Inside the Workshop – 1958 Jensen 541R in Primer
July 13, 2022
Check out the latest video from Bridge Classic Cars! We go into the paint booth as the team get primer on the 1958 Jensen 541R.
classic jensen specialist
Crossing Over – New Door Skin and More Roof Framework on the 1956 Jensen 541
July 13, 2022
The 1956 Jensen 541 has had some new parts and pieces fitted during its build-up in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop at our Suffolk HQ.#
Stronger Together – Roof and A Post Brackets for the 1956 Jensen 541
July 12, 2022
The workshop team have made new strengthening brackets for the roof and A-Pillar of the 1956 Jensen 541 which is in for restoration. Rob, one
The Next Stage – Priming the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 11, 2022
The paint and body team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on getting the 1958 Jensen 541R into the next stage of its journey
Stripped Back – Stripping Down the Bonnet and Windows on the 1959 Jensen 541R
July 11, 2022
As part of the restoration journey, the 1959 Jensen 541R has had its bonnet and windows stripped back by the Bridge Classic Cars workshop team.
Refurbished – Refurbishing Pieces from the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 7, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop have been working on more pieces of the 1958 Jensen 541R. Lydia first worked on the seats of the
First Step – 1958 Jensen 541R Body Panels in Epoxy Primer
July 6, 2022
The first panels from the 1958 Jensen 541R have been moved into the in-house paint booth/oven here at Bridge Classic Cars for its next step
Remove & Rebuild – Teardown, Refurb and Refoam of the 1958 Jensen 541R Seats
July 5, 2022
The trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on refurbishing the front seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R which is in at our
Fine Adjustments – Adjusting the Framework of the 1956 Jensen 541
July 4, 2022
The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars has been making the fine adjustments to the inner framework of the 1956 Jensen 541 in with us
Inside Work – Stripping The Interior of the 1959 Jensen 541R
July 4, 2022
The in-house trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working with our workshop to carefully and completely remove the interior from the 1959 Jensen
Perfect Lines – Bodywork on the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 1, 2022
The body shop at Bridge Classic Cars have been refining the bodywork on the 1958 Jensen 541 after its fibreglass repairs have cured. The team
Progress – Framework Fit on the 1956 Jensen 541 Chassis
July 1, 2022
The workshop at Bridge Classic Cars is working on the chassis of the 1956 Jensen 541 currently in for its full restoration by us here
This Just In – 1955 Jensen 541 Arrives at the Bridge Classic Cars Workshop
July 1, 2022
The 1955 Jensen 541, which records show is the 8th car ever built, has arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ. The team recently
Perfect Finish – Wheel Wells on the 1956 Jensen 541 in Primer
June 28, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars paint and body team have been working on perfecting the wheel wells of the 1956 Jensen 541. After the team had
First Fire – Firing Up the 1959 Jensen 541R for the First Time
June 28, 2022
The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars have fired up the ‘Barn Find’ 1959 Jensen 541R for the first time in several years. The team
New Arrival – Collecting the 1955 Jensen 541
June 27, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars transport team have headed north from our Suffolk HQ to collect a very specialist Jensen 541. This Jensen 541 was a
First Steps – The 1959 Jensen 541R Begins its Inspection
June 24, 2022
After arriving this morning at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ, the 1959 Jensen 541R has already made its way onto the ramp for the
A Rare Sight – 4 Jensen 541’s in the Bridge Classic Cars Workshop
June 24, 2022
It’s a rare and unique occurrence which seems to only happen here but, at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ this afternoon we have 4
Stronger – Fibreglass Repairs on the Boot of the 1956 Jensen 541
June 24, 2022
The body team at Bridge Classic Cars have been performing some fibreglass repairs on the boot lid of the 1956 Jensen 541 in with us
This Just In – 1959 Jensen 541R
June 24, 2022
The 1959 Jensen 541R which has been up for sale and stored at our secure storage facility, The Hangar, has been transferred over to our
Full Service – Servicing and Fixing the Bonnet Stays on the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 22, 2022
The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars have carried out a full service on the 1958 Jensen 541R which is in at our Suffolk HQ.
Inspection – Going Through the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 17, 2022
The team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working their way through the 1958 Jensen 541R in order to compile a full condition report for
Coming Together – Wheel Wells and Front Arches of the 1956 Jensen 541
June 16, 2022
The paint and body shop at Bridge Classic Cars have been continuing with the fibreglass work on the 1956 Jensen 541 in at our Suffolk
From Scratch – New Wooden Rear Window Beams for the 1956 Jensen 541
June 16, 2022
The interior trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have worked on crafting new wooden support beams for the 1956 Jensen 541 in for restoration. Brian,
This Just In – 1958 Jensen 541R
June 13, 2022
This stunning green over white 1958 Jensen 541R has just arrived into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop at our Suffolk HQ for the team to
Full Glass – Fibreglass Repairs on the 1956 Jensen 541
May 23, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars body team have turned their attention to some all-important fibreglass repairs to the rear section of the 1956 Jensen 541. The
Key Features – Work on the 1959 Jensen 541R
May 17, 2022
The workshop restoration team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on completing several jobs on the beautiful 1959 Jensen 541R in with us. The
With The Current – Fitting a New 12 Volt Power Supply and New Float Arm on the 1959 Jensen 541R
May 4, 2022
The restoration workshop at Bridge Classic Cars has been working through the jobs on the 1959 Jensen 541R in with us. This time, it was
Freshly Made – The Fresh Chassis for the 1956 Jensen 541 Back at the Workshop
May 3, 2022
Bridge Classic Cars are pleased to unveil the newly completed chassis for the 1956 Jensen 541 has arrived back at our Suffolk restoration workshop. The
Clear Out – Cleaning Out the Sills of the 1958 Jensen 541R Navy
April 29, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R Navy has been with the Bridge Classic Cars restoration team to have the final part of its work completed by our
Inside the Workshop – 1958 Jensen 541R in Primer
July 13, 2022
Check out the latest video from Bridge Classic Cars! We go into the paint booth as the team get primer on the 1958 Jensen 541R.
This is the first stage of getting the fibreglass-bodied GT car in perfect condition before its Ice Blue Metallic paintwork.
Crossing Over – New Door Skin and More Roof Framework on the 1956 Jensen 541
July 13, 2022
The 1956 Jensen 541 has had some new parts and pieces fitted during its build-up in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop at our Suffolk HQ.#
The team have test fit a new door skin to the frame to make sure everything lines up and fits as it should before then fitting the door to the frame to check for any interference from the door to the bodywork or the various pieces of the framework on the classic 1950s GT car.
Once the door had been checked, Rob, could begin working on the roof frame on the other side of the car. This was offered up and any adjustments needed to make sure it had a correct tight fit up to the roof panel while still being squared and aligned to the other side of the car.
Stronger Together – Roof and A Post Brackets for the 1956 Jensen 541
July 12, 2022
The workshop team have made new strengthening brackets for the roof and A-Pillar of the 1956 Jensen 541 which is in for restoration.
Rob, one of our restoration technicians, has handmade the brackets which are done specifically for each area of the car to tie the various pieces together. After shaping and test fitting, the A-Pillar support could be welded into the car and then the rear roof bracket was welded into the frame after being bolted to the roof.
All of this is part of the process of getting the classic Jensen body into perfect alignment before it is handed over to our in-house body and paint team.
The Next Stage – Priming the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 11, 2022
The paint and body team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on getting the 1958 Jensen 541R into the next stage of its journey with the team at our Suffolk HQ.
Previously, the team finished masking up classic GT car ready for the first stage of primer to be laid down onto the car in preparation for its Ice Blue Metallic paint job.
The team made sure to cover the body evenly and thoroughly to get the best start to the paintwork as possible. And now with the car in primer, the team will sand it back to look for any adjustments that need to be made.
Stripped Back – Stripping Down the Bonnet and Windows on the 1959 Jensen 541R
July 11, 2022
As part of the restoration journey, the 1959 Jensen 541R has had its bonnet and windows stripped back by the Bridge Classic Cars workshop team.
The restoration technicians have got everything back to its core components in order to evaluate their condition and operation. Anything that can be refurbished will be worked on to make the pieces as good if not better than new.
Everything removed from the car has been carefully catalogued and put into storage for later in the restoration process.
Refurbished – Refurbishing Pieces from the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 7, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop have been working on more pieces of the 1958 Jensen 541R.
Lydia first worked on the seats of the 541R with stripping down the backrests and beginning to re-foam the piece.
Then, it was time to strip down and completely refurbish the centre-console cubby for the interior of the classic Jensen. Stripping everything back to its base components, remaking some parts and cleaning up others in order to get all the parts ready to be retrimmed.
First Step – 1958 Jensen 541R Body Panels in Epoxy Primer
July 6, 2022
The first panels from the 1958 Jensen 541R have been moved into the in-house paint booth/oven here at Bridge Classic Cars for its next step into colour.
After numerous hours perfecting the panels and body of the classic Jensen, the pieces were handed over to the paint team for their work to begin. Beginning, with epoxy primer. Each of these parts had several coats of the hard wearing base coat for the team to rework and then repeat the process with several different primers in order to have a perfect base to lay down the Ice Blue Metallic soon.
Keep a look out on the Bridge Classic Cars website very soon for more on the incredible 1958 Jensen 541R.
Remove & Rebuild – Teardown, Refurb and Refoam of the 1958 Jensen 541R Seats
July 5, 2022
The trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on refurbishing the front seats of the 1958 Jensen 541R which is in at our Suffolk workshops from Holland.
The interior of the car has been put in the hands of our trimmer Lydia who has been working on stripping down the original seat ahead of not only its rebuild but its new colour.
To begin with, the team have separated the front and back of the fibreglass bucket seat in order to begin removing the original black coverings which have been put to one side as use for references in the new templates. Then, the team could begin separating the foam from the bases.
Once completed stripped down to its base components, the team could sand back the pieces and anything that needed to be repainted could be done properly.
After that, Lydia could work on setting the new foam pieces into place before beginning to refine and contour them into the correct shape and form for the new blue coverings which the team will make specifically for the car.
Fine Adjustments – Adjusting the Framework of the 1956 Jensen 541
July 4, 2022
The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars has been making the fine adjustments to the inner framework of the 1956 Jensen 541 in with us at our Suffolk HQ for restoration.
Rob, one of our technicians, has carefully had the fibreglass body panels placed around the framework and on top of the chassis of the classic Jensen to check for any adjustments needed to get the bodywork fit and square on the 541. Bit by bit, he has made adjustments to the steel pieces to allow the body to sit correctly on top of the chassis.
Not only was this for the rear clamshell but for the all-important fibreglass roof and windscreen panel.
Inside Work – Stripping The Interior of the 1959 Jensen 541R
July 4, 2022
The in-house trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working with our workshop to carefully and completely remove the interior from the 1959 Jensen 541R as part of its restoration journey.
Brian, one of our trimmers, has removed everything from the inside of the 541R. All of these pieces will be stored to use as a template and if anything can be reused or refurbished for the car. Everything from the headliner to the seat runners have been taken out of the car for the team to carefully look through and assess.
Perfect Lines – Bodywork on the 1958 Jensen 541R
July 1, 2022
The body shop at Bridge Classic Cars have been refining the bodywork on the 1958 Jensen 541 after its fibreglass repairs have cured.
The team use a specialist fibreglass filler to perfect the lines on the classic 1950s GT car and make sure that everything is just right for the car. The team will only use filler where absolutely necessary and the vast majority will be completely sanded from the body.
This is the first step into the team getting the car ready for its Ice Blue respray.
Progress – Framework Fit on the 1956 Jensen 541 Chassis
July 1, 2022
The workshop at Bridge Classic Cars is working on the chassis of the 1956 Jensen 541 currently in for its full restoration by us here in Suffolk.
Recently the team have been working on adjusting and refining the brand new chassis for the classic GT car. Now with the majority of the reinforcements and adjustments in place, the team can begin to fit up the various framework pieces which create the substructure for the body.
A network of cross-linked metal channels combine to create the skeleton of the car. The team had to make sure the chassis was perfect before this could be done to ensure the framework sits exactly where it should do at this key stage.
This Just In – 1955 Jensen 541 Arrives at the Bridge Classic Cars Workshop
July 1, 2022
The 1955 Jensen 541, which records show is the 8th car ever built, has arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ.
The team recently picked up the classic Jensen from its previous owner in Lincolnshire before being bought home to Suffolk for our team to inspect. As soon as it came out of our enclosed trailer, the workshop technicians began to roughly reassemble the car’s panels back onto the framework before it was loaded back up and taken to our secure storage facility, The Hangar, to await its commission.
Keep a look out here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page very soon for more updates on this very early 1955 Jensen 541.
Perfect Finish – Wheel Wells on the 1956 Jensen 541 in Primer
June 28, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars paint and body team have been working on perfecting the wheel wells of the 1956 Jensen 541.
After the team had finished with the careful resin and fibreglass filler work, the team brought them into our in-house paint booth/oven to have their first coats of primer.
The team have carefully blended aluminium and fibreglass to remake and repair the wheel wells so the primer has covered these seamlessly blends. The wells will be now put into storage for the reassembly stage of the restoration.
First Fire – Firing Up the 1959 Jensen 541R for the First Time
June 28, 2022
The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars have fired up the ‘Barn Find’ 1959 Jensen 541R for the first time in several years.
The team used a small electric fuel pump to feed the carburettors, cleaned up the spark plugs and it fired up first time! The 4-litre straight-six ran absolutely perfectly with our workshop manager Jon at the wheel and our senior technician Dave handling the fuel.
Take a look at this amazing moment at our Suffolk HQ.
New Arrival – Collecting the 1955 Jensen 541
June 27, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars transport team have headed north from our Suffolk HQ to collect a very specialist Jensen 541.
This Jensen 541 was a stalled restoration in Lincolnshire which the team have managed to acquire. This particular 541 is special in the fact its identifying numbers, when checked against The Jensen Bible, show this to be the 8th production car built by Jensen in the 541 run.
The car was collected and put into our enclosed transporter to be taken to our secure storage facility, The Hangar, to await its restoration commission.
Keep a look out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more updates soon on this 1955 Jensen 541.
First Steps – The 1959 Jensen 541R Begins its Inspection
June 24, 2022
After arriving this morning at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ, the 1959 Jensen 541R has already made its way onto the ramp for the team to begin assessing and inspecting the 1950s GT car.
As with all of our restorations and projects, the car will go through a full inspection and assessment by the various departments (both aesthetic and mechanical) to compile a report and come up with a plan for the restoration of the unique British grand tourer.
Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page very soon for more updates on the 1959 Jensen 541R.
A Rare Sight – 4 Jensen 541’s in the Bridge Classic Cars Workshop
June 24, 2022
It’s a rare and unique occurrence which seems to only happen here but, at the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ this afternoon we have 4 individual Jensen’s in our workshop!
Each of these cars are at different stages of their restorations. Some just starting such as the 1959 541R, and some are completely stripped and ready for rebuild like the chassis of a 1956 541 at the back in the centre while our finished 1962 Jensen 541S Peony Red which is on the ramp for the team to check a few things over for its owner.
It’s a rare sight even for us!
Stronger – Fibreglass Repairs on the Boot of the 1956 Jensen 541
June 24, 2022
The body team at Bridge Classic Cars have been performing some fibreglass repairs on the boot lid of the 1956 Jensen 541 in with us for restoration.
Mauro has carefully reglassed certain areas of the bootlid to strengthen key places as well as refit the stripped-back boot latch. All of these were then built up over several layers before the resin was left to harden and cure.
This Just In – 1959 Jensen 541R
June 24, 2022
The 1959 Jensen 541R which has been up for sale and stored at our secure storage facility, The Hangar, has been transferred over to our Pettistree restoration workshop to begin its journey.
The classic Jensen has been commissioned to be built by our workshop from the ground up for its new owner.
Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more updates very soon on the 1959 Jensen 541R.
Full Service – Servicing and Fixing the Bonnet Stays on the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 22, 2022
The workshop team at Bridge Classic Cars have carried out a full service on the 1958 Jensen 541R which is in at our Suffolk HQ.
Dave, one of our restoration technicians, has carried out the service to the classic Jensen which also involved some work in the distributor to make sure this beautiful 1950s GT car runs smoothly and perfectly every time.
While in the workshop, Dave took the opportunity to carry out a repair to the bonnet stays of the car to make sure the bonnet stays open and does suddenly drop on whoever is working on it.
Inspection – Going Through the 1958 Jensen 541R
June 17, 2022
The team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working their way through the 1958 Jensen 541R in order to compile a full condition report for the owner of the beautiful 1950s GT car.
Our technician John has gone through the entire car front to back in order to check each individual system as well as a full visual inspection of the car’s mechanicals. He has found a couple of things to note which have been reported back on, one of them being a gap in the spring shackle of the car.
The passenger’s side rear spring shackle shows a gap between the eyelet and hanger which isn’t present on the driver’s side. This is something John has worked on and made a spacer in order to take up the space to ensure everything remains aligned and square.
Coming Together – Wheel Wells and Front Arches of the 1956 Jensen 541
June 16, 2022
The paint and body shop at Bridge Classic Cars have been continuing with the fibreglass work on the 1956 Jensen 541 in at our Suffolk workshop for restoration.
Previously, the team remade the aluminium wheel wells which were then refinished in hardwearing black before being put into storage. Now, they can be pulled out and the team begin the process of making them into one complete unit.
The aluminium wheel wells have been bonded onto the fibreglass inner wings of the classic 541 before then have layers of fibreglass resined over the edge in order to create a uniform piece. From there, the team began work on the fibreglass filler used to perfect and refine the shapes which make up the pieces.
From Scratch – New Wooden Rear Window Beams for the 1956 Jensen 541
June 16, 2022
The interior trim team at Bridge Classic Cars have worked on crafting new wooden support beams for the 1956 Jensen 541 in for restoration.
Brian, one of our trimmers, made templates of the original pieces to begin work on carefully cutting and angling the new pieces of pine into the factory position. Each of these pieces were first rough cut before being refined to ensure the perfect fit as these pieces not only add a bit of support to the rear window opening but will also allow the trim team a place to attach the headliner once the interior of the car begins to go in.
Each of the two pieces which made up the beam are cut by hand and then offered up as no two are perfectly uniformed due to the handmade nature of the cars originally.
This Just In – 1958 Jensen 541R
June 13, 2022
This stunning green over white 1958 Jensen 541R has just arrived into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop at our Suffolk HQ for the team to have a look at.
The team here are well-versed with the Jensen 541 family, having either restored or worked on over a dozen of the classic sports GT’s so this one is in good hands. We have been tasked with carrying out a full service on the car as well as a complete and total inspection for the owner.
The team will also investigate the possibility of some upgrades in the cabin and a thorough check of the gearbox’s operation as requested by the client.
Keep a look out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more very soon on the 1958 Jensen 541R.
Full Glass – Fibreglass Repairs on the 1956 Jensen 541
May 23, 2022
The Bridge Classic Cars body team have turned their attention to some all-important fibreglass repairs to the rear section of the 1956 Jensen 541.
The entire rear clamshell of the classic Jensen had developed a few issues with the material, so the body team carefully re-glassed the area in order to strengthen the piece and add material in for correcting the shape of the piece.
With fibreglass, its important the layers are built up flat and evenly to make sure it perfectly followed the shape of the panel underneath but also around the area.
Key Features – Work on the 1959 Jensen 541R
May 17, 2022
The workshop restoration team at Bridge Classic Cars have been working on completing several jobs on the beautiful 1959 Jensen 541R in with us.
The first job that need completing was to get the moveable front grille working again. The front grille of the 541R is moveable to vary the airflow into the radiator of the car. This whole mechanism is cable operated and needed to be replaced and tensioned in order to get the system working exactly as it should.
Next, the team turned their attention inside the classic 541R. The team had been tasked with replacing the seat belt mounts in the car. These are a vital safety feature of any car so their mounts must be secure, stable and flat in order to have the belts fixed properly into place. Each of the mounts was removed from the car and replaced by the team. The key mounts go through the gearbox tunnel of the classic Jensen, which were cut out and replaced then painted in rust proofing.
With The Current – Fitting a New 12 Volt Power Supply and New Float Arm on the 1959 Jensen 541R
May 4, 2022
The restoration workshop at Bridge Classic Cars has been working through the jobs on the 1959 Jensen 541R in with us. This time, it was fitting a new 12-volt power supply and fixing the issue with the fuel gauge.
Dave fitted a new auxiliary power supply underneath the dash of the classic Jensen for the owner.
Along with this, Dave has worked on resolving an issue with the fuel gauge. Upon inspecting the float arm inside of the fuel tank, he found it had a previous repair carried out. Once he removed the sender from the tank, the old repair actually fell apart in his hands. The issue was that the arm had actually seized in the sender unit and not giving the gauge reading. So, Dave got some new copper pipe and bent up an exact replica of the original and fit it into the sender.
Freshly Made – The Fresh Chassis for the 1956 Jensen 541 Back at the Workshop
May 3, 2022
Bridge Classic Cars are pleased to unveil the newly completed chassis for the 1956 Jensen 541 has arrived back at our Suffolk restoration workshop.
The newly completed chassis has been made especially for this project as the car will be converted to a left-hand drive. The custom-made bulkhead has not been drilled or cut for the conversion so our workshop team can make sure that all the necessary systems can be worked into the car in real space.
It’s amazing to see this key piece of the project returning to our restoration workshop.
Clear Out – Cleaning Out the Sills of the 1958 Jensen 541R Navy
April 29, 2022
The 1958 Jensen 541R Navy has been with the Bridge Classic Cars restoration team to have the final part of its work completed by our workshop team.
Part of the work is to clean out and inspect the sills of the classic Jensen 541R. The team have a series of areas where they know road dirt and debris can build up and in the long run cause issues so as part of its work, we have cleared out these areas.
The team also checked over a suspected fuel leak that couldn’t be identified and all was found to be ok on inspection. And with that, all levels were checked and topped off before being made ready to go home to its owner.
