After being with us from almost the start of it all, the time has come for the Bridge Classic Cars trailer to move on and for us to upgrade to a bigger and better option.
Despite the excitement the new trailer is bringing, there is certainly a sense of sadness to see such a longstanding part of the business leave us. Our trailer has covered thousands of miles collecting and delivering classic cars all over the country. Many of our restoration projects come into the workshop in our trailer and many leave in its protective shell on their way back to their happy owners. Since the launch of Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, the trailer has also delivered more than 100 cars to the lucky winners wherever they are in the UK.
Starting its life with us in a nice shade of grey, it was emblazoned with the Bridge Classic Cars logo and transported some true classic, vintage, and special vehicles before undergoing something of a transformation. Going from grey to black, the new look trailer had a new style while still carrying a huge variety of vehicles to and from the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
As the list of our current projects continues to grow, a bigger trailer is needed to keep up with the flow of vehicles needed to be brought into the workshop…and that’s where the new Bridge Classic Cars trailer comes in.
As you can see from the photos below, our new trailer is quite a bit bigger than the previous one and certainly looks to be up for the job of moving classic vehicles wherever they need to be.
It’s not entirely the end for our old faithful trailer though. It now moves on to be part of a race team and will, no doubt, cover many more miles, and carry some equally as important cars in the next chapter of its life.
The Bridge Classic Cars trailer – a loyal workhouse. The new trailer – soon to be seen collecting and delivering classic vehicles all over the country.
MG hosted a special preview event where the brand showed off a pre-production design model of its brand-new all-electric roadster – The Cyberster. With a release expected in the summer of 2024, a new chapter in the MG story is being written as the iconic manufacturer returns to its roots with this exciting new sports car.
The Cyberster made its debut at the event held at the MG Motor UK headquarters in Marylebone, London. It was there that advanced design director, Carl Gotham and team – who played a key role in creating the Cyberster – introduced the model for the first time.
Carl said “It is a special moment for all of us who have played a part in designing this unique car. The Cyberster will offer MG customers a striking, all-electric roadster which will be as exciting as MG sports cars of the past.”
To mark the upcoming release of the Cyberster, MG has released a film which helps tell the story of the work that went into designing and creating a sports car that is set to be the very first all-electric roadster on the market.
Inspired by MGs heritage, the Cyberster has the distinctive long bonnet, a low nose, and plenty of curves. In addition to the recognisable features that indicate the car’s MG lineage, new features such as scissor doors and a Kammback rear design bring a classic design into a stylish new future.
The creation of the Cyberster marks MG’s return to sports car production. Not only does the Cyberster do this in attention-grabbing fashion, but it also brings the MG story right up to date and allows for another generation of drivers to enjoy this iconic British brand.
Soon to be arriving at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop is a 1967 Austin Healey.
We are looking forward to its arrival so we can get to work on resolving the issues that the owner has reported and get it back out on the road to be enjoyed as it should be.
Our events space, The Atelier, has continued to be improved upon with some more additions to the bar area.
This time, Christian has made some metal panels to cover the ends of the workspace behind the bar and, as you can see from the photos below, even this relatively small change has made the bar look even cooler than it already did.
The Atelier continues to develop and evolve and it is very quickly becoming the perfect venue for petrolhead events.
100 years ago, the first Bentley and, in fact, the first British car, competed in the first-ever Le Mans 24-hour race. This Bentley 3-litre has lived a storied life since that first race and has recently been sold to a British enthusiast for more than £3 million.
The sale was brokered by Kidston SA which was founded by Simon Kidston. Simon is the nephew of Glen Kidston who actually won the 1930 Le Mans race in a Bentley. It seems fitting that someone with a connection to the brand like this was involved in the sale of this special car that represents the beginning of the Bentley legend and the tradition of ‘The Bentley Boys’.
Kidston, Clement, Duff and others like Sir Tim Birkin, Dr Dudley Benjafield or one-time Bentley Chairman Woolf Barnato would become known as ‘The Bentley Boys’ for their hard-charging racing lifestyle. When speaking about ‘The Bentley Boys’, W.O Bentley, the founder of Bentley said “The public liked to imagine them living in Mayfair flats. Drinking Champagne in nightclubs, playing the horses and the Stock Exchange, and beating furiously around the racing tracks at the weekend. Of several of them, this was not such an inaccurate picture.”
The Car
The story of this car, Chassis 141, begins with Canadian World War 1 veteran (and Bentley dealer), John Duff. He drove the car at the British Double 12-hour Race at Brooklands and ended up setting 38 international records while driving the Bentley more than 2000 miles at around 86mph. After John felt that this was a successful outing, he asked W.O. Bentley to prepare the car for the debuting 24-hour endurance race that was to launch in Le Mans, France.
W.O. Bentley thought that this was a mad idea but, nonetheless, prepared the car and sent the factory test driver, Frank Clement, to co-drive for John. It was this pairing that resulted in the successful completion of the first-ever Le Mans race with a finishing position of joint 4th, along with the lap record of 66.69mph. This was all achieved in this very special Bentley that only had rear brakes and ended up running out of fuel due to stones from the unpaved track puncturing the tank!
The following year, Bentley and ‘The Bentley Boys’ returned to Le Mans but, this time, they won the 24-hour race. Bentley went on to win four successive times from 1927 to 1930 which created one of the most dominant runs in the history of the race. None of that would have happened if it hadn’t been for Chassis 141 proving to W.O. Bentley that his cars were very much capable of winning endurance races like this.
Chassis 141 and John Duff can be credited as playing a huge part in the long-term success of Bentley. If you follow the story of the brand’s success, it pretty much begins with Chassis 141!
100 Years On, First Ever Bentley to Race at Le Mans 24 Hours Sells for Over £3m
Things Slow Down For This Special Bentley
After the excitement of its racing life, Chassis 141 lived a slower life being used as a towing vehicle, an undertaker’s car, and it was even used to transport St.Bernard dogs to shows throughout the 1940s. It then disappeared until the 1980s when the owner of Donington Car Museum received a call from a 97-year-old lady saying she had 2 old cars in her barn if he wanted them.
The museum owner purchased both cars, not knowing just how special the Bentley was, so the car sat as a project for a while. It wasn’t until a motoring journalist identified it as the long-lost first Bentley to race at Le Mans that it became apparent the massively important piece of motoring history was in his possession. Eventually, Chassis 141 was sent to an Australian collector, Peter Briggs, who restored the car before making it the centrepiece of the Briggs’ York Motor Museum near Perth.
Now that it is back in Britain after a British collector became its new owner, the story of Chassis 141 has come full circle and it has come home to where it all began.
Bentley 141Bentley 141 with Simon KidstonDuff tending to the engine – Image Credit: Graeme Cocks – Clare HayBentley 141 with Simon KidstonBentley 141 when foundImage Credit: Motorsport Images & KidstonImage Credit: Graeme Cocks – Clare Hay
Simon Kidston said: “This week the most famous motor race in the world celebrates its 100th birthday and its pioneering early competitors remain as intriguing as ever. This Bentley isn’t just an old car, it’s a turning point in motor racing history and a cornerstone of the Bentley legend. And personally, having inherited a family passion for cars which was accelerated by my ‘Bentley Boy’ uncle, helping to bring this Bentley home feels really satisfying. It won’t be leading a quiet life: it’ll be lining up on the grid of the Le Mans 100th anniversary race for vintage cars next month. I hope its original drivers will be looking down and smiling.”
Chassis 141 – The First Bentley To Race At Le Mans
It’s not very often that a car with as much history and as much importance to motor racing history and, indeed, to motoring history, in general, is sold. It may have come with a whopping price tag of more than £3 million but, at last, Chassis 141, will return to Le Mans and get the recognition it deserves as a true legend of motoring.
Bridge Classic Cars are thrilled to invite you to a very special event in the form of our very first Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet.
The evening promises to be a relaxing and ambient environment where you can share your passion for classic vehicles with other like-minded enthusiasts. Meeting at sunset will create a stunning and picturesque backdrop that highlights the beauty of your classics.
Starting at 7 pm and taking place at The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars, you will be able to enjoy food from Oscar’s mobile catering, drink, and live acoustic music to help bring your day to a chilled conclusion.
Whether you are a classic car owner, or simply an admirer of automotive artistry, our Sunset Classic Car & Bike Meet will have something for everyone. With plenty of opportunities to capture memorable moments against the backdrop of the setting sun, swap tips and advice with fellow enthusiasts, or simply admire the craftsmanship that has gone into each and every classic vehicle.
The Atelier bar will be open for drinks, and food will be available to make sure you have everything you need for an evening of automotive appreciation.
We would love it if you can join us in celebrating the timeless beauty of classic vehicles as the sun goes down over the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Attendance is completely FREE but please RSVP below to let us know you will be joining us.
The 1972 Reliant Regal Supervan III is believed to be one of the original ‘Trotters Independent Trading’ vans. Several of these were used during the filming of “Only Fools and Horses” and this is thought to be one of the vehicles that Del Boy and Rodney used in their many schemes of becoming millionaires.
The Vehicle
This very special Reliant Regal Supervan comes from a private collector, who has owned it since 2021. Prior to their ownership, John Mansfield of the BBC had the vehicle (along with another identical example that he sold in 2017 for just over £41,000).
With 97,000 miles on the clock and a top speed of 55mph, the yellow van was a prominent feature of the TV show and is easily recognised by its millions of fans.
Along with its storied history, the van has been subject to recent recommissioning works including having new tyres fitted, its brakes overhauled and the fuel system checked through. Also with the vehicle comes a roof rack, market suitcase, fluffy dice, and an inflatable doll that helped create one of the most iconic and memorable scenes in Episode 2 of Series 6 – “Danger UXD”.
Image Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car Auctions
Only Fools And Horses
Only Fools and Horses was created and written by John Sullivan and has become a beloved British sitcom. First airing in 1981, it ran for over two decades until 2003. The show follows the lives of Derek “Del Boy” and Rodney Trotter, as they navigate the ups and downs of life in Peckham, South London.
Del Boy, played by David Jason, is a lovable rogue and ambitious market trader with dreams of becoming a millionaire. His younger brother Rodney, portrayed by Nicholas Lyndhurst, is more naive and often finds himself caught up in Del Boy’s get-rich-quick schemes. The show’s humour stems from Del Boy’s outrageous and often ill-fated attempts at making money, which often involve the sale of dodgy goods or elaborate cons.
The show won numerous awards including several BAFTAs and has left a permanent mark in British television history.
Image Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsImage Credit: Classic Car AuctionsMay 23, 2023 1:35 pmPublished by Rob Harvey
This past weekend, I spent some time at the 184th Hadleigh Show with my family. Although Bridge Classic Cars weren’t in attendance, I couldn’t help but be drawn to some of the vintage and classical farm machinery and vehicles.
From tractors, quadbikes, diggers, and alike, it was great to see so many vehicles that would have been heavily used in the region over the decades.
As well as the range of classical working vehicles, I was particularly drawn to the 2023 Isuzu D-Max painted in a personal favourite of Matte Black that was on display on the brand’s stand.
While the vehicles were obviously able to hold my attention for much of my time at the show, the animals were a big hit for me and the family too! The Shetland Grand National definitely seemed to be the highlight of the day for many in attendance.
More than 15 thousand people visited the Hadleigh Show this year and it was a great day out for us all.
A good friend of Bridge Classic Cars, Luke, also attended the Hadleigh Show and took some photos of his own…
We arrived at 9.30 am at the Ricknghall Car Show to be greeted by the lovely Geoff Short, on behalf of the Jaguar Car Club, who had organised the day. The day was sunny and breezy with about 200 cars in attendance of varying makes, marks, models and eras, everything from our 2009 Porsche Caymen to a classic Mini and even vintage tractors.
Molly and I had a wander about the show and were lucky enough to be able to meet some of the owners of the exhibiting vehicles. A gentleman called Mike talked us through his leaf-green Austin Healey Frog-eye Sprite which he has restored from scratch over the last 20 years, another couple talked us through their Austin Seven which ran very well and had a lovely vintage suitcase strapped to the back. Molly fell in love with a beautifully cared-for Fiat, her owner Heidi keeps her pride and joy well polished!
As well as the cars on display there was also a craft fair filled with lots of homemade items including fudge!
We welcomed Freddie to the team this weekend, he fitted in like part of the furniture and was able to talk to members of the public about our Porsche and also the 1980 Saab Turbo that we took over with us.
All in all a lovely day was had by all and marked the start of the car show season for us.
On May 19th 1935, the first section of the now-famous Autobahn opened. This first section was around 14 miles long and was opened by Adolf Hitler. Within just a few years, the Autobahn would expand to more than 7000 miles and was used for political gain for the Nazis, as well as demonstrating the high levels of engineering that were possible in Germany.
Today, the Autobahn is one of the most famous and desired roads in the world. Even though we are 88 years removed from the first opening, the road is still just as relevant throughout the automotive world as it was back in 1935.
The Beginning Of The Autobahn
The concept of the Autobahn was actually born in the 1920s, a time when automobiles were becoming more prevalent in German society. The idea at the time was to create a network of high-speed roads that would connect major cities and regions, enabling fast and efficient transportation for both people and goods.
The Autobahn has captured the attention of drivers right from the start. Stretching across the picturesque landscapes of Germany, it is a true demonstration of precision engineering, efficiency, and speed. With its unique characteristics and rich history, the Autobahn has become an icon of German culture and a source of interest from all over the world.
Unlimited Speed
Probably the most defining feature of the Autobahn is the lack of a general speed limit on many of its sections. While there are recommended speed limits, and certain areas where speed restrictions are in place for safety reasons, a large part of the Autobahn allows drivers to unleash the full potential of their vehicles. Many people with a passion for cars see the Autobahn as one of the best driving experiences and travel great distances to drive on it.
Despite there not being a general speed limit, the Autobahn is an extremely well-designed and regulated road system. With multiple lanes, advanced traffic management systems, and strict driving rules, drivers are expected to exercise caution, follow traffic regulations, and respect the rights and safety of other road users. This emphasis on discipline and following the rules is what allows the Autobahn to allow high-speed driving.
Autobahn Safety
Safety has always been a big concern on the Autobahn so there are a range of safety measures in place to ensure the road is as safe as possible. There are crash barriers, intelligent traffic monitoring systems, and regular maintenance procedures. Another important factor is that Germany has a highly effective driver education and licensing system, which helps develop and promote a culture of responsible driving.
The Driving Experience
Speed and efficiency are clearly the main appeal of the Autobahn, however, it is hard to ignore the stunning natural beauty surrounding it. The Autobahn goes through quite a range of landscapes, from rolling countryside to dense forests and mountainous regions too.
The Autobahn’s impact extends beyond Germany’s borders as it has served as a model for multiple road systems globally. The idea of high-speed, well-maintained motorways has become a big part of modern projects, and the Autobahn’s success has certainly influenced transport policies in many countries.
The Future Of The Autobahn
As loved as the Autobahn is by drivers, environmental concerns, such as increased carbon emissions, have caused debates about the sustainability of unlimited speed. Some people argue that speed limits should be introduced to reduce the ecological impact and further enhance road safety. The counter-argument to this is that the Autobahn’s status as a symbol of freedom and driving pleasure should be something that is maintained and protected.
In recent years, Germany has taken steps to address these concerns and some sections of the Autobahn now have speed limits. This is a sort of compromise between the desire for speed and the need for environmental responsibility.
A Road For Drivers
Regardless of its connections to Hitler and any potential environmental impact, the Autobahn has to be recognised as a feat of incredible engineering. It offers drivers the opportunity to experience driving at speeds that they wouldn’t normally be able to and to truly experience the performance of their vehicles.
The debate of sustainability and unlimited speed will likely continue but, it’s hard to deny that the Autobahn has had a monumental impact on the automotive world and, whatever the future holds, it will always be an iconic driving experience.
We recently welcomed a 1964 Jaguar MKII into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Despite this beautiful classic car not being here very long, our team of classic car technicians resolved several issues that the owner had reported to us. These include the car not starting, changing the auto choke to a manual, and a full health check.
Scott noticed that the oil pressure was showing at just 15psi. After attaching a mechanical oil gauge, the oil pressure reading was much better so Scott traced the issue back to a faulty sensor.
The fuel was drained and Scott cleaned the carbs and flushed the lines before checking over the rest of the car. While doing so, he noticed a snapped spoke on one of the wheels so swapped this out for the spare.
When we delivered our 1958 Austin-Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite to William Gordon, who had won it through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, we couldn’t help but notice the Frogeye he already owned parked up in his garage.
The story ended with the Frogeye he won staying with him in Scotland and his former Frogeye coming back to Suffolk with us ready to eventually be offered as a future competition car.
Our (new) 1958 Austin-Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite has arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop and will now be inspected by our team of technicians before being prepped ready for its lucky new owner (who will hopefully be found soon).
The official theme for this year is anxiety. This theme was set by the Mental Health Foundation as part of their ‘Just’ Anxiety?’ campaign which aims to help people and organisations understand the difference between anxiety and anxiety disorders as well as building confidence in knowing what support is available to those who need it.
Anxiety
Most people will feel some form of anxiety at some point in their lives. However, those with an anxiety disorder feel intense levels of anxiety on a frequent basis. This can dramatically impact the quality of life they experience.
More than 8 million people in the UK alone are affected by an anxiety disorder. Some common anxiety disorders include:
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
Phobias
Separation anxiety
Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week first started in 2001 and has become an annual occurrence. It aims to help raise awareness of not only the various types of mental health issues but also to help reduce the stigma surrounding talking about them.
Talking can be a huge help for some people suffering from anxiety and other mental health issues. While medication and other forms of professional help may be needed, spending time with friends and family can go a long way in helping those who need it.
The Car Community And Mental Health
From car clubs and automotive events to sharing a common interest with others, the car community can be a great place to talk to people and spend time focussing on something you are passionate about.
Of course, this is not a solution or a cure for any mental health condition, however, it can give you the opportunity to temporarily alleviate some of the symptoms associated with mental health issues.
More Information
For more information on Mental Health Awareness Week and for more specific facts, figures, and guidance, the Mental Health Foundation is a fantastic place to start.
A good friend of Bridge Classic Cars, John Ryall, recently sent us some photos of The Cape 1000 – a grand touring rally that is considered by many to be the most beautiful drive in South Africa.
Described as “a motor vehicle rally paying homage to the various endurance rallies from a bygone era. Reimagined in the African context in what is arguably the most beautiful area on the southern tip of South Africa. This grand touring regularity rally that spans the ages from vintage, to classic to modern vehicles in five different categories creating a truly unique rally that inspires one’s soul and creates the most incredible lifelong memories and friends.”
The rally consists of driving 1600km over 4 days and, this year, featured 60 mostly modern cars.
As you can see from the images below, the rally looks impressive and it must have been an incredible drive for all those involved.
Image Credit: John RyallImage Credit: John RyallImage Credit: John RyallImage Credit: John RyallImage Credit: John RyallImage Credit: John RyallImage Credit: John RyallImage Credit: John RyallImage Credit: John RyallImage Credit: John RyallMay 16, 2023 1:59 pmPublished by Rob Harvey
Episode 2 of Talking Classics with Bridge Classic Cars is now live on our YouTube Channel. This episode is all about the Lotus Elise. During the show, Craig spoke to Elisa Artioli – the person that the Lotus Elise was named after and the little girl who was inside the car when it was revealed to the world in 1995.
As Elisa lives in Italy, she was kind enough to join Craig on a Zoom call and spoke about her 2 Elises, what she likes about them, and her incredible history with the car.
If you haven’t seen our Lotus Elise Talking Classics yet, it is well worth a watch but, in the meantime, these behind-the-scenes photos will give you an idea of what to expect from Craig and Elisa’s conversation.
Nick talks about our 1998 Lotus Elise S1, Craig talks to Elisa Artioli – the namesake of the Elise, and Molly and Nick discuss their 3 favourite Lotus cars.
We also take a look back at the very special competition for Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition that helped us raise £100,000 for charity.
Come and join the Bridge Classic Cars team for our first-ever movie night at The Riverside in Woodbridge.
We have teamed up with our local cinema to host a screening of the 1969 classic ‘The Italian Job’. The evening will begin at 7 pm when attendees can park their classic cars and spend some time admiring the other special vehicles that have made the trip.
The A Listers will also be open where drinks will be available to make sure you are comfortable and ready for the screening to start at 7:45 pm.
Image Credit: The Riverside WoodbridgeImage Credit: The Riverside Woodbridge
‘The Italian Job’ stars Michael Caine as the mastermind behind a plan to steal a shipment of gold from the streets of Turin in Italy. Benny Hill co-stars as the computer expert who causes a traffic jam to create the ideal situation for the heist to take place.
This is your chance to watch the original version of an iconic film, that has been remade several times, surrounded by classic cars and other like-minded enthusiasts.
If you’re a classic Mini fan, ‘The Italian Job’ will certainly give you plenty of opportunity to admire some great examples on the big screen.
Starting at Christchurch Park in Ipswich before travelling to Felixstowe Seafront, the rally was organised by the Ipswich Transport Museum and has been an annual event for many years (with the exception of a COVID-led hiatus), and it was extremely well attended.
While at the event, Molly and Lily spoke to a number of attendees about their vehicles and they had a fantastic time. The vehicle owners they spoke to included:
Glen and Barbara Hurlock. They had a Ford Zodiac that they were very pleased made it to the rally in one piece as it broke down and didn’t quite make it on their last attempt!
Nigel Hodder. Nigel is a former customer of Bridge Classic Cars as we worked on the interior of his TR6.
Peter Meredith also showed off his 1971 MGB GT which he has had the pleasure of owning for the last decade.
A particular highlight of the day for Molly and Lily was the tour of a 1939 Bristol Low Bridge Bus that was partly built at Eastern Coachworks in Lowestoft. One of the bus’s owners, Martin, was kind enough to give them a tour and told the story of how a group of bus drivers had bought and restored the bus so that future generations get to enjoy and admire it too.
The bus used to have a retractable roof but this has since been replaced with a solid roof.
Bridge Classic Cars Director, Gordon also attended the rally and he too had a great day spending time with other classic car enthusiasts and admiring the wide range of classic vehicles that made the drive from Ipswich to Felixstowe.
Nigel Woodhouse of Simply Swing came in to see Lily today to chat about upcoming events. He arrived in style in his ’49 Chrysler, chrome polished to perfection.
Lily and Nigel have begun planning events for over the summer where vintage music and swing dancing can be incorporated. Having something for everyone at our big events will make them even more enjoyable and really add to the vintage vibe.
Join Lily from Bridge Classic Cars as she sits down with renowned TV survivalist and adventure Ed Stafford.
Not only did Ed talk about his love of the formidable Land Rover Defender, but also his love and passion for highlighting worthy causes and charities which he has championed throughout his life.
Remember to leave us a review and subscribe to the channel! Or, hit the download button and listen to our interview with Ed on the go.
Our soon-to-arrive 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500 will be undergoing a full restoration in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. This will actually be the 4th concourse restoration for one of our regular customers and we are very much looking forward to getting the work underway.
In preparation for this, we have sourced an English British Leyland engine that will eventually go into the car. As the car is left-hand drive and part of the American production run, it features the lower-performing American version of the engine which was limited somewhat due to emissions restrictions.
Before the engine goes into the car though, it will be recommissioned to match the future condition of our Spitfire.
The drive covered around 90 miles and went through areas such as Treales, Knott End, Trough of Bowland, the Ribble Valley, and Pendle Hill.
As we celebrated Drive It Day here at Bridge Classic Cars, along with our friends at the NSPCC, it’s great to see other classic car enthusiasts enjoying their special vehicles too.
Our good friend Jack recently spent some time at Circuit Paul Ricard for an F3 track day.
Driving an F3 car around a track like this must have been an unforgettable experience and, as you can see from the photos below, it looks like an amazing thing to do.
As cool as Jack looks in the car, we couldn’t help but notice his extra cool attire when he was out of the car too!
Tom recently took the long drive from the workshop here in Suffolk, all the way up to Scotland to deliver our 1958 Austin Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite to lucky winner William Gordon. William was selected as the winner when his ticket number, 1486, was randomly selected during the live draw held on 13th April 2023.
As the drive took Tom hundreds of miles up North, we used his trip to Scotland to acquire some new additions to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions collection. The first new addition actually came from William himself in the form of the ‘Frogeye’ Sprite that he already owned.
We are now organising the transport of William’s blue ‘Frogeye’ back to the workshop ready for us to get it ready to become a future competition car.
After staying in the Radstone Hotel Larkhill, Tom visited Paul Williamson Cars to pick up the second future competition car of his trip. Before that though, he enjoyed his hotel stay and made sure he was fuelled up and ready for another day of car collecting!
The second competition car that Tom went on to collect was our 1973 Triumph Spitfire. This made the journey back with Tom and is now in the workshop waiting for the team to assess it ready for it to be won in the very near future.
This epic journey began on 23rd April 1900 and ended on 12th May 1900 when 35 of the original 65 cars that began the journey successfully arrived back in London.
National Drive It Day has become even more than a celebration of this mammoth undertaking. It is now an event where classic and historic vehicle enthusiasts can get together to not only share memories and experiences of their own classic vehicles but also raise money for the NSPCC too.
More information on the origins of the event and how you can get your rally plates can be seen here.
Enjoy your drive in the morning and join us at our Pettistree workshop between 11am and 2pm. There will be Mediterranean food from Prestige Catering and the bar will be open for drinks.
Please register to let us know you are attending the event. To take part you must purchases a rally plate. Commemorative rally plates can be purchased from the official Drive It Day website with the money raised from the purchase providing vital funding for Childline.
For more information, please contact Lily via events@bridgeclassiccars.co.uk
Having such a fantastic collection of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars parked outside the workshop was a great sight to see on a Sunday morning. The event was extremely well attended with around 50 members of the club visiting us and enjoying refreshments from The Atelier bar, as well as taking a look behind the scenes with a tour of our state-of-the-art workshop.
At Bridge Classic Cars, we are in the very privileged position of restoring and working on some of the most recognisable and sought-after classic cars in the world. With a range of classic vehicles coming into the workshop on a regular basis, it can be easy to take for granted just how beautiful these machines are.
Over the years, we have seen several Rolls Royce and Bentley motor cars pass through the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Some have been with us for an extended period, while others have come and gone in seemingly no time at all. Despite the differences in the amount of time we spend with these vehicles, there is one common occurrence – the buzz and excitement of seeing a truly special British classic up close.
The Visit
Molly and Freddie were on hand to welcome club members to The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars. They were available to make drinks, talk about all of the current projects we have ongoing, and, of course, admire the stunning array of Rolls-Royce and Bentleys that were parked just a few metres away.
The club visit lasted a few hours and, both Molly and Freddie had a great time getting to know as many members as possible. Freddie particularly enjoyed the round of applause he was given at the end of his tour of the workshop!
After leaving us, it was on to a local pub for some lunch and more car chat – a perfect way to spend a Sunday.
We Hope To See You Again
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to extend our thanks to all who attended this event. We very much enjoyed hosting the club meet and we hope to see all of you (and more) again very soon.
On Sunday 23rd April, Bridge Classic Cars hosted Drive It Day.
Starting at The Hangar, at Bentwaters Parks, around 150 cars arrived and were put on display. Tea and coffee were available and there was plenty of time to admire the wide variety of vehicles in attendance.
At midday, we all travelled, in convoy, to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, in Pettistree – a journey of approximately 7 miles. Once here, there was musical entertainment from The Buskateers, food from Suffolk Fried Chicken and Otis Breading, and The Atelier bar was open too.
The whole day was a lot of fun and it was great to see so many classic car enthusiasts turn out and spend some time with us (despite the poor weather at times!). However, it wasn’t all about fun and cars – Drive It Day helps raise much-needed funds for the NSPCC, specifically Childline.
Our Drive It Day was a great success and more than £2000 was raised over the course of the day.
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to thank everyone who came along and we hope to see even more of you at our future events.
On Wednesday, we welcomed Oscar-winning Writer and Director, Mat Kirkby to The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars.
Mat sat down with Craig to have a chat, and it was great to hear all about his work, his Oscar win, and his upcoming projects.
As an added bonus, Mat actually brought his award with him and it was exciting to see it up close. Some of the team even got to hold the 24-carat gold statue and pretend, at least for a minute or two, that we were award winners!
Join Bridge Classic Cars In Celebrating National Drive It Day
As well as raising funds for the NSPCC, National Drive It Day celebrates the epic journey undertaken by 65 cars in 1900. These driving pioneers attempted to drive 1000 miles from London to Edinburgh and back again with the goal of proving the viability of the motor car.
Bridge Classic Cars are joining the celebration by hosting Drive It Day 2023. Beginning at The Hangar, in the impressive grounds of Bentwaters Air Base, there will be time to admire the wide range of vehicles in attendance. After a hot drink, we will travel, In convoy, to our main workshop in Pettistree. The route will cover approximately 7 miles.
Once at the workshop, you will be able to take a closer look at some of our current restoration projects as well as enjoying live music from local band, The Buskateers, food from Otis Breading and Suffolk Fried Chicken, and our fully licensed bar will be open too.
Drive It Day, hosted by Bridge Classic Cars, gives you the opportunity to get behind the wheel of your special vehicle, take in the sights of the picturesque Suffolk countryside, and raise vital funds for a very important charity.
National Drive It Day is on Sunday, 23rd April. We will be meeting at The Hangar, Bentwaters Parks at 11 am with the drive to the workshop beginning at noon. You can then enjoy all the food and entertainment you like until things come to an end at 3 pm.
Commemorative rally plates can be purchased to help raise funds to support the NSPCC’s Childline service. With 90% of the charity’s income coming from donations and each call costing £4 to answer, the charity and the children and young people it helps, need our help now more than ever.
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