A TVR Visit
June 23, 2023
We recently had a customer visit us at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. While he was here, we couldn’t help but notice his TVR parked
bridge classic cars
Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet
June 23, 2023
Last night, we welcomed more than 100 car enthusiasts to The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars for our Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet. Everyone
Unique Vehicle Storage
June 23, 2023
Here at Bridge Classic Cars, we see a wide range of stunning vintage and classic cars. We also get to see some extremely interesting vehicles
The Ultimate Barn Find
June 23, 2023
RM Sotheby’s have recently announced that a once-in-a-generation collection of “barn find” Ferraris will be going to auction on 17th August 2023. The 20 Ferraris,
Caterham Project V
June 21, 2023
The countdown has begun and, on Wednesday 12th July 2023, Caterham will unveil its new coupé concept car – Project V. Project V is a
Boxter Splitter
June 20, 2023
A 2013 Porsche Boxter, that has been with us before, made a brief return to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop recently. It was here so
Flying Cars Could Be Coming Soon
June 20, 2023
In what could easily be confused as a prank, Suzuki made something of a major announcement regarding the future of daily transportation. Suzuki has signed
Two Eye-Catching Sportscars
June 20, 2023
We currently have two attention-grabbing sportscars in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in the form of our 1980 MGB GT and our 2007 Porsche Cayman
Welcome To The Team
June 19, 2023
Today, we have welcomed a new member to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop team. Sam Lucas has joined us as a Workshop Assistant. This means
A Visit From Riley Expert Geoff Haviland
June 19, 2023
We recently welcomed Geoff Haviland into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, so he could take a close look at our 1905 Riley 9HP. Geoff was
Rolls-Royce Celebrates 110th Anniversary Of The 1913 Spanish Grand Prix
June 16, 2023
On the 15th of June 1913, the first-ever Spanish Grand Prix was held, and two Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts took first and third place. This was
Maserati Partners With David Beckham
June 15, 2023
Earlier today, Maserati introduced the first Fuoriserie Essentials collection. The collection features a special group of cars that have been curated by a chosen team
Two Beautiful Classics
June 14, 2023
Every now and again, we have two classic cars side-by-side that just have to be photographed together. Today, this happened with our 1929 Riley 9
A Visit From The Jensen Owners Club
June 14, 2023
This morning, we welcomed members of the Jensen Owners Club into The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars. Our workshop was the meeting point for the
Supercar Showtime
June 14, 2023
The 5th Supercar Showtime 2023 took place on Sunday 11th June. This is a not-for-profit car event run for the benefit of the charity Derian
E-Type Dash
June 13, 2023
Classic car technician, and workshop manager, John has been rebuilding the dash of our very special 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5 competition project. Once this
First Collection Completed
June 13, 2023
Our brand new trailer was put to use almost immediately recently when it was used to collect our special competitions car – our 1973 Triumph
First Sustainable Fuel For Classic Cars Launches In The UK
June 13, 2023
Today marks the day that the first publically available sustainable petrol, specifically designed for classic vehicles, goes on sale in the UK. Made by fuel
E-Type ZP Collection – A Tribute To The First Racing E-Types
June 12, 2023
Jaguar Classic is celebrating the iconic race-winning E-Types by creating seven exclusive pairs of E-Type ZP Collection vehicles. The luxury (and highly collectable) cars pay
Miss Vintage 2023
June 9, 2023
Each year Twinwood Festival hold a pageant where men and women are invited to apply to become Mr or Miss Vintage and I am so
11 Million Vehicles Produced
June 9, 2023
A huge milestone was recently passed by the team at the Nissan Plant in Sunderland, as they have been celebrating the 11 millionth vehicle being
In For A Service
June 6, 2023
A new addition has entered the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in the form of our 1994 Daimler Double Six. It has come to us for
Woodbridge Community News
June 6, 2023
In the June 2023 edition of Woodbridge Community News, we were featured for our Drive It Day event in aid of NSPCC. The short article
Another World Record Set At Auction
June 6, 2023
On May 20th, Silverstone Auctions hosted their Supercar Fest Sale at Sywell Aerodrome, Northampton. Among all of the lots available was a very special car
Goodbye To Two Team Members
June 5, 2023
We recently said goodbye to two of the Bridge Classic Cars team, Lydia and Scott. They joined us as a couple and they left us
Motorbike Meet
June 1, 2023
We were lucky enough to be sent some photos and a short video of a motorbike meet being held in Garstang, Lancashire recently. Seeing this
A Taste Of Italy
June 1, 2023
Bridge Classic Cars will be attending A Taste Of Italy at The Marquis on 23rd June. This event is a celebration of all things Italian
Time For An Upgrade
June 1, 2023
After being with us from almost the start of it all, the time has come for the Bridge Classic Cars trailer to move on and
A Limited Range Of Rolls-Royce
May 31, 2023
Rolls-Royce has very recently announced an extremely limited line known as the Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow’ Private Collection. As this stunning line was inspired
MG Cyberster – The First All-Electric Roadster
May 30, 2023
MG hosted a special preview event where the brand showed off a pre-production design model of its brand-new all-electric roadster – The Cyberster. With a
A TVR Visit
June 23, 2023
We recently had a customer visit us at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. While he was here, we couldn’t help but notice his TVR parked up outside.
As you can see from the photos below, it is a great-looking car and one that we will definitely hope to see again very soon.
Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet
June 23, 2023
Last night, we welcomed more than 100 car enthusiasts to The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars for our Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet.
Everyone here had a great time and enjoyed spending time with some familiar faces (and a whole load of new ones too).
The weather was ideal for a sunset car meet, with sunshine, no rain, and a glorious sunset that made the collection of beautiful vehicles look even better in the dying light.
As well as cars and bikes to admire, we also had food, drink, and some music too. The atmosphere was relaxed and everyone in attendance certainly seemed to enjoy showing off their cars as well as admiring others.
We would like to thank everyone who joined us last night and we hope to see you again at some of our upcoming events.
Unique Vehicle Storage
June 23, 2023
Here at Bridge Classic Cars, we see a wide range of stunning vintage and classic cars. We also get to see some extremely interesting vehicles too.
One intriguing car that we have recently taken into storage at our secure facility, The Hangar, is a Morris Minor Hot Rod. Seeing how modified the car is, you’d be forgiven if you didn’t immediately recognise it as a Morris Minor. However, after being converted into a Hot Rod, there’s no denying that it is undoubtedly an attention-grabbing vehicle.
We offer vehicle storage for whatever car you deem to be special. From rare Aston Martins to Morris Minor Hot Rods, we love welcoming vehicles with a great story into the workshop or The Hangar.
As you can see from the photos below, this Hot Rod definitely has a story to tell.
The Ultimate Barn Find
June 23, 2023
RM Sotheby’s have recently announced that a once-in-a-generation collection of “barn find” Ferraris will be going to auction on 17th August 2023. The 20 Ferraris, which have been named “The Lost & Found Collection“, will be going under the hammer during Monterey Car Week held in Monterey, California.
Untouched for decades, the incredible group of Ferraris has been tucked up in a secure warehouse in downtown Speedway, Indiana since 2004. It seems somewhat fitting that cars of this pedigree have still been within touching distance of an icon of motor racing (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) despite being out of sight from collectors, restorers, and the general public.
A warehouse with 20 Ferraris inside is no doubt an impressive sight to behold. However, you’d be forgiven for not instantly recognising that some of these machines have been involved in some of the world’s most famous races such as Le Mans, the Targa Florio, and the Mille Miglia. Equally, it wouldn’t be immediately obvious that a Ferrari formerly owned by royalty has sat in a warehouse not getting the time and attention it so rightfully deserves.
Perhaps, the most pressing question is simply how did these 20 vintage Ferraris end up in an Indiana warehouse left to gather dust in the first place?
Hurricane Charley
Back in 2004, Hurricane Charley caused massive destruction along the coast of Florida. It was during the storm that this stunning collection of Ferraris first came into sight, after the barn they were stored in since 1990 partially collapsed. It was at this point that they were very carefully moved and placed in the warehouse in Indiana which is where they have been ever since.
The Lost & Found Collection is expected to attract car enthusiasts from all walks of life. In what must be the ultimate dream for any collector, this ultimate “barn find” will certainly generate lots of attention from potential buyers.
Rob Myers, the man behind RM Sotheby’s said:
“While a select group of Ferrari collectors knew about the existence of these extraordinary cars, the rest of the world remained unaware. This represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for enthusiasts to acquire these iconic Ferraris, some of which have participated in renowned races. Most of these lost Ferraris remain untouched, preserving their purity and original condition since the day they were acquired—a true embodiment of the ‘barn find’ concept. It is the first time that RM Sotheby’s has presented a barn find collection of this magnitude to the market.”
The Lost & Found Collection
The Lost & Found Collection includes some very special vehicles including:
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina – One of four 250 GT Coupes built by Pinin Farina in 1956 with Superamerica-style coachwork, this car was sold brand new by the factory to its first owner, King Mohamed V of Morocco. Traces of its breathtaking original colour combination of Celeste with a Nero roof over a Naturale Connoly leather interior, as well as the presence of its numbers-matching V-12, make this Speciale a tantalizing restoration candidate Estimate: $1,700,000 – $2,300,000 (approx £1.3 – £1.8 million)
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy by Scaglietti – Making its debut on the Ferrari stand at the XLVII Torino Motor Show, this 275 GTB participated in the 1966 Targa Florio with Luciano Conti (publisher of Italy’s Autosprint magazine) and co-driver Vittorio Venturi. Notably, this was the first “long-nose” 275 GTB to be fitted with a low-weight alloy body and six carburettors. Estimate: $2,000,000 – $2,500,000 (approx £1.6 – £1.9 million)
1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series I by Pinin Farina – If an automobile could talk, the weathered chassis of this Ferrari 500 Mondial would have an incredible story to tell—in no small part because it has the most extensive racing history of the 20 cars offered. Originally clothed in Pinin Farina Spider coachwork, it was sold new to Scuderia Guastalla principal Franco Cornacchia for the use of ex-Scuderia Ferrari driver Franco Cortese. Significantly, Cortese and co-driver Perruchini achieved 4th in class (14th overall) at the 1954 Mille Miglia. Subsequently rebodied by Scaglietti, further notable races include a Benzoni-Naust effort at the 1956 Targa Florio. Estimate: $1,200,000 – $1,600,000 (approx £944,00 – £1.2 million)
1978 Ferrari 512 BB Competizione – This Ferrari 512 BB Competizione is one of three factory-specified examples prepared for the 1978 24 Hours of Le Mans. Entered by Luigi Chinetti Sr./ NART as race #87 and driven by Jacques Guérin, Jean-Pierre Delaunay, and Gregg Young, the car managed an impressive showing, completing over 19 hours and 232 laps before retirement. Appearing largely as it did when it left the Circuit de la Sarthe, this Ferrari boasts a short ownership chain of just two private caretakers. Estimate: $1,800,000 – $2,800,000 (approx £1.4 – 2.2 million)
Darin Schnabel ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Darin Schnabel ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Darin Schnabel ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Darin Schnabel ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
The full Lost & Found Collection
1978 Ferrari 512 BB Competizione
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy by Scaglietti
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina
1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe Series I by Pinin Farina
1967 Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina
1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series I by Pinin Farina
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS by Pininfarina
1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti
1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti
1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti
1968 Ferrari Dino 206 GT by Scaglietti
1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Series II by Pinin Farina
1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 by Pininfarina
1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II by Pininfarina
1976 Ferrari 308 GTB ‘Vetroresina’ by Scaglietti
1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 by Pininfarina
1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series I ‘Interim’ by Pininfarina
1980 Ferrari 512 BB
1991 Ferrari Testarossa
1977 Ferrari 400 Automatic
Caterham Project V
June 21, 2023
The countdown has begun and, on Wednesday 12th July 2023, Caterham will unveil its new coupé concept car – Project V.
Project V is a brand-new, fully electric model and will introduce a change in the design style that the British sports car brand is currently known for. Despite the pretty drastic change in looks from the existing Seven range, Project V will still follow Caterham’s core values of lightness, simplicity, and a driver-focused experience.
The project, created by Chief Designer, Anthony Jannarelly, has been made possible through Caterham’s partnering with the renowned engineering and design firm, Italdesign who have played a big role in bringing Project V to life – manufacturing the show car at its headquarters in Italy.
Goodwood Festival of Speed is the chosen location for the big reveal as the Project V show car will make its debut public appearance on the Caterham stand at the hugely popular event in just a few short weeks.
Caterham
Caterham has produced lightweight, two-seater sports cars since 1973 when Graham Nearn acquired the tooling, designs and exclusive rights to the Seven from Lotus founder Colin Chapman. In homage to Chapman, Caterham’s philosophy today continues to put the driving experience and fun at the heart of everything it does.
Caterham is headquartered in Dartford, Kent, where it has built cars in both assembled and kit-build form since 1987.
The current Caterham UK line-up consists of the Seven Academy Car, Seven 170, Super Seven 600, Super Seven 2000, Seven 360, Seven 420, Seven 420 Cup, and Seven 620. Additional models are available for international markets.
The brand also operates a successful motorsport division consisting of five UK racing series aimed at all levels of driver experience. There are also multiple Caterham racing championships in France and Portugal. Since 1995, the Caterham Academy – the entry-level racing series – has seen more than 1,300 novices become full racing drivers.
Caterham is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023 with multiple events to mark this significant milestone taking place throughout the year.
Boxter Splitter
June 20, 2023
A 2013 Porsche Boxter, that has been with us before, made a brief return to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop recently. It was here so that classic car technician Jonn could fit a front splitter, that the customer had supplied.
Jonn, with a bit of help from workshop manager John, got the splitter on the car and it was soon back home with its owner.
Flying Cars Could Be Coming Soon
June 20, 2023
In what could easily be confused as a prank, Suzuki made something of a major announcement regarding the future of daily transportation.
Suzuki has signed a basic agreement with SkyDrive that brings the two companies together in a collaboration to manufacture flying cars. To make this happen, SkyDrive will establish a 100% owned subsidiary to manufacture the flying cars, while both Suzuki and SkyDrive will make use of a plant owned by the Suzuki Group in Shizuoka Prefecture, with the aim to start manufacturing the airborne motors around Spring 2024. Suzuki will also cooperate with SkyDrive’s manufacturing subsidiary in preparing for the start of manufacturing, including securing of human resources. Both companies are still in discussions about other specific terms.
The President of Suzuki said: “I’m very excited to be working together with SkyDrive. We will make ambitious strides toward the development of products of superior value so that we can contribute to the realisation of air mobility, which utilises the sky for daily transportation.”
Two Eye-Catching Sportscars
June 20, 2023
We currently have two attention-grabbing sportscars in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in the form of our 1980 MGB GT and our 2007 Porsche Cayman S.
These two cars are finished in great colours. Our MGB is finished in Vermillion Orange while our Cayman is finished in the rare PTS 8C6 Orange (RS Orange). After both vehicles had been valeted, we thought it would be a great opportunity to take a photo of them next to each other.
As you can see, the Atelier proved to be a great environment to catch the cars in all their orange glory.
Welcome To The Team
June 19, 2023
Today, we have welcomed a new member to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop team.
Sam Lucas has joined us as a Workshop Assistant. This means that he will be spending lots of time around classic cars, helping the technician team as they restore some very special projects. In addition to this, Sam will also be training to be part of our vehicle delivery team so, if you’re lucky enough to win one of our cars through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, you could very well see Sam up close and personal.
Despite today being his first day as an official member of the team, this isn’t the first time Sam has worked with us, as he played a big part in our live draws and other events where he put his skills as a cameraman to great use!
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to welcome Sam to the team and we are looking forward to working with you.
A Visit From Riley Expert Geoff Haviland
June 19, 2023
We recently welcomed Geoff Haviland into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, so he could take a close look at our 1905 Riley 9HP.
Geoff was the individual who reached out to us after seeing our Riley project online. He noticed that our car looked different to how it should, and seemed to be a year or two older than it should have been. It was from his information that it now appears that our 1905 Riley 9HP could very well be a prototype of the very first car to have removable wheels.
The level of knowledge that Geoff has about Riley cars is extraordinarily high. In fact, he was one of the main people involved in a project to build a replica of the first Riley car ever made. What makes this even more impressive is that there was almost no information at all about the original car when the project began but, with a lot of hard work, the replica project got underway.
It was great to have Geoff come and see us and our Riley 9HP. Classic car technician Steve, who has been working on the vehicle, spoke at length to Geoff to help confirm some details he will need to finish our project in the near future.
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to thank Geoff for taking the time to visit us and for sharing so much of your knowledge and experience.
Rolls-Royce Celebrates 110th Anniversary Of The 1913 Spanish Grand Prix
June 16, 2023
On the 15th of June 1913, the first-ever Spanish Grand Prix was held, and two Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts took first and third place. This was a huge success in both technical capabilities and tactical planning and would go on to set the template for the brand’s iconic triumph at the 1913 Alpenfahrt the following week.
Now, 110 years later, the accomplishments of the day are credited to three points – the overwhelmingly superior engineering of the Silver Ghost, perfect team tactics, and the self-sacrifice of one of the marque’s most experienced and loyal employees.
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Racing
Back in the early 20th Century, car manufacturers used endurance trials as the main way to show off the capabilities of their vehicles. Rolls-Royce was no exception to this and the brand had something of an enviable record in this type of event thanks to their cars dominating in a series of trials, including the 15,000-mile Scottish Reliability Trial in 1907, and the London to Edinburgh in 1911, in which the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost won the epic race where all cars had to be locked in top gear.
At the same time, motor racing was getting more popular and more sophisticated and, in 1906, France staged its first Grand Prix. This was held with the support of the Automobile Club de France, which the Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls had been a member of since he was just 18 years old.
By the time 1913 came around, Charles had sadly died and the Managing Director of Rolls-Royce, Claude Johnson wanted to boost sales in Europe, so the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix seemed like a fantastic promotional opportunity for the brand. As a result, two Silver Ghosts were entered into the race that was taking place on the 15th of June.
The First-Ever Spanish Grand Prix
The Spanish Grand Prix was a real test of endurance and reliability and not just raw speed. These two things were key strengths of the Silver Ghost so hopes were high.
The race covered 192 miles over three laps, including two passes of the formidable Guadarrama mountains, northwest of Madrid. It was an exclusive event that could only be entered by four-seater touring cars which all had to be fitted with mudguards, lamps, hoods, and two spare tyres. The bonnets were sealed and no water could be added to the radiator once the race had begun. Considering the temperature in the shade was well above 30°C when the cars made their way to the start line – it was obvious that this would be a very demanding challenge.
17 vehicles started, including the two modified Silver Ghosts – one owned and, against the company’s wishes, driven by Don Carlos de Salamanca y Hurtado de Zaldivar, who had recently become Rolls-Royce’s new agent in Madrid. The second Silver Ghost was company-owned and driven by Eric Platford, who was one of the brand’s most experienced and dedicated engineers. In fact, he had been responsible for many of the previous trial successes.
A Winning Strategy
After three hours of racing, Eric Platford was leading the race by more than 20 minutes and was heading for a commanding win. However, he was a loyal employee and understood that this was as much a commercial undertaking as it was a race he personally wanted to win. Following strict instructions, Eric pulled over and let Don Carlos de Salamanca overtake him. Don Carlos went on to win the debut Grand Prix of his home nation with a time of 3 hours, 34 minutes, and 12 seconds – averaging a speed of 54mph.
Unfortunately for Platford, his selfless act inadvertently allowed another driver to pass him too. The Marqués de Aulencia, in a Lorraine-Dietrich, finished in second place just three minutes ahead of him.
Third Place Rewards
Despite finishing third, it was clear that Eric Platford was a catalyst for the success of the Grand Prix. After the race, he drove to Madrid where he received a congratulatory telegram from Claude Johnson. He was also given a holiday to Venice, and two gold watches – one from the directors of Rolls-Royce, and one from the very grateful Don Carlos de Salamanca!
Further Success For The Silver Ghost At The Alpenfahrt
A week after the Spanish Grand Prix was the 1913 Alpenfahrt – a 1,600-mile trial through the Alps. Eric Platford was the team manager at the event and led his team to even more success as Rolls-Royce took the four top spots.
This was enough to seal the Silver Ghost’s reputation and was described by the media as ‘The Best Car In The World’. Eric’s team spirit, dedication, selflessness, courage and constant pursuit of excellence is the perfect nod to the marque’s ethos to this day of inspiring greatness.
Maserati Partners With David Beckham
June 15, 2023
Earlier today, Maserati introduced the first Fuoriserie Essentials collection. The collection features a special group of cars that have been curated by a chosen team of tastemakers and friends of Maserati. The global brand ambassador, David Beckham, designed this debut collection which has the aim to inspire car lovers to put their own personality and personal touch into their vehicles making each unit the ultimate Italian luxury sports car.
Two distinctive cars are in the Fuoriserie DB Essentials collection and come from David Beckham’s Savile Row wardrobe and his love and interest in classic Maseratis. The first car in the DB range, inspired by the 1967 Maserati Ghibli Coupe is finished in ‘Night Interaction’ Blue with a tan-shade leather interior.
The second car pays tribute to the 1986 Maserati Quattroporte Royale, which was only produced in 51 units and has been painted ‘Verde Royale’ (dark green) with a warm brown leather interior. Each of these special vehicles includes an exclusive metal plate celebrating the collaboration between Maserati and David Beckham which can be applied to the central tunnel between the front seats or between the two headrests.
Klaus Busse, Maserati’s Head of Design said “Fuoriserie means “custom-built” in Italian, and our Trident’s customization program is conceived to create singular experiences for our clients. Our wish here is for them to express their personality and passion by creating their very own Maserati. Just like David, everyone can choose from a wide range of personalization features from our Fuoriserie Corse collection, inspired by Maserati’s glorious racing heritage, and from our Fuoriserie Futura collection, dedicated to lovers of technology and new materials,”
Both Fuoriserie DB Essentials configurations are now available upon request on the MC20 super sports car, combining performance, sportiness and luxury to its racing soul, and the new ‘everyday exceptional’ SUV Grecale, striking the right balance between versatility, elegance and performance.
Two Beautiful Classics
June 14, 2023
Every now and again, we have two classic cars side-by-side that just have to be photographed together. Today, this happened with our 1929 Riley 9 Tourer and our 1927 Delage DI Sport Boat Tail.
From the front, there are some similarities in the look of these two cars that are just two years apart in age but, from the rear, it’s a very different story!
Our Riley 9 Tourer and our Delage DI Sport Boat Tail are stunning on their own but, when seen together, the resulting picture is something very special indeed.
A Visit From The Jensen Owners Club
June 14, 2023
This morning, we welcomed members of the Jensen Owners Club into The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars.
Our workshop was the meeting point for the group before they headed off for a photo shoot in the local area. While they were with us, they enjoyed a drink and some cake, as well as taking a look at some of the current restoration projects the team are working on.
It was great to meet a group of enthusiasts who have a passion for Jensens as much as we do (and their cars looked incredible too!)
Supercar Showtime
June 14, 2023
The 5th Supercar Showtime 2023 took place on Sunday 11th June. This is a not-for-profit car event run for the benefit of the charity Derian House Children’s Hospice.
More than 150 supercars and hypercars were on show for those in attendance to admire. An auction also took place where items such as road trip packages, artwork, luggage, and hot air balloon flights could be purchased.
The event raises money for Chorley-based Derian House which provides 24/7 palliative, specialist respite and end-of-life care for over 400 children and young adults throughout the North West. Seeing supercars up close is exciting enough but knowing that you are helping to raise vital funds for a special charity like this makes the day even more important.
Friend of Bridge Classic Cars Malc, and his grandson Owen, went to Supercar Showtime and were kind enough to send us a whole load of photos. As you can see, there were some very interesting and exciting cars on display and it looked to be a successful event.
E-Type Dash
June 13, 2023
Classic car technician, and workshop manager, John has been rebuilding the dash of our very special 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5 competition project.
Once this iconic classic car has been fully rebuilt, it will be the biggest competition we have ever launched through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions as the car will be available to win.
Before that though, work will continue on the rebuild of our E-Type project.
First Collection Completed
June 13, 2023
Our brand new trailer was put to use almost immediately recently when it was used to collect our special competitions car – our 1973 Triumph Spitfire from its stay at the Suffolk Show.
Since then, it has continued to put itself to good use and we have no doubt that it will be a great member of the Bridge Classic Cars team for a long time to come.
First Sustainable Fuel For Classic Cars Launches In The UK
June 13, 2023
Today marks the day that the first publically available sustainable petrol, specifically designed for classic vehicles, goes on sale in the UK.
Made by fuel specialist Coryton, the SUSTAIN Classic range is plant-based and allows classic car owners to fuel their cars without any modifications needing to be made to the engines. There are currently three types of fuel available, and the fuel with the highest sustainable content in the range promises a minimum of 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when compared to fossil fuels.
Advanced second-generation biofuel, manufactured from agricultural waste such as straw and by-products from crops which wouldn’t be used for consumption, is used to create this potentially ground-breaking fuel. This means that the new fuel utilises the carbon already in the atmosphere (which the plants absorb as they grow). Contrastly, when using fossil fuels, additional CO2 currently locked underground is released.
Despite SUSTAIN Classic being designed for classic vehicles, it can be used for any vehicle that runs on standard forecourt petrol. With an octane number greater than 98 and bio-ethanol content of less than 1%, it also contains a premium additive package which stabilises and extends the life of the fuel and helps clean and protect the engines.
Per litre, the price is currently £3.80 – £5.24 (depending on the variant) and is available from distributor Motor Spirit at Bicester Heritage from 13th June. However, more stockists are launching throughout the UK in the coming months.
The three variants currently available are Super 80, Super 33, and Racing 50. All of these are suitable for year-round use.
Super 80
- Created at least 80% renewable content.
- Delivers a GHG saving of more than 65%, compared to fossil fuels.
- 98RON (Super Unleaded) EN228 Compliant.
- Multifunctional deposit control additive package reduces existing deposits and maintains engine cleanliness and performance with regular use.
- Priced from £4.65 per litre.
Super 33
- Created at least 33% sustainable content.
- Delivers a GHG saving of more than 25%, compared to fossil fuels.
- 98RON (Super Unleaded) EN228 Compliant.
- Multifunctional deposit control additive package reduces existing deposits and maintains engine cleanliness and performance with regular use.
- Priced from £3.80 per litre.
Racing 50
- High-performance sustainable petrol ideal for performance and racing use in vehicles that require a higher-octane fuel.
- Created at least 50% renewable content.
- Delivers a GHG saving of more than 35%, compared to fossil fuels.
- 102RON, for high octane applications, EN228 Compliant.
- Premium deposit control additives reduce existing deposits and maintain engine cleanliness and performance with regular use.
- Priced from £5.24 per litre.
Sustainable Fuel
The three fuel types range from at least 33% sustainable content to at least 80%. David Richardson, Business Development Director at Coryton explains why: “Every kilogram of CO2 we avoid adding to our atmosphere, by replacing fossil fuel with sustainable fuel, is a win. We don’t instantly have to go for the full switch to start making a genuine impact. As more feedstocks become available, these fuels will start to contain even higher levels of traceable sustainable elements. However, we want to keep things as affordable as possible for consumers and be open about what’s actually achievable at the moment.
“The availability of true fossil-free fuel components is limited. So, we’re setting truthful and realistic goals, producing fuels that have a meaningful impact whilst meeting the demands of the user. While we could use ‘mass balancing’ techniques to certify this fuel as 100%, we believe that it is important to be open about technology readiness and traceability. The industry will get there with the right support – which is why we think it’s important to start getting these products into the hands of consumers so they can see how easy and effective the switch could be.”
SUSTAIN Classic has performed brilliantly in the testing centre but also on the track too. It has been certified by Coryton’s fully accredited lab and meets ISCC sustainable protocols. In fact, during the recent Rally For The Ages event at Bicester Heritage, more than 70 cars used the Super 80 variant of the fuel to complete the course. This will also be available at Flywheel 2023 too.
Guy Lachlan heads up Motor Spirit at Bicester Heritage, which will be one of the distributors of SUSTAIN Classic. He said: “We’re very excited to be the launch partner for Coryton’s SUSTAIN Classic fuel. It is vital for the future of Classic Cars and Motorcycles that environmentally-friendly liquid fuels are commercially available, and Motor Spirit’s facility at Bicester Heritage is the perfect location to start an environmental revolution! SUSTAIN Classic represents the best available combination of usability, sustainability and quality: exactly in line with Motor Spirit’s ethos.”
Andrew Willson, CEO at Coryton, said: “We believe that SUSTAIN Classic is the world’s first-ever sustainable fuel catering for classic vehicles, providing a credible and convenient way to run vintage vehicles without the need for fossil fuels. It’s fully certified, tested, and developed right here in the UK at our world-class blending facility.
“It’s estimated that there are almost half a million classic cars in the UK, each one with its own unique purpose, build and history. By creating a collection of second-generation biofuels that are compatible with their needs, as well as those of other vintage vehicles, we hope to provide these much-loved motors with a more sustainable future and preserve them for years to come.”
Another Specialist Fuel
The SUSTAIN Classic fuel is actually the second specialist fuel from Coryton’s SUSTAIN range. Last year, SUSTAIN Racing was launched and took the motorsport sector by storm by claiming titles in events such as the Dakar Rally.
Stockist information can be found on the Sustain Classic website sustainclassic.com, where distributors can also register their interest.
E-Type ZP Collection – A Tribute To The First Racing E-Types
June 12, 2023
Jaguar Classic is celebrating the iconic race-winning E-Types by creating seven exclusive pairs of E-Type ZP Collection vehicles. The luxury (and highly collectable) cars pay homage to the first E-types used in competition. These racing E-Types were originally produced under the project name “ZP” and, within months of their introduction in 1961, they picked up their first victories.
Each of the commemorative pairs includes a drophead coupe and a fixed-head coupe, both finished in liveries paying tribute to the original race-winning cars. The two cars that provided inspiration for this incredible project were referred to by their registration numbers ‘ECD 400’ and ‘BUY 1’ and were driven by Graham Hill and Roy Salvadori.
Paul Barritt, Director of Jaguar Classic, said: “The E-type ZP Collection is the ultimate tribute to the E-type’s triumphant racing debut, in itself part of Jaguar’s rich motorsport history. Each pair tells a fascinating, and often untold, story of the E-type’s history. The ZP Collection honours not only the vehicles but the racers who drove them to victory on the track. With 2,000 hours lovingly spent on each vehicle by the craftspeople at Jaguar Classic, our discerning clients will be able to enjoy a unique tribute to two of the greatest cars in the E-type’s history.”
If this E-Type project wasn’t special enough, later this year, the personalisation team at Jaguar will be unveiling a limited-edition production run of matching F-Type ZP Editions. These will be inspired by the E-Type ZP collection and will also only have seven pairs available. The fourteen 5-litre supercharged V8 F-Types will be reserved for E-Type ZP Collection clients meaning that each client could own an unrepeatable and historic quartet of very special vehicles. It’s worth keeping in mind that, from 2025, Jaguar will become a pure electric modern luxury brand so this looks to be something of an unforgettable swan song.
Indigo Blue E-Type Drophead Coupe
In honour of Graham Hill’s Indigo Blue E-Type drophead coupe, the E-Type in the ZP collection will be finished in Oulton Blue and will have a black hood along with bonnet roundels finished in white with matching front ‘lipstick’ around the inside of the front airtake.
The interior is finished in red leather by Bridge of Weir and in-period Hardura trim.
Unlike the original E-Type, driven by Graham Hill, though, the ZP collection hasn’t been developed for just racing so the engineers at Jaguar Classic have reworked and hand-finished the nose of these very special cars.
Crystal Grey E-Type Fixed-Head Coupe
Like the Oulton Blue version, the Crystal Grey fixed-head coupe comes with white roundels and similar exterior detailing, including the removal of the motif bar and Jaguar badge across the grille. The Crystal Grey coupe also has the same chrome bumpers as the drop-head, along with the welded bonnet louvres and unique side graphic detail.
The interior features a Dark Navy Bridge of Weir leather with matching Hardura trim and a Beechwood steering wheel.
E-Type ZP Collection Changes
The most significant mechanical upgrade to these stunning tributes is the specially developed five-speed manual transmission for quieter, more comfortable cruising. It features synchromesh on all ratios, helical cut gears and a reinforced cast aluminium casing for enhanced reliability and durability, with closer gear ratios for smoother changes.
An Extra Tribute With The E-Type ZP Collection
Every vehicle in the collection undergoes 2,000 hours of work by the experts at Jaguar Classic to make sure each and every one is a perfect tribute. Each one comes with a tailor-made car cover with ZP logo and a bespoke jack with a unique storage bag to be stored beneath the boot floor.
A period helmet to match those worn by Hill and Salvadori is also included. These have been crafted by British expert Bill Vero of Everoak and are a beautiful display piece that can be worn, and hand adjusted for each client. The helmets are provided with a tailored leather storage bag crafted from the same leather as the interiors and made onsite by the expert in-house trimmers at Jaguar Classic. The helmet bag also complements the leather pouch for the vehicle handbook, which is made with the same leather by the same team.
Miss Vintage 2023
June 9, 2023
Each year Twinwood Festival hold a pageant where men and women are invited to apply to become Mr or Miss Vintage and I am so delighted to be in the running for Miss Vintage 2023!
We are currently in the voting stage with the final to be held over the festival weekend.
It’s a great opportunity for me to showcase my love of historic dress as well as spread awareness of sustainable fashion.
All you have to do to vote for me is go to the Facebook Post and like my photo.
11 Million Vehicles Produced
June 9, 2023
A huge milestone was recently passed by the team at the Nissan Plant in Sunderland, as they have been celebrating the 11 millionth vehicle being built there, since production started in 1986. As car number 11 million leaves the factory, this means that, on average, a new car has been built every 2 minutes for the last 37 years!
The incredible achievement was reached when a Blade Silver Qashqai e-POWER, one of three electrified models currently built at the plant, rolled off the line. Each one of these cars takes about 8.5 hours to build. In comparison, the very first car built at the plant in 1986 was a Nissan Bluebird and took around 22 hours to produce.
Nissan Sunderland’s mammoth car production numbers were achieved through the building of nine different models, with 22 variants. Four of these models – Qashqai, Micra, Primera, and Juke have all surpassed seven-figure production numbers. In fact, the Qashqai was the UK’s best-selling new car in 2022 with more than four million being built.
6000 people work at the Sunderland Plant where around 5 million parts arrive at the facility every day! Nissan also supports 30,000 UK jobs in the supply chain.
The Qashqai e-POWER and the Juke Hybrid both began production at the Sunderland Plant last summer and, already, 50,000 Qashqai e-POWERs have been made along with 20,000 Juke Hybrids. To make sure this incredible level of production is maintained, the plant is moving forward with its EV36Zero project, which consists of three main elements: a new electric vehicle, a 12GWh gigafactory with the company’s battery partner Envision AESC, and a microgrid to deliver 100% renewable energy to Nissan and suppliers.
Adam Pennick, Vice President, Manufacturing, at Nissan Sunderland, said: “This milestone reflects the vast experience that our world-class manufacturing team has in delivering the quality cars that our customers love.”
“We’ve come a long way since production first started with some iconic models on the way. But we’re always looking forward, and our fully electrified range and EV36Zero plan mean we have an exciting and sustainable future ahead.”
| Model | First produced | Last produced | Total made |
| Bluebird | 1986 | 1990 | 187,178 |
| Qashqai | 2006 | Ongoing | 4,059,516 |
| Micra | 1992 | 2010 | 2,368,705 |
| Primera | 1990 | 2007 | 1,483,059 |
| Juke | 2010 | Ongoing | 1,295,011 |
| Almera | 2000 | 2006 | 642,420 |
| Note | 2006 | 2016 | 676,438 |
| Infiniti | 2015 | 2019 | 76,166 |
| LEAF | 2010 | Ongoing | 263,405 |
In For A Service
June 6, 2023
A new addition has entered the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in the form of our 1994 Daimler Double Six.
It has come to us for a service and, while it’s here, the owner has asked if we are able to take a look at some loose trim on one of the rear doors.
We have had several Daimler Double Sixs in the workshop over the years and this one looks to be a great example.
Woodbridge Community News
June 6, 2023
In the June 2023 edition of Woodbridge Community News, we were featured for our Drive It Day event in aid of NSPCC.
The short article in the publication describes the successful event and shares the total of £2062 being raised for a very important charity.
Another World Record Set At Auction
June 6, 2023
On May 20th, Silverstone Auctions hosted their Supercar Fest Sale at Sywell Aerodrome, Northampton. Among all of the lots available was a very special car – a unique 2000 TVR Cerbera Speed 12. As the winning bid was announced, a new world record for both any TVR model and also the highest price paid for a TVR by any UK bidder was set.
The Car
The 2000 TVR Cerbera Speed 12 is a unique vehicle in that it is the only TVR-built road car of its kind. When it was announced that it would be going to auction, it generated a huge amount of interest from potential bidders all over the world.
As one of the rarest and most admired supercars of the last 25 years, the TVR Cebera Speed 12 was used as a model for ‘Gran Turismo’ – one of the most popular and best-selling computer game franchises.
During the auction, there were plenty of interested parties bidding for the chance to own this one-of-a-kind car. Bidders from Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, and America all tried to become the new owner but, in the end, it was a UK bidder who won with the astonishing bid of £601,500
Known as the TVR Project 7/12, the Cerbera Speed 12 was introduced at the 1996 Birmingham Motor Show. The number “7” referred to the 7.7 litre (actually 7.73 L) engine, and “12” for the number of cylinders in the engine. TVR claimed that the engine would have a power output of more than 800bhp and that it would be faster than the McLaren F1.
The record-breaking supercar was prepared by TVR engineers over two years and has been heavily featured in many motoring publications.
The History
The design for Project 7/12 was based on two Cerbera Speed 6 straight-sixes spliced together, utilising a steel block. This was further developed by TVR’s John Ravenscroft creating a 7.7-litre V12. It has been said that the powerful engine snapped the input shaft of the 1,000bhp-rated dynamometer so the engineers had to measure each bank of cylinders separately. When this happened, an output of 480bhp was measured on each side, suggesting a total output of 960bhp! However, TVR said that, when set up for road use, the total figure was 800bhp.
After a short-lived racing chapter, the Speed 12 was seemingly finished. That all changed in 1999 though when TVR decided that they would develop a new car to race in the GT2 class, but there was a lot of interest in a road version and, in 2000, the Cerbera Speed 12 was ready.
Despite the excitement and the huge interest (including paid deposits), the road car never moved into production. When TVR boss Peter Wheeler took one of the prototypes home, he said it was too powerful and too wild to ever be used on the road. It was at this point that production plans were scrapped, all deposits were returned, and all the remaining prototypes were broken up for spares to be used for the race cars. There was one exception to this though – the now record-breaking TVR Cerbera Speed 12 that sold at auction a few weeks ago.
Going Up For Sale
In August 2003, TVR advertised a Cerbera Speed 12 for sale. At this point in time though, a complete car didn’t exist so TVR started the process of creating a road-going Cerbera Speed 12. Three race engineers worked on the project for two years, using the best components from the race development program and the 7.7-litre ‘bucket-head’ V12 to make a road-legal supercar for the ages.
After new components such as the gearbox, transmission and brakes, and carbon-fibre/kevlar bodywork were added, the engine was remapped and the finished product was a car that weighed 1000kg and produced 850bhp, and over 900lb/ft of torque.
A Record-Setting Auction
£7.5 million worth of bids were successful at Silverstone Auctions Supercar Fest Sale. In addition to the impressive TVR Cebera Speed 12, a 1996 Ford Escort Cosworth Lux 2.0 sold for £163,125. This set a new world record for a standard production car sold at auction.
Another exciting sale was the last regular production Jaguar E-Type to leave Browns Lane Production Line – a 1974 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster which sold for £180,000.
Auctions like this tend to be full of very exciting cars and the new owners are no doubt extremely happy with the new additions to their garage.
Goodbye To Two Team Members
June 5, 2023
We recently said goodbye to two of the Bridge Classic Cars team, Lydia and Scott. They joined us as a couple and they left us as a couple too.
Lydia has done some incredible work in our trim shop and we are sure that she will continue to put her skills to good use in the future.
Scott has played a huge role in the restoration of several classic cars during his team here and we are sure that many more cars will be the focus of his attention over the next few years.
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to wish Scott and Lydia all the best and we hope to see you both again.
Thank you for all your hard work!
Motorbike Meet
June 1, 2023
We were lucky enough to be sent some photos and a short video of a motorbike meet being held in Garstang, Lancashire recently.
Seeing this many motorbikes travelling in convoy is always an impressive sight and we are keen to attend more motorbike events in the future.
A Taste Of Italy
June 1, 2023
Bridge Classic Cars will be attending A Taste Of Italy at The Marquis on 23rd June.
This event is a celebration of all things Italian with an Italian menu (being served from 5 pm) and Italian special cocktails. There will even be live music from the Italian Jazz band, That’s Amore.
In addition to the Italian food and entertainment, there will be Mille Miglia cars in attendance and you are more than welcome to bring your own Italian car too. Steven O’Leary’s race cars which have just returned from this year’s Mille Miglia will also be on show for you to admire.
For more information and to make a booking, please contact The Marquis directly.
Time For An Upgrade
June 1, 2023
After being with us from almost the start of it all, the time has come for the Bridge Classic Cars trailer to move on and for us to upgrade to a bigger and better option.
Despite the excitement the new trailer is bringing, there is certainly a sense of sadness to see such a longstanding part of the business leave us. Our trailer has covered thousands of miles collecting and delivering classic cars all over the country. Many of our restoration projects come into the workshop in our trailer and many leave in its protective shell on their way back to their happy owners. Since the launch of Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, the trailer has also delivered more than 100 cars to the lucky winners wherever they are in the UK.
Starting its life with us in a nice shade of grey, it was emblazoned with the Bridge Classic Cars logo and transported some true classic, vintage, and special vehicles before undergoing something of a transformation. Going from grey to black, the new look trailer had a new style while still carrying a huge variety of vehicles to and from the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
As the list of our current projects continues to grow, a bigger trailer is needed to keep up with the flow of vehicles needed to be brought into the workshop…and that’s where the new Bridge Classic Cars trailer comes in.
As you can see from the photos below, our new trailer is quite a bit bigger than the previous one and certainly looks to be up for the job of moving classic vehicles wherever they need to be.
It’s not entirely the end for our old faithful trailer though. It now moves on to be part of a race team and will, no doubt, cover many more miles, and carry some equally as important cars in the next chapter of its life.
The Bridge Classic Cars trailer – a loyal workhouse. The new trailer – soon to be seen collecting and delivering classic vehicles all over the country.
A Limited Range Of Rolls-Royce
May 31, 2023
Rolls-Royce has very recently announced an extremely limited line known as the Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow’ Private Collection. As this stunning line was inspired by the Kármán Line (the invisible boundary where Earth’s atmosphere ends and space begins) there will only be 62 examples of the Blue Shadow made. Why? Because the Kármán Line is 62 miles above Earth’s surface!
Once the Kármán Line is reached, the familiar blue of Earth’s atmosphere fades into the blackness of space. This creates a powerful dark-blue zone that very few people will ever get to see for themselves. It is this mysterious region that Rolls-Royce say perfectly encapsulates the essence of Blue Shadow.
This new Bespoke interpretation of Black Badge Cullinan is available exclusively through the marque’s Private Offices and is strictly limited to just 62 examples globally.
Exterior Of Blue Shadow
Blue Shadow is finished in Stardust Blue which aims to capture the deep blue colour of the upper atmosphere and the satin-tinted grille surround and aero bumper insert sets are recognisable nods to former Space Shuttle designs. The Spirit of Ecstasy has been created from titanium using 3D printing techniques and finished with a thin layer of blue-tinted lacquer which adds pearlescence while revealing the titanium’s grained texture.
You will also find the Black Badge infinity logo and ‘Blue Shadow’ Private Collection name engraved on the Spirit of Ecstasy base and infilled with Charles Blue. Even Blue Shadow’s wheels are subtly darkened using a translucent lacquer.
Interior Of Blue Shadow
If you were to ever make it to the Kármán line, you would see the edge of Earth’s atmosphere as a beautiful blue halo. The powerful impact of the transition from the blue sky of Earth into the darkness of space has been beautifully captured on Blue Shadow’s painted fascia and door panels. Six layers of paint were used to combine five different shades of blue with a deep black hue which creates a three-dimensional effect inside Blue Shadow. A clear coat is the final touch and it incorporates blue and clear glass particles to add another level of depth. The fascia is finished with a bespoke clock which is completely unique to the Private Collection.
The iconic Starlight Headliner has been taken further into space with the addition of an intricate moon embroidery. The moon has been given a three-dimensional appearance and is made from five different colours of thread with each one being applied with a different stitching technique. The result is a stunning multi-textured space scene. 250,000 separate stitches are needed to create the headliner and the whole process takes 2 days to complete.
In a first for Rolls-Royce, the front and rear seats feature a unique perforated artwork. This has been inspired by the view of Earth from space and is formed by making tiny perforations in the leather.
Accessories
A selection of accessories is available to add to the Blue Shadow. These include an exclusive indoor car cover that has the same pattern as the seats, and a luggage set. An exact 1:8 scale replica of the Blue Shadow can also be commissioned if the owner chooses to do so.
Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow’ is available exclusively via the Rolls-Royce Private Office. However, all 62 examples have already been allocated to clients worldwide.
MG Cyberster – The First All-Electric Roadster
May 30, 2023
MG hosted a special preview event where the brand showed off a pre-production design model of its brand-new all-electric roadster – The Cyberster. With a release expected in the summer of 2024, a new chapter in the MG story is being written as the iconic manufacturer returns to its roots with this exciting new sports car.
The Cyberster made its debut at the event held at the MG Motor UK headquarters in Marylebone, London. It was there that advanced design director, Carl Gotham and team – who played a key role in creating the Cyberster – introduced the model for the first time.
Carl said “It is a special moment for all of us who have played a part in designing this unique car. The Cyberster will offer MG customers a striking, all-electric roadster which will be as exciting as MG sports cars of the past.”
To mark the upcoming release of the Cyberster, MG has released a film which helps tell the story of the work that went into designing and creating a sports car that is set to be the very first all-electric roadster on the market.
Inspired by MGs heritage, the Cyberster has the distinctive long bonnet, a low nose, and plenty of curves. In addition to the recognisable features that indicate the car’s MG lineage, new features such as scissor doors and a Kammback rear design bring a classic design into a stylish new future.
The creation of the Cyberster marks MG’s return to sports car production. Not only does the Cyberster do this in attention-grabbing fashion, but it also brings the MG story right up to date and allows for another generation of drivers to enjoy this iconic British brand.
