We understand that cars can hold a very special place in the hearts of their current and previous owners. It’s for this reason that we are asking for your help to find a 1934 Lagonda Rapier.
The Story
I recently received an email from John Baker asking if we had seen his former vehicle, his 1934 Lagonda Rapier, registration AYW 27. Unfortunately, although over the years we have had similar vehicles from this era in the workshop, John’s car wasn’t one of them so we have been unable to help him locate his nostalgic car.
So, now…we are asking for your help to find John’s classic Lagonda Rapier. Here’s what we know so far:
John owned the car in the late 50s/early 60s
It was originally a fixed-head coupe finished in green
It was converted to a drophead coupe before John took ownership
The car was owned post-2000 by someone in our local area of Suffolk
John believes the car was restored in the early 90s when a white 2-seater body was fitted and the engine increased from a 1.1 to a 1.5-litre
It competed in various Vintage Sports Car Club events
Valid insurance seems to be on the vehicle
It was potentially up for sale around 2006
In John’s own words:
“This car, which I owned in the late 1950s/early 1960s, gave me enormous pleasure and I have recently wondered what happened to it 90 years after it was manufactured (just a year older than me). The original body by Abbott was a fixed head coupe but it had been converted to DHC when I bought it. The last owner I have traced is RASlater who lived in Suffolk and I think may have died recently. I understand that in the early 1990s, he restored the car, fitting a white 2 seater body and enlarging the engine from 1100 to 1500cc – and competed in various VSCC events. I believe that the car was advertised for sale in 2006 but do not know if it was sold and can find no later information – except that it appears to be currently insured.
I know that since 1991 it has been a white 2 seater special. The car was definitely based in Suffolk in the 90s and early 2000s.”
Can You Help?
If you know anything about John’s 1934 Lagonda Rapier (AYW 27), then please get in touch.
As one of the last iterations of the iconic Spider, the 1989 model held true to Alfa Romeo’s legacy. With its classic Pininfarina-designed body, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine gave a spirited driving experience while the stylish interior offered a sense of comfort and luxury.
Our 1989 Alfa Romeo Spider is a rare find thanks to its right-hand drive configuration and is the fuel-injected Series 3 model. This Italian sports car benefits from a recent repaint, and has been well-maintained both inside and out. Finished in an eye-catching red exterior paired with a tasteful black-trimmed interior, you certainly get the Italian luxury you might expect. This is further complimented by its wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel.
This example was originally registered overseas before acquiring its UK registration later on. Our Spider shows 55,976 kilometres (34,781 miles) over its 6 previous owners – the most recent being since 2017.
The accompanying history file contains MoTs dating back to 1994, receipts, original sales brochures, tax discs, the owner’s manual, and spare keys.
The paint team here at Bridge Classic Cars have been hard at work getting our 2022 C-Type Replica into paint. The team have meticulously prepared the body and primer to get to the stage of laying down the first shades of pale green across the iconic silhouette of the car.
Dozens, if not hundreds, of hours have gone into getting the car to this stage with a large proportion of those being in the Bridge Classic Cars bodyshop.
Alan and the team have gone through every square inch of the car through every single stage to ensure the cars final finish is nothing short of perfection.
In such a fast moving world, there’s a certain allure to embracing the classics. Enter classic cars and superyachts, two realms where craftsmanship, elegance, and adventure unite. From the gleaming chrome and paintwork of classic cars to the opulent interiors of luxury yachts, these icons evoke a sense of nostalgia and sophistication that transcends time and fascinates owners and enthusiasts alike.
Restoring a classic car or superyacht is a labour of love, requiring patience, skill, and extraordinarily high attention to detail.  It’s a journey of discovery, uncovering hidden treasures, stories and history, preserving the legacy of these icons.  From sourcing or fabricating rare parts to meticulously refurbishing interiors, each restoration project is a testament to the dedication and passion of enthusiasts who seek to honour the craftsmanship of generations past. The restoration process creates a story in itself, just look at some of the projects of Bridge Classic Cars, you can follow the whole journey from stripping the car back, to adding the finishing touches, all on their website.Â
The timeless appeal of classic cars and superyachts finds its ultimate expression amidst the luxurious Côte d’Azur.  Against the backdrop of Monaco’s clean streets and the lively promenades of Saint-Tropez, the Riviera sets the stage for an unparalleled display of sophistication and luxury.  The global elite converges upon this coastal haven, eager to showcase their cherished possessions at prestigious gatherings like the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique and the Cannes Yachting Festival.  Here, classic cars bask in the Mediterranean sunlight, their sleek contours reflecting the essence of Riviera elegance, meanwhile, superyachts stand as beacons of opulence in the marinas of the Mediterranean.
As custodians of automotive and maritime heritage, enthusiasts play a vital role in ensuring that classic cars and superyachts continue to inspire future generations. Â Through meticulous restoration efforts and responsible ownership, they preserve these icons for posterity. Â It’s a commitment to excellence and a reverence for the past that drives their passion and dedication.
Owning a superyacht or classic car isn’t just about the destination, it’s about the journey. Â Whether you’re exploring the scenic coastal routes of Croatia or setting sail to the remote islands of the South Pacific, the thrill of adventure is an integral part of the experience. Â It’s about enjoying the now, forging connections with like-minded individuals and creating memories that last a lifetime.
Classic cars and superyachts are more than just vehicles – they’re a passion, a pursuit, a lifestyle. Picture yourself behind the wheel of a Jaguar E-Type, the wind in your hair as you navigate the winding coastal roads of the Cote d’Azur. Or imagine yourself aboard a 60m Feadship, cruising through the crystal clear waters of the Amalfi Coast. These experiences could simply be dreams, or for some, a well earned pastime, transporting us back to a time, where craftsmanship and elegance were the symbols of luxury.
The beloved panel van formed a core moment in the automotive lives of so many. Maybe it was your first role of responsibility at work or it was an early runaround filled with friends and laughter, either way it was always there but have become a seldom sight in the UK classic car scene.
Just like this one, our 1982 Bedford HA.
Using the Vauxhall Viva as a base, the HA’s were first let loose on British roads in 1964 and would continue to play a key role in the high-street landscape up until production ended in the early 1980’s. A favourite with utility companies, the HA’s would wear a multitude of liveries throughout their production run including the Royal Mail, British Gas, British European Airways and the famous yellow and blue British Telecom livery like our van.
After their working life was over, many of these vans would find themselves on the driveways of young petrolheads across the UK as some of their first forays onto the open road, and into a special place in their automotive hearts.
Our 1982 Bedford HA has been subject to a comprehensive restoration by a previous owner who transformed KTS 92X into the beautiful panel van that you see today and pay tribute to the bright and eye-catching British Telecom vans of the 1970s/1980s as documented in the wonderful photos of the cars transformative journey.
The Bridge Classic Cars Competitions team have got something to ‘blow your doors off’!
In the early 1990’s to celebrate the cult classic 1969 film, The Italian Job, the Longbridge company began a small, limited edition run of cars to pay homage to the Peter Collinson film.
Featuring unique and special graphics packs, adorning this bite size classic with its namesake, the Italian Job Minis would be available in the classic Red, White and Blue paint schemes of the hero cars in the film as well as celebrating their homeland with a timeless British Racing Green option.
Our 1992 Rover Italian Job, based on the Red Mk1 Mini driven by stunt driver David Salamone with Michael Caine as his passenger, is finished in stunning Flame Red with more modern Black bonnet stripes and a classic set of double rally lights on the front.
Powered by the quintessential 1275cc 4-cylinder engine paired with a manual gearbox, this classic Mini really does… ‘’get its skates on’’ to quote the film.
Included with the car is a history file which contains the original grey vinyl booklet pack alongside numerous invoices dating from June 2023 all the way back to the 19th of May 2000.
Also included is a valuation certificate from the British Mini club from 2015 confirming the car as one of the 1750 Italian Job Mini’s built with the inspector noting the car was ‘A nice example of a Mini Italian Job LE’.
So, whether you’re looking at doing a ‘big job’ with some gold bullion or a tranquil Sunday drive our 1992 Rover Italian Job Mini ticks all those boxes.
The humble Mini served as both a way to get from A to B as well as the first steps out onto the open road for a generation of would-be petrolheads.
From its earliest days in the late 1950’s all the way to its retirement in the early 2000’s, the classic Mini holds a special place in the classic car world – Just like this one, our 1976 Mini Clubman 1100.
With beautiful Antique Gold paintwork over a Black interior, with colour matched piping, our 1976 Mini has been lovingly looked after and cherished by its previous owners. Fitted with a 1098cc 4-cylinder engine and 4-speed manual gearbox, this bite-sized piece of gold has all the right feel for a classic Mini experience.
Our Mini Clubman has recently been restored inside and out, with all parts sourced from marque specialists such as Mini Spares and Mini Sport Ltd – as evidenced in the extensive history file which also includes the original Austin Morris ‘Passport to Service’ which details all the way back to the cars original PDI in August of 1976 at Melrose Garages in Norwich, where the car appears to have spent its first 20 years before migrating to the Northwest.
In its 48 years, the car is showing to have covered just under 63,000 miles. It is believed the engine was refreshed around 2018 with sales invoices for a piston ring set and new water pump.
Also included in our Mini’s file is a Best in Show award from the St Helens Classic Car Club dated April 2019, with this, we believe any restorative or restoration works were carried out prior to the award supported by parts invoices dating back to 2017/2016.
Some of you may be thinking ‘haven’t I seen this Mini before?’ and the answer is yes, but Bridge Classic Cars Competitions is giving you another chance to win this incredible 1976 Mini Clubman 1100 for just a few pounds.
The Morgan 4/4 is undeniably and unapologetically British. It is one of the most timeless and nostalgic designs to grace the roads across not only this island, but the world at large. From its earliest days, the company’s DNA has run strong through each of the models combining a beautiful blend of craftsmanship, style, and nostalgia.
From its introduction in 1936 and onwards to the modern day, the 4/4 has been a mainstay of the Malvern master’s arsenal – Just like this one, our 1972 Morgan 4/4.
With the classic pairing of Midnight Blue paintwork alongside a black cabin, our 4/4’s beauty is highlighted by the limited use of chrome across the flowing, elegant lines of the car and its satin grey wheels. The car’s long and signature handmade bonnet, stretches out from the driver’s seat, with the tops of its rolled arches allowing you to perfectly place this sports car out on the open road, but some may have noticed that this bonnet is not like others – this one has a new intake and hints at the sportier life it has led.
Supplied new in 1972 by I & J Macdonald in County Durham, our 4/4 is fitted with the signature Ford 1600cc crossflow 4-cylinder engine and has been developed to make this nostalgic sports car feel more modern in terms of performance. With a set of twin Dell’Orto 40 carburettors working in conjunction with a sports cam and a 4-into-1 exhaust, and when set up on a rolling road in 2019 made 117bhp to the crankshaft and 91bhp to the wheels with 120 lb/ft of torque, between 30 and 50bhp more than it originally had.
Included in the vehicle’s history file, which dates back to 1978, are invoices relating to replacements of the aluminium wings and other items as well as the general maintenance of the cars 44 years.
Over the last week, we’ve welcomed two loads of cars to our Suffolk HQ to be safely put into storage with ourselves.
The first batch belong to longtime friend of Bridge Classic Cars, Karl. His classic sports cars, classic Jaguar and Land Rover were unloaded after being transported by EM Rogers to our workshops to await transit to our secure storage facility.
After being carefully unloaded, the cars were inspected and prepared for the next step in their storage journey.
Then a few days later, we welcomed a pair of classic cars which had made their way over to us from Europe for a customer. Again, the team at EM Rogers Transport handled the long-distance move before the cars were checked and then loaded up by the Bridge Classic Cars team for their journey to our storage facility.
The classic Triumph 2500TC as well as the beautiful patina’d Fiat 1500 will join the ranks of the other stunning and cared for classics in our storage space.
Our 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 has arrived back at our Suffolk HQ following its appointment with the media blasters.
The body was carefully removed from the chassis of the 1950’s GT previously by our workshop technicians and carefully transported to a local blasting company to carefully remove the Claret paint as well as exposing any areas which will need attention by the team here at the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshops.
The body arrived back at our workshops earlier this week and was taken straight into our in-house fabrication shop for our expert team of fabricators to work on getting this rare and unique GT car back into better than new shape.
The team have begun to get the body onto the framing jig to get it ready for the delicate and highly-skilled work of repairing the areas affected by 71 years of being used and stored.
We have several vacancies that we are currently trying to fill:
Classic Car Paint Restoration Specialist
We are looking for an enthusiastic and meticulous Classic Car Paint Restoration Specialist.
An eye for detail, good time management and experience in a body shop is crucial.
The daily duties of the role include; bodywork stripping and preparation, smaller component painting, chassis painting and bodywork painting.
The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with both solvent and water-based paint.
Fabricator / Welder
The ideal candidate will have the necessary experience in working with old cars and be familiar with the challenges that come with working on them.
You must be able to MIG weld. TIG weld would be an advantage but not a necessity.
If you have other talents relating to the restoration of classic cars these could also be used.
Events Promotional Staff
Marketing and branding is a huge part of our operation here at Bridge Classic Cars. Whether you know us for our award-winning restorations, our amazing competitions, our free online sales platform or our clothing range, it all makes up the Bridge Classic Cars brand. We host private events and open days at our workshops and The Atelier is our showroom space with an in-house licenced bar. It’s a fun and quirky place for like-minded enthusiasts to get together.
We’re looking for enthusiastic and dedicated people to help us with getting out and about in the car world. Whether it’s selling tickets to our hugely popular competitions, talking to potential clients about restoration work or talking to our amazing friends who come by to say hello – we want you to be one of the faces of Bridge Classic Cars.
Events normally take place on the weekends or evenings so you will need to be available and somewhat flexible.
If you’re looking for a fun way of getting into the classic car world or you’re looking for some part-time work then get in touch with the team at events@bridgeclassiccars.co.uk
We recently received a call from the London & South East England Prestige Awards to let us know that we have been named Automotive Restoration Specialists of the Year!
The entire team here at Bridge Classic Cars put a huge amount of time and effort into each task we complete each day, so it is amazing that this has been recognised and rewarded.
Our team will continue to restore the rare and special classic vehicles that enter the workshop knowing that their work is award-winning.
There’s been some incredible progress on our 1905 Riley 9hp in recent weeks.
Recently, the team here at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ have been working full-steam ahead on the 1-of-1 antique car.
The wooden frame has returned from the team at Ashbocking Joinery ready for the trim team to continue their careful and precise work in bringing the wooden structure back to life with its handmade covering.
Meanwhile, the fabrication team have been working on recreating several pieces which needed to be re-manufactured for the hood to be fitted up properly for testing. These small hooks are part of the hood support system which needed to be made and shaped by hand to perfectly fit the 119-year-old car.
At the same time, our trimmer Lydia has been working on making a battery bag for the battery. Although its truly a safety item, she has made stylish and perfectly sized for the car. The whole purpose is to make it easier to remove the battery from the wooden box it is fitted into, but the thickness of the leather and the material itself allows for some dampening and deadening to protect the battery and prolong its life.
On the chassis itself, in the main mechanical workshop, Steve has been working on the gearbox. Before the car moves under its own power, Steve has completely flushed and cleaned up the gearbox internals due to the car being sat for long periods of time – and with this much hard work, devotion and passion poured into this very special project it made sense to do it at this time before the body is placed onto the frame for the final time.
The paint team here at Bridge Classic Cars have been preparing the body of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire for the next phase of its restoration journey.
Al has been working on getting the body ready to be finished in its bright vibrant Green colour – with the whole body having every inch poured over so it has perfect surfaces ready to have its paint laid down.
Jon has been carrying out the inspection of our 1974 Mini 850 Van.
He began by topping up engine oil and screenwash in washer bottle, aling with checking all other necessary fluids. Next step was a full strip, clean and inspection of all brakes and then refitting the drums and adjusting till just right. Following that, he fefit all wheels and torque to 60nm before inflating all tyres to 26psi. One of the final stages of maintenance was to put 5 liters petrol in and attempt to start. The Mini started ok, but the petrol gauge showed no moment. After manually wiring the fuel sender the gauge began to work. Jon drained the fuel and remove the sender unit from the tank. He found sender seized and rusted so proceeded to strip and clean/free off.
Jon cleaned the contacts and re-assembled before fitting back into the car and test through range – He reported back it is working fine now, refitting the unit back to the tank and put the fuel back in. After checking the guage, it now reads half a tank.
Finally he secured the battery, lubricated the sliding windows and then carried out road test.
After the road test and finishing the inspection, Jon carried out road test before returning to the workshop. On returning, he adjusted the passengers door lock, adjusted the idle speed and then road tested again with our trimmer Lydia in the back on the classic Mini van to pin point rattles which was traced to the rear door lock. Returning to the workshop, Jon removed the lock mechanism from rear door to strip and inspect. Using double sided tape with backing left on to remove any play from the mechanism rods. After opening up the mechanism, he found not a single ounce of grease inside mechanism – So thoroughly lubricate with grease and reassemble. Refit to door and test. No rattles now.
Bicester Heritage held its first Scramble of 2024 with a sell-out event on Sunday, January 7th. More than 6500 people attended, despite the cold weather, and were treated to an incredible display of classic and supercars. It’s not very often that you can see an Aston Martin Valkyrie alongside Model Ts and Austin Sevens!
We are fortunate enough to work with Caroline from Global Workshop, who provide us with our restoration management software. Caroline attended the first Scramble of 2024 and was kind enough to send us some pictures of the event.
Thank you to all of you who turned out to attend our New Year’s Car Meet on Sunday, it was a cold but dry morning and we were astounded by the variation in cars. We had nearly 200 visitors with a variety of cars, some over a century old to modern daily drivers.
The Atelier Bar was open for hot drinks and pastries and we offered bacon sandwiches with delicious bacon from E W Revett & Sons Butchers, based just down the road in Wickham Market, and fresh bread from our friends at The Bakehouse Bakery Woodbridge.
Events like this display the comradery amongst the local classic car community with people swapping stories and advice about their experience with classic and modern cars.
It played an important role in many young petrolheads lives. Whether it be watching the roads pass by from the comfort of the bench back seat, or from behind the wheel with your first taste of automotive freedom, this classic perfectly captures a moment in time for so many of us.
It’s our 1963 Vauxhall Victor FB and it could be yours for just a few pounds…
Finished in period correct Limestone White with a matching, characterful patina’d interior our Victor FB has been kept as a time capsule to preserve its originality.
Fitted with the classic Vauxhall 1.5-litre 4-cylinder and 4-speed manual gearbox, this time capsule is the perfect way to go back in time and relive days gone by.
Included in the cars history folder are invoices and receipts dating back to the mid-1980s.
Why not go back in time with our Vauxhall Victor FB? Enter now for your chance to win.
The pursuit of power in the automotive world is not a modern phenomenon. Some say it happened the day after someone bought the second car ever built, and the owner of the first car found out it was faster.
For generations, petrolheads around the globe have been working on furthering the ever expanding horizon of performance. Whether that be horsepower, handling, lightness etc. it is a constant and headcharging crusade against the laws of physics, metallurgy and sometimes common sense.
Certain names become established at being particularly talented for getting the most ‘potential’ out of a certain brand or model. For instance, Burton Performance in the Ford world or the legendary name of Coombs within the classic Jaguar-sphere.
In Europe, the tidal wave of fast, comfortable and relatively agile performance cars would begin in the 1960’s. In Germany especially, the reconstruction and reconnecting of road networks after the devastation of the second World War would pave the way for the legendary ‘bahn-stormers’ that would follow in the next 40 years.
The likes of brand-external companies such as AMG, Brabus, RUF, Kremer, AC Schnitzer, Hartge and Alpina would flourish in this environment and combine outrageous performance with careful, purposeful and immaculately executed engineering.
Each one of these companies would be connected to a certain brand. In the BMW world, the most legendary of these names is arguably Alpina – the infamous tuners that we are going to talk about today.
Burkard Bovensiepen began his connection to BMW in the early 1960s – initially developing a way of running a larger set of Weber carburetors on the then very popular BMW 1500 giving it more power for those who wanted it. This carburetor package would become sought-after in the BMW world, with both the press and BMW themselves commenting on how well thought out the package was but the real performance advantages that it offered.
After having various cars run this 1500 carburetor package for several years (including one allegedly being fitted to BWM sales director Paul G. Hahnemann’s personal car) the Bavarian manufacturer actually certified the set-up for use on their cars, meaning if your BMW had the new Alpina/Weber carburetor combination it was fully ok’d by the manufacturer.
Going back, where did Alpina come from?
Well, let’s go back. Originally, the company had been founded to produce typewriters but then it decided to move into the textiles business before in 1965 officially being registered as a BMW tuning company with 8 official employees. The company, as a BMW tuner, was established by Burkard Bovensiepen whose family were part of a industrial dynasty in Germany. The family, although originally dutch, had been involved in manufacturing and commerce for generations. Burkard’s father had been involved in manufacturing typewriters and other office equipment which the BMW tuning company of his son would take of the factory from.
Once they had established themselves as a trust worthy and certified supplier of speed and performance to the BMW community with their carburetor packages, the company would expand into developing and reworking BMW production cylinder heads, camshafts, crankshafts, piston sets etc. to gain the most out of the production line pieces. These core beginnings, would actually go on to influence the crest which sits at the heart of the Alpina badge, one half of which is made up of a set of velocity stacks from the early Weber carburetors and the other an early Alpina crankshaft. In just a few short years, the firm would need to expand the workspace thanks to their reputation and demand. By 1970, the company had relocated to Kaufbeuren to their long term home at Buchloe.
One thing which will push innovation and performance harder than any other, whilst also driving sales, is motorsport. From it’s earliest days, cars which performed the best – sold the best. In Europe at the time, as was the case in the UK, motorsport gripped the public. Herculean efforts of strength, endurance and tenacity would make gladiators of mere mortals in a weekend only for them to fall foul of their adoring crowds the next week.
Alpina realised the potential of motorsport early on. Not just as marketing tool, but as moving and dynamic test bed for their parts.
Beginning in 1968, Alpina would enter the pantheon of racing. Not just in one particular discipline, they wanted to prove that their parts and their know-how could perform in any situation. Between 1968 and 1977, Alpina would win multiple championships in saloon/touring cars, rallying, club racing, hillclimb racing as well as proving their incredible durability with endurance racing. The best year for Alpina’s motorsport division was 1970, when the team would rack up championship wins in European touring cars, the German Hillclimb championship, the Germany rally championship and then to top it all of would win the legendary 24hrs of Spa in Belgium to win the European Touring Car Championship with their own Alpina-prepared BMW 2800CS. The team would attract some of the best drivers of the day such as Günther Huber, Helmut Koinigg, Jackie Ickx, Hans Stuck, Niki Lauda, Derek Bell, James Hunt and a host more.
At this time, Alpina were an aftermarket provider and tuner for BMW products – creating various parts and performance packages for the likes of the 2002Tii, 2800CS, E9 3.0CSL, 1500 and a host of others.
In 1983, Alpina became recognised as a stand-alone manufacturer by the German Federal Ministry of Transport. Meaning no longer would it be a BMW tuned by Alpina. It was now an Alpina however was bought through the BMW dealer network and could be serviced and warrantied by BMW beginning with the E21 based C and B models. In 1988, Alpina would leave motorsport and focus on the production of their high-performance road cars.
Since the beginning, the process of building an Alpina has been personal. The team would handbuild the engines for their production cars to the various performance packages available, which would then be delivered to the BMW factory. There, the BMW technicians would fit the engine into the bodyshell of the car.
Then once the painted bodyshells with the engines installed were ready, they would transported back to Buchloe for the small, and talented team at Alpina to go through the process of making the car truly an Alpina. The interiors for the car are bespoke as well as the fitting of the Alpina specific parts are all installed at this point in the cars journey. Each step of the cars transformation, both on and under the skin, is entirely handbuilt – this means that each model of Alpina is purely a limited edition and exclusive.
It’s not just the engines though which are reworked and optimised, Alpina actually has its own division of performance gearbox specialists which pair the upgraded transmissions to the designated engines for maximum strength, performance and reliability.
There are certain traits on the exterior and interior of Alpinas which are unique and all trace back to the brands heritage in one way or another. For example, the ‘Switch-tronic’ buttons on the steering wheel. The reason for these? Well, Alpina were the first to mount the shift buttons on the steering so it has become somewhat of a tradition. Along with that there is a very specific set of wheels which have simply become known as ‘Alpinas’. These are the carefully made and engineered hollow 20 spoke wheels. If you look, you’ll see no tyre valve on the wheel itself – instead it is hidden inside the hub cab and connected to a hollow spoke within the wheel. These along with Alpina only exterior and interior colour options and design features make these cars truly one of a kind and to petrolheads, instantly identifiable as something special – each car is also stamped with its build number to certify its exclusivity.
As some of you know, we currently have a 2002 Alpina B10 V8S available on our Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. One of just 145 E39 based V8S’s to be built in 2002, with in that there were just 42 right-hand drive cars produced. Out of the very limited number of V8S’s built, this is number 76 out of the production run.
The car’s creation would be like its other siblings, handbuilt and personalised. The changes though to a ‘regular’ V8 would set it apart.
The V8S’s engine would be specially built for the cars by the Alpina team. Taking the standard B10 engine as its basis, the engines bore would remain the same but thanks to a long through on the crankshaft, the V8S would produce more torque than its E39 M5 rival, developing 375BHP and an impressive 510Nm of Torque. This increase would also give the V8S a displacement of 4.8-litres over the 4.6-litres of the ‘standard’ B10 V8. This engine proved to be quite the powerhouse and would later be used in the Alpina variant of the BMW Z8, before being taken on by BMW as the production engine for the range topping 4.8is engine in the BMW X5.
Along with the increase in power, the Alpina team would turn their attention underneath the car its brakes and suspension.
The B10 V8S would received upgraded and stiffer suspension than the standard B10 V8, this was to work with those hollow 20 spoke wheels, now measuring in at 19” in diameter. To give the car a more planted feel, the Alpina team would make these wheels 8.5” wide in the front and 9.5” in the rear. These wheels would also go to perfectly show off the brake package selected for V8S. Beautiful 4-piston aluminium calipers made specifically for Alpina by brake specialist Brembo along with a set of larger drilled discs to better dissipate heat.
With its performance upgrades and unique package, the E39 based B10 V8S would top out at over 175MPH and achieve that all important 0-62mph dash in just 5.4 seconds (in a luxury 4-door saloon…).
Our 1976 Mini Clubman 1100 is on its way back to our Suffolk HQ!
Last year, Oscar won our classic Mini but recently offered for us to have the car back due to it not being used as much and wanting it to go to a good home with someone who will love this bite sized classic and use it more.
So, you’ll very soon be seeing this Antique Gold Clubman on the competitions website and have your chance for it to be on your driveway for just a few pounds!
After a relaxed Christmas break, the team at Bridge Classic Cars got straight back into restoring some stunning classic cars on the 2nd of January 2024.
On our first day back, Molly took a look around the workshop to find out what was happening on day 1 of the new working year.
Over the Christmas break, the offices, paint shop and other areas here at Bridge Classic Cars had a bit of a refurbishment.
After undergoing a big clean before we went home for the festive season, each area had a fresh coat of paint and they are looking great ready for a busy year ahead.
The panel van has been a welcomed workhorse for generations. With its utilitarian practicality, the panel van has done everything from moving house to making memories.
Now Bridge Classic Cars wants you to relive and relove those memories with our gorgeous 1974 Mini 850 Van.
With its beautiful dark green paintwork, over a simple but elegant black interior, our Mini panel van was subjected to a full nut and bolt restoration between 2000 and 2013 commissioned by an adoring previous owner. Included in the cars history file are invoices which relate to the cars restoration where no stone was left unturned in bringing this classic Mini back to life.
Powered by a small and simple 848cc 4-cylinder engine and 4 speed manual gearbox, this little Mini has a practical and easy-going charm.
Originally classed as a commercial vehicle, many of these panel van sadly do not exist today due to being in constant heavy use in their younger years, but this one has been cherished since its early days it would seem with the odometer showing just a shade over 28,000 miles, which is believed to be original, since it was first registered in Devon on the 1st of June 1974.
After a year of hard work bringing a whole range of classic vehicles back to life, the entire team at Bridge Classic Cars are celebrating our success, and the festive season, as we all head out for our Christmas meal.
Just down the road from the workshop is the Ufford Crown. This is the host of our celebration where the staff there will have the challenge of feeding a team of hungry technicians, marketers, accountants, painters, trimmers, and more.
After spending a few hours together, enjoying some great food (and a few drinks), we will all be heading home to spend Christmas and New Year with our loved ones.
As we close the workshop doors for the last time this year for a well-deserved break, we are looking forward to seeing what 2024 has to bring.
At the end of each year, the workshop undergoes a deep clean to ensure that it is a pristine environment for more classics to be restored in next year.
The workshop team have spent the last 2 days cleaning every inch of the workshop floors, walls, rails, tools, ramps, and anything else that you can think of. This includes the trim shop and paint shop too!
As we come towards the end of our last working day of the year, the Bridge Classic Cars workshop is looking incredible and is getting ready to welcome even more classic vehicles in January.
As many know, we have become somewhat of a Jensen 541 specialist. But today, was a special day at our Suffolk HQ as our very first Jensen 541 project made its way back to our workshops for the team to begin work on.
This 1961 Jensen 541S was the one of the first, if not THE first, restorations of the unique and rare sports car which was undertaken by our team in 2015, back in our original workshops in Deben Road, Ipswich.
This car, which played such an important role in the early history of our work, will be carefully assessed and then worked on by our talented team very soon. So, keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for updates very soon.
December 15, 2023 3:53 pmPublished by Nick Skinner
Some marques offer rarity, luxury, or performance but very few offer all of these in one single form. One of those, is Alpina. Combining comfort, pace and exclusivity into a beautifully engineered road car is what Alpina have been doing for over 50 years in cars like this, our 2002 Alpina B10 V8S.
With just 145 2002 B10 V8S’s made worldwide this Bavarian Bruiser is a rare sight but with only 42 right hand drive cars made and believed to be one of only 6 remaining in the UK, this is car number 76 of the entire production run and is known within the Alpina Register.
Alpina have been connected to BMW since the early 1960s, gaining a reputation for crafting hand built, fast and sophisticated luxury cars. With bespoke packages for their clients, each car is individual and unique to their owner.
Not to be confused with the 4.6-litre ‘Standard’ B10, our V8S features a 4.8-litre V8 made specifically for this car. At Alpina’s facility in Buckloe, Germany their team of engineers increase the capacity of the base BMW engine for the B10 to produce more torque rather than making it a big horsepower car.
With stunning metallic silver paintwork and a sophisticated and luxurious grey leather interior, our B10 V8S has the good looks to match its performance completed with the signature 20 spoke ‘hollow’ wheels.
Supplied new by Sytner BMW in Nottingham on the 8th of July 2002, our B10 V8S’s history file contains multiple invoices from BMW main dealers throughout its life as well as some work being carried out by independent specialists.
At the 2024 Goodwood Revival, all of the races taking place will only involve cars running on sustainable fuel. This follows this year’s Fordwater Trophy which was sustainably-fuelled.
Goodwood will require all competitors at next year’s event to power their vehicles with a fuel that contains at least 70% sustainable components. This is in accordance with the FIA’s current requirements for sustainable fuel. Goodwood has already seen its first sustainably-fuelled winner in the Rudge-Whitworth Cup at the 2023 Revival. This came from a 1925 Bentley Speed Model being driven by Ben Collings and Gareth Graham, who won against a field of cars running on standard fuel.
As well as its first sustainably-fuelled winner, this year’s Revival also held its first sustainably-fuelled race. This featured pre-1966 Porsche 911s that competed in the Fordwater Trophy. Drivers in the race included 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button, Goodwood Hillclimb record-holder Max Chilton, and nine-time Formula 1 winner Mark Webber.
Image Credit: GoodwoodImage Credit: Goodwood
Goodwood Revival Races
A total of 13 races will take place across the weekend of Friday 6th – Sunday 8th September 2024
Sussex Trophy – World Championship sportscars from a type that raced from 1955-1960 Â
Madgwick Cup – Under 2.5-lite sports racing cars from 1955-1960 – RETURNING
Goodwood Trophy – Grand Prix and Voiturette cars from 1930-1951
Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy Part One – Pre-1955 Grand Prix motorcycles
Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy – Pre-1963 GT cars
Whitsun Trophy – Sports-racing prototypes from 1960-1966
Fordwater Trophy – Production-based sports and GT cars from 1955-1960
St Mary’s Trophy Part One – 1960s saloon cars
Earl of March Trophy – 500c Formula 3 cars
Richmond & Gordon Trophies – 2.5-litre Grand Prix cars from 1954-1960
RAC TT Celebration – closed-cockpit GT and prototype cars from 1960 to 1964
Glover Trophy – 1.5 litre Grand Prix cars from 1961-1965
Freddie March Memorial Trophy – For cars in the spirit of the Goodwood Nine-Hour races
Today was a big day as the owner of our 1974 Volkswagen Beetle, affectionately known as Delilah, was reunited with her car after its time here at Bridge Classic Cars came to an end.
Delilah looked incredible in her very special, roped-off area of The Atelier. Her paint shone under the lights and the full scope of the work completed by the workshop team was clear to see. The restoration of this classic Beetle took several months but, as you can see from the photos below, it was well worth the wait to see it in its finished state and ready to go home.
Since entering the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, our 1974 Beetle has been stripped, had areas of rust repaired, it has been repainted, rebuilt, a new interior fitted, and lots of other tasks that have brought the car back to its former glory.
Gordon spent some time going through all the changes made and was very proud to show off the work of our team.
In a few days, we will deliver the car back to its owner and, although we will be sad to see it go, we are all very excited to see Delilah back home and ready for many more years on the road!
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