Together – 1958 Jensen 541R In Full Bodywork
September 9, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has worked on getting all the panels onto the car to double-check fitment after paint. The team have put the one-piece
classic jensen specialist
Inside – Working on the Interior of the 1958 Jensen 541R
September 9, 2022
With the paint shop now finished with the 1958 Jensen 541R, the Bridge Classic Cars trim team can begin working on the interior of the
Repaired – Repairing the Subframe for the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’
September 8, 2022
The subframe for the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’ has been reworked by the Bridge Classic Cars team. The part was in need of some
Stripped Back – Stripping the Subframe of the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’
September 6, 2022
The subframe for the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’ has been delivered back to the Bridge Classic Cars Pettistree workshop. The subframe has been checked
Fresh Finish – Freshly Blasted Parts from the 1959 Jensen 541 ‘Hepburn’ in Gloss Black
September 5, 2022
The freshly blasted parts for the 1959 Jensen 541R ‘Hepburn’ have returned to our Suffolk HQ for the team to get into perfect condition for
Back and Sides – Handmade Seat Parts for the 1958 Jensen 541R
September 2, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop have been working on making more of the handmade parts for the interior of the 1958 Jensen 541R. This
Teardown – Stripping Down the Body of the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’
September 1, 2022
The 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’ has been further stripped down by the Bridge Classic Cars workshop team. The workshop have removed the roof and
Check Over – Inspecting the Subframe from the 1960 Jensen 541R ‘Lilac’
September 1, 2022
The subframe from the 1960 Jensen 541R has arrived back at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop after being sent away for blasting. The team sent
Inspection – Checking the Blasted Subframe from the 1959 Jensen 541R ‘Hepburn’
August 30, 2022
As part of the restoration of the 1959 Jensen 541R ‘Hepburn’, several key pieces along with the body and chassis have been blasted by a
Trimmed – Trimming the Glovebox of the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 30, 2022
The original glovebox on the 1958 Jensen 541R has been completely stripped back in order to be retrimmed by the Bridge Classic Cars team. The
Up Front – Trimming the Front Seats on the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 30, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars trim team have been busy stripping down and retrimming the front seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R. The team have stripped
Teardown Begins – Beginning to Teardown the Trim on the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’
August 25, 2022
As part of the inspection on the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’ by the Bridge Classic Cars team, the workshop have begun to tear down
Centre Piece – Retrimming the Armrest of the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 24, 2022
The trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have been making progress on the interior of the 1958 Jensen 541R. The team have retrimmed the centre
In Colour – Body of the 1958 Jensen 541R Painted
August 23, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has been back into the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint booth to have its body painted. The team began by getting
Success – The 1960 Jensen 541S Wins Best Car
August 22, 2022
The 1960 Jensen 541S ‘Peony Red’, which was restored by the Bridge Classic Cars team, has won Best Car 1956 to 1980 at the 2022
Remake – Replacing the Broken Ceiling Pad on the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 22, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars interior trim team have been back working on the 1958 Jensen 541R. The team have been repairing the top rail for
Stripped Back – Stripping Down the Suspension from the 1959 Jensen 541R for Blasting
August 22, 2022
The suspension and steering components of the 1959 Jensen 541R have been carefully removed from the car in preparation for them to be sent off
On Top – Painting the Roof of the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 22, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has been in the body shop to be perfected and prepared in preparation for the careful painting of its roof. The
Watercolour – Artwork of our 1959 Jensen 541R From Helmingham
August 16, 2022
Local artist Paul Seymour has sent us in this beautiful watercolour painting of our 1959 Jensen 541R that he sketched at our stand at this
Headed Off – The 1959 Jensen 541R Off to Blasting
August 12, 2022
The 1959 Jensen 541R ‘Hepburn’ has been completely stripped back to a bare shell by the Bridge Classic Cars workshop as part of its restoration
Final Stage – The 1958 Jensen 541R in Final Primer
August 10, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paint booth to have its final stage of primer laid down onto the bodyshell.
Final Drive – Getting the 1958 Jensen 541R Ready for Final Primer
August 9, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has been having its final stages of sanding finished before it is taken into the Bridge Classic Cars paint booth for
Out & About – 1960 Jensen 541S ‘Peony’ at a Car Show
August 8, 2022
The 1960 Jensen 541S ‘Peony’, which was restored by Bridge Classic Cars, has been to several recent classic car shows with its proud owner sending
Stripped Back – Stripping Back the Dashboard on the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 5, 2022
The trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have worked on stripping down and refurbishing the dashboard of the 1958 Jensen 541R. Everything from the instrument
Fine Touch – Working on the 1956 Jensen 541
August 5, 2022
The 1956 Jensen 541 has been worked on in the Bridge Classic Workshop at our Suffolk HQ to have several parts on the car adjusted
To The Core – Stripping Back More Interior Pieces on the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 2, 2022
The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars has been working on stripping back more interior pieces from the 1958 Jensen 541R. Lydia, one of our
Onto the Next Stage – Filler and Primer on the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 25, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has had its filler work completed by the Bridge Classic Cars paint and body team. Chris, one of our paint and
Taken Apart – Disassembling the 1959 Jensen 541R
July 22, 2022
The teardown of the 1959 Jensen 541R continues at the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop at our Suffolk HQ. Our restoration technicians have been methodically
Update – Progress on the 1956 Jensen 541
July 22, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars workshop have made great progress on the 1956 Jensen 541. Our technician, Rob, has been working on the front end of
Stripped – Tearing Down the Seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 19, 2022
The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars have begun work on stripping back the rear seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R in with our team
Together – 1958 Jensen 541R In Full Bodywork
September 9, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has worked on getting all the panels onto the car to double-check fitment after paint.
The team have put the one-piece clamshell bonnet and both doors and boot lid onto the classic GT cars to begin adjusting and checking over everything to make sure there’s no interference and damage any of the paintwork.
It’s incredible to see the car together as a whole and see all of the various lines and curves which blend into one another on the body of the car.
Inside – Working on the Interior of the 1958 Jensen 541R
September 9, 2022
With the paint shop now finished with the 1958 Jensen 541R, the Bridge Classic Cars trim team can begin working on the interior of the car insitu.
To begin with, the trim shop have made new wooden bases for the front seats of the classic 541R which have been made specifically to fit each individual seat perfectly. Along with that, the team could make the new rear window trim rib, which was cut and refined by hand to ensure the best possible fit of the arch by the rear window of the classic GT car.
The trim shop then used the old door cards to begin templating for the new handmade pieces for the aesthetic rework of the 541R. Brian has carefully refined each door card to fit tightly into the door while also leaving enough room for the material which will wrap around the fibreglass panel.
Then finally he could make the kick panels. These were template and then transferred to ply wood.
Repaired – Repairing the Subframe for the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’
September 8, 2022
The subframe for the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’ has been reworked by the Bridge Classic Cars team.
The part was in need of some repairs and revisions so was taken to the bench for the restoration technicians to rework. The team have completely remade some of the tabs and mounts which will be needed for it to be reattached to the frame while also reinforcing certain areas.
Stripped Back – Stripping the Subframe of the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’
September 6, 2022
The subframe for the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’ has been delivered back to the Bridge Classic Cars Pettistree workshop.
The subframe has been checked over and all areas in need of repair have been noted by the workshop for our amazing fabrication shop to carry out getting the piece back to full strength and squareness.
Fresh Finish – Freshly Blasted Parts from the 1959 Jensen 541 ‘Hepburn’ in Gloss Black
September 5, 2022
The freshly blasted parts for the 1959 Jensen 541R ‘Hepburn’ have returned to our Suffolk HQ for the team to get into perfect condition for its restoration.
The freshly stripped parts were meticulously cleaned to get rid of any residual blasting material before they were refinished in hard-wearing gloss black.
The parts were then left to sure completely before carefully being packaged and put into storage to awaiting the cars reassembly.
Back and Sides – Handmade Seat Parts for the 1958 Jensen 541R
September 2, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop have been working on making more of the handmade parts for the interior of the 1958 Jensen 541R.
This time, Lydia has been working on trimming the backs and sides of the front seats. Each of these parts, including the foam pieces, have all been made and cut specifically for each of the seats to get the best fit for them both.
Lydia has carefully stretched and pulled the material to make sure there were as few creases and folds as possible. The bases will be finished with the cushion and bases that will help to pull the material of the bases taught.
Teardown – Stripping Down the Body of the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’
September 1, 2022
The 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’ has been further stripped down by the Bridge Classic Cars workshop team.
The workshop have removed the roof and rear bodywork from the early 541 to expose its chassis to be thoroughly inspected. The fibreglass parts have been put away into storage after being catalogued for when the classic GT car is ready for restoration.
Check Over – Inspecting the Subframe from the 1960 Jensen 541R ‘Lilac’
September 1, 2022
The subframe from the 1960 Jensen 541R has arrived back at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop after being sent away for blasting.
The team sent away the subframe for blasting to get a better look at the condition of the piece. Once it arrived back, the team have noticed that several of the mounts and brackets are heavily bent and misshapen while the bottom of the subframe has some areas of corrosion.
The subframe will be taken over to our in-house fabrication shop to be repaired and further checked over.
Inspection – Checking the Blasted Subframe from the 1959 Jensen 541R ‘Hepburn’
August 30, 2022
As part of the restoration of the 1959 Jensen 541R ‘Hepburn’, several key pieces along with the body and chassis have been blasted by a local specialist.
Our workshop team can now more thoroughly inspect each of the pieces which make up the front subframe. Inspecting the welds and bends but also assessing all the mounting points and brackets.
The subframe will be stripped down further and then any repairs needed carried out.
Trimmed – Trimming the Glovebox of the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 30, 2022
The original glovebox on the 1958 Jensen 541R has been completely stripped back in order to be retrimmed by the Bridge Classic Cars team.
The original piece was carefully taken apart by the team to assess its condition. After inspecting, the team had to remake the wooden pieces for the glovebox before then retrimming it black vinyl ready to go back on the car when the time comes.
Up Front – Trimming the Front Seats on the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 30, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars trim team have been busy stripping down and retrimming the front seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R.
The team have stripped the seats all the way back and removed any old padding or coverings to begin to remake the seats to the customer’s specifications. Each piece has been completely hand-cut and made for the seats to ensure the best possible fit and finish for the car.
These were then put together over the modern foam backings to finish.
Teardown Begins – Beginning to Teardown the Trim on the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’
August 25, 2022
As part of the inspection on the 1955 Jensen 541 ‘Number 8’ by the Bridge Classic Cars team, the workshop have begun to tear down all the trims, doors and windows for the car.
This is to check the function and condition of each individual piece which will be put together in their report.
Centre Piece – Retrimming the Armrest of the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 24, 2022
The trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have been making progress on the interior of the 1958 Jensen 541R.
The team have retrimmed the centre console/armrest on the classic Jensen. Each individual piece has been hand-cut and finished to give it the best possible fit. The team retrimmed the top piece in leather whilst the rest of the part is done in colour-matched vinyl as well as some of most of the others pieces from the interior of the car.
In Colour – Body of the 1958 Jensen 541R Painted
August 23, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has been back into the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint booth to have its body painted.
The team began by getting the doors and grille painted in a dark silver/bronze colour, contrasting against the beautiful dark blue of the roof. Then, each piece was clear coated and left to cure.
The body was then taken into the booth to be finished. Chris, one of our amazing painters, laid down layer after layer of the paint letting it cure before applying the clearcoat which is being left to harden before it can be sanded and fully polished to a mirror-like finish.
Here are some photos of what it looks like together:
Success – The 1960 Jensen 541S Wins Best Car
August 22, 2022
The 1960 Jensen 541S ‘Peony Red’, which was restored by the Bridge Classic Cars team, has won Best Car 1956 to 1980 at the 2022 Stonham Barns Classic Vehicle Display.
It’s amazing to see the reception this beautiful classic Jensen has received every time it goes to a show!
Remake – Replacing the Broken Ceiling Pad on the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 22, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars interior trim team have been back working on the 1958 Jensen 541R.
The team have been repairing the top rail for the ceiling pad inside the classic GT car. The team have remade the wooden piece by hand using traditional methods to make a total replica of the original piece for the car.
Stripped Back – Stripping Down the Suspension from the 1959 Jensen 541R for Blasting
August 22, 2022
The suspension and steering components of the 1959 Jensen 541R have been carefully removed from the car in preparation for them to be sent off to a local specialist for blasting.
As part of the cars ground-up restoration, the team will have these pieces carefully and methodically blasted before being brought back to our Suffolk HQ to be thoroughly inspected.
Each piece has been catalogued and readied for their next phase.
On Top – Painting the Roof of the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 22, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has been in the body shop to be perfected and prepared in preparation for the careful painting of its roof.
The team firstly covered the area in polyfan, which was then sanded back to double check for any low or high spots and then it was taken into the paint booth, reprimed and then the most important part of this particular stage.
The team then set about painting the large, curved roof in special Lobelia Blue, its original colour according to the Jensen records. The team laid down layer after layer of the deep, rich blue across the roof and scuttle panel of the classic GT car.
Watercolour – Artwork of our 1959 Jensen 541R From Helmingham
August 16, 2022
Local artist Paul Seymour has sent us in this beautiful watercolour painting of our 1959 Jensen 541R that he sketched at our stand at this years Helmingham Hall Classic & Sports Car Festival.
We brought along the 541R which is in the early stages of its restoration with us.
We’ve even got some photos of Paul at work while he roughed out the sketch which you can see below and head over to his website and check out some of the other amazing artwork he has done and the tuition courses he offers.
Headed Off – The 1959 Jensen 541R Off to Blasting
August 12, 2022
The 1959 Jensen 541R ‘Hepburn’ has been completely stripped back to a bare shell by the Bridge Classic Cars workshop as part of its restoration and to prepare it for blasting.
The bodyshell has been loaded onto a rotisserie for media blasting so that every part of the frame and body can be got to and exposed with the carefully selected blast media. The bodyshell was then loaded onto one of our trailers to be transported to a local trusted specialist to carry out the job.
Once complete, it will come back and be inspected and assessed by the restoration departments.
Final Stage – The 1958 Jensen 541R in Final Primer
August 10, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paint booth to have its final stage of primer laid down onto the bodyshell.
The team have been working hard to prepare the bodywork of the classic GT car. Every surface has been carefully sanded, worked and primed several times over to make sure everything is perfect.
Then the final glass-like primer could be sprayed onto the bodyshell and left to cure properly in our in-house oven.
Final Drive – Getting the 1958 Jensen 541R Ready for Final Primer
August 9, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has been having its final stages of sanding finished before it is taken into the Bridge Classic Cars paint booth for its last stage of primer.
The classic Jensen has been worked on by the body team to perfect each curve and shape across the entire car as a whole. Then, some of the panels were taken into the booth to have their final coat of primer before the bodyshell is taken in soon.
Out & About – 1960 Jensen 541S ‘Peony’ at a Car Show
August 8, 2022
The 1960 Jensen 541S ‘Peony’, which was restored by Bridge Classic Cars, has been to several recent classic car shows with its proud owner sending us over some photos of the gorgeous classic Jensen GT car in pride of place.
Stripped Back – Stripping Back the Dashboard on the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 5, 2022
The trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have worked on stripping down and refurbishing the dashboard of the 1958 Jensen 541R.
Everything from the instrument cluster to the wooden structures has been completely stripped back to their core components to be inspected, refurbished and reassembled as part of the car’s aesthetic restoration. Any metal pieces were completely stripped and cleaned down before being sprayed in hardwearing black.
Fine Touch – Working on the 1956 Jensen 541
August 5, 2022
The 1956 Jensen 541 has been worked on in the Bridge Classic Workshop at our Suffolk HQ to have several parts on the car adjusted and refined.
Our technician Rob first fabricated the new handbrake bracket/mount. This was bent up and shaped before the original piece was cut off the frame and the new piece welded on after having its hole and mounts put in.
Then it was time to move to the outside of the car and finesse the one-piece fibreglass bonnet. Rob has worked on adjusting the panel in every axis possible to get the unit to sit properly on the car. Once roughly in shape, Rob made new strengthening brackets which mount inside the fibreglass clamshell.
The final piece was to adjust and finesse the flange on the gearbox tunnel to perfectly meet up with the large single-piece gearbox cover that mounts up to the firewall.
To The Core – Stripping Back More Interior Pieces on the 1958 Jensen 541R
August 2, 2022
The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars has been working on stripping back more interior pieces from the 1958 Jensen 541R.
Lydia, one of our trimmers, has carefully been taking apart the original pieces all the way back to their core components in order to inspect and assess the structure underneath. Each of the pieces was taken off and visually checked over individually.
Onto the Next Stage – Filler and Primer on the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 25, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R has had its filler work completed by the Bridge Classic Cars paint and body team. Chris, one of our paint and body specialist, has been carefully perfecting the body lines and curves of the classic Jensen with minimal filler work.
Each panel and piece was worked on by the team in the absolute pursuit of perfection. From electrical sanders to the finest of sandpaper, the team have made the body of the 1950s GT car superb.
Then, it was time to get all the panels and the body into our in-house spray booth.
The classic Jensen was then taken into the paint booth to have the 2nd round of its primer laid down. First was the normal primer before then having its body and all the panels finished in Polyfan.
The team will then inspect and assess the body before moving on to the next stage of the cars aesthetic work.
Taken Apart – Disassembling the 1959 Jensen 541R
July 22, 2022
The teardown of the 1959 Jensen 541R continues at the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop at our Suffolk HQ.
Our restoration technicians have been methodically stripping down the classic GT car to assess and inspect any of the parts which have been taken off the car. One technician, Paul, has been working on stripping down the rear end of the car such as the boot with all of the accompanying fittings and hardware being removed and catalogued.
At the same, Jon has been working in the engine bay of the car. He has been carefully removing the various pipework which runs along the firewall and bulkhead of the car. All of this will be catalogued and reported on its condition.
Update – Progress on the 1956 Jensen 541
July 22, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars workshop have made great progress on the 1956 Jensen 541.
Our technician, Rob, has been working on the front end of the classic Jensen. To begin with, he fully welded in the suspension towers onto the new chassis. This is a crucial stage as it also acts as a tie-in for the front wing braces and forms part of the core support.
Next, Rob could fit the new wheel arches and begin to make the new brackets now that the towers were firmly in place, and accurate measurements could be taken to ensure the inner arches/wings sat squarely in the car and to the frame.
With all of these pieces firmly in place, Rob could begin to test fit the lower part of the front wing. This could then be adjusted for the right fitment and alignment to the body to act as one of the datum points with the fibreglass front end is fitted.
Stripped – Tearing Down the Seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 19, 2022
The trim shop at Bridge Classic Cars have begun work on stripping back the rear seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R in with our team for paint and trim work.
Lydia, one of our trimmers, has carefully unpicked the covers to expose the foam core underneath. All of these pieces are being used for reference as part of the work, so are carefully organised and stored for the time being.
Once the covers had been taken off, Lydia could then begin piecing together and shaping out the new foam which will make up the core of the new rear seat of the 541R.
