aston marting db2/4

The Next Level – Continuing Work on the Bonnet of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1

Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint team have been working on the bonnet of the stunning 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 currently in with ourselves for restoration.

Alan, one of our incredible Paint team, has been working on getting every surface of the bonnet as perfect as possible. And that is literally every single surface, including the wheel arches and the underside of the bonnet.

The work put into the classic Aston Martin is reflected in every single panel and piece on this gorgeous sports car. Alan has worked meticulously on every surface of the single-piece panel to make sure that once painted, it is all works together.

Protected – Lacquering Parts for the 1955 Aston Martin 2/4 Mk1

The Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint booth has been busy working on several projects that we currently have in. One of those is some of the components from the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4.

After the pieces have come back from their various cleaning treatments, our paint shop has finished them all in matte lacquer in order to protect them from any moisture or contaminants. Once the lacquer had completely cured, they could then safely be handled and given over to our restoration technicians to put back on the car during its assembly.

Primed and Ready – Body of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark 1 Primed

Chris and the team in the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop have been busy at work preparing and priming the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark 1 for the next phase in the restoration.

Chris and the team carefully prepared each panel and part individually to make sure they were properly prepped before entering the spray booth. Each part has been given a coat epoxy primer to help seal the material beneath which has been so carefully worked on by the Bridge Classic Cars restoration teams.

With everything primed, it was time to move on to the protective coating on some of the other pieces and parts of the shell. For the most durable protection against road grime and weather, the team here use Raptor Guard. Applied to specific pieces, it helps to protect any of the pieces from moisture and is well worth using for a classic that is destined to be used and enjoyed.

Whilst the primer and the raptor guard on the shell were left to cure, Chris began to prepare and spray Raptor on some of the floor panels, the transmission tunnel and other pieces which will be exposed to the elements.

Solid Foundations – Getting the Frame of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Ready for Powdercoat

The frame and body for the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 that is with us here at Bridge Classic Cars have been separated ahead of the frame being sent off for powder coating.

The body will remain here with our in-house paint and body teams to continue work while we wait for the other parts to come back.

Powder coating frames gives not only the best finish but the best protection for the chassis so it’s worthwhile having it done to this amazing car.

Aston Martin DB2/4 Seat Strip Down

Although the seats on our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 were re-trimmed not that long ago, the colour and finish were not correct to factory specification.

Original records show red with grey piping and grey carpets. We now begin the process of stripping the seats, side panels and all interior panels so we can manufacture the new interior.

All of the metalwork around the interior will be blasted, cleaned, prepared and painted back to original specification.

Kath has started to mark out the new leather.

DB2/4 Interior Progress

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.

Aston Martin DB2/4 Seat Creation

Brian has been taking apart the the covers from the rear base and squab seat on our Aston Martin DB2/4. He’s un-done the hinge from the bottom edge and top section of the squab and removed the rubber strips from their metal channels. Once he’d undone the metal trims, Brian then removes the tacks holding the squab to the wooden frame. He removed the cover and foam from the backboard and removed the trim from the top section. Brian then removed the side sections from top part of squab seat, undid the metal trim and removed all the wood from inside. He could then start peeling back the leather to reveal the metal trim and undo the rivets to remove back sections. Finally he removed the base foam to leave the metal tub ready to be cleaned and painted.

DB2/4 Bonnet Stripped Back

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.

Rare Aston Martin Restoration Begins

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