The 1987 Mercedes 500SL in the Bridge Classic Cars body shop having its engine prepared has turned up some new discoveries.
Our body and paint technicians have been working on getting the engine bay of the classic Mercedes into the same shape as the outside of the car but upon further inspection during sanding, some areas have some rust issues and previous poor repairs.
These will need to be addressed before the rest of the engine bay is finished in primer ahead of its colour coat.
Alongside that our technician, Mauro, has removed several pieces of the suspension in order to get to the harder to reach areas of the classic Mercedes. This is is to make sure every area of the car is inspected, prepared and primered.
February 25, 2022 9:49 amPublished by Craig Ranson
The 1969 Bentley T1 has been moved from the Bridge Classic Cars body shop into the paint shop to begin its journey towards its full respray.
The team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working incredibly hard to carry out the rust repairs on this beautiful classic Bentley. With those now completed properly for the car, it was moved so our body shop could begin to prepare it for its appointment with the spray booth.
With the body prepared and cleaned down, our paint Chris wheeled the Bentley into position and began laying down the first coats of primer onto its newly reworked body. This layer will be used as a guide for the body shop technicians to see which areas need to be worked on to get the panels perfect before the full respray on the car.
February 25, 2022 9:30 amPublished by Craig Ranson
The 1965 Porsche 912 in the Bridge Classic Cars body shop has been moved into the paint shop to go through the next stage of primer work and sanding along with the bonnet.
Alan, has been working on the classic Porsche to get the body and all the panels into perfect shape before the car has its next stage of primer. Once the air-cooled Porsche had been moved into the paint booth, our technicians could lay down the first of several coats of polyester primer onto the body and the top of the bonnet.
After several more coats of both Polyester primer and Epoxy primer across the Porsche, it was then taken back out into the body shop to have its final sanding process started before the trip back into the paint booth for its journey into final colour and clear coat.
February 25, 2022 8:44 amPublished by Craig Ranson
Some of the panels and pieces from the 1965 Porsche 912 have been into the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint booth for their first coats of primer.
Alan has been working on getting these panels ready for the polyester primer in the previous days which has involved hours of careful sanding and reworking of the metal. Now, it was time for the panels to go in for the first round of primer for the classic Porsche.
Now with the panels currently curing in the paint shop, Alan will begin getting the other parts of the 912 ready to go into the paint booth.
February 18, 2022 2:17 pmPublished by Craig Ranson
The paint team at Bridge Classic Cars have some of the trims and pieces from the 1978 MGB GT in the paint booth to be refinished.
Whilst the body of the MGB is having its metalwork completed, the paint team took the opportunity to refinish several of the trims and fixings in a new heavy-duty black finish for the classic sports car. This not only is aesthetic but also will help protect the pieces, which were taken back to bare metal, while they’re in storage until reassembly begins.
February 18, 2022 10:33 amPublished by Craig Ranson
The final process to get the 1987 Mercedes 500SL restoration ready for its first coats of paint has been completed by the Bridge Classic Cars body shop.
Mauro has been working on getting the last few pieces of the classic Mercedes ready for its date with the paint booth. Mauro has been meticulously going through the whole car piece by piece to make sure everything is in perfect shape before the first layers of final primer are laid onto the body and panels. This involved several hours of sanding in places with very limited access but needed to be done for the best finish possible.
Along with that, Mauro removed the final parts and pieces from the doors of the 500SL to be able to sand inside the doors so the paint shop can get the best finish possible inside and out.
We’re so excited to see the 1987 Mercedes 500SL finally go into the Bridge Classic Cars paint shop for the first steps of its paint process.
February 17, 2022 8:33 amPublished by Craig Ranson
The wonderful 1965 Porsche 912 that is in the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint and body shop at our Suffolk HQ has been being worked on by our amazing painter, Alan.
Alan has been working on getting the car prepared for the beginning of its bodywork journey. The first step was to get the car all the way back to bare metal, and now the team have begun the second phase of its story with Bridge Classic Cars. The car is now in epoxy primer.
The car needed to be put into primer before its bodywork begins as it’s used as a guide coat. The majority of this will actually be removed from the car. The paint and body team then use it to find any places where the bodyshell will need adjustment or tweaking to make the entire car work and flow in terms of its lines and curves.
After Alan has prepared the car for primer, he began the delicate work of masking up the car. This is just as important as the paint itself. Then, after cleaning down the bare metal, Alan began laying down the coats of primer.
We’re excited to show you the next chapter for the 1965 Porsche 912 with Bridge Classic Cars.
The Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint and body team have been working on stripping down the 1969 Bentley T1. What they’ve found isn’t looking good.
The Bentley is showing signs of several repairs which did not have the cars best interest in mind. So, with this, Chris began diving deeper into the car to come up with a plan on how to best get this beautiful classic Bentley back into the best shape possible befitting a car of its standing.
Chris has meticulously and cautiously stripped back all of the paint on every single body panel to find every piece of sub-par previous work on the car. That way, moving forward the car can be repaired and restored correctly and last another 50+ years.
Whilst the body has been being worked on, Chris and Alan had some of the other panels and pieces for the Bentley inside the spray booth after perfecting them on the sanding tables. They are now shot in hard-wearing and durable modern epoxy primer.
Bridge Classic Cars ensure that during one of our restorations, the cars best interest is kept at the forefront of our work. So, keep a lookout here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more updates on the 1969 Bentley T1.
The bonnet of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 currently in with Bridge Classic Cars for restoration has finally been reunited with the body of the 1950s sports car.
The bonnet has been placed onto the body before it is adjusted and fitted. This is to make sure all the amazing work Alan has done on the single-piece clamshell goes with the work Chris has done on the body. But, the results look fantastic. Both the body and the bonnet are completely uniform and evenly shaped which will allow our in-house paint team to get the colour laid just perfectly for this car when the time comes.
January 27, 2022 11:55 amPublished by Craig Ranson
The Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop have been busy continuing work on the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 we have at our Suffolk HQ for restoration.
Alan, one of our incredible in-house paint experts, has been working on the underside of the bonnet for the DB2/4. This part of the bonnet has had the same treatment as the top of the piece. Alan has carefully sanded, filled and resanded every square inch of the bonnet included the wheel arches to make sure the piece has the best foundation for the primer.
Like the top, it had a layer of epoxy primer followed by a polyester primer laid on top of the beautiful front clamshell.
This piece of the DB2/4 is a piece of art in its own right and we cannot wait to see the bonnet laid onto the body which is being worked on by our restoration technicians in our workshop.
January 26, 2022 11:20 amPublished by Craig Ranson
The stunning 1987 Mercedes 500SL that is in for restoration at Bridge Classic Cars for our director, Craig, has started its journey towards completion.
The bodywork and paintwork are the next jobs on the list to get started on which has been entrusted to Garry. He will get the body of the R107 prepared and ready for the first coats of colour to be laid across this beautiful 1980s Mercedes.
Expect to see lots more on the 1987 Mercedes 500SL very soon on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.
The Bridge Classic Cars incredible in-house paint team have been working hard to get the bonnet of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 into each stage of primer.
Our in-house painter Alan has been working on the one-piece front clamshell of the DB2/4, perfecting every line and surface on the panel getting it ready for the first stage before it is painted.
The first stage is a normal epoxy primer which is a standard primer used on most projects. But, over the top, the DB2/4 Bonnet is then covered in a Polyester primer.
After the primer has properly cured, Alan can then begin the next stage before the final colour is shot on the panel. So, expect to see more updates on the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 restoration here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page very soon.
The Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop has been busy getting the 1969 Bentley T1 in with us for its full repaint.
Chris and Alan have been working their way through the car to strip the panels and trims to get them ready for stripping.
The first panel to be stripped back to bare metal is the vast bonnet of the luxury icon. Chris and Alan have carefully pulled all the paint from the bonnet and then begun to sand the panel back to bare metal in order to assess if any adjustments will need to be made to the piece.
Each piece taken off the car is catalogued, assessed and carefully stored for when the car is reassembled after its repaint.
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.
Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint and body technicians have begun the process of getting this beautiful 1969 Bentley T1 ready for paint.
The car will be entirely stripped down to bare metal with each component carefully catalogued and photographed, taking care and attention to preserve even the tiniest washer on the classic luxury icon. Chris and Alan, our in-house paint experts will then work on getting the bodywork of the car sanded back to assess the state of the metal and if any corrections will need to be made for the car is repainted in our state of the art paint booth.
Expect to see lots more very soon of the 1969 Bentley T1 in with Bridge Classic Cars.
The Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint team have been hell-bent on achieving perfection for the bonnet of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 that is in with ourselves for full restoration.
Alan, one of our incredibly talented painters and bodywork specialists, has spent hours perfecting every line and curve on the single-piece clamshell that makes up the whole front end of the classic Aston Martin.
This piece is crucial because it is one single piece and has no adjustment as you would do with a front end made of several pieces. So, each of the body lines and curves must sit perfectly with the rest of the body which is in our workshop with Scott, one of our restoration technicians.
So, Alan has been meticulous working on sections to get them perfect.
January 14, 2022 11:25 amPublished by Craig Ranson
The brass parts of the 1905 Riley 9HP are in need of a clean and refurb. So, these are being carefully catalogued and packaged to be sent off to a specialist to come back as good as new.
These parts are over 100 years old so special care is needed with the refurbishment of them. Bridge Classic Cars works closely with a series of trusted and well-respected specialists for jobs such as this to ensure the best long-lasting results on the parts that are sent away from us here.
January 13, 2022 10:18 amPublished by Craig Ranson
The first layers of colour are now on the body of the 1977 MGB Roadster in the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop.
Our head painter Chris has spent hours, along with our other painter Alan, getting the MGB Roadster’s body ready for its first coats of colour. It looks absolutely fantastic and these results only come with the extensive and meticulous prep work done by our in-house restoration teams. The colour sits nice and evenly across all the panels to give a beautiful uniform look on the 1970s convertible.
Next, Chris and Alan will prepare and begin the next stage of getting this 1977 MGB Roadster looking better than new.
The Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint team have just finished working on the hubs for the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1.
Chris, our head painter, has delivered the freshly refinished hubs for the Aston Martin to Scott, our restoration technician, in our workshop for when final assembly calls for the hubs to be fitted up to the car.
Finished in a stunning satin black, the hubs look better than new!
January 12, 2022 12:45 pmPublished by Craig Ranson
Bridge Classic Cars have the honour of welcoming a 1990’s hero into our workshop in Pettistree, Suffolk. The legend that is the 1995 Dodge Viper RT/10.
This classic American supercar will go into our workshop for our restoration teams to assess and report on the car.
Keep your eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more on this incredible car.
January 12, 2022 12:02 pmPublished by Craig Ranson
The 1977 MGB Roadster that is currently in the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop is moving along quickly!
Whilst Alan is busy preparing the body for its turn in the paint booth, Chris is working on getting the first layers of colour onto the front wings and doors of the sports car. The entire body has been sanded back down to make sure the shape of each of the panels flows perfectly.
The colour on the wings and doors will have its colour slowly built up to get the correct depth of colour.
January 12, 2022 10:34 amPublished by Craig Ranson
The Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop have been busy getting the 1977 MGB Roadster we have in for restoration ready for its first coats of colour.
Chris, our lead painter, has been working on getting the body panels just right for the next phase of painting the MGB Roadster. Hours of sanding, filling and more sanding to ensure that each panel sat correctly with its bodylines and also in terms of its curve down and across the body. Then, the body and all its panels had several coats of epoxy primer.
Once the primer had cured enough, it was time to begin working on the first coat of colour on the roadster. A Light guide coat for the car in preparation for its full colour coat which will be going on very soon.
Alan, one of our expert painters here at Bridge Classic Cars, has been hard at work preparing and painting the wings on the 1930 Packard 740 Waterfield Convertible.
Carefully, Alan masked off the wing and began to take back the deep maroon paintwork step by step. After the piece had been taken back far enough, Alan got to work getting the panel into primer. Using our state of the art paint matching computer, Alan was able to exactly match the same tone and shade of maroon that features so prominently on this incredible pre-war car.
Once the paint had cured properly, Alan could then begin the process of cutting the paint back using a series of abrasives. Beginning with a 1500 grit wet and dry paper to remove any imperfection, he then step up to 3000 grit and then 6000 grit in order to achieve the perfect finish before it was then machine polished.
The 1977 MGB Roadster which is in for aesthetic restoration, has now been prepared and taken into the paint booth where Chris and the paint team have applied the first coats of primer to the car.
Now, there’s a process of sanding the primer back and preparing it for the next stage in its aesthetic restoration which will build up the layers of primer before finally the colour is applied and make this iconic sports car dazzle once again.
More very soon on the 1977 MGB Roadster in on the Bridge Classic Cars news page
The 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 that is in with Bridge Classic Cars for full restoration has hit an important milestone today. The body, which has been worked on by our paint and body experts for several months, has finally been reunited with its stunning freshly powder coated frame.
Scott, one of our restoration experts has been working on getting the body and several of the bigger panels back onto the frame in preparation for its next stage of bodywork. With so much work done to the body of the DB2/4, it’s also crucial for our technicians to check mounts and placements for when the car is in final assembly. With so much hard work and effort put into the car, it’s worth taking the time to make sure each delicate part fits exactly right to show just how beautiful this stunning sports car truly is.
Expect to see more updates on the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 very soon here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.
It’s always incredible when old projects come back to visit. Especially ones that have gone out there and developing a life of their own. For example, this bright blue 1967 Austin Mini 850 belongs to our dear friend Simon. Simon owns this incredible little car that hides a small secret.
Well, it’s not a small secret at all. This Mini has been converted to have an electric drive train out of a Tesla… The equivalent of 300BHP in a tiny package is always guaranteed to put a smile on your face. We here at Bridge Classic Cars did the bodywork and paint for the project. It was delivered to us as basically a bare shell with all the potential in the world ahead of it. Our expert restoration teams set about preparing the car for its new electrified life.
The conversion itself was handled by our friends over at Team C (formally the East Anglian Mini Centre) and also by Electric Classic Cars in Wales.
With the project gaining popularity across the world (it was also recently at the Classic Show at the Birmingham NEC) several media outlets have picked up the story of this wonderful car and its sentimental attachment to Simon. Recently it was featured in The Telegraph and very soon it will be beamed into your homes on the Discovery Channel. Before then, however, it will appear on ITV news in a segment filmed in our workshop.
So, we wanted to take you behind the scenes of the shoot along with Freddie, Nick and Gordon from Bridge Classic Cars to give you a sneak peek at what you can expect. This Mini is truly beautiful, the colour was incredible in the winter sun. The brightwork glistened and all of its small and special details were on display for everyone to see. After speaking to Simon on his own about the car, the guys from ITV had a quick chat with Ted from Team C and our very own director, Gordon who shared their thoughts on being involved in such an incredible project and just how far this little car has come from when it first rolled into our workshop in February 2020.
It will be broadcast on ITV Anglia News at 6pm on January 6th 2022. Be sure to tune in and watch!
Our in-house paint and body experts have been busy preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for its date with the Bridge Classic Cars in-house spray booth.
Chris has been busy working on the back half of the MGB getting all the new metalwork to sit correctly and flow neatly and gently into the other panels. This is a crucial part of any aesthetic restoration so that when the primer and paint are applied to the car there is no change in the laying of either.
Soon, the car will soon go into the booth to have its epoxy primer laid and then it will all be prepared for its colour and clear coat.
It’s always a pleasure to work on cars like the 1930 Packard 740. This particular Packard has been awaiting some specialist parts from the US but whilst we get them sorted in our workshop, the car itself is in our state of the art in-house paint booth.
Alan and Chris, our in-house paint and body experts, have been working on assessing and preparing the maroon wings of the pre-war giant. Carefully, Alan has sanded back the affected areas of the car to get them ready for primer and eventually their colour coats.
After the primer has dried, Chris and Alan will work on getting the surface level and ready for the colour. Ensuring the best finish on the paint and no imperfections in such a large panel.
December 20, 2021 11:25 amPublished by Craig Ranson
The Bridge Classic Cars workshop here in Pettistree, Suffolk has had an incredible delivery. A set of refurbished genuine Ferrari Daytona wheels.
These will be fitted to the 1979 Arrow Ferrari Daytona which is undergoing a thorough and complete restoration by our in-house restoration teams. These wheels have been refurbished which must be done by specialists due to their magnesium construction.
This is going to be an amazing addition to the car once the restoration is complete by the team.
December 17, 2021 11:42 amPublished by Craig Ranson
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