissioned for his design by Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected US official to create the flag as a symbol for the LGBTQ+ community.
Scott has been stripping down our Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark I by removing the wiring loom, petrol tank, spare wheel carrier and various other parts. he’s also straightened out the radiator cowling to make sure it fits radiator properly and now radiator has gone to be refurbished.
Craig’s DB9 is currently in the paint shop undergoing some paint corrections after the epoxy primer was applied to treat a small amount of corrosion coming through around the door handles.
We’ve also fitted new door rubber and rear window rubber tightened up the rear centre mounted brake lights that were rattling, refurbish the tyres, re-upholster the seats, repair internal door pulls, remove parrot phone system, test and modify power steering and diagnose the shaking, fit new motors to the wing mirrors, adjust the driver’s window that squeak and scratches, fit new stone guard stickers to the wheel arches, remove both front headlights and strip both doors.
Matt has now moved onto polishing and flattening the paint to give it it’s final finish.
Scott has been stripping down our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 in preparation for bodywork. This has involved taking out chrome, door cards, electrics and mechanics, all the interior and wiring.
W Series and Stunt driver, Jessica Hawkins has been signed as an F1 Aston Martin Driver Ambassador, announced today.
Hawkins has said about the announcement; “I am incredibly excited to be joining Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team as its new driver ambassador, and I am really looking forward to working with Lance Stroll, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Hülkenberg and the rest of the team. In fact, although it will surely be a hell of a lot of hard work, it is a dream come true for me. Besides, I am definitely not afraid of hard work.
I also want to pay tribute and say thank you to W Series, which is a brilliant championship without which I would simply never have got this unbelievable chance to work within such a great Formula One team.
I would particularly like to say a big thanks to W Series’ three most senior people, Sean Wadsworth, Catherine Bond Muir and Dave Ryan. Without their amazing efforts to put W Series on the motorsport map in such a brilliant way and in such a short time, female drivers like me would never have found our way onto the radar screens of the likes of Otmar Szafnauer, to whom I should also say a massive thank you.”
Jessica Hawkins stands as a fantastic representative and athlete for women in the sport as she strives to increase the diversity of the sport.
Scott has been stripping down the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark I in preparation for the rest of its restoration. This is a time consuming but integral part of a restoration but allows the rest of the mechanical work and bodywork to be done.
We have now officially begun the exciting restoration process of our rare 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 which is being restored back to original in preparation for its entry into the Mille Miglia. The original race took place between 1927 and 1957 and ran its course across 1000 miles over Italy. There are strict rules over who can enter and which cars can be driven in the modern reenactment of the race however one thing is for certain, cars must be in original spec.
You can read more about the history of the iconic Italian race here.
Scott and Brian have made the first impression into this project by stripping the chrome and removing the interior so that the body is ready to be repainted.
Brian has been tackling the interior strip as he has removed the seats, carpet, pedal box, interior panels and the window trim. He has also removed the rear squab and base seats however these were tricky to remove as there were interior beams holding them in place. He has also removed seat pockets, door capping chrome trim, end plates, door cards and straps as well as the door pockets
Craig’s Aston Martin DB9 is set to get some new seats as the trim shop begin on the task of freshening up the interior. Kath began by carefully removing the covers, un-cliping the handle mechanisms and then removing the air bag which had been previously disabled by Aston Martin themselves. Kath then removed the retainers out from the inside of the metal frame and take out the centre piece which was attached with Velcro. Once the squab was removed, she could then remove the switches at the base of the seat. Once this was done, she could untie the cable tires and gently pull the cover out from around the wires. The seats contain small retainers to hold the cover on as well as strips of velcro, such as down the centre. Kath then removed the heated panels from the base and squab and the seat belt clip cover.
With all the external pieces now removed, Kath can begin the same process on the other seat and recover them both.
We’ve run a pressure test on our DB2/4 and found that the readings are positive. If the readings had been low, we’d worry there was a leak or a hole somewhere however with high readings, we know that the engine is functioning as needed.
Craig popped over to the Statton Motor Company to disconnect the air bags in the seats of his Aston Martin DB9 ready for the seats to be retrimmed but whilst he was there he saw this DB2/4, identical to the one we’ve got in, so he took the chance to take some photos as reference for when we rebuild ours.
This rare 1955 Aston Martin DB2 / 4 Mark 1 arrived over the weekend and has come in for an assessment. Having been recently bought by our client, we are set to take a look over this stunning early Aston to understand what needs to be done to fully restore it.
With only 451 ever made and just two previous owners, this makes our Aston incredibly rare and sought after. Although not in its original Moonbeam Gray, it is in pristine condition for an early model Aston Martin.
This rare classic has just come into our workshop with an interesting history. This is the background supplied by Bonhams;
EX-PHILIPPE BLÉSIN 1955 ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 ‘MARK I’ 2.6-LITRE SPORTS SALOON COACHWORK BY MULLINERS OF BIRMINGHAM CHASSIS NO. LML/678 ENGINE NO. VB6E/50/1407
“The Aston Martin DB2/4 is an expensive car designed to cater for the connoisseur of sports cars who is not limited by financial considerations.” – Autocar, 2nd October 1953.
With the introduction of the ‘2+2’ DB2/4 in October 1953, Aston Martin extended the DB2’s appeal to the hitherto untapped yet increasingly important market comprised of ‘sports car enthusiasts with a family’. Modifications to the rear of the chassis plus a reduction in fuel tank capacity from 19 to 17 gallons liberated sufficient space within the existing design for two child-sized occasional rear seats. Alternatively, the rear seat backs could be folded down, thus creating a load-carrying platform that more than doubled the luggage space. The latter could be accessed via the 2/4’s opening rear door, a pioneering example of the now commonplace ‘hatchback’ concept.
“This transformation gives the Aston Martin DB2/4 an unrivalled luggage-carrying capacity in a car which should be capable in favourable circumstances of achieving two miles a minute,” reported The Motor. “The DB2/4 can truthfully claim to be the fastest car in the world capable of carrying two people with a month’s luggage.”
Standard specification included the 2.6-litre VB6E engine in 125bhp Vantage tune, while from early in 1954 the 3.0-litre 140bhp VB6J engine became available.
This right-hand drive DB2/4 was supplied new to Aston Martin’s Belgian importer Mannes and sold to a company in Brussels, where it was first registered on 7th July 1955. Interestingly, ‘LML/678’ has two external locking handles for the rear hatch; these were not a feature of the standard arrangement, the hatch being released by pulling a lever behind the driver’s seat.
A matching-numbers example, the car is believed to have had one owner up to June 1985 when it passed to Marcelle Autier of La Louvière and was reregistered (document on file). The accompanying (copy) guarantee form records three services, the last one in 1956 at 15,311 kilometres.
The Aston remains highly original apart from a colour change from Moonbeam Grey to the present light green, and an interior re-trim, alterations believed to have been carried out in 1985 with the change of owner. In 2007 the DB2/4 was bought by the well-known Aston Martin collector Philippe Blésin, who sold it to the current owner without having registered it in his name, resulting in this DB2/4 having had only 2 registered owners from new.
Unmolested and in well-preserved ‘barn find’ condition, ‘LML/678’ represents an excellent basis for a complete restoration or could well be used as a daily driver following a mechanical re-commissioning (the car is in running condition). Presumably dating from the 1980s, the lovely dark green interior appears in very good condition and has a lovely patina. The odometer reading of 75,770 kilometres is believed genuine.
A wonderful opportunity to acquire a highly original, matching-numbers example of this landmark Aston Martin model.
Craig, Director here at Bridge Classic Cars, has recently purchased this gorgeous V12 Aston Martin DB9. In need of a service and keen to preserve it’s full main dealer history, we sent our DB9 over to Nick and Kevin at Stratstone Motor Company of Long Stratton.
The customer service received was a breath of fresh air. Knowledgeable, friendly and efficient, it’s a pleasure to have delft with both Nick, (Service Executive) and Kevin, (General Sales Manager). They were familiar with Bridge Classic Cars as a brand and have been keeping tabs on our Classic Car Competitions.
We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Stratton Motor Company to any of our clients for Lotus’ or Aston Martin’s.
We recently sent off our Aston Martin DB7 Magnesium wheels to Wheel Care to be refurbished, however, we have been informed that the wheels may be too far gone to service and recover, and it made more sense to source new wheels.
Magnesium is a porous metal which means if the quality of them has already degraded. By blasting them, you risk uncovering much more than what looks to be on the surface. As you can see from our wheels, with the paint removed we are faced with the honest truth of just how much work will be involved.
February 17, 2021 9:33 amPublished by Craig Ranson
Craig has recently purchased a new car which we’re sorry to say isn’t our next competition car. This beautiful modern Aston will be Craig’s new everyday car which will bring a dash of Aston class to our staff car park! Its come all the way from Southampton and was collected at the same time we dropped our Corvette off with its new owner. We love it when a plan comes together – two new happy owners in one day.
We expect to be doing a few touch ups on it however its not in need of anything major. The first step is a thorough service.
We’re about to send our Aston Martin DB7 wheels off to Wheel Care to be refurbished, refaced and repainted. This ensures that the wheels last longer and run better. Since these wheels are Magnesium making them harder preserve throughout the process due to their porous nature.
Wheels have a hard life, often taking curbing dents, getting rough around the edges and generally worn down. Investing in refurbishing your wheels not only restores them to their former beauty but also increases your safety on the road. It is also more economic to refurbish your wheels rather than to replace them.
January 21, 2021 12:59 pmPublished by Craig Ranson
This stunning 1997 Aston Martin DB7 has been sat in storage up at our specialist hanger at RAF Bentwaters. Today it came in for a general service and check up.
This model is particularly rare as its a manual transmission whereas most of these models are automatic. The car was passed down to the current owner after previously belonging to the customers late father.
Our specialist classic car technician Tom has started the check-up today by replacing the oil, oil filter and spark plugs. Tom will also be checking the gearbox, differential and brakes among other elements. We aim to carry out a thorough service and refurbishment of this Aston Martin, leaving it healthy and new afterwards.
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