It’s All Coming Together
February 21, 2024
It was all hands on deck to get the headlining fitted to our Ford Transit MKII Tipper in an afternoon before the windscreen fitters arrived
classic ford transit
Transit Parts
February 8, 2024
As the restoration of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper continues to make good progress, technician Paul has made 2 brake calliper pins for it. While
More Zinc Plating
November 29, 2023
Steve has continued his zinc plating lately. He has been focussing on the front and rear suspension nuts, bolts, and washers. As well as the
Preparing For Zinc Plating
November 24, 2023
Classic car technician Steve has been getting various parts of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper ready for zinc plating. These parts included components from the
Next Steps
October 18, 2023
Classic car technician James has been working on our 1972 Ford Transit Tipper. Since leaving the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop, it is now in the
Windows And Interior Work
October 12, 2023
Our 1972 Ford Transit Tipper has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with classic car technician Mauro. He has been refurbishing the window frames
Mark 2 Transit In The Paintshop
September 25, 2023
Our Ford Transit MkII Tipper has spent some time in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with classic car technician Chris. Chris has been prepping and
Welding And Paint
September 18, 2023
Our 1972 Ford Transit Tipper Mark 1 has been making good progress throughout its stay in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Classic car technician Chris
Bodywork Begins
September 1, 2023
Now that our Ford Transit MKII Tipper has come to the end of its time in the fabrication bay, it has been moved over to
Stripping A Classic Transit
August 25, 2023
Our 1972 Ford Transit Tipper may have only been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for a few days but classic car technician Mauro has
Wheels Painted
August 11, 2023
After recently being primed, the wheels of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper have been back in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with classic car technician
Engine Stripping
August 4, 2023
The engine of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper has been in the care of classic car technician Steve recently as he has been stripping the
Transit Repairs
July 10, 2023
Classic car technicians Steve and Monty have been working on the restoration of our Ford Transit Tipper MKII. Steve cleaned the glove box and sprayed
Chassis Repairs
June 13, 2023
Our Ford Transit MKII Tipper has been in the fabrication bay with classic car technician Chris who has been doing some welding work to repair
You Can’t Brake Her Spirit
September 9, 2020
After five long years of sitting idle, this fantastic 1953 Ford Transit was brought back to life by our talented engine mechanics here at Bridge
New Arrival – 1953 Ford Transit Van
September 2, 2020
An exciting delivery arrived at Bridge Classic Cars this afternoon. The team got to meet one of the first ever Ford Transit Vans, introduced originally
It’s All Coming Together
February 21, 2024
It was all hands on deck to get the headlining fitted to our Ford Transit MKII Tipper in an afternoon before the windscreen fitters arrived the next day. Luckily this didn’t take too long as it’s only a small roof section.
The headlining fits very crudely, being simply tucked up into a channel to secure it, without the need for glue or additional fastenings. The front is then glued on and also held in with the windscreen rubber, which is why it had to be done before the screen was fitted.
Prior to this, Lydia took the time to add some sound deadening to the roof to try and keep the cab as comfortable as possible.
Steve has also been working on our classic transit by fitting the rear lights and the newly fabricated mounts. The original gearbox has been refurbished and refitted to the van and the front bumper, end caps, door mirrors, and bonnet have all been fitted too.
Transit Parts
February 8, 2024
As the restoration of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper continues to make good progress, technician Paul has made 2 brake calliper pins for it. While Paul was doing that, Christian fabricated some brackets for the rear side light.
More Zinc Plating
November 29, 2023
Steve has continued his zinc plating lately.
He has been focussing on the front and rear suspension nuts, bolts, and washers.
As well as the zinc plating, Steve has also fitted the front springs as well as the front and rear axles.
Preparing For Zinc Plating
November 24, 2023
Classic car technician Steve has been getting various parts of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper ready for zinc plating.
These parts included components from the suspension and the brake wheel hub nuts. To prepare them for zinc plating, Steve made sure each part was clean and ready to go.
Next Steps
October 18, 2023
Classic car technician James has been working on our 1972 Ford Transit Tipper. Since leaving the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop, it is now in the main workshop where the next phase of its restoration will take place.
James repaired the wiring to the rear chassis earth, replaced the unsafe and incorrect fuel hoses under the bonnet, and replaced the split vacuum pipework from the carb to the distributor.
He also tightened the fixings for the bottom front panel and replaced one missing bolt. Our classic Ford Transit Tipper was then checked for oil leaks, and James noticed that the output shaft seal at the rear of the gearbox/propshaft was misaligned and leaking.
The overflow pipe to the top of the radiator was also repaired and re-secured.
Windows And Interior Work
October 12, 2023
Our 1972 Ford Transit Tipper has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with classic car technician Mauro.
He has been refurbishing the window frames from the front doors and painting them black. Mauro also fitted new door cards and put the seats back into our classic Transit.
New air pipes were also fitted before Mauro put the headlights, indicators, and front bumper back onto the vehicle.
Mark 2 Transit In The Paintshop
September 25, 2023
Our Ford Transit MkII Tipper has spent some time in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with classic car technician Chris.
Chris has been prepping and priming the vehicle ready for it to be painted in the near future. This classic work vehicle continues to make good progress through its restoration with us.
Before entering the paintshop, our Mark 2 Transit spent some time in the fabrication bay with other Chris who made some repairs to the metalwork.
Welding And Paint
September 18, 2023
Our 1972 Ford Transit Tipper Mark 1 has been making good progress throughout its stay in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Classic car technician Chris has had it in the fabrication bay as he has been completing some welding work while other Chris, from the paintshop, has been working on the paint of this classic commercial vehicle.
Bodywork Begins
September 1, 2023
Now that our Ford Transit MKII Tipper has come to the end of its time in the fabrication bay, it has been moved over to the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop ready for work on its body to begin.
It’s always an exciting time when one part of a restoration is finished and a new one is about to start.
Our Transit Tipper will likely be in the paintshop for a little while but, by the time it leaves, it will be looking very different.
Stripping A Classic Transit
August 25, 2023
Our 1972 Ford Transit Tipper may have only been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for a few days but classic car technician Mauro has already been hard at work stripping it, ready for repairs to be made to its paint.
Once the strip down is complete, work will continue on our Transit Tipper and we are very much looking forward to seeing its great looks improve further.
Wheels Painted
August 11, 2023
After recently being primed, the wheels of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper have been back in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with classic car technician Mauro.
He has been painting the wheels in preparation for them to eventually go back onto the restored vehicle when the time is right.
Mauro also painted various other components in DTM satin black.
Our Transit Tipper continues to progress through its restoration journey and this is set to carry on.
Engine Stripping
August 4, 2023
The engine of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper has been in the care of classic car technician Steve recently as he has been stripping the engine. While stripping the engine, Steve found that the coolant passages were blocked and it had a damaged bore so will need reboring along with new pistons.
Steve also found the old gasket sealer at the bottom of the sump, before various engine parts were vapour blasted.
The heater box was stripped, cleaned, and its internal parts were recommissioned before the centre dash console was cleaned too. The heater vents also underwent a big clean.
While Steve was working on the engine, classic car technician had the wheels of our Tipper in the paint shop where he primed them ready for painting.
Transit Repairs
July 10, 2023
Classic car technicians Steve and Monty have been working on the restoration of our Ford Transit Tipper MKII.
Steve cleaned the glove box and sprayed the corner brackets as well as cleaned and sandblasted the gear lever. He also sandblasted the steering arm ready for painting.
While Steve was working on the interior components of the transit, Monty was working on repairing some of the panels that needed attention.
Chassis Repairs
June 13, 2023
Our Ford Transit MKII Tipper has been in the fabrication bay with classic car technician Chris who has been doing some welding work to repair issues with the chassis.
Since coming back from the sandblasters, our Ford Tipper has been making good progress in its restoration and once its chassis is fully repaired, work will continue to bring this workhorse back to its former glory.
You Can’t Brake Her Spirit
September 9, 2020
After five long years of sitting idle, this fantastic 1953 Ford Transit was brought back to life by our talented engine mechanics here at Bridge Classic Cars.
This week, she’s has a full refurbishment of her wheels and brakes. The brakes kept sticking, so now the engine is running smoothly, it was time to get her wheels and brakes doing the same.
No one can break this little vans spirit now!
New Arrival – 1953 Ford Transit Van
September 2, 2020
An exciting delivery arrived at Bridge Classic Cars this afternoon. The team got to meet one of the first ever Ford Transit Vans, introduced originally in 1953 as an FK 1000 but later as a Taunus Transit from 1961.
It’s one of only three others in the world, one of which is at the Ford Heritage Centre in Essex. This one is particularly special because of it’s window surrounds, the only one of it’s type. It may remind you of the VW Transporter, which it was designed to rival.
It’s owner has tried everything from new carburettors to new coils, but it still just doesn’t run. “We’re going to take a closer look and find out what’s going on” explains our workshop manager John. “I predict the fault may be electrical.”
We’re hopeful that the Bridge Classic Car’s magic touch will have this special van on some great British road trips again very soon!
