Our in-house trim expert Kath has been fitting the door cards to the 1970 Dodge Charger we have in here at Bridge Classic Cars.
Kath carefully put together the two-piece door cards which are a key feature on the interior of this glorious Mopar. Kath went through each component to check its fit and finish before anything was put on the car, painstakingly marking out any points that would need a skilled hand turned to them.
The door cards themselves needed the openings cut into them for different handles and fixings so Kath broke out the tape measure. Each of the cuts made was a case of measure 10 times and cut once as with all of our interior work. The best way to get the perfect finish is to work with the car and that’s why we have a world-class trim shop.
Piece by piece, Kath put together the parts onto the door itself with all its bright work. The clips that fix the card to the door have to be eased onto the door as to not become deformed or move out of alignment so clip by clip the door card was installed onto the car.
Work on the interior of the 1970 Dodge Charger will continue in the Bridge Classic Cars trim shop in our next update on the blog
When work began on this 1970 Land Rover Series IIA, there was a slight bit of confusion. Originally it was thought to be a Series III but thankfully, we have Scott who drives a Series II every day to work.
The other bit that had us scratching our heads somewhat was working out what engine it. The last MOT certificate stated it was petrol, but once Ady opened up the bonnet he was faced with an Injection Pump and Glowplugs. Meaning that sometime between then and now, a diesel engine had been put in its place.
Either way, we need to get the Series IIA running. So, our in-house engine wizard Ady had the injection pump sent off to a nearby specialist to be rebuilt and tested. Within a couple of days, the pump was back here at Bridge Classic Cars.
Next Ady had noted some wiring that didn’t quite make sense. A positive cable leading from the glowplug to the frame, in the same way a ground would be routed. After looking into the matter to be double sure, Ady removed the old wiring and rewired up the glowplug to the correct set-up.
Now, it is time to prep the engine for its first fire-up since being with us. Which you will see very soon here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog
This beautiful 1974 Triumph TR6 arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop this morning for John to begin looking into an issue with the wiring. The issue is that a mouse has managed to eat through part of the loom causing the car to have some issues.
The customer has told us that it was being stored in its Carcoon when he went to go and start the car but nothing would work.
So, our workshop manager and wiring guru John is having a look into the issue. Because of the damage done to one of the cables, as soon as the car was powered on, it melted several wires. Now, John must try and get access to the back of the dashboard to follow the trail…
Our technician Mauro has been waiting on some parts for the 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible for some time now. These parts have all had to be sourced from the US so there is bound to be a bit of a wait for them.
The car was assessed and inspected so that all the parts could be ordered in one go but first on the list is the rear axle seals and wheel cylinders. Mauro had noted down a small leak coming from the rear axle and while the rear drums have to be removed for the axles to come out, we thought it best practice to service the rear brakes. In all, their condition was fine. The shoes had plenty of material and all the hardware looked straight and in good order.
So, Mauro decided that just the wheel cylinders would need replacement. As we got the axle out, the backing plates off the drums it was time to pull the old leaking seals out. Carefully, Mauro removed the old seals and prepped the area to receive the brand new seals. They went in perfectly.
Working back out, Mauro began to put the drums back together. As he did, he replaced the wheel cylinders and bled the system. So now, there’s just one more job to do on the back end of the Mustang…
October 11, 2021 11:37 amPublished by Craig Ranson
As its name suggests, E10 petrol contains up to 10 per cent ethanol, twice the proportion of the E5 grade which has been the standard for the last decade.
Worry not, the Government has pledged that there will be continued supplies of E5 petrol when E10 goes on sale, however, it may only be sold in the form of ‘Super’ grade unleaded and for how long, we haven’t had confirmed.
What are the effects on classic cars?
The main issues of increased Ethanol in the fuel are corrosion based. It degrades older rubber pipes and diaphragms, as well as cork, Zinc and Aluminium.
If the correct procedures have not been made, cars in long term storage can be affected too; fuel left in the tank, tubes and carbs will corrode them so therefore should be removed.
One of the other key concerns is how Ethanol will turn water acidic. Any water in the fuel system will draw out the Ethanol, which will then corrode metals such as fuel tanks and carburettor bowls. Ethanol breaks down sludge deposits in fuel tanks and pipes, which can then become blockages in filters and jets.
Ethanol contains oxygen, the increase in Ethanol means an increase in oxygen percentage, which in turn effectively reduces the fuel/air mixture and makes the engine run slightly lean. In a modern car, this is automatically adjusted by the ECU, whereas a classic with no ECU, needs further assistance.
E10 conversion by Bridge Classic Cars
All classic cars can run on E10 but all will need certain adjustments and changes to be made. No two are the same so it is impossible to offer a set figure to carry out a conversion but doing a relatively inexpensive upgrade will increase the life of your classic car and provide you with many more years of pleasurable driving.
The use of high-grade Nitrile pipes in place of the existing rubber ones will prevent pipe wear and replacement of fuel pumps for E10 rated will ensure you are safely preserving the components.
The fuel tank/s are removed, cleaned and assessed. The in-tank filter is replaced with a new, E10 compliant alternative.
All fuel lines are subjected to a full Nitrile pipe upgrade.
The in-line fuel filter and the fuel pump are replaced with an E10 rated component.
Our in-house technicians will strip, clean and service the carburettors. Cork gaskets are replaced with E10 rated alternatives (where possible)
The carburettors are altered to provide a slightly richer mixture, either by adjustment where the units allow, or the replacement of jets and emulsion tubes.
If you would like to talk about the conversion or need any more information on converting your classic car to run E10 fuel, then please get in touch!
The carburettors on the 1973 Fern Grey Jaguar E Type Series 3 Roadster are freshly rebuilt. Our master engine builder Ady spent many hows carefully dismantling each and every component to check for any damage.
Each of the pieces was given a clean bill of health by Ady. From there it was time to clean down every surface of the giant Strombergs. Ady always takes great pride in his work, he sat there and hand cleaned every individual part to continuously inspect the component while he cleaned away years of dirt.
With a full gasket rebuild kit, Ady managed to get the Carburettors back together in an afternoon, performing a small part of the set-up while still on the bench.
Next up for the carburettors is to be bolted up the manifold and put back on that glorious V12. Expect to see that very soon on the Bridge Classic Cars website.
It is now live! The auction of our 1965 Amphicar that was completely restored in-house by Bridge Classic Cars is live on the Car & Classic website.
This car has had everything imaginable done to it. Not a single system hasn’t been made the best it can possibly be. To the point where it is completely road legal and water certified.
Also, this particular Amphicar (one of just 4000 built) is one of the first known to be completely E10 compliant. Meaning this is really the most useable classic car and a classic boat you could find.
Head over to the Car & Classic Auction by clicking the link below!
Here at Bridge Classic Cars, our in-house restoration technician Mauro is hard at work continuing to teardown, inspect and catalogue the front end parts of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2.
The steering on any sportscar is what is known to give that feel we all know and love. And for that, it needs to be in perfect shape. So, it’s now the turn of the steering rack of the DB2. Mauro has carefully removed each component from the rack itself.
These will be inspected thoroughly before refurbishment begins.
It’s crucial with a restoration to take note of what you take off the car. Our in-house restoration technician Mauro is fanatical about this. So, the job of tearing down the front axle of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 that we have at Bridge Classic Cars naturally fell to him.
Bolt by bolt, piece by piece Mauro has gone through the entire assembly on the ’50s sportscar. Carefully and meticulously Mauro labelled and catalogued each piece ready for assessment and refurbishment.
This DB2 is having a full restoration in-house by our incredible teams. Keep a lookout for more updates on the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 on our News Page
It’s been an absolute treat to have one of the most iconic muscle cars of all time in the trim shop of Bridge Classic Cars. This 1970 Dodge Charger. The 2nd generation Chargers are without a doubt, one of the best-looking muscle cars built.
This particular 1970 Charger is in with our expert in-house trim team to be fitted out with a brand new interior. First up, Kath began to fit the headliner to the Charger. Covering such an expanse in fabric can be daunting, but for the Bridge Classic team, it’s not a problem. Working through the car methodically allowed Kath to stretch and pull the headliner into shape and give it the best finish possible.
Each of the ribs was carefully moved into its position millimetre by millimetre to ensure it was level and square. These spars allow the fabric some element of give but also when they are correctly installed, gives the best finish with no ripples or waves.
Whilst installing the headliner, Kath did note a small area of corrosion on the shell by the back window. It had been treated and wasn’t structural. In any case, we always let our clients know and suggest a course of action. At this time, it will be underneath the headliner. As said, it’s not in a structural location, it has been treated and on inspection by our body shop team, it is perfectly fine for years to come.
Updates on the rest of the interior will be up very soon so keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.
The 1973 MGB Roadster we currently have in at Bridge Classic Cars for work has been having its cooling system gone through.
Our in-house restoration technician Ady last time worked on removing the water pump and the old radiator from this iconic little sportscar. New parts were put on order and have now been fitted into the front of the bright red MG B.
A completely new water pump has been fitted to make sure that when it is eventually driven, the temperatures stay nice and safe. Working alongside the new water pump is the replacement radiator.
This was crucial in the cooling system as the old one had seen better days and on the advice of our in-house technician, a new one was fitted for peace of mind.
More will be coming up soon on the MGB Roadster so be sure to keep an eye on our News Page.
The 1965 Amphicar is already quite a unique and rare piece of automotive history. But, an original convertible hood cover? Slightly rare than hen’s teeth. However, after some research, we found a company in the States who make them!
We had one shipped to us here for our 1965 Amphicar which was installed by our in-house master trimmers. As you can see, it looks absolutely brilliant!
Whilst out on the original photo shoot for our 1965 Amphicar, our Marketing manager Freddie snapped this photo.
It’s a stunning VW Type 2 Camper. There’s something just so charming about these vans that are beloved by young and old that crosses all divides. This one is finished really nicely and obviously is loved by its owner.
The clouds grew ominous in the late September sky. Rain threatened to fall at any moment on the shoot. The car had only been in our possession a matter of minutes before it was whisked off the back of our enclosed Transporter and off to the shoot location. There was no time to spare.
The timeframe was tight. Shoot and edit the photos and videos for the latest Bridge Classic Cars Competitions car before the release of the latest James Bond 007 film, No Time to Die. Why? Because the Sunbeam Alpine was the first bond car. It appeared in Dr No with Sean Connery behind the wheel as the worlds most famous secret agent.
This particular Alpine had been dry stored for over 20 years before its previous owner had it completely rebuilt. A folder containing photographs of the rebuild came with the car stripped all the way back to bare metal and then worked on from the ground up. This car has been lovingly used by its previous owner, who is a true classic car enthusiast, for several years whilst also ensuring it is kept in the best condition possible for an in-use classic. That also includes the engine…
Without hesitation, the 1725cc 4-cylinder fired into life. The previous owner spent countless hours and no expense was spared getting the engine to perform and run perfectly. This particular engine has less than 1000 miles on it since being completely rebuilt to better than new condition. Along with the engine, this Sunbeam Alpine is fitted with the much-needed overdrive gearbox. Making it more useable as a classic in today’s modern world for its next lucky owner.
All of this was evident as we pulled away from the hanger. It revved out beautifully towards the lowering sun on the horizon. For take after take, the Sunbeam delivered faultlessly over and over again with Charlotte at the helm. As the temperature dropped along with the light, the Sunbeam still kept going. Its near-perfect interior offering no warmth with the roof off but still the best seat in the house when it came to a late summer evening jaunt.
It buzzed up and down the track without so much as a hesitation or stumble. The brakes were faultless, as proved when a herd of deer emerged from the undergrowth during a run. Not a problem for the Alpine, it gracefully and quickly came to a dead-straight stop.
With the light waning from under the wooded horizon, it was time to head back to the hanger.
There are certain things that get handed down through the generations. Something sentimental that have a certain connection to a person or place. This is true with his fabulous 1959 MGA Twin Cam that we currently have at Bridge Classic Cars for storage.
We are looking after the car for a customer at our Bentwaters storage facility for a while. This car was originally owned by the customer’s father who at one time was the manager of the Chevron racing team. A nice connection between Bridge Classic Cars and Chevron was the recent 1972 Chevron B20 Formula 2 car we auctioned on Collecting Cars.
This beautiful pale blue Twin Cam car has been rebuilt and restored from the ground up. It also appears to have had somewhat of competition history, with several newspaper cuttings from club races. The current owner has sent over some wonderful images of the recommission that was undertaken on the car to show the extent of what has been completed on the car.
Work is continuing on the 1973 MG B Roadster that is in at Bridge Classic Cars to be recommissioned. This time, our in-house restoration technicians are looking into the cooling system. A crucial part of any classic.
The reason we needed to remove the radiator was to gain access to the water pump. This was due for replacement as Ady had noticed it begin to weep. Whilst the radiator is out, it allows our in-house team to inspect and assess the radiator itself to see if it needs any repairs or is in need of replacement.
Keep a lookout on our news page for any updates on the MG B Roadster.
Work has begun at Bridge Classic Cars on stripping down and cataloguing the rear axle components for the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 we have in with us for full restoration.
Our in-house restoration technicians carefully removed the rear axle from the car in order to have it in a safe and accessible place to begin the teardown. Mauro carefully removed each component, taking care as to not damage any original pieces of the rear assembly.
The rear end will be completely rebuilt in preparation for the rest of the components coming back from refurbishment.
Hopefully, you will have all seen the news by now but if not, Bridge Classic Cars have got a fantastic 1966 Sunbeam Alpine in with us in our workshop. Yes, the same as Sean Connery drove in the James Bond film Dr No. This is going to be a competition car which one lucky winner will be drawn.
This honest and really rather lovely 60s sports car also has an incredibly rare hardtop! so no matter the weather it can be enjoyed by its future owner. At Bridge Classic Cars, our in-house teams will assess the car soon to come up with a plan to get the Sunbeam to a stage where it can be instantly used and enjoyed.
Keep checking the blog for more updates on this fantastic car.
This beautiful 1964 Morgan 4/4 has been in with us at Bridge Classic Cars for a couple of issues.
Most notably is the rough running from the 1600cc engine. After inspection, our in-house technician Ady discovered there was an issue with the manifold that was causing the exhaust to blow and therefore the engine to run poorly.
With this information, we managed to source a replacement manifold for the car and fit it. However, the replacement manifold didn’t quite line up with the threaded hole on the cylinder head. So, carefully Ady elongated the holes to allow it to bolt up while also keeping the gaskets perfectly in place to achieve the correct seal.
After this had been done and the manifold connected back up to the exhaust system. Our in-house team went through the entire system from engine to exhaust box to check everything was working exactly as it should on the Morgan.
Some of our cars come from further afield than others. Take for instance this lovely Sunbeam Rapier.
Now you might be able to tell by the photos that this car isn’t coming in from the UK. This car has actually called the continent of Africa home for its life. Specifically South Africa.
It will be coming into us to be assessed and have its new home here in the UK. Recently this car has done an epic 1800km road trip from Johannesburg to Pringle Bay with its owner. The car itself had been restored by Rapier expert Barney Curtis before his passing.
The owner in South Africa wrote a wonderful piece in the Summer 2019 edition of Cut & Thrust about this road trip and the most important thing we took away from it was that it never skipped a beat thanks to the work done by Barney Curtis.
Expect to see more on this Sunbeam when it arrived with us later on.
The 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkI is a perfect example of the sportscar built under the supervision of David Brown during his time as the head of Aston Martin.
This particular Aston Martin DB2/4 is in at Bridge Classic Cars for a full restoration. Recently it has been worked on by our master fabricator Clinton to make sure that all the metalwork throughout the cars body and frame is in the best shape before the next stage for the car. Now, it’s time to start dismantling and cataloguing the front and rear suspension assemblies plus the steering system. Our technician Mauro meticulously worked his way through each system carefully noting down the position of anything that has an adjustment so when it comes time to reassemble the DB2/4 it can be back in the same position it was taken off in.
You may have seen last time that some of the parts which had been prepared by our technician Lydia went into be primed in our in-house paint shop. Very soon, it will be the turn of this stunning ’50s GT sportscar to enter the booth for our masterful paint team to get it looking absolutely perfect.
Check-in very soon on the blog page for more updates on the DB2/4
This is indeed a wonderful example of 1930s excess and style. Almost industrial in its engineering but so ornate in its look. It is of course the 1930 Packard 740 Waterfield Convertible that is in at Bridge Classic Cars to have a list of jobs completed.
Thankfully, the customer supplied us with copies of the original technical manuals for the car for our technicians to work from. Scott, our in-house restoration technician, began to work on removing and adjusting the massive rear drums.
Of course with such a rare car, extreme care needed to be taken whilst removing any component from the car. As Scott gently prised the drum faces off to gain access to the shoes underneath, he carefully and methodically laid out each component that was removed from the Waterfield Convertible. Scott had noted that the drums felt a touch loose considering the size and weight of the vehicle, refering to the manual he found they did in fact need adjustment.
Once the rear brakes had been inspected, cleaned up and adjusted, Scott meticulously worked his way back to getting the drums back on this beautiful car.
At the same time as Scott was working at the rear of the Packard, John was going through his work list at the front. Carefully checking the operation of each light and noting any changes or anything untoward. The customer had made a note of the headlights not being too bright when being used. John investigated into this
September 30, 2021 7:42 amPublished by Craig Ranson
Bridge Classic Cars have been working on a bit of a modern classic recently. This 1998 Honda Integra Type R has previously had a list of metal work done to it by our in-house body shop along with a full engine bay clean up and resprayed in its factory Championship White.
Now though, it is time for the back and the top of the car to receive the same treatment. The rear quarter panels needed some attention from the Bodyshop so to make sure it all looked as good if not better than the day it arrived on the showroom floor 23 years ago.
Our in-house paint expert Chris carefully prepared each panel to make sure the best results were achieved for our customer. The results are absolutely sensational.
September 29, 2021 11:35 amPublished by Craig Ranson
It’s been a little while since the last update on the 1987 Daimler Double Six currently in with us at Bridge Classic Cars.
Since the last time, this Daimler has had all its brightwork and trim removed for our in-house restoration team to assess anybody repairs that need to be made to preserve this classic example of British luxury for many more years to come.
Tamas, one of our restoration technicians, has been carefully removing and safely storing each piece of trim that has been taken off the car. Methodically working his way around the entire car until it as you see in the photos.
Since the tear-down has been completed, expect to see more updates very soon on the News Page about this much forgotten Classic.
September 28, 2021 1:05 pmPublished by Craig Ranson
The MG B Roadster. A staple of British Sportscars for decades. Beloved by many for its small, lightweight feel but its solid reliability.
This particular 1973 MG B Roadster has come into Bridge Classic Cars for recommissioning. It will be assessed by each of our in-house restorations teams to determine what needs to be done and in what order.
It’s lovely to see a car that is still so original but has led an honest and enjoyed life in its previous years. But, the time has come for this iconic sportscar to be bought back to its former glory.
September 28, 2021 10:44 amPublished by Craig Ranson
Scott has been hard at work on the one-off 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 Roadster that is being built here at Bridge Classic Cars.
This marks a milestone in the cars journey. Since this is a bespoke E Type project for a very special client, it has had a very bespoke suspension set up. But, to make sure everything fits and works as it should, the car needed to be down on the floor. This meant fitting up its wheels and starting the suspension set up.
Once this unique E type was down on the ground Scott could begin work on adjustment to the set-up. This is not the final set-up as we still need to have everything in the car before its complete suspension can truly begin. But, Scott wanted to check there would be no interference from any components as they cycled and as they rotated.
Success. Everything fitted just as Scott had hoped and as intended like any of the Bridge Classic Car Projects.
Next up for Fern Grey, is getting started on the wiring…
September 27, 2021 7:46 amPublished by Craig Ranson
With American V8s the first thing you notice in the engine bay is the Rocker Covers.
One of the most iconic of these is the historic ”Cobra by Ford” covers that graced the tops of some of the most legendary race and sportscar engines the American continent has ever produced.
Our 1967 Ford Mustang has got these very covers fitted on top of its small-block V8. These covers will be refinished in-house by our paint and body teams to make sure that when they go back on, they look just like, if not better, than the day they were fitted.
September 24, 2021 1:12 pmPublished by Craig Ranson
It’s not every day that you get asked to service such a rare and unique piece of American pre-war history.
But when the customer arms us with the complete checklist to carry it out, there’s no question on what needs doing. One of our most senior techniains (and workshop controller) John, took charge of working on the vast Packard. Beginning with a full inspection of components and systems while then working his way through each of the service items listed in the book.
When it comes to servicing and maintaining classic and vintage vehicles, Bridge Classic Car has a vast amount of history and knowledge in these matters. From the smallest jobs to the largest restorations, Bridge Classic Cars in Suffolk, UK can always lend a hand.
September 24, 2021 11:42 amPublished by Craig Ranson
The last time we showed you the assessment done on the wonderful 1990 Range Rover CSK that we currently have in at Bridge Classic Cars for sympathetic restoration.
After the assessment was done by our technician Mauro, the first port of call was to try and get the 3.9 litre V8 to fire into life. From the assessment, we could see all of the soft fuel lines had cracked and were too brittle to attempt to be pressurised. For that, Mauro fitted up a testbed fuel system to ensure the Range Rover would get all the fuel it could need.
As mentioned in a previous blog post, the starter motor had failed. Before rigging up the fuel, Mauro installed the brand new starter motor to the engine to make sure the big V8 would turn over well enough to be fired.
With the testbed system in place, it was a case of adding the fuel, the air and spark into the chambers. Success. The now 31-year-old V8 roared into life inside of our workshop.
Next on the list of mechanical checks for the CSK while it’s here at Bridge Classic Cars, is to see if the Range Rover will move under its own power…
September 24, 2021 10:32 amPublished by Craig Ranson
This is probably the nicest 1998 Honda Integra Type R you will see. After having all its metalwork done, it was turned over to our amazing and talented in-house paint team to work their skills on.
This Integra Type R had the engine bay prepped for painting the last time you saw it on an update. Now, thanks to our in-house master painter Chris, it is back out of the booth and looks absolutely stunning finished in its original Championship White under the late summer sun.
Next up for the Integra is to begin putting this undervalued future classic back together! Look out for more updates on the News Page.
September 24, 2021 8:11 amPublished by Craig Ranson
We use cookies to deliver the best possible experience whilst visiting our website. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies, or you can manage your preferences by clicking the link below. You can manage your preferences at any time from out Cookie Policy page.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
