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classic car restoration uk

Classics at the Castle – Hedingham Castle

August 2, 2022

As part of the Porsche Club GB events calendar, Sunday the 25th of September saw the celebration of classic Porsches from 1948 to 1973 at Hedingham Castle.

There aren’t many better ways we like to spend our weekends than at classic car shows, so the Bridge Classic Cars team spent some time at this event.

The cars we saw there looked incredible and the whole day was a really enjoyable experience (our photos below show just some of the cool cars we saw).

We look forward to returning again next time!

Click here to see more details!

Featured – Our 1995 Dodge Viper RT/10 in the East Anglian Daily Times

August 2, 2022

The latest competition from Bridge Classic Cars, our 1995 Dodge Viper RT/10, has been featured in the East Anglian Daily Times recently.

Previously, our 1948 Morris Minor MM Lowlight was featured in an article by EADT and was won by Matthew Sugden who is an Ipswich local! So, with this competition, the team at EADT have run the story of how we’re giving someone the chance to own one of the most iconic supercars of the 1990s for just a few pounds.

You can get your tickets here or read the full article here.

Progress – Servicing and Inspecting the 1984 Lada 1200

August 2, 2022

The 1984 Lada 1200 is in the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop for the teams to carry out several jobs on.

Firstly, the team have fully serviced the classic Lada before performing a complete and thorough inspection of the car. During that, they found the top tank on the radiator had split and was causing a coolant leak.

Next, they noted several rubber bushes including the ball joint rubbers have split or perished.

While under the car, our technician Jon replaced the steering idler while replacing the split ball joint rubbers and then removing the seat which was taken upstairs to our in-house trim shop to be repaired.

Touch Up – Repairing the Seat on the 1984 Lada 1200

August 2, 2022

While the Bridge Classic Cars workshop team have been working on the mechanical side of the 1984 Lada 1200, our in-house trim shop took the opportunity to repair one of the seats.

The rear of the seat base had developed several tears in the material, so our trimmer Lydia began by removing the seat cover and inspecting the damage. While apart, Lydia put a new layer of modern foam on top of the seat foam for added comfort.

Then, using small pieces from the underside of the seat she carefully put them into place covering the holes while also repairing some of the piping that surrounds the base.

To The Core – Stripping Back More Interior Pieces on the 1958 Jensen 541R

August 2, 2022

The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars has been working on stripping back more interior pieces from the 1958 Jensen 541R.

Lydia, one of our trimmers, has carefully been taking apart the original pieces all the way back to their core components in order to inspect and assess the structure underneath. Each of the pieces was taken off and visually checked over individually.

Fitted – Mount, Panels and Hinges Fitted to the 1956 Jensen 541

August 2, 2022

The restoration workshop at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ have been working on getting the various mounts, brackets and hinges into place on the 1956 Jensen 541.

To begin with, our technician Rob made new arch filler panels which bridge the gap between the frame and the fibreglass body, blending the two together for strength and alignment.

Then, he could turn his attention to the various hinges around the classic GT car. At the front, Rob made a new strengthening bracket which sits behind the fibreglass for the bonnet hinges. The brackets are welded into the firewall and chassis for rigidity and to take the load of the one-piece clamshell bonnet.

At the rear, the workshop team mounted the boot hinges in place and use the boot lid for mock-up to adjust the placement of hinges to make sure the panel fitment is just right for the car.

This Just In – 1968 Morris Mini 850 MkII

August 2, 2022

Just arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshops at our Suffolk HQ is this wonderful 1968 Morris Mini 850 MkII with an incredible story.

The car is coming in for our restoration teams to inspect and assess the entire car to compile their condition reports on the car – checking everything mechanical and aesthetic.

The story of this car is brilliant:

The car is one of 90 believed to still be on the road from the 206,000 Morris Mini MkII’s built.

Built on the 20th of June 1968, by the 26th of that month the car was on its way to C D Hay & Son in Cyprus for its new owner where the car would spend the next 41 years. In 1974, following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the car was locked away until being uncovered in 2015 where it was then handed over to a restoration specialist on the island to bring back to its former glory.

Due to it being hidden away not long after its build, the MkII still has its original, matching numbers 850cc engine and gearbox to this day – Leading us to believe the displayed 10,354 miles are genuine.

In 2017, the beautiful little MkII was brought back to the UK.

Bridge Classic Cars Classic & Sports Car & Bike Show 2022

August 1, 2022

The morning began with a haze. The rain from the night had settled into a fine mist as the team arrived at The Hangar. As the early morning sun rose higher, and the cars made their way out of the ex-aircraft hangar the stillness was broken by the sound of friends.

Friends driving everything from the latest supercars to the most humble of pre-war saloons and everything imaginable in between.

The crowds grew larger as the blanket of rain eased off and row upon row was filled with eclectic machines. This was the starting point for the 2022 Bridge Classic Cars Classic & Sports Car & Bike Show.

Our friends, which came out in their masses, walked around and checked out not just our own cars but others. Familiar faces greeted new arrivals bringing them into the community which sits at the core of all petrolheads. The clock got closer to 10 AM, the point at which all of us would leave the airforce base start point on a 13-mile tour of the surrounding areas towards the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop at Pettistree where the rest of the team excitedly awaited their arrival.

As the line of cars stretched as far as the eyes could see in either direction, the Pettistree team organised everyone into their spaces.

Dozens of neat rows stretched either side of the main entrance, and as far back as possible. The mixture of cars coming through the front gates was a wonderful sight, people of all ages and backgrounds coming together to celebrate the simple cause of everything automotive.

As our friends milled and ambled their way through the countless dozens of cars – The energy ramped up towards our workshop where the party was happening. The team had organised the amazing Powters to handle the food and coffee while the incredible Three Chordettes supplied the soundtrack to everyone’s morning.

The weather came in dribs and drabs but it didn’t change the atmosphere. The constant wave of people going through our workshops to talk to our restoration teams about things we’re doing or questions they had settled into a rhythm. The streams of people looking around our competitions building at our latest competitions created a buzz and extra excitement in the air.

Throughout the day, more cars came and went with the top fields and the concrete pads always filled with the sound of engines and the smell of slightly overrich carburettors.

Our shows are always a highlight of our year. In recent years, due to world events, we have missed being able to have all of our friends in one place. Since coming back last year, the Classic & Sports Car & Bike Show has grown from strength to strength with this year being the biggest attendance of all the years we’ve been doing it.

The whole team at Bridge Classic Cars would like to thank each and every person who came out to display, support or enjoy. We can’t wait to see you all next year!

Take a look at the full Official Gallery below:

Also, check out the various Instagram stories from our friends!

This Just In – 1981 Volkswagen Scirocco Storm

August 1, 2022

Recently arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ deep in the heart of the Suffolk countryside is this glorious 1981 Volkswagen Scirocco Storm.

The classic water-cooled VW has come in to be fully inspected and assessed by the team restoration teams who will compile their report on the classic coupe and report back.

Keep a look out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more updates on the 1981 Volkswagen Scirocco Storm very soon.

In Place – Adjusting the Doors, Fitting Ball Joints and Fixing the Exhaust on the 1968 MG B GT

July 29, 2022

The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on getting a few bits and pieces from the 1968 MG B GT in the right place.

The team have adjusted the door on the classic MG to perfectly line up on the request of the owner. Our technician Jon has got the two pieces of trim to meet perfectly and look uniform down the flanks of the classic sports car.

From there, Jon could move on to to replacing some of the rubber bushes in the suspension of the classic MG B. These had perished and begun to split, so were replaced.

The owner had noted the exhaust was hanging very low on the car. Upon inspection, Jon had found the exhaust itself was in good condition but the mounts and hangers had been fitted incorrectly on the car previously. After rectifying the problem, the exhaust was now neatly tucked up underneath the car.

Relay – New Relays in the 1979 Porsche 911 Targa

July 28, 2022

As part of the wiring clean-up on the 1979 Porsche 911, the Bridge Classic Cars team have replaced a set of relays in the classic aircooled 911.

The team noticed the relays which control the horn on the 911 were intermittently working, so new ones were placed on order and fitted to the car as part of the wiring work the team have been doing to the car before it heads to its new home.

On test, all was working on the car after the replacements were fitted.

Gleaming – New Chrome Trim on the 1968 MG B GT

July 28, 2022

The workshop at Bridge Classic Cars have been methodically fitting the new chrome trim around the roof and windows of the 1968 MG B GT.

Carefully, our technician Jon removed the old chrome trims from the car keeping them complete to use as reference. Systematically he worked his way around the sides of the car to remove them from the car and then once everything was off the car, cleaned up any debris which had gone into the cabin.

After that, he could begin to fit the new set of trims and making sure the all-important slip-clips lined up perfectly on the classic sports car.

Behind the Scenes – Shooting the 1995 Dodge Viper RT/10

July 28, 2022

The time had come. As the glorious 8-litre V10 fired into life, the rapturous noise bouncing off the walls of the legendary Bentwaters Hush House you could feel the excitement of the team build.

It was finally time, to shoot our latest competition – the legendary 1995 Dodge Viper RT/10.

After being inspected by the Bridge Classic Cars workshop and cleared for filming, it was taken over to our secure storage facility, The Hangar, for the team to start work.

The Hush House, an old engine testing facility on the base, has been the background for several of our own photoshoots as well as a basis for photoshoots by major racing teams and manufacturers. The 2022 Williams F1 livery was revealed with the images of their F1 car in its extractor tunnel.

As Freddie, eased the Viper into the tunnel, the noise only grew in its ferocity and volume. The team then got the car perfectly into position before filming the all-important reveal sequence, giving you the first glimpses of this 1990s supercar icon. From there, Craig along with Freddie, eased the car down the ramps and out of the tunnel to get everything set up to let the Viper stretch its legs on the ex-American Air Base.

As Craig ran the Viper through the gears on the old turning circle, the supercar flexed its muscles. The sight and sound of this bedroom poster come to life was enough to have the whole team smiling as it accelerated past the camera car.

And now, it could be yours…

That’s right! Bridge Classic Cars are giving you the chance to own one of the rawest and most visceral supercars to have ever existed for just a few pounds. Head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website now and get your tickets for the 1995 Dodge Viper RT/10.

Or, to check out the full gallery and video have a look below!

Going Deeper – Assessing the Rear Wings and Sills of the 1986 Daimler DS420

July 28, 2022

The fabrication shop at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk restoration HQ have begun to look deeper into the corrosion on the bottom of the 1986 Daimler DS420.

The fabrication team began by cutting a section of the bottom of the Offside Rear Wing which had corroded on the bottom before removing the outer skin of the wing around the entire arch all the way down to the sill.

At the sill, they have trimmed back the outer sill to expose the inner structure to check for any corrosion or damage to that area.

Going Back Together – 1970 Bristol 411 Reassembly

July 28, 2022

The workshop at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ have begun the process of getting the interior of the 1970 Bristol 411 following its in-house LHD conversion.

The trim team recently installed the carpet set into the floor of the classic GT car, and from there the workshop team could start to put the seats and all other pieces into the car. Along with that, they can start to align all the panels as part of its aesthetic work and finish off getting the trims and wiring/plumbing routed in the engine bay.

Refining – Bodywork on the 2005 Suzuki Everyvan

July 28, 2022

The paint and body team are working on refining the 2005 Suzuki Everyvan in with Bridge Classic Cars.

Our body and paint tech Alan has been reworking the panels of the tiny campervan to make sure everything lines up perfectly but also each pieces flows correctly into the next while fairing out some of the compound curves at the front of VW look-a-like.

Soon, the microbus will go into the paint booth to be refinished.

Progress – New Seat Mounts and Panel Adjustments on the 1956 Jensen 541

July 28, 2022

The workshop at Bridge Classic Cars have been making good progress on the 1956 Jensen 541 at our Suffolk HQ for restoration.

To begin with, our technician Rob, has made and welded in the new seat mounts into the specially made chassis of the classic GT car and ground them smooth to blend them into the cross member.

After that, Rob could begin to adjustment refine the fitment of the doors by carefully reshaping the front and rear wings to achieve a uniform door gap on both sides of the car.

Check Through – Rewiring the Washer and Tell-Tale Light on the 1979 Porsche 911 Targa

July 28, 2022

Our technician Jon has been carrying on with getting all the wiring of the 1979 Porsche 911 Targa finished up and ready to head off to its new home.

He has wired up the new washer pump (along with the new wipers) and tested them to make sure everything worked correctly and they cleared the screen properly.

Then, Jon could turn his attention to some of the lighting system. The team noted that the signal light for the fog lights wasn’t working correctly, so Jon carried out a small wiring repair to the circuit before testing it and making sure it worked correctly for the new owner.

Small Repair – Repairing and Repainting the Door on the 1984 Lada 1200

July 28, 2022

The paint and body have been working on a small repair to the door of the 1984 Lada 1200.

After the panel itself had been fixed and prepared, the paint team could begin the delicate process of blending the repair back into the cream paint of the rest of the car.

For this, the team used our paint scanner to perfectly match the existing paintwork on the classic Lada. Then, using our paint mixing software our team feathered in the match paintwork to the car.

Qualified – The Bridge Classic Cars Team Get Their Forklift License

July 28, 2022

Recently, the Bridge Classic Cars team have been doing their training for their forklift license.

Earlier this week, it was time to actually take the test! Well, the team passed with flying colours and we can now use our new forklift to help with storage and moving restoration pieces around our various workshops.

Clean Up – Cleaning Up the Wiring on the 1979 Porsche 911 Targa

July 28, 2022

As part of the pre-delivery work on the 1979 Porsche 911 Targa, the workshop team have cleaned up some of the unneeded wiring under the bonnet of the classic aircooled 911.

Jon, one of Bridge Classic Cars restoration technicians, has carefully gone through each wire and system from the main fuse box to check the harness but also remove any redundant wiring to simplify the cars electrical system for its new owner.

After chasing the loom through the car, Jon reformed a couple of small wiring repairs to the main harness before testing each system individually and checking for continuity throughout the car front to back.

Festival of Classic & Sports Cars – Helmingham Hall

July 28, 2022

Held in association with the Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Club (SVEC). Over 7,000 people attended the 2021 festival.

Over 1000 vehicles attend, representing the last 10 decades of motoring history, including many from Britain’s motoring heyday – marques on display included Alvis, Bristol, Jensen, AC Riley, Armstong Sideley, Lea Francis, Crossley, BSA, Lagonda, Lanchester and Gordon Keeble. The oldest vehicle seen on display was a 1914 Ford Model T and the latest sports car models have included the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Mustang’s as well as Ferraris’ and Porsche.

Bridge Classic Cars will be there! Pop by our stand to meet the team and take a look at our 1971 MG B Roadster which will be won that afternoon.

Start: 10AM

Finish: 5PM

Progress – Wiring Up the 2022 Bridge C-Type Replica

July 26, 2022

The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on wiring up our 2022 Bridge C-Type Replica.

The harness has been routed through the body and frame of the car to be trimmed and connected where needed.

The team have also fit the spotlight which will sit behind the grille of the classic racer.

Behind the Scenes – Shooting the 1971 MG B Roadster at Helmingham Hall

July 26, 2022

After its full check-over by the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, the latest competition car was given the green light to go off for a very special shoot.

The soft and warm light of a summer’s evening set the perfect backdrop for a drive in a classic roadster. The delicate rays of light dancing over its British Racing Green paintwork only highlighted the timeless shape and sophistication of our 1971 MG B Roadster.

The location only added to that air. The stunning Helmingham Hall here in Suffolk, where our MG B Roadster will be won in just over 2 weeks’ time.

The team transported the car into the grounds of the country estate which would be used as the location for this shoot. The team jostled the car into position, perfectly framed by the brick archway of the entrance to the main house, before it was let loose on the grounds with Lucy and Lily at the helm of the classic roadster. The beautiful 1.8-litre 4-cylinder happily singing past the rows of oak trees that line the estate’s meandering roads.

With the roof down, the MG B’s beautiful black interior set a wonderful contrast against its driver and passenger. Highlighting the depth and grace of these much-loved sports cars.

It could have been a scene from a 1970s arthouse film – The amber hues from the building’s glorious red brickwork falling on the parched grass only to be shocked by the richness of the green on the car.

The magical nature of a roadster in summer is something all enthusiast drivers can appreciate. That feeling of letting the outside in, noticing the sights and sounds missed when completely enveloped in the steel and glass canopy of a coupe. Driving purely for the love of driving, nowhere to really go and no time to be there.

This sense of freedom, the air of sophistication and the theatre of life in a classic convertible could be yours. You could win this 1971 MG B Roadster! Head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website and get your tickets now for this amazing car. The live draw is due to take place at the Helmingham Hall Festival of Classic and Sports Cars on August 4th 2022.

Get your tickets now and be in with a chance of winning this truly breathtaking classic. Or, to check out the full behind-the-scenes gallery and video see below:

Removal – Stripping the Interior Wiring from the 1971 Bristol 411

July 26, 2022

The workshop team have been working on removing the wiring harness from the interior of the 1971 Bristol 411.

The wiring harness, which runs all up and inside the dashboard, has been taken out of the car connector by connector in preparation for the rewiring of the entire car. Each switch, gauge and light on the dashboard has been removed and disconnected from the harness for the team to safely remove and evaluate the dash harness on the bench before working in reverse to get the brand new unit in.

Hands-On – Leo Does His Work Experience at Bridge Classic Cars

July 25, 2022

Last week, Bridge Classic Cars welcomed our latest new face to our Suffolk workshops – Leo.

Leo came in to do his work experience placement with us. He has a passion for all things automotive and plans to get into either motorsports data analysis or motorsport management after qualifying.

While with us, he spent time with our restoration departments who got him to work straight away. The teams reported back that he did a great job and his attention to detail was excellent, especially the work he had done in the trim shop with our trimmer Lydia. Who supervised him from start to finish in making a one-off leather cushion bag.

We want to wish Leo all the best with the future and the best of luck possible in whatever he does moving forward!

Onto the Next Stage – Filler and Primer on the 1958 Jensen 541R

July 25, 2022

The 1958 Jensen 541R has had its filler work completed by the Bridge Classic Cars paint and body team. Chris, one of our paint and body specialist, has been carefully perfecting the body lines and curves of the classic Jensen with minimal filler work.

Each panel and piece was worked on by the team in the absolute pursuit of perfection. From electrical sanders to the finest of sandpaper, the team have made the body of the 1950s GT car superb.

Then, it was time to get all the panels and the body into our in-house spray booth.

The classic Jensen was then taken into the paint booth to have the 2nd round of its primer laid down. First was the normal primer before then having its body and all the panels finished in Polyfan.

The team will then inspect and assess the body before moving on to the next stage of the cars aesthetic work.

Safely Returned – 1960 Jensen 541S Hubcap Returned

July 22, 2022

We’re lucky to have an amazing community surrounding our restoration workshops in Suffolk. Recently on a test drive, the 1960 Jensen 541S ‘Peony’ lost one of its aftermarket wheel trims.

The team at Bridge Classic Cars scoured the road for hours trying to find the wheel trim. We couldn’t find it anywhere – but thankfully our local community came together.

Our local community group put out a message saying they had found a new shiny wheel trim on the same road we had lost it on! Well today, a member of the local litter picking group turned up with our missing trim right to our workshops!

We’re massively grateful for its safe return and we have looked into why the trim fell off in the first place and due to the fit being not as good as an original piece, it worked itself loose.

Put Back – Dash Reassembled and Hoses Back in the 1970 Bristol 411

July 22, 2022

The 1970 Bristol 411 which is in with Bridge Classic Cars to have its left-hand drive conversion done has been worked on by the workshop to complete some of the smaller jobs.

The team have reassembled the dashboard with the various dials and switches fitted back into the wooden surround.

In the engine bay, the team have fit up several new hoses to the classic Bristols V8 engine. The first is the new power steering hoses for the PAS system as part of its left-hand drive conversion with a custom-made steering rack. The hoses for this were made by a local specialist company who we have a good relationship with and have all been properly tested before being fit to the car.

Next, the team could route the new radiator hoses. This were changed over as standard procedure and some small changes to routing due to the PAS system.

Taken Apart – Disassembling the 1959 Jensen 541R

July 22, 2022

The teardown of the 1959 Jensen 541R continues at the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop at our Suffolk HQ.

Our restoration technicians have been methodically stripping down the classic GT car to assess and inspect any of the parts which have been taken off the car. One technician, Paul, has been working on stripping down the rear end of the car such as the boot with all of the accompanying fittings and hardware being removed and catalogued.

At the same, Jon has been working in the engine bay of the car. He has been carefully removing the various pipework which runs along the firewall and bulkhead of the car. All of this will be catalogued and reported on its condition.

Bridge Classic Cars are award winning Classic Car Restoration and Maintenance specialists. Your pride and joy is in safe hands with our expert Classic Car Technicians. Take a look at our awards here.

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