Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced an investment of over £1 million to aid the UK police in their fight against vehicle crime. This funding will bolster police operations in known theft hotspots and support crucial intelligence-gathering efforts.
Earlier this year, JLR’s CEO, Adrian Mardell, strongly disagreed with claims that Range Rovers were particularly susceptible to theft. Despite this, many owners have reported steep increases in insurance premiums, with some even struggling to secure coverage at all.
Insurance costs can vary widely based on factors like the driver’s record, vehicle storage location, and existing security features. Luxury vehicles, often targeted by thieves due to their high resale value abroad, face higher premiums as a result.
JLR faces a unique challenge given its lineup of premium models, with the Range Rover brand especially popular among celebrities, politicians, and royalty. These vehicles come with hefty price tags—starting at £104,000 for the Range Rover and £75,000 for the Range Rover Sport. However, the brand has also garnered a reputation for being theft-prone.
Earlier this year, Mardell criticised reports that labelled the Range Rover as Britain’s “most stolen vehicle,” acknowledging the serious issue of organised vehicle theft but argued that JLR had been unfairly targeted. He emphasised the company’s significant efforts to enhance vehicle security and accused the insurance industry of not fully considering available information when setting premiums.
This latest investment in police funding is part of JLR’s ongoing efforts to reassure customers and reduce insurance costs. Last year, JLR launched its own insurance products to assist customers who struggled to find coverage, though some Range Rover owners have still reported difficulties in obtaining quotes.
The new funds will provide additional dedicated resources for several police forces to address vehicle theft across the country. It will also support the creation of a national policing unit focused on gathering intelligence on vehicle thefts and increasing police activity at ports where stolen cars are often shipped abroad by criminal gangs.
JLR is already collaborating with police by sharing information to help locate and recover stolen vehicles, and it has trained around 650 officers in these efforts. Simultaneously, the company continues to improve the security of its vehicles. According to data from the Police National Computer, since January 2022, only 0.2% of new Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports have been stolen.
Patrick Mcgillycuddy, Managing Director of JLR said “We are constantly developing our systems and security features and through our close collaboration with police, we stay ahead of any emerging methods and quickly deploy anti-theft measures. This additional investment, coupled with our other ongoing and proactive action, shows our commitment to supporting the authorities in having a tangible impact on combating this issue in the UK.”
Mauro has been working on getting the MGA Roadster back into its signature vibrant red. Our 1960 MGA Roadster has been perfectly prepared by the paint and body team here at our Suffolk HQ and now that the panels are in paint, the next step is to bring the body of the car in and get it looking the same!
Our 2010 Jaguar XKR, which recently around at our Pettistree workshops, has been under the car of our technician Jon. The alloy wheels of the car have been removed to be taken off to a local specialist to be refurbished.
Our 1966 Daimler 250 V8 has been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop at our Suffolk HQ for our restoration technician Julian to have a look over before it becomes a new dream classic on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
Julian noted a couple of items which needed his attention. Firstly, he had to replace a faulty brake light switch and also fitted new spade terminals before moving on to wiring up the horn. As part of his process, Julian pressurised the coolant system on the car and his words ” found every coolant hose leaking”. So, methodically he went round each one and resealed them tight before draining the system and replacing the cars antifreeze/coolant.
Next, he moved under the car to get more of the mechanicals in order. The car has been fitted with adjustable suspension by a previous owner, and these had been set to their absolute maximum in terms of stiffness. Julian set them all back to zero before testing the car and stiffening them until the ride quality of the car was just right. Then he could check all levels as well as service the grease points such as the ball joints and propshaft etc.
Jon has been working on our 1989 Daimler Double Six recently to get it back into shape. To begin with, he’s been working inside the cabin of the V12 saloon car to do some work on the dashboard.
This is what he did: ”Disconnect battery. Strip dashboard and remove components to facilitate the removal of wooden dash. Take over to bench to separate metal frame from wooden dash. Place frame on wooden dash and screw together. Clean parts and fit to new dash.
Refit dashboard to car. Reconnect components and rebolt dash to car. Refit components removed before dash removed. Fit new glovebox wooden trim and adjust catch. ”
”Continue dashboard replacement. Like out holes for switches in centre panel and fit switches. Original rheostat came apart upon removal but managed to find old one from stock to fit instead. Fit centre panel. Connect battery and test all switch functions. Solder terminals onto stereo speaker wires and connect stereo and test. Bend tangs on stereo to hold in place and fit to centre panel. Tighten battery terminal. Fit new horn relay but horn still not working via steering g wheel centre push. Use power probe to check horns and switch . No earth from switch. Check via column contact under dash. Horn works from here so fault with horn push. Remove steering g wheel centre and test. Adjust steering wheel and horn earth now ok. Reassemble and test, ok. Secure loom I engine bay. Check levels and carry out road test. Couple of issues to address. Raise in ramp and jack in. Nearside binding. Strip caliper and order new seal kit. Attend to gearbox mount, strip and remove.”
”Get exploded view of gearbox mount and with John’s (workshop manager) help reassemble in correct order and bolt back up securely. Remove nearside front caliper ready for new seals to be fitted.”
Our 1959 Jensen 541R, which was delivered to its new owner a few weeks ago, has been collected by the Bridge Classic Cars transport team to make its way back to our Suffolk HQ for a routine check up.
As with all of our ground-up builds, we like to see the cars back after completion to double check everything is as it should be. The car will make its way back to our Pettistree workshop for the team to take a look at the car.
Our 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Coupe is ready to head off to our safe and secure storage facility, The Hangar, in preparation for its excited new owner to meet it for the first time in the metal.
Before then, our transport driver Tony spent the morning cleaning the classic E-Type to get it ready to be put into its protective carcoon. But, before it leaves the workshops we had to take one last look at this stunning automotive icon.
Our 1975 Jensen Intercepter Mk3 has been making massive progress recently in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. With the car being prepared to go into the spray booth for the final time, our fabrication team have cut the body from the frame jig so it can be more easily moved around before it heads into the spray booth. But before that, Chris has some more sanding to do…
Chris applied a thin layer of Polyfan to the car before sanding which acts as a guide coat to ensure that every surface is flat and even. When it is, the whole car should be a matte white finish and then it is ready to go into the spray both for its final coat of primer.
The Bridge Classic Cars team have been making progress on our 1956 Jensen 541 which is being built up at our Suffolk HQ at the moment.
First off, our painter Chris painted the door hinges on the car as soon, the doors will be test fit onto the car and the team begin to align the pieces onto the car to get the best fit possible. Meanwhile in the mechanical workshop – Paul has been working on getting the various systems in places and working properly with eachother.
This includes fitting up the fuel line to the carburetors and running the new throttle cable from the carburetors to fabricate the throttle cable mount and removing the dash in order to measure for the new speedo cable.
The paintshop at Bridge Classic Cars are always busy! But recently, the booth was cleared for our painter Chris to get some parts for our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe project painted.
These are running gear/suspension/chassis parts so Chris has sprayed them in a glossy, thick and hard wearing black.
Our stunning 1957 Triumph TR3, which belongs to our friend Karl, has made its way out of hibernation at our secure storage facility recently and back to our Pettistree workshop for the team to take check it over and get it running properly before it heads back out on the road for the summer.
Our technician Julian checked over every inch of the underside of the classic sports car and inspected each individual line for any corrosion or defect as well as inspecting the brakes thoroughly. When it came out of The Hangar, it was noted as to not be running as it should. So, Julian stripped down the carburetors to clean them out thorough as well as adding fresh fuel before setting up the car to run like a champ.
We’ve welcomed back an old friend to our Suffolk HQ, this beautiful 1964 Jaguar Mk2 3.8.
It’s come in for our workshop team to have a look at a few issues reported by the owner so keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more updates very soon.
The workshop team have been continuing on getting our 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Coupe back on the road after its decades long slumber. The final piece of the puzzle was for Jon to diagnose and repair a fault with the speedo in the car.
Jon discovered that the drive from the gearbox (which goes through a 90 degree converter) was not spinning the cable. So Jon found another one we keep in stock and modified it to fit the car and tested the cable operation by hand, which began to work the clock inside of the speedometer. With that, he could get everything connected back up and test thoroughly before signing the car off.
This month marks 60 years of production at the Ellesmere Port plant for Vauxhall.
The Ellesmere Port facility, built in 1962 and operational by June 1964, initially produced the Vauxhall Viva. Over the years, it became home to recognisable models like the Vauxhall Chevette and, since 1980, has been the birthplace of seven generations of the hugely popular Vauxhall Astra. Since it first became operational, the plant has produced over a million Vivas, a quarter of a million Chevettes, and more than 4.1 million Astras.
Today, the Ellesmere Port plant is a key part of the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) production. Following a £100 million investment, it became the country’s first EV-only volume manufacturing facility, aligning with the current owners of Vauxhall, Stellantis, Dare Forward 2030 commitment to carbon neutrality by 2038.
Back in 1970, the Ellesmere Port site spanned over 350,000 square meters. Through several significant upgrades—including a new battery assembly shop, enhanced General Assembly, and a relocated bodyshop—the plant now covers 118,000 square meters. These changes have led to a 60% reduction in total site area, boosting both energy efficiency and productivity.
The transition to EV production at Ellesmere Port continues Vauxhall’s tradition of UK vehicle manufacturing, which began at the Luton plant in 1905, following its initial operations in London since 1903. Starting next year, Luton will also be producing medium electric vans for Vauxhall, Opel, Citroën, Peugeot, and Fiat Professional.
Celebrating the 60th anniversary were plant staff and local dignitaries, including Keith Tabiner, who was part of the production team in 1964 when the first Vauxhall Viva was made. Remarkably, his three sons—Mark, Mike, and Phil—are also part of the current workforce, contributing to a combined 152 years of family service at the plant. This reflects the deep loyalty, dedication, and long service of many employees over the decades.
Keith Tabiner said: “Having witnessed the first Vauxhall Viva roll of the production line in 1964, and worked at Ellesmere Port for a total of 40 years, it’s a pleasure to be back and see the plant going from strength to strength making the electric vehicles of the future. I’ve always driven Vauxhalls and with three of my sons following in my footsteps and working at the plant today, everything we have is thanks to Ellesmere Port.”
Diane Miller, Ellesmere Port Plant Director, said: “We are excited to mark such an impressive milestone, celebrating production that began sixty years ago with the Viva, and now continues into the future with electric vans from Fiat, Citroën, Peugeot, Opel and Vauxhall. For six decades, Ellesmere Port has been a central pillar of the local area, and whose people have continually taken great pride in their work at the plant to provide millions of vehicles for the UK and beyond and now continue to do so in the transition to a more sustainable future.”
Maria Grazia Davino, Group Managing Director, Stellantis UK, remarked: “It is gratifying to celebrate six decades of vehicle production at Ellesmere Port, which continues to produce the latest generation of electric vans. Stellantis is the only OEM producing vans, including electric vans, in volume in the UK, and I would like to share my congratulations to the employees at the plant, who continue to work incredibly hard to produce the vehicles that will help to electrify businesses across the UK and in the more than 20 countries to which we export electric vans.”
We’ve teamed up with Smashing Wines, who are a fantastic local wine company, to bring you a large selection of their wine.
From Premier Cru Champagne to Bordeaux’s & Burgundy’s finest, it doesn’t matter if you’re a regular wine drinker or simply want to try something new, the Smashing Wines team will be on hand to answer your questions and give you a taste of the type of wine you’re looking for.
Delicious cheese and charcuterie will also be available to accompany the wines.
Rebecca has a huge amount of experience in the food and drink world as she spent seven years running a Japanese kitchen knife company before becoming the Marketing Director for Jamie Oliver’s restaurant group.
Clement grew up in Bordeaux meaning he has always had an appreciation for great wine. He has also been involved in the industry for many years having run both a deli and wine shop in Bordeaux and Meribel before moving to England.
Smashing Wines is all about championing small, high-quality producers, with a focus on organic and biodynamic winemakers from across France. They now have strong relationships with a wide range of winemakers and UK exclusivity on many wines – a selection of which will be available to try on the day.
The Classic Lounge is a bespoke venue designed exclusively for our guests and is also home to the Bridge Classic Cars Members Club. It offers a stylish and comfortable space for petrolheads to enjoy a drink surrounded by rare and interesting classic cars.
Our bar has a strong focus on no and low-alcohol drinks so, even if you’re the designated driver, there’s plenty of choice for you too!
Attending our wine tasting event is completely FREE. However, we ask that you RSVP below so we know how many people to expect to make sure everyone has a great time.
The event will run from 12pm through until 5pm and you are welcome to arrive at any time and stay for as long as you like.
One response to “Wine Tasting with Smashing Wines”
David McNulty
Thanks for inviting us to your wine tasting venue, and looking around the cars you have on show which has been a passion of mine since I was a boy, we have been to one of your classic carve venues and it was a great day so looking forward to this one Dave
Mauro has been continuing his work on getting our 1960 MGA Roadster ready to get back into colour!
He first off finished several pieces of trim with a light skim of filler before getting them into primer to be ready to shoot colour with the rest of the car.
With the trims and smaller panels in primer, Mauro could turn his attention to getting the larger panels and the body ready to head back into our spray booth to bring the MGA back to life in colour!
He carefully applied a sanding coating to show any possible low spots on the panel work, but after sanding each individual piece had gone back to the flat white colour which shows that the car is nearly ready for paint.
After being won last week through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, our 1977 Triumph TR7 was loaded into our enclosed trailer for its journey as far north as we could go.
Tony, our amazing transport driver, was tasked with safely delivering the classic sports car to its lucky new owner Andy. Not only was a trip all the way up England, but all the way through Scotland where Tony met up with Andy in the town of Thurso where Andy picked up the car before taking it home.
We want to wish Andy many happy miles with his new TR7 and a big thanks to our driver Tony for getting Andy’s pride and joy there safe and sound.
You might soon see new police cars on the road, in the form of Hybrid Toyota Corollas. Tailer-made for UK police, the Corolla is said to be reliable and durable as well as offering the fuel and emissions efficiency of hybrid power.
To celebrate the Corolla’s new role, Toyota Manufacturing UK (TMUK) recently hosted the equivalent of a passing-out parade for the car at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, the production centre for all European Corolla models. More than 20 constabularies attended the “blue light” event to learn more about the qualities that make Corolla a strong addition to police fleets.
Image: ToyotaImage: ToyotaImage: ToyotaImage: Toyota
TMUK has worked closely with a number of police forces during the past two years to ensure the vehicle meets all the principal requirements for consideration when service fleets are being replaced or upgraded.
A dedicated team at Burnaston’s Special Vehicle Operations Division carries out the conversion work, ensuring the finished vehicles meet Toyota’s high-quality standards. Using TMUK’s state-of-the-art production facilities and with the benefit of the technicians’ expertise, the project has achieved significant economies of scale that help drive down costs. Production capacity is expected to expand to 15 vehicle conversions per week.
Key features of the police-specification vehicle include: –
Enhanced safety: built-in satellite navigation, parking sensors and a dog guard for the load compartment.
Roof-mounted lightbar, exterior and interior illumination
Secondary battery equipment and control systems built to withstand impact forces
Additional features include a siren, radio system support and livery options
Image: ToyotaImage: ToyotaImage: ToyotaImage: Toyota
To ensure the finished vehicle is fit for the job, the Police Authority Specification Corolla was subjected to extensive testing, including the Metropolitan Police’s own rigorous test programme, which it passed with flying colours. The vehicle is now available to police forces across the UK. Two versions of the Touring Sports hybrid model are offered: the 1.8-litre Active and the 2.0-litre Icon.
Richard Kenworthy, TMUK Managing Director, said: “We have worked with all divisions of Toyota in the UK and various constabularies, which has enabled us to build on their feedback and requirements. Ensuring that we applied standard Toyota practices for the work means we have been able to deliver a vehicle that meets the police forces’ stringent requirements. The adoption of Corolla by the police is testament to the efforts our employees invest in every vehicle that comes off our production line. We are proud that our Corolla is now one of the vehicles of choice for the police.”
Join us on Friday, 4th October, in The Classic Lounge at Bridge Classic Cars for an evening filled with live music, classic cars, and a whole lot of nostalgia.
The bar will be open, serving a range of drinks, including zero alcohol options for the drivers and The Three Chordettes will be performing live throughout the night.
Doors open at 7pm with The Three Chordettes performing from 8pm
The Three Chordettes
The Three Chordettes features our very own Molly performing a collection of music covering swing, jazz, and modern music with a vintage twist. Known for their incredible harmonies and timeless covers, the Chordettes create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere while you relax with a drink on a Friday evening.
The Classic Lounge The Classic Lounge is a bespoke venue designed exclusively for our guests. It offers a stylish and comfortable space for car lovers to gather, share their passion, and enjoy a host of exclusive events and activities.
Featuring a handcrafted licensed bar with a strong focus on no and low alcoholic drinks, The Classic Lounge acts as a hub for petrolhead events throughout the year.
Whether you join us for a quiet evening event or a large daytime car show, we celebrate socialising safely and do all we can to stock the very best local non-alcoholic options.
Book Your Tickets Numbers are limited and we are expecting this to be a very popular evening. Tickets are £10 per person (£8 for members) and include an arrival drink of your choice.
The member’s discount will be applied automatically during checkout.
It was another fantastic year at the Suffolk Show with so many things to see and do. The weather was, as always is with the season, ever changing with blissful sunshine, gusty winds and torrential downpours. The freak weather is almost like a tradition and always to be expected.
This was the first year we had our very own stand and we were very pleased with how everything came together. We had lots of seating to create a cosy area to relax in and Suffolk Plant Centre were kind enough to lend us some plants to make the space look more inviting. Our efforts paid off because we were lucky enough to win the award for the Best Motor Stand.
We took four very different vehicles with us that meant there was something for everyone. Our Bridge branded Defender was the first thing you saw and was very popular among those most interested in all things agriculture. We also had our TR7 which was won last week, this car sparked many memories for a lot of guests. Our 2011 Morgan 4/4 was also showcased, people were very impressed with the condition of the car and low mileage. Nobody could decide whether, if they were the lucky winner, they would leave the car in storage for a year or drive it. Finally we had our 1954 Daimler Conquest, this really drew in the crowds as many said they had never seen one like it before.
The rest of the show was brilliant with so much to see. There were various horse displays as well as other livestock being paraded for the opportunity to win rosettes. There were also lots of food stalls really showing the farm to fork journey. It was a great chance to see the ITFC iconic trophy up close and in person.
Planning for next year’s event has already begun and we can’t wait to return.
The Atelier. For a couple of years now this amazing space has been the home of Bridge Classic Cars Competitions and the versatile space we use to host some of our incredible live events. We’ve welcomed many guests from the world of automotive to sit down with us and record their Talking Classics, we’ve packed it with 120 guests for an intimate evening with Ed Stafford, we’ve hosted trade stands, drinks displays, car shows and many many car club events. But now, it’s time for a new chapter to begin. With the opening of The Classic Lounge only weeks away The Atelier now has a new look and one many a car enthusiast will love to see…
Coming soon to Bridge Classic Cars, our new events space, The Classic Lounge…
Three brand new ramps, a full wall of brand new shelving, five brand new work benches…from Tuesday 11th June, bright and early, The Atelier will be our new workshop space for the reassembly of our stunning restorations.
As the excitement builds for this year’s Monterey Car Week, RM Sotheby’s has unveiled some of the highlights of the auction, set to take place in August. The main event of this has to be the very first Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider ever produced, which also served as the 1960 Geneva Motor Show car. Alongside this incredible car, two other legendary Ferraris will be up for sale: a 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet and a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, Chassis 1795 GT
Among the rarest and most coveted vehicles in the automotive world, the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider is an icon in its own right. However, this particular model is the very first of its kind ever built and was Ferrari’s factory show car at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show.
For the past 16 years, the car has been in the care of a passionate owner who shared a deep friendship with Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher. This relationship not only deepened his love for the Ferrari brand but also his appreciation for the finest examples of classic Ferraris, ultimately leading him to acquire this exceptional California Spider.
Designed by Scaglietti, this Spider is equipped with a competition-spec engine, competition-style covered headlights, and a factory removable hardtop, which together enhance its aesthetic and performance. Presented in its original delivery colours, chassis 1795 GT has been beautifully preserved, maintaining its timeless appeal. The car comes with a Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification, confirming its original ‘numbers matching’ engine, gearbox, rear axle, and bodywork.
Only five people have had the privilege of owning the car since new, with three long-term custodians over the past six decades. Estimated to sell for between $16,000,000 and $18,000,000 USD (approx £12,571,000 – £14,143,000) this really is a very special car!
Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions said “We’re always aiming to bring to market the highest quality examples when we prepare for our flagship Monterey auction, and this year is no different. Chassis 1795 GT is beyond special among an already legendary model, the California Spider; this is the very first California Spider ever produced, a true icon of automotive history,”
“The California Spider is one of the rare models that transcends generations; with a timeless beauty that appeals to both young and old, and a driving experience that evokes a lasting impression on all of the body’s senses, this is a rare opportunity to acquire the very best. Stay tuned as we announce other exciting cars and collections for our Monterey lineup.”
1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet by Pinin Farina
The third of seven short-wheelbase Superamerica Cabriolets, this Classiche-certified 400 Superamerica, chassis 1945 SA, has been fully restored in its stunning original colors to concours standards by US-based Ferrari specialists Classic Coach and Greg Jones and well maintained by Autofficina Omega in its current ownership. Formerly part of the Oscar Davis Collection, it has been seldom shown since its most recent restoration, presenting an exciting concours opportunity for potential bidders. Ferrari’s 400 Superamerica models of the late 1950s and early 1960s were truly the pinnacle of sporting excellence, offering unmatched driving performance and luxury, making them highly sought after by heads of state, barons of industry, and other discerning enthusiasts Estimate $6,000,000 – $7,000,000 USD(approx £4,713,000 – £5,500,000)
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti
This LWB California Spider, chassis no. 1217 GT, is the 19th of only 50 long-wheelbase examples. It was famously used in the 1967 Italian film “Le Dolci Signore,” known internationally as “Anyone Can Play,” and was once owned by the renowned Swiss racing driver Jo Siffert. It retains its matching-numbers engine and is presented in its original factory-appointed color combination of Nero over Rosso. Offered from 19 years of meticulous care under its current ownership, this car continues to benefit from a 1990s restoration by Phil Reilly & Company. It stands as a handsome and faithfully preserved example of Ferrari’s most celebrated spider Estimate $5,550,000 – $6,500,000 USD(approx £4,358,700 – £5,104,775)
Steve has been working on our 1981 Austin Allegro Vanden Plas this afternoon, as part of his inspection of the classic he noted that the washer pump wasn’t working. So, he easily replaced the unit and cleaned out the washer bottle and checked everything worked correctly.
Our 1971 MGB Roadster has been in the workshop of our Suffolk HQ for our technician Steve to begin work on getting the top end of the engine back together.
The car came into us with a blown head gasket so the team stripped down the engine to remove the cylinder head and inspect for any damage. Thankfully it was minimal to none so the cylinder head was packaged up and sent off to a trust engineering works to be checked, skimmed and rebuilt. Whilst it was away, the team have cleaned up the mating surface for the gasket to ensure the best seal possible for when the head returned.
Once it was back with us, after also having hardened valve seats installed to be used with unleaded fuel, Steve got the cylinder head back onto the engine and then began the process of getting everything back together before the car begins road tests shortly.
Our 2009 Porsche Cayman S Sport, which was won recently by Hugh, has been transported safely across the country right to his door step – which is where we delivered our Bentley Turbo R several months ago as Hugh is now part of a very small member of our double winners!
Tony, our incredible transport driver, cleaned and loaded the sports car into our covered trailer yesterday before setting off this morning to bring Hugh his new pride and joy. We wish him many happy miles with his new car.
Mauro has been continuing to work on getting the 1960 MGA Roadster ready for its colour by keeping up his diligent and obsessive pursuit of perfection when it comes to the bodywork of the classic sports car.
With the car wearing a coat of polyfan, Mauro has painstakingly hand sanded every single inch of the car to make sure that each angle of the car is as good as it could possibly be. With the polyfan completely sanded off the car, it is a visual indication that each panel is exactly as it should be which means its time for the car to head into the paint booth for final primer.
Once the car had been carefully moved from the prep area at our Suffolk HQ, it was put into our booth for Mauro to lay down several coats of final primer on the car. All of the prep work on the car leads up to this moment, and as you can see the primer laid down near enough perfectly on each of the panels of the car.
Our trimmer Lydia has been working on getting the interior pieces in place to our 1956 Jensen 541. At this point, she has installed the bespoke carpet set into the car which has been made specifically to fit the contours of this particular chassis to make sure that it fits perfectly. So well in fact, that it is held in place with press studs which have to be aligned to make sure that each piece sits perfectly in the car.
Mechanical:
Alongside Lydia in our trim shop, our technician Paul has been handling the mechanical side of the classic GT car. Continuing his work under the bonnet, Paul has installed the wiring harness and secured it in place before routing the connectors and wires to the specific areas, such as the headlight buckets and other lighting. Paul has also fabricated and installed the mounts and brackets to hold the horns in place.
With the core of the interior now in place and the wiring loom ran to the headlights, Paul could fit the foot operated high beam switch into the footwell of the Jensen and wire it into the harness. From there he began work on modifying the exhaust heat shields, fabricating support bars for the radiator and fitting up the carburettor overflow pipework in the engine bay.
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