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Workshop Update – New Door in the Trim Shop

December 7, 2021

Over the coming weeks and months, there are some changes beginning to happen at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in Pettistree, Suffolk. Apart from our new workshop extension, the changes have already started to begin.

The trim shop, where Brian and Kath create some of the most incredible automotive upholstery you have ever seen, is now accessible from our in-house paint booth and vice versa. This allows for better movement around the building and also a better flow for the restoration teams.

There are more changes coming soon to the building but you’ll have to wait and see. Keep an eye here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more updates on our very special workshop.

Preparing for the Next Phase – Continuing Work on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

December 6, 2021

Bridge Classic Cars have been working on preparing the 1978 Jaguar MkII 2.4 to prepare it for the next phase of work to begin.

Dave, one of our most experienced in-house restoration technicians, has been working on removing the interior and other parts of the car to begin working through the mechanical jobs on this stunning MkII. Carefully, as each piece is removed from the car, it is then catalogued and safely stored for later during its rebuild.

For now, it’s carefully assess the areas of attention for the owner and coming up with a plan to deliver the best result.

Expect to see more on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page very soon.

Thorough Clean – Further Cleaning of the Engine of the 1971 Jaguar XJ6

December 6, 2021

Jonn, one of the Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration technicians, has been working on cleaning out the engine block of the 1971 Jaguar XJ6 currently in our workshop.

In the last update, Jonn had discovered the block of the straight-six packed with brown sludge.

Jonn has been working on thoroughly cleaning out every passage inside the engine as well as cleaning up the threads of the head studs. Jonn has methodically worked his way through the entire engine from front to back, cleaning and flushing through any remnants of the dirt.

With this complete, Jonn is confident that the engine block is now completely clear and ready for the next stage of the work to begin.

Mirror Image – Bodywork on the 1977 MGB Roadster

December 6, 2021

This 1977 MGB Roadster is in with Bridge Classic Cars for a full cosmetic restoration. That does involve a bit of cutting…

Scott has worked his magic on the passenger side of this amazing sports car over the last few weeks. Carefully removing any corroded metal on its flanks so that the new wings can be grafted in and secured. Now, it was time for Scott to begin work on the driver’s side. Much the same as the other, Scott only cut where was needed to remove the material and give enough room to comfortably weld the new panels in with very little distortion from the heat.

Using a thin cutting disc, Scott managed to create clean and precise cuts to remove firstly the original rear wing and then the structure and wheel arch behind it. These are needed to be removed and replaced with brand new pieces as part of the car’s aesthetic restoration.

Now, with the wings all on and cleaned up. It’s time to move forwards.

Touch Points – More Progress on the Interior of the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster

December 6, 2021

Brian, one of our incredible in-house trim experts here at Bridge Classic Cars, has been hard at work getting the interior of the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster.

Brian and the trim team are going full force at the interior of the E Type we know as Fern Grey in preparation for its completion. Brian began by lining and fitting the new boot liner to the Roadster.

The boot of the E Type is actually rather large. This is due to its design as being a long-distance grand tourer. Carrying 2 people in as much comfort, luxury and speed as was possible was the name of the game when it came to the E Type’s original design brief. Throughout its development, that always remained the same. Brian, finished the boot of Fern Grey in a beautiful soft camel colour to compliment the smooth green of the bodywork.

Next, Brian and the trim team got to work on the convertible hood for the E Type. This is being entirely built from scratch around Fern Grey. Using original templates, Brian has managed to recreate the padding for the top rail where it will meet the elegant, wrapping windshield of the E Type.

Whilst working on his next piece of the puzzle, Brian has wrapped the transmission tunnel in the vibrant green carpeting that is found throughout the entire car from front to back. Hand edged in leather that matches the exterior, this gives another level of sophistication and style to Fern Grey that helps to compliment all the small details.

Small details such as the cubby/armrest. Brian has worked really hard on getting the fit and finish of the armrest cubby to such a level it almost deserves a story of its own. The entire assembly was handmade by Brian to ensure the best fit and the best surface on which to wrap the green leather. Neat, precise cuts in every opening allow for a brand new feel to this and the trims to fit tight and close to the cubby.

Expect to see much more on Fern Grey in the coming weeks here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.

Calm and Collected – Setting up the the 1964 Triumph TR4

December 6, 2021

Jonn, one of our in-house restoration technicians at Bridge Classic Cars, has been working his magic on this absolutely beautiful 1964 Triumph TR4.

The TR4 has been completely assessed by the team here at Bridge Classic Cars so the first order of business is to make sure all the cooling system is in good working order. The team here felt it best to replace the original radiator with a freshly reconditioned piece to ensure this 1960s sports car remains happy and healthy on the most spirited of drivers.

Once the cooling system was handled, Jonn turned his attention to the carburettors. The carbs needed stripping down again once Jonn had run the engine to check the radiator/cooling system. The jets and seals were replaced on the twin-carb set-up to make sure the revvy 4 cylinder was getting all the fuel it needed for testing and for setting up.

Whilst under the engine bay, Jonn also removed the valve cover to inspect and adjust the tappets for peace of mind that everything in the top end of the engine was fighting fit and strong. With some small, minor adjustments Jonn had the TR4 happily running up to temperature before its road test by the team. We’re happy to report that no faults were found during its road test which means this gorgeous 2 seater is ready and poised for its next step.

Until that time, it will be stored at our secure and private Classic Vehicle Storage Facility, The Hangar, until such time that the next phase begins.

New Arrival – 1971 Bristol 411

December 3, 2021

The Hangar welcomed its latest resident. This unique 1970 Bristol 411.

This car is being stored with us at our safe, secure and private storage facility, The Hangar, while it awaits its time at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in Pettistree. This car has been acquired by ourselves for a customer who lives in Europe. This car will be taken to the workshops and some very special jobs to be carried out on this rare piece of British motoring.

The car itself is in stunning condition. The dark green paintwork is bright and even across its long elegant body. The interior is finished in vibrant red leather which has some marks that only add to its character and story. Overall, this is a stunning piece of automotive history which we are honoured to store and work on at Bridge Classic Cars.

Expect to see more very soon about the 1970 Bristol 411 on the Bridge Classic Cars news page very soon once this exciting project begins.

To The Smallest Detail – Preparing Parts of the 1956 Jensen 541 For Sandblasting

December 3, 2021

The teardown of components for sandblasting is a crucial step in any restoration. The parts need to be broken down into the their separate pieces in order to be properly blasted and cleaned but also different attention is sometimes required to different materials. Another part of this is knowing the fixing and the parts are in good or rebuildable order before they are sent out.

That’s why Mauro, one of our in-house restoration technicians has been hard at work carefully taking apart each of the components which will be sent away of the 1956 Jensen 541 for sandblasting. With a car as bespoke and handbill as the 541, it is important to carefully remove and catalogue all pieces that come off the car for later when the rebuild begins. Also, for reference to know exactly what is being sent out. That is something Bridge Classic Cars prides itself on with our restorations, the level of detail.

Each component, piece by piece was gently and sympathetically broke down to its constituent parts in order to be fully assessed before being labeled and photographed. These pieces will be sent to a local specialist to treat and revitalise before being returned to us at Bridge Classic Cars for the Jensen. The process allows the fresh metal underneath to breathe but also for our restoration teams to assess any imperfections or hidden damage to the components when they arrive back. As you can see with the Jensen, there are lots of parts with even more small fixings and components so it is crucial with a restoration as in depth as that of the 1956 541 that everything is as good as it possibly can be.

Expect to see more on the 1956 Jensen 541 being restored at Bridge Classic Cars very soon here on the News page.

Every Angle – Trimming the Rear of the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster

December 3, 2021

Kath and the Bridge Classic Cars in-house trim team have been continuing to fit-out of the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster that we call Fern Grey.

Kath and Brian have been working the rear of the E Type to get the rear compartment entirely trimmed and installed into the car. Below the rear hatch is also trimmed in matching green carpet with leather accents. Kath and Brian test fit each piece multiple time to ensure that each component of the rear of the interior in Fern Grey worked together and had the right fit and finish.

After the carpeting and rear bulkhead had been trimmed, it was time to install the deck-lid which Kath had built for Fern Grey. This really finishes off the rear part of the interior and completes its bespoke look in some ways. Next up, Brian and Kath will be working their way forward into the cabin of Fern Grey by trimming the tunnel and footwells with that incredible thick green carpeting.

Rock Solid – Repairing Rust Issues on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

December 2, 2021

Unfortunately, it is a problem that plagues all classic cars at some point in their lives. But, caught early enough it can be easily sorted. We’re talking about rust. The dreaded plight that rears its head on old metal. That is the case of this 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 which Dave has been been working on.

Previously, this car has been in with Bridge Classic Cars for some sympathetic rust repairs but now it’s time to continue. There were two areas Dave concentrated on. The spare wheel well in the boot floor and the drivers footwell.

The hole in the drivers footwell had crossed out over onto the chassis rail so, Dave has made up custom patch panels to be able to bridge the gaps safely and securely underneath the MkII. Through years of experience and skill, Dave evaluated how much of the original metal would need to be removed in order to get rid of any corrosion and also create a strong enough span for the piece. After that, Dave used as close as original thickness material to create the multi-piece patch panel for the drivers foot well. After tacking the piece in, Dave slowly moved around the panel to allow it time to cool and settle and avoid any warping which may cause interior trims to not sit correctly.

The boot floor was much the same story. Using a patch panel, Dave carefully cut only what was needed to achieve a strong bond and a stable floor. All of the exposed metal was treated and then covered in several layers of prime and matching black paint to prevent the new pieces from rusting prematurely.

Expect to see more on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 very soon on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.

Tear Down – Stripping the Bumpers of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4

December 2, 2021

Mauro, one of the Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration technicians, has been stripping down the bumpers, grille and brightwork on the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 that is undergoing restoration at Bridge Classic Cars.

These pieces have been carefully broken down into individual components to be sent off for various treatments for them to be refinished to a standard fitting of the car. The brightwork on the Aston Martin is a key focal point to such an iconic sports car that they need to fit just right as well as look the best.

With that, Mauro has been carefully removing each bolt from the bumpers and brackets to make sure they are in good condition and if not, they are replaced. The bumpers, grille and all other parts are carefully catalogued and stored until they are ready to be sent off to local specialists that we have been working with for many years on our other world class restoration projects.

The level of detail that Bridge Classic Cars holds itself to, even in terms of the breakdown of each component, is purposely high to ensure the best final finish of our restorations.

Keep a look out here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more updates on the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 soon.

Coming Back Together – The Rebuilt Straight-Six is Back for the 1963 Jaguar MkII 3.4

December 2, 2021

The straight-six for the 1963 Jaguar MkII is back and is in the car. Some of you may remember from it’s last update, some damage was found on inspection of the internals of the engine so it was sent away for a rebuild.

The engine has been gone through thoroughly to ensure all is ok before it went back into the car. Paul, one of our in-house restoration technicians, has fitted the glorious 3.4 litre straight-six back into the front of the stunning white MkII.

The accessories will be refit into the car and testing will begin by our in-house technicians to ensure the engine and the issues noted have been rectified.

Another Step Forward – More of the Interior of the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster

December 2, 2021

Fern Grey, the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster, is a very special car. Not only has the car itself been hand built from the ground up, but its entire interior has too. The Bridge Classic Cars in-house trim shop are truly world class. Brian and Kath’s team deliver handcrafted, bespoke interiors for our customers.

That is the story of the interior of Fern Grey. Kath and Brian have been working on getting more of the sound deadening into the car, while also fitting out the rear panels in preparation for the rear covering.

The sound deadening is being placed down where there will either be considerable road or driveline noise. The point of Fern Grey is to be a Grand Tourer like the E Type was always intended so part of that easy living is making sure cabin volumes is kept to a minimum where possible. The sound deadening material lays down perfectly flat after Kath and Brian make templates for each individual pieces, making sure it does not interfere with any piece of the custom made interior.

The rear panels are a work of art. Carefully covered in the signature green leather of Fern Grey are the quarter panels that overlap one another. A lot of time, care and attention has gone into these panels purely due to where and how they fit into the car. Kath must have test fit these panels 20 times before the final installation of them.

Next up for Fern Grey, Kath and Brian will be beginning to lay the custom carpet pieces into the bottom of this incredible one of E Type.

Ready and Waiting – Removing the Headlights on the 1934 MG PA Midget

December 1, 2021

Earlier, we should you the newly painted headlight covers for our director Gordon’s 1934 MG PA Midget. Well, in preparation for them our in-house restoration technician Paul has been carefully disassembling the headlights on this beautiful sports car.

With a vehicle such as the MG PA, a certain amount of restraint is needed when removing components from the car. Or, even something as simple as disconnecting a wire. That’s where our technicians shine, with a host of reference sources in our library and the wealth of knowledge contained within our workshop, any job can be tackled with the right approach.

Paul removed the headlight from its cover, making note of the placement of each wire and screw. Everything has been bagged and catalogued to be stored safely for its new covers to finally be cured and ready to be fitted to the MG PA.

Clear Out – Cleaning out the Engine Block of the 1971 Jaguar XJ6

December 1, 2021

A while ago, you may remember that our in-house restoration technicians were looking into a misfire issue on the 1971 Jaguar XJ6 that is in at Bridge Classic Cars. It was discovered the head gasket has failed and damaged the cylinder head which was sent off to a specialist to be remachined.

With the return of the cylinder imminent, our in-house restoration technicians have been preparing the rest of the engine block to receive the head. After Jonn had begin to inspect the block for assessment, he discovered that most of the coolant galleys and water jackets were packed with thick, brown sludge..

Jonn has spent a considerable amount of time to carefully remove the blockages and the sludge. Using a series of tools and removing the core plugs to get better access to remove the debris, Jonn has managed to remove the majority of the sludge from the straight-six but the last few bits and pieces will need to be flushed out and then the passageways rechecked for any remnants.

Considering the level of blockage in the engine, Jonn has done a great job in making sure that when the cylinder head for the XJ6 is ready to be fitted back on that everything else will be at the same standard to ensure a happy and long life for this wonderful piece of British engineering.

Finer Details – Painting the Headlight Covers for the 1934 MG PA Midget

December 1, 2021

Chris has got the latest pieces for the 1935 MG PA Midget in the Bridge Classic Cars paint booth. These are the new headlight covers for the 1934 MG PA Midget!

The MG PA will be getting colour matched headlight covers that Chris has worked hard to try and colour match to the rest of the amazing early sports car. Chris prepped the pieces thoroughly to make sure that during the primer and colour coats it would lay evenly and match the finish of the existing paint on the car.

They look absolutely phenomenal. Once these have cured, they will be handed our to our in-house restoration technicians to begin fitting them to the car as they work their way through the list of things to do on this amazing car.

It’s Whats on the Inside – Beginning Install of the Interior on the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster

December 1, 2021

The 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster which we know as Fern Grey has officially been moved over to the the trim shop! A massive milestone in the build, which means now Brian, Kath and Lydia can began work on getting the handmade interior into this stunning E Type.

To begin with, Brian started to mark out and prepare the sound deadening panels for the car. This will be a crucial part of the interior as not only will it help with the final fit and finish of each of the handmade pieces, but will also be key for a pleasant driving experience for its owner. So, Brian used his years of experience and reference photos to place the sound deadening panels in just the right place which should mean all the piece go into the car perfectly but it has less intrusive cabin noise.

With the sound deadening now secured into the car, Brian could turn his attention to the doors. Brian and the Bridge Classic Cars in-house trim team have custom made these absolutely stunning green door cards to match the rest of the interior accent colours. These are two piece door panels with an upper cap and a lower door card but were created specifically for this car. The door cards needed to be secured into place for Brian to do the last piece for passenger side doors. The all important sill cap.

The sill cap for Fern Grey is much like the rest of the car, entirely bespoke to the project. Wanting to continue to the elegance and comfort all the way from the centre of the car out, Brian wrapped the sills in upholstery foam to give them a totally new look and feel. Like they had become an extension of the dash/seats/consoles. Then, wrapped in a colour matched vinyl the sills look absolutely sensational and there’s still so much more to come!

Expect to see quite a few more updates in the coming weeks on Fern Grey here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.

Coming Soon – 1975 MGB GT V8

November 30, 2021

Coming soon to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop here in Pettistree, Suffolk is this stunning red 1975 MGB GT V8.

The car will arrive and then be assessed by our various in-house restoration experts to determine what needs doing and in what order to make this amazing British sports car as good as new.

Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars blog for more on the MGB GT V8 once it arrives.

Making Headway – New Panels on the 1977 MGB Roadster

November 30, 2021

Scott, one of our incredible in-house restoration technicians here at Bridge Classic Cars, has been working on getting the new inner and out rear quarter panels fitted onto the 1977 MGB Roadster.

This process is best-done inch by inch when it involves the removal of inner body panels. The rear wings, needed to be replaced so the best quality replacement wheel arches and rear quarter panels were sourced for this car. After removing the pieces from the car carefully, Scott could then begin to test fit and trim the new panels into the car. A job where precision, accuracy and a steady hand are crucial but that is something we pride ourselves on here at Bridge Classic Cars.

With the panels now cut to size and shape, Scott methodically welded the new pieces into the Roadster so as to not warp the shape on the pieces. Then, that was one side of the car done and just the other side to go!

Behind The Scenes – Handover of the 1975 Ford Escort Mk1 RS Mexico Recreation with BBC Radio Suffolk

November 30, 2021

One of the best parts about the process of someone winning a dream classic from Bridge Classic Cars Competitions is the look on their face when their new pride and joy is revealed to them for the first time. It’s a beautiful moment and with our latest competition winner, Chris and his 1975 Ford Escort Mk1 RS Mexico Recreation, we were lucky enough to capture the whole process along with a good friend of Bridge Classic Cars.

As the team arrived, with the RS Mexico safely stowed away inside our enclosed transporter, the air was electric. Chris, who won the Escort RS Mexico Recreation on Thursday last week, was there to meet the team and the transporter. As the team got the Transporter in position, a long time friend of Bridge Classic Cars and Classic Bus Enthusiast Luke Deal arrived. Luke is of course one of the voices of BBC Radio Suffolk. Luke has been a friend of Bridge Classic Cars since we did our 1948 Morris Lowlight competition which, just like Chris, was won by someone just round the corner from our headquarters in Pettistree.

After the introductions and the plan had been gone through. It was time for the next big surprise for Chris. He was about to be interviewed live on BBC Radio Suffolk about how he won the car and his thoughts and emotions about now being the proud owner of this incredible classic. As this was happening, the Bridge Team were busy shooting videos and photographs but also Live Streaming the handover on our Facebook Page. Along with Luke having a chat with Chris about his prize, he also spent a few minutes talking to Charlotte about Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, how it is done and the amazing response that we have had across the enthusiast community.

Then, it was time for the big reveal. Standing off to one side of the car, Chris watched on with Luke as Charlotte and Craig pulled back the fitted black cover to reveal Chris’s bright green pride and joy. It was quite a sight to see him overcome with emotion as the realisation sunk in that the car well and truly belonged to him. He had to pause during his live reaction chat with Luke to gather his thoughts a couple of times as you could see how much this car meant to him.

With Chris now the proud new owner of the 1975 Ford Escort Mk1 RS Mexico Recreation, he had a chat with Freddie and Charlotte about how he had entered and his feelings about winning which was so lovely to see a real, genuine person so filled with happiness and excitement about his dream classic. That is what sits at the core of Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.

To listen to both Chris and Charlotte live on the air with Luke Deal today on BBC Radio Suffolk, click the link below and skip to 10:45.

Click here to Listen to Luke Deal with Bridge Classic Cars and the latest winner Chris.

Featured – Our 1966 Mercedes Benz 250SE W111 on the Mercedes Benz Club UK page on Instagram

November 29, 2021

The 1966 Mercedes 250SE that is currently live on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions has been featured on the Mercedes Benz Club UK Instagram Page.

This incredible classic Mercedes Benz is up for grabs by one very lucky winner. The car itself has a long and colourful history, with celebrity owners such as E L James and David Walliams, it has also been a member of the Mercedes Benz Club UK previously with it’s owners.

It is an absolutely stunning example of the W111 Coupe! It’s honest and has a beautiful story that is written across its 55-year-old body and its wonderfully characterful interior.

To read more about the car or to enter the competition, click the link below and you could be in with a chance to win this stunning classic coupe.

Click here to enter the 1966 Mercedes Benz 250SE Coupe

Covered Up – Making the Battery Box Cover for the 1934 MG PA

November 29, 2021

Brian and Lydia, part of our incredible in-house Bridge Classic Cars trim team, have been working on covering and fixing down the battery box cover for the 1934 MG PA.

Brian and Lydia used the previous cover, to begin with, and have retrimmed it in a matching woven carpet. The piece itself was present with the car but Brian worked his magic to make it blend in seamlessly with the rest of the car. Whilst working on the back of the car, Lydia began work sizing up the new Tourneau cover for this classic early MG.

Keep an eye out here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog for more updates on the sensational 1934 MG PA.

Refining Process – Making the Rear Quarter Trims for the 1956 Jensen 541

November 29, 2021

Brian, our in-house trim expert, has been continuing to work on the rear quarter trims for the 1956 Jensen 541 currently in at Bridge Classic Cars for restoration.

Brian has completely fabricated each of the trim pieces by hand for the 541 using what was left of the originals. Piece by piece, Brian used the original techniques to recreate the trim panels which will then go on to be retrimmed in matching vibrant red leather to the rest of the car.

Each of the pieces has been hand cut and sanded to be a perfect fit when installed into the car. Millimetre by millimetre, Brian removed material after dry fitting. Also, taking into account the foam covering and leather to ensure the best fit and finish possible for this incredible 1950s British sports car.

Good as New – Painting the Wheels of 1998 Honda Integra Type R

November 29, 2021

The wheels for the 1998 Honda Integra Type R that has been here at Bridge Classic Cars to be restored are done in the paint shop!

Chris has been hard at work getting the correct colour and finish on the classic wheels to exactly match the white they needed to be. The wheels themselves have been refurbished so the colour was the final step of the process.

Through Chris’s hard work and dedication, the wheels have come out absolutely fantastic and will match the finish and standard of the rest of the car.

Stay tuned for more on the Integra here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.

This Just In – 1973 Saab 96V4

November 26, 2021

We have welcomed the latest resident of our classic car storage facility, The Hangar, here at Bridge Classic Cars. The newest addition to the storage facility is this absolutely incredible 1973 Saab 96V4 Rally Car.

This particular car will be cared for at The Hangar until such time when it will be bought over to the workshop to have some jobs done. The Saab, still wearing its rally livery, is a wonderful reminder of the simpler days of motorsport and shows the variety of machinery that used to compete at every level.

Expect to see more on the 1973 Saab 96V4 here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.

Carrying On – Continuing the Woodwork for the 1956 Jensen 541

November 26, 2021

Brian has been busy at work hand-crafting several pieces for the interior of the 1956 Jensen 541 that is being restored by Bridge Classic Cars.

Brian, one of our master in-house trim experts, has been using what is salvageable from the original interior as well as reference photos and experience to create the needed trim panels. Here, Brian is making new wooden pieces for interior cards of the 541 which will be foamed and then wrapped in the world-class hide to the customers choice of colour.

Brian took his time to carefully measure and template the pieces that are needed for the car. Then, he began to bring them to life for this stunning British sports car which is currently being restored by all of our restoration teams.

Inspect and Rebuild – Work Begins on the 1964 Triumph TR4

November 26, 2021

Jonn, one of our in-house restoration technicians at Bridge Classic Cars, has been working on the recommission of the 1964 Triumph TR4.

The first port of call for the car was to rebuild and set the carburettors. Jonn worked meticulously through the units to ensure every passage and galley was clean and free of any sediment. Once back on the car, Jonn checked for any leaks and began to set up the carburettors for its eventual road test.

Along with the carbs, Jonn has been working on a couple of small issues throughout the car. Namely some wiring issues. Jonn worked his way through each system which had its problems to make sure each component functioned correctly before moving on to the next and testing. Underneath the car, Jonn also worked on the handbrake cable to ensure that when it is needed to be relied on it works correctly and efficiently every time.

This little red sports car is absolutely wonderful to see in our Pettistree workshop, so expect to see more updates on the car here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.

In Time – Inspecting the Timing Belt of the 1992 Toyota MR2

November 26, 2021

The 1992 Toyota MR2 is in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop after its spell in our in-house paint shop.

This time it was for our in-house restoration technician Paul to inspect the timing belt of the 29-year-old Sports car. Although the belt itself seemed to be in relatively good condition, it was decided that as a matter of course that both the timing belt and the water pump were replaced as part of its routine maintenance.

With such a complex engine, the timing belt is a crucial part of the operation so it is best to replace it with a new component. While the timing cover is removed and access is easier, it is also good practice to replace the water pump with a newer, updated version to ensure the rear-engined sports car can cool itself down after a spirited drive.

Featured – The Electric Blue Mini at the Birmingham NEC

November 26, 2021

The blue all-electric Classic Mini we worked on a while ago has been spotted at the recent Birmingham NEC Classic Car Show!

The car was on a stand with several all-electric classics to showcase one of the ways that classic cars will be used in the future. This little car is absolutely incredible and we’re proud to have played a part in its story.

We handled the bodywork and paint for the project, working to make sure the outside met the same wow factor as what lay beneath its tiny turquoise bonnet.

Best Reaction – Calling the Winner of the 1975 Ford Escort Mk1 RS Mexico Recreation

November 26, 2021

Sometimes a simple phone call can change peoples lives. In some ways, it’s our favourite part of our live draws and of our competitions. Hearing and then seeing the reaction on our winner’s faces and voices when they realise the car is well and truly theirs.

Take for example this video clip of Charlotte calling Chris back after we had announced on the live draw that his winning ticket of 987 had won the competition. We think this is probably the best reaction we’ve ever had to calling a winner. Enjoy!

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