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classic car restoration uk

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.

Parts are In – Wiring Loom on the 1962 Jensen 541S

November 26, 2021

The wiring loom for the 1962 Jensen 541S that is in at Bridge Classic Cars has arrived! This means our world-class in-house restorations technicians can begin to slowly and carefully remove the old harness in preparation for the new loom to be put into the car.

Before the harness is removed, our technicians will check vital components and their connectors to ensure that the new loom will fit into place just as intended both neatly and safely back into this gorgeous British sports car.

We’re excited to see more on the 541S in the coming weeks!

Behind the Scenes – Live Draw of the 1974 Ford Escort Mk1 RS Mexico Recreation & REC 901 Watch Bundle

November 26, 2021

A bit of a change of venue with this week’s Live Draw for the 1975 Ford Escort RS Mexico Recreation and also for the REC 901 Watch & Automobilist print of a 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera RS. This time, the draw was bought to you from our very own Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop in Pettistree.

This week, being at the workshop, we thought we would give everyone a look around some of the restoration projects we currently have being worked on. Charlotte and Freddie carefully negotiated their way through the cars to give the audience the best views and little bits of information on each of the cars and the various stages of their restoration.

There was an inevitable question ”where’s the Mustang?” to which Charlotte let everyone know it was safe and sound being stored at The Hangar. However, we did have another competition car parked just behind the Escort RS Mexico, the stunning 1966 Mercedes Benz 250SE Coupe (which tickets are still available for!).

Charlotte gave our live viewers a look around the stunning green metal flaked RS Mexico Recreation with details added in by Freddie to guide our lucky audience around the car. Then, it was time for the main event!

Heading over to the laptop, Charlotte and Freddie ran through the way our draws are run (something we do every single time) to ensure everyone watching along is clear on how this live draw will work. First up, the watch.

As Charlotte entered the parameters for the ticket numbers onto the Google Random Number generator. As the number generator whizzed through, everyone on the pre-published entry list must have been holding their breath with anticipation. Then, appearing on the screen was number 819. After checking through the entry list on the live stream, it was Terry Dawson who became the lucky owner of the REC 901 Porsche Watch and Automobilist print.

Up next, the series of events which would make one very lucky person very happy thanks to Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. As Charlotte reset the numbers for the Google Random Number generator to select from between 1 and 4999. Then with a click of a button, the generator did its thing. The numbers flew past in a haze until it picked a number at complete random. Number 987. It had been the number given to Chris ONeill after his purchase of several tickets as part of Black Friday Event to bolster his chances of getting his hands on this amazing Mk1.

As Charlotte talked to the live audience to console or congratulate, the details for Chris were found by searching his ticket number in our database. Then Nick handed Charlotte the phone to call Chris. One ring. Two rings. Three Rings..

”Welcome to the answering service…” was the response. But just as the live stream had ended and the Bridge Classic Cars competitions began to pack up for the evening. The phone rang. It was Chris calling us back, and we honestly had never heard someone so excited when Charlotte told him where we were calling him from. After a quick chat on the phone and all of us congratulated him on his new 1975 Ford Escort Mk1 RS Mexico Recreation, it was time to wrap up this latest draw of the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.

If you fancy getting hold of a dream classic of your own, then head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website and enter now for your chance to win by clicking the link below.

Bridge Classic Cars Competitions

Preparing For It’s Big Day – Removing the Steering Box on the 1966 Mercedes 250SE Coupe

November 25, 2021

The 1966 Mercedes Benz 250SE Coupe is in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop today ahead of its competition draw to have its steering box removed.

On assessment by our in-house restoration teams, it was determined that the steering box would need to be removed and sent away to a specialist that we have used for many of our steering box rebuilds in the past. So, with that, Paul began to remove the box from the W111 Coupe.

After carefully pulling the unit from the car and inspecting all other components and systems connected to the steering box, all was deemed to be ok underneath the large german 2 door grand tourer.

There is still time to win this amazing car! Head over to Bridge Classic Cars Competitions to enter now!

Back in the Workshop – 1979 Arrow Daytona

November 25, 2021

This wonderful 1979 Arrow Daytona is back in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in Pettistree, Suffolk from being in storage.

It’s currently under covers while several cars are being worked on around the workshop while it awaits its time with our in-house restoration experts to carry on with the restoration of the car.

Keep an eye out here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog for updates on the Arrow Daytona.

This Just In – 1962 Jensen 541S

November 25, 2021

Bridge Classic Cars are happy to welcome another wonderful Jensen 541 into our restoration workshop. This particular car is a 1962 Jensen 541S which has arrived in our workshop for our in-house restoration teams to begin working through several jobs.

This car is going to have an entire wiring loom replaced by our in-house restoration technicians. This is down to a couple of wiring issues but thanks to our specialism in Jensen 541’s it is no problem for our world-class team. While the car is in our workshop, it will also have its steering column replaced for the owner.

We’re looking forward to getting to work on yet another Jensen 541, so keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.

Application of Skill – Remaking the Rear Quarter Trims for the 1956 Jensen 541

November 25, 2021

Brian is a true master of his trade. What started as a series of rotten wooden pieces became brand new pieces for the 1956 Jensen 541 that is in at Bridge Classic Cars.

Using what was left of the original pieces, Brian began to strip back and assess each piece to see if it could be salvaged and reused in the car to preserve any form of originality. Inch by inch Brian has recreated the pieces for the rear quarter trims from almost thin air. Using ply for the wooden pieces underneath, Brian began to wrap and prepare the pieces for the leather trimming.

In Good Hands – Sending Away the Jensen 541 Gearboxes to be Rebuilt.

November 25, 2021

With several Jensen 541’s restorations currently going through the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, it was time to send their gearboxes off to a local gearbox/transmission specialist with who we have been working with for several years.

These gearboxes and overdrive units will be completely rebuilt in preparation for when the cars are ready later in their respective restorations.

There will be more updates once these have been rebuilt at Last Transmissions and are back safely in our hands at Bridge Classic Cars.

This Just In – 1964 Triumph TR4

November 25, 2021

There are more arrivals this week at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in Pettistree this week! We’ve welcomed this absolutely stunning 1964 Triumph TR4 which is for some work to be recommissioned.

The TR4 is finished in a stunning, bright, vibrant red with a complimenting and classic black leather interior. The weathered Moto-Lita steering wheel adds to the story and the history of this stunning sports car which our in-house restoration technicians are eager to begin work on.

There are a few wiring jobs that need to be carried out along with a small running issue which will begin as soon as possible.

There will be more updates on the 1964 Triumph TR4 very soon here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.

This Just In – 1934 MG PA Midget

November 25, 2021

This is not an MG TD. In fact, it’s quite an early MG PA. This particular car belongs to one of our directors, Gordon, who has decided there are few jobs he would like doing on his new pride and joy.

The first stop will be into our in-house trim shop for a few bits and pieces that need sorting out and then it will be into the main workshop where our in-house restoration technicians will work on this wonderful 87-year-old Sports car.

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

From the Bottom to the Top – The Sills on the 1992 Toyota MR2 are Painted!

November 25, 2021

In the last update on the 1992 Toyota MR2: Paul, our in-house restoration technician, was busy cutting out the corroded and damaged sills of the bright red sportscar in preparation for its date with the Paint Shop.

Chris, who runs our in-house paint shop, has worked his magic on the JDM icon to seamlessly blend in the new sills that paul had grafted into the bottom of the car. Thanks to our state of the art paint mixing computer, Chris could get the colour as close to the existing paint on the car to best make it flow together. Then, the bottom part of the sills were finished in a glossy black hard coating to ensure their protection for many years to come.

I think we can all agree that if you hadn’t read the previous stories about the MR2, you’d think it was a brand new car. That is the magic of our in-house restoration teams.

In the Hands of Specialists – Sending Out Parts to Specialists

November 24, 2021

The latest batch of parts has been sent out to our local, trusted specialists for various treatments/rebuilds. Some parts will be sent away for sandblasting, vapour blastic and even sonic baths.

We use a selection of local companies we have built close working relationships with to send out our parts to be cleaned and prepared for any of the Bridge Classic Cars restorations.

Once these are returned, they will be stored and catalogued to wait for their return to the car.

From Scratch – Making the Rear Seat for the 1956 Jensen 541

November 24, 2021

Brian has been continuing to work on the interior of the 1956 Jensen 541 that is here at Bridge Classic Cars for restoration.

This time, Brian has been skillfully making the new rear seat by hand. To ensure the best fit, our in-house trim shop finds it best to do these by hand in order to get the best possible finish for the car.

Starting from a single solid block of foam, Brian transferred the template and began to cut it down to size. Slowly refining the shape until it was as close to perfect as possible and then going that last little bit to get it 100% spot on. Brian then began fitting in the braces and extra padding that is needed once the cover has been made and fitted to fit properly.

New and Improved – Working on the Interior of the 1968 Jaguar MkII

November 24, 2021

The interior of the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 is the next item on the list of jobs to complete for its very lucky owner. With this, it’s been down to our in-house trim expert Brian to carefully dismantle and evaluate the intricate interior of the MkII.

Removing both the front seats, Brian could begin to carefully pull up and remove the front carpet from the car. This is being done as part of the replacement with a brand new matching set of carpets we have got for the car. Also during this process, Brian removed several leather-wrapped panels and the centre console that will need Brian’s expert eye and skill cast over them.

With the centre console and seats out of the car, Brian also needed to remove the rear air vents for the next phase.

With the front carpets removed from the car and safely stored away in case they are needed. Brian could turn his attention to stripping down the rear seats and floors ready for the refit. For that, Brian also had to strip the leather from the original rear seat bases to prepare for the new kit.

With everything stripped, Brian could then put the new matching set into the car. And, they look absolutely incredible!

Back Out – Removing the Engine on the 1973 MGB GT V8

November 24, 2021

A few weeks ago, after firing the newly rebuilt V8 in the front of our 1973 MGB GT V8 for the first time, our in-house restoration technicians discovered some flecks of metal in the oil.

With this, our technicians have decided to take the engine back out of the front of this iconic purple sportscar and begin to diagnose what has happened. With a project such as this, it’s always done that after the engines first run in that everything is checked, doubled checked and then triple checked to ensure the health of the engine.

Thankfully, our in-house restoration experts are on hand to oversee the investigation and expect to see more here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.

The Level of Detail – Recovering the Dash and Ceiling Pad of the 1956 Jensen 541

November 23, 2021

It’s the small details on a restoration that we believe take it to a world-class finish. Interiors are a huge part of the experience of these cars for their very lucky owners as it’s the best seat in the house in our opinion. That’s why our in-house trim shop takes everything to the next level in terms of fit and finish.

Brian, one of our in-house trim experts here at Bridge Classic Cars, has been hard at work stripping down and recovering several of the larger components for the 1956 Jensen 541. Brian began by stripping back the original dash and ceiling pads ready for them to be recovered in matching red leather to the rest of the interior. Carefully, Brian worked his magic on revealing the original piece that lay under the weathered coverings for assessment.

The pieces themselves were in remarkable shape. So, very little was needed before they were prepared for their new look. Inch by inch, Brian began with the underlays for each piece making sure they were cut perfectly to size before being married to the piece. Then, using the best hide, Brian began the process that would make them complete.

Using his years of experience in high-end retrimming, Brian stretch and secured the leather to the piece making sure at each point that the coverings sat flat and straight onto the original 1950s pieces. As you can see, the results are sensational just like the rest of the interior on this wonderful early car.

First Signs of Life – Firing Up the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster

November 19, 2021

It’s Alive! The beautiful 5 litre V12 that sits at the heart of Fern Grey has cracked into life for the first time since its rebuild. This is a milestone for the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster that we have been building at Bridge Classic Cars.

The engine has been completely rebuilt but this was the first time it had been run since returning to our workshop and being installed in the nose of this unique, one of a kind E Type. The engine still has open headers so it sounds like an absolute animal whilst being run in the workshop with all those involved in the build to witness such a massive moment.

Scott and John have worked incredibly hard to get Fern Grey to this point and it was such a sight and sound to hear the engine run for the first time.

Class Act – Repairing the Drivers Seat on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

November 19, 2021

Brian has been working hard on the driver’s seat of the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 that is in at Bridge Classic Cars.

One of the jobs we had been asked to do by the owner was to repair the back of the driver’s seat on this amazing classic Jaguar. The back of the red leather seat had begun to come loose from the frame. This isn’t a problem for our incredible in-house trim shop who removed the seat and began to strip everything back down.

Brian removed the original coverings of both the seat back and the side panels to use as a pattern for the new red leather covers. Our expert in-house trim team worked on wrapping the pieces in new leather and securing them to the original seat frame.

As you can see, the results are phenomenal.

Moving Forward – The 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster Gets Closer to the End

November 19, 2021

Our in-house restoration technicians have been hard at work on Fern Grey, the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster, which is being built and restored in-house by Bridge Classic Cars here in Suffolk.

Whilst John, our workshop manager, has been working on getting all of the wiring on the E Type preparing it for its first fire up. Our other technician Paul has been working alongside Scott to begin to fit the brightwork and body trim back onto this stunning Fern Grey Jaguar.

One of the big bits of the update is that the fuel tank is now in the car and wired/plumbed up also in preparation for the first fire up of that newly built 5 litre V12.

Expect to see a lot more very soon as parts of Fern Grey are in multiple departments here at Bridge Classic Cars currently so keep an eye here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.

Beneath the Skin – Preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for its New Panels

November 19, 2021

This 1977 MGB Roadster is in at Bridge Classic Cars for restoration. With the body panels in the paint shop and the interior in the trim shop, Scott bought the rolling shell into the main workshop to begin preparing the shell for the new panels.

It begins with removing all the panel bonding material from underneath where the new pieces will sit. Also, this needs to be cleaned back to prepared with anti-corrosion coatings to protect the shell underneath. Carefully, inch by inch, Scott has been removing the coatings and also having to remove some areas of corrosion on the shell. It’s a slow and meticulous job but is crucial to have a successful restoration.

Expect to see more soon on the restoration of the MGB Roadster across all of our in-house restoration teams.

In the Woodwork – Ashbocking Joinery Working on the Doors of the 1951 Riley RMB

November 19, 2021

Some of the coachwork for the 1951 Riley RMB that is in with Bridge Classic Cars for restoration has been sent off to a local joinery specialist to be remade in brand new timber.

The wooden components of the Riley were in a bad way. Thankfully, Bridge Classic Cars have many local specialists around us. So, when the joinery for the car was ready to be sent away to be remade it went to Ashbocking Joinery here in Suffolk.

They have entirely remade sections of the bodywork of the Riley from scratch. Their work looks outstanding! It’s always amazing to see other trades with the same approach, care and passion for their craft as we have for restoring classic cars.

Lean In – Fixing the Armrest of the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

November 19, 2021

This 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 is in with Bridge Classic Cars for our amazing in-house restoration teams to have a look and some work for its owner.

First is a trip to the trim shop where Brian has been working on fixing the drivers armrest. Brian carefully removed the door card from the car to take it into our trim shop and begin working on fixing the issues.

Brian got to work on carefully and methodically removing the old coverings, making sure not to cut or tear any of the original material so as to use it as a template for the new piece. Once the inner piece of the armrest was cleaned up and prepared, Brian could then begin making the new covering for the armrest itself.

Using the original piece for reference, Brian went through our leather stock to find the closest material in terms of colour and grain to the original. Once the hide had been selected then Brian could begin to transfer the templates and cover the armrest bolster with all new foam topping.

Finally, installed back onto the car it looks phenomenal.

Final Piece of the Puzzle – Finish the Seat Base of the 1956 Jensen 541

November 18, 2021

Kath, one of our absolutely incredible trim team, has been working on the seat of the 1956 Jensen 541 that is at Bridge Classic Cars to be restored for an amazing customer of ours.

Last time you saw Kath finishing the back of the fibreglass bucket seat. Now, it’s time for the final piece of the puzzle. The seat base. Much like the bolsters and the back, the base has been entirely handmade for the individual seat. This way Kath can ensure that it has a perfect fit and sits beautifully in the seat as a whole.

Kath hand formed the foam padding to match each and every curve of the seat. Once she was happy with the shape, it was a case of beginning to make the cover. Finished in matching deep red leather with red piping. It looks absolutely phenomenal. Each piece of the seat base was test fit to the seat itself at every stage to make sure the final fit and finish were perfect.

And as you can see by the final result, it looks absolutely stunning.

All in the Preparation – Preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for Paint

November 18, 2021

Chris and the incredible team at the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop have been hard at work preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for its new coat of paint.

With all classic car paintwork, it is all in the prep. Chris is meticulous in his preparation of each individual panel that is on each and every classic car that goes through his team’s paint booth. It was the turn of the 1977 MGB Roadster.

Chris has been busy preparing each panel on the car to ensure they are perfect in terms of smoothness and their fit back onto the car. The wings have had their first coat of colour and are looking absolutely incredible! This is a very light base coat to begin with and most of it will be sanded back off during its preparation to then go back into the booth to be finished.

The bonnet on the MGB has also been in the paint booth with Chris’s team. This is now primed and ready to be sanded back to ensure everything is exactly where it needs to be.

Tight Fit – Replacing the Rubber Seals on the Hardtop and Fixing the Centre Console of the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster

November 18, 2021

Whilst Fern Grey, the 1973 Jaguar E Type Series III Roadster, is being mechanically finished in our workshop. The interior is being worked on by our amazing in-house trim experts over in the trim shop.

Brian has been fitting brand new seals to the removable hardtop that has been completely retrimmed and repainted to match the car. These seals are vital to keeping the water out of this stunning roadster when the hardtop is on the car. All new seals have been carefully fixed into the necessary channels to ensure a good tight fit between the body and the hardtop by Brian.

Whilst the trim shop was working on the interior for Fern Grey, Brian also began to repair the centre console before it is retrimmed to match the car. A large crack in the material was found and repaired by the team, making sure to smooth out the surface perfectly so that when it is trimmed in its leather covering, you won’t ever know it is there.

Straight and Narrow – Adjusting the Seat Runners on the 1970 Dodge Charger

November 18, 2021

Brian and the Bridge Classic Cars in-house trim experts have been working on getting the new bucket seats to sit properly in the 1970 Dodge Charger that is in with us for interior fitting.

When the seats were fixed into the cabin they sat slightly at an angle. The seats are supposed to sit square in the car, which means some modifications were needed to be done to the seat rails. Thankfully, this is no problem for our incredible trim team.

Brian worked on reshaping and reforming the seat rails to fit perfectly into the car and allowed both seats to sit flat, square and evenly in the cockpit of this incredible muscle car.

Solid Foundations – Replacing the Sills on the 1992 Toyota MR2

November 18, 2021

Paul, one of our in-house restoration experts, has been working on replacing the corroded sills on the 1992 Toyota MR2 that is in at Bridge Classic Cars.

On any classic, corrosion is an issue but caught early it can easily be repaired. As a matter of course the entire door sills are being replaced on the MR2 as these are a safety item and that’s a keystone of any work on a classic car, it’s also something we pride ourselves on at Bridge Classic Cars.

Paul cut out the sills from the front arch to the rear arch and replaced them. Welding them in inch by inch to make sure that they sat straight and true on the car. Now that these are in, the next stage is to get the paintwork/protection onto the sills to ensure they will be perfect for many more years to come.

A Closer Look – Finding Hairline Cracks in Brackets on the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4

November 17, 2021

During the disassembly of the suspension components of the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 that is in at Bridge Classic Cars for restoration, our restoration technician Mauro found some hairline cracks in a few of the pieces.

The pieces that Mauro found were the rear suspension brackets. Along with our workshop controller, John, the parts were recorded and a plan being worked out how to move forward with these particular parts before sandblasting.

A New Start – Sending the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Guages to be Refurbished

November 17, 2021

The gauges and dials in the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 are some of the most beautiful out there. Simple black Smiths units with white lettering and easy to see layout. This style of dial is so synonymous with classic sportscar that anything else would look amiss in such an elegant and deserving car.

The rest of the car is currently undergoing a full restoration at Bridge Classic Cars but these units are being sent away to a specialist to be rebuilt and entirely refurbished to match the high level of fit and finish our in-house restoration teams will be doing to the car.

Once the dials are back from their refurbishment, they will be carefully stored until our in-house trim team is ready to fit them into the stunning dash and get them securely placed in the car.

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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