classic MG

A Flash of Colour – Primer and Guide Coat on the 1977 MGB Roadster

The Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop have been busy getting the 1977 MGB Roadster we have in for restoration ready for its first coats of colour.

Chris, our lead painter, has been working on getting the body panels just right for the next phase of painting the MGB Roadster. Hours of sanding, filling and more sanding to ensure that each panel sat correctly with its bodylines and also in terms of its curve down and across the body. Then, the body and all its panels had several coats of epoxy primer.

Once the primer had cured enough, it was time to begin working on the first coat of colour on the roadster. A Light guide coat for the car in preparation for its full colour coat which will be going on very soon.

This Just In – 1974 MGB GT

Just arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in Pettistree, Suffolk is this beautiful 1974 MGB GT.

This particular car has been owned by the same gentleman for the last 25 years and every single day the car has been enjoyed by its loving owner. This wonderful classic sportscar will be going into our workshop where it will be assessed and inspected by our in-house restoration teams.

Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more updates on this particular 1974 MGB GT.

Coming Soon – 1974 MGB GT

Bridge Classic Cars is welcoming this beautiful 1974 MGB GT to our workshops very soon. This car has been owned by the same gentleman for the last 25 years who has clearly adored and enjoyed the car.

It will be coming into our workshop soon for our in-house restoration teams to begin assessing the car and coming up with a plan of what to do next.

Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars newspage for more on this fantastic MGB.

Moving Forward – Update on the 1973 MGB GT V8

The team here at Bridge Classic Cars have been busy working on getting the 1973 MGB GT V8 that is currently in our workshop all finished up. Some of the final jobs to be completed involved renewing some of the trims.

The original chrome bumpers had seen better days, and with good quality replacement readily available the restoration teams made the decision to replace them with all new pieces. As with most classic cars, the original brackets for the new bumpers caused a slight issue. They weren’t allowing the bonnet to close completely and securely. So, our technician Paul fabricated a new set of brackets which allowed the bumpers to sit in their original position along with having the space for the bonnet to shut entirely.

Also, Paul removed the tarnished and pitted original MG BGT badge from the back of this iconic sports car so it could be replaced with a new, shiny reproduction piece we had ordered.

Primed and Ready – 1977 MGB Roadster in Primer

The 1977 MGB Roadster which is in for aesthetic restoration, has now been prepared and taken into the paint booth where Chris and the paint team have applied the first coats of primer to the car.

Now, there’s a process of sanding the primer back and preparing it for the next stage in its aesthetic restoration which will build up the layers of primer before finally the colour is applied and make this iconic sports car dazzle once again.

More very soon on the 1977 MGB Roadster in on the Bridge Classic Cars news page

Preparations – Getting the 1977 MGB Roadster Ready for Paint

Our in-house paint and body experts have been busy preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for its date with the Bridge Classic Cars in-house spray booth.

Chris has been busy working on the back half of the MGB getting all the new metalwork to sit correctly and flow neatly and gently into the other panels. This is a crucial part of any aesthetic restoration so that when the primer and paint are applied to the car there is no change in the laying of either.

Soon, the car will soon go into the booth to have its epoxy primer laid and then it will all be prepared for its colour and clear coat.

UnderCover – Tonneau Cover on the 1934 MG PA

Our expert trimmer, Kath, has been hard at work creating a crucial piece for the 1934 MG PA Midget. The Bridge Classic Cars trim shop pride itself on the high standard that every single piece is finished to and the tonneau cover for the MG is no exception.

Kath made the cover entirely by hand in order for it using a handmade template in order to get the best fit for the final piece. Each of the pieces made by our trim shop is hand-finished and made using traditional techniques and materials if needed. Kath managed to completely remake to better than the original spec.

Now, it can keep all the amazing trim work underneath safe and dry for many more years to come.

Smallest Details – Trim Edging on the 1934 MG PA Midget

We love the 1934 MG PA Midget here at Bridge Classic Cars. Whilst work is continuing on the classic sports car in the workshop, our in-house trim expert Brian has the seat in the trim shop.

Underneath the driver’s seat, the original leather liner and edging were missing. No problem for Brian and the trim team. Brian made the new piece from high-quality black leather and then hand made the edging which surrounded the outer edge of the seat base.

Our trim shop do an amazing job. Brian’s work really finishes off the seat from the 1934 MG PA, but expect to see a lot more on this car in the coming weeks here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.

Small Adjustments – Adjusting the Doors of the 1954 MG TF

Jon, one of the in-house restoration experts here at Bridge Classic Cars has spent some time working to get the doors on the 1954 MG TF to fit and close properly.

Firstly, Jon removed the door card from the classic sports car where it was then given over to one of our in-house trim experts, Kath, to repair. Whilst this was being done, Jon got to work on the doors. The first thing Jon noticed was that the spot welds that attach the door skin to the frame had popped and allowed the door to not sit level. So, Jon quickly spot welded the door skin back on before beginning work on the hinges.

Jon, upon inspection, noted that the lower hinge of the door had too much movement. So, Jon made up a spacer to sit between the door and hinge allowing a much tighter fit and better alignment between the door striker and the hinge.

Whilst Kath in the trim shop had the door card, it was decided to create a new check strap for the door in as close of a match as possible to the existing leather.

While waiting for the door card and check strap, Jon began work on adjusting the strikers and hinges so the door would shut evenly and level. With some small modifications needed to one of the latches, everything was eventually right in place to line up perfectly for the little sports car.

Diving Deeper – Finding a Rotten Heater Hose on the 1954 MG TF

The Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration teams have been inspecting and assessing the 1954 MG TF after getting the car started.

Our technician Jon had a look at each component within the engine bay, and that includes all the hoses. Upon inspection, Jon found one of the heater hoses had become very deteriorated over time and for the sake of safety will need to be replaced. The condition of the hoses is crucial for the longevity of any classic car’s engine so this is a must-do job.

Get Up and Go – Starting Issue on the 1954 MG TF

This absolutely stunning 1954 MG TF has got a bit of a starting issue. So, it has been bought in for the amazing Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration technicians to get to the bottom of it.

The job of looking into why the TF wouldn’t start was given to Jon, one of the amazing in-house technicians who has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to the overall health of a classic car. After troubleshooting and checking the various systems responsible for starting this plucky little sports car and putting the car on a deep cycle charge, Jon found the start solenoid had an internal fault. He also found the cable that controls the solenoid needed adjusting as well.

While adjusting the starter cables, Jon noted the dash would actually move with the cable so to make sure the adjustment was correct and working as it should he resecured the dash into the car and retested. After this, the MG TF started every time with little effort from this nearly 70 year old sports car.

Hub of Activity – Preparing the 1934 MG PA Midget for Work on the Hubs

The 1934 MG PA Midget which belongs to our Director, Gordon, is in the workshop for our in-house teams to tackle the next jobs.

The first is our technicians have removed the hubs on the classic sports car so that our amazingly talented in-house paint team can get them to look as good as new for the car. This also gives our restoration technicians the chance to inspect and clean the hubs and spindles on the MG.

Another job on the list was to look into the battery of the car. Our team have been working on a way of better securing it into the car.

Looking Ahead – Replacing the Headlight Buckets on the 1934 MG PA Midget

Over the weekend, Gordon (one of our directors) has been working on installing the newly painted headlight buckets to his 1934 MG PA that is having some other jobs done by the in-house technicians at Bridge Classic Cars.

The original headlight buckets were chrome but Gordon want some colour matched units for his new pride and joy. So, with the replacements found they were handed over to our in-house paint and body team to perfectly match the oak green paint already on the car.

With the headlights transferred into the new buckets, they would absolutely phenomenal on this classic sportscar!

Expect to see more on the 1934 MG PA Midget here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.

Ready, Set, Go – Preparing to Reinstall the V8 into the 1973 MGB GT V8

Jonn, one of our in-house restoration technicians here at Bridge Classic Cars, has been busy preparing both the car and the engine for the pair to be reacquainted.

Previously, after testing the 1973 MG B GT V8 our technicians found metal shavings in the oil after it was drained as part of our testing procedures. Since then, Jonn has replaced the bearings which had been found to be deeply grooved as well as fixing a problem with the oil pickup which had caused the issue in the first place.

Since that, the engine has been prepared to go back into the front of this beautiful purple sports car.

Keep an eye out here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more updates very soon on the 1973 MG B GT V8.

Mirror Image – Bodywork on the 1977 MGB Roadster

This 1977 MGB Roadster is in with Bridge Classic Cars for a full cosmetic restoration. That does involve a bit of cutting…

Scott has worked his magic on the passenger side of this amazing sports car over the last few weeks. Carefully removing any corroded metal on its flanks so that the new wings can be grafted in and secured. Now, it was time for Scott to begin work on the driver’s side. Much the same as the other, Scott only cut where was needed to remove the material and give enough room to comfortably weld the new panels in with very little distortion from the heat.

Using a thin cutting disc, Scott managed to create clean and precise cuts to remove firstly the original rear wing and then the structure and wheel arch behind it. These are needed to be removed and replaced with brand new pieces as part of the car’s aesthetic restoration.

Now, with the wings all on and cleaned up. It’s time to move forwards.

Ready and Waiting – Removing the Headlights on the 1934 MG PA Midget

Earlier, we should you the newly painted headlight covers for our director Gordon’s 1934 MG PA Midget. Well, in preparation for them our in-house restoration technician Paul has been carefully disassembling the headlights on this beautiful sports car.

With a vehicle such as the MG PA, a certain amount of restraint is needed when removing components from the car. Or, even something as simple as disconnecting a wire. That’s where our technicians shine, with a host of reference sources in our library and the wealth of knowledge contained within our workshop, any job can be tackled with the right approach.

Paul removed the headlight from its cover, making note of the placement of each wire and screw. Everything has been bagged and catalogued to be stored safely for its new covers to finally be cured and ready to be fitted to the MG PA.

Finer Details – Painting the Headlight Covers for the 1934 MG PA Midget

Chris has got the latest pieces for the 1935 MG PA Midget in the Bridge Classic Cars paint booth. These are the new headlight covers for the 1934 MG PA Midget!

The MG PA will be getting colour matched headlight covers that Chris has worked hard to try and colour match to the rest of the amazing early sports car. Chris prepped the pieces thoroughly to make sure that during the primer and colour coats it would lay evenly and match the finish of the existing paint on the car.

They look absolutely phenomenal. Once these have cured, they will be handed our to our in-house restoration technicians to begin fitting them to the car as they work their way through the list of things to do on this amazing car.

Coming Soon – 1975 MGB GT V8

Coming soon to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop here in Pettistree, Suffolk is this stunning red 1975 MGB GT V8.

The car will arrive and then be assessed by our various in-house restoration experts to determine what needs doing and in what order to make this amazing British sports car as good as new.

Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars blog for more on the MGB GT V8 once it arrives.

Making Headway – New Panels on the 1977 MGB Roadster

Scott, one of our incredible in-house restoration technicians here at Bridge Classic Cars, has been working on getting the new inner and out rear quarter panels fitted onto the 1977 MGB Roadster.

This process is best-done inch by inch when it involves the removal of inner body panels. The rear wings, needed to be replaced so the best quality replacement wheel arches and rear quarter panels were sourced for this car. After removing the pieces from the car carefully, Scott could then begin to test fit and trim the new panels into the car. A job where precision, accuracy and a steady hand are crucial but that is something we pride ourselves on here at Bridge Classic Cars.

With the panels now cut to size and shape, Scott methodically welded the new pieces into the Roadster so as to not warp the shape on the pieces. Then, that was one side of the car done and just the other side to go!

This Just In – 1934 MG PA Midget

This is not an MG TD. In fact, it’s quite an early MG PA. This particular car belongs to one of our directors, Gordon, who has decided there are few jobs he would like doing on his new pride and joy.

The first stop will be into our in-house trim shop for a few bits and pieces that need sorting out and then it will be into the main workshop where our in-house restoration technicians will work on this wonderful 87-year-old Sports car.

Keep your eye out here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog for more updates on the MG PA.

Back Out – Removing the Engine on the 1973 MGB GT V8

A few weeks ago, after firing the newly rebuilt V8 in the front of our 1973 MGB GT V8 for the first time, our in-house restoration technicians discovered some flecks of metal in the oil.

With this, our technicians have decided to take the engine back out of the front of this iconic purple sportscar and begin to diagnose what has happened. With a project such as this, it’s always done that after the engines first run in that everything is checked, doubled checked and then triple checked to ensure the health of the engine.

Thankfully, our in-house restoration experts are on hand to oversee the investigation and expect to see more here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.

Beneath the Skin – Preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for its New Panels

This 1977 MGB Roadster is in at Bridge Classic Cars for restoration. With the body panels in the paint shop and the interior in the trim shop, Scott bought the rolling shell into the main workshop to begin preparing the shell for the new panels.

It begins with removing all the panel bonding material from underneath where the new pieces will sit. Also, this needs to be cleaned back to prepared with anti-corrosion coatings to protect the shell underneath. Carefully, inch by inch, Scott has been removing the coatings and also having to remove some areas of corrosion on the shell. It’s a slow and meticulous job but is crucial to have a successful restoration.

Expect to see more soon on the restoration of the MGB Roadster across all of our in-house restoration teams.

All in the Preparation – Preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for Paint

Chris and the incredible team at the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop have been hard at work preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for its new coat of paint.

With all classic car paintwork, it is all in the prep. Chris is meticulous in his preparation of each individual panel that is on each and every classic car that goes through his team’s paint booth. It was the turn of the 1977 MGB Roadster.

Chris has been busy preparing each panel on the car to ensure they are perfect in terms of smoothness and their fit back onto the car. The wings have had their first coat of colour and are looking absolutely incredible! This is a very light base coat to begin with and most of it will be sanded back off during its preparation to then go back into the booth to be finished.

The bonnet on the MGB has also been in the paint booth with Chris’s team. This is now primed and ready to be sanded back to ensure everything is exactly where it needs to be.

New Arrival at The Hangar – The 1934 MG PA Midget

Our Director Gordon’s new 1934 MG PA Midget is now safe and sound in our classic and collectable vehicle storage facility known as The Hangar.

Since its arrival, the Bridge Classic Cars team have had a chance to pour over all the small details of this stunning early British sports car. Along with its arrival is the routine clean which all cars have before entering our storage facility by Viper Valet.

There are literally hundreds of amazing bits and pieces on this beautifully proportioned sports car. The large Jaeger clocks, the enormous steering wheels and the temperature gauge mounted on top of the radiator. There is just so many! So, have a look here through a gallery of this brilliant car.

Coming Together – Refit on the 1973 MGB GT V8

Bridge Classic Cars team of in-house restoration experts have been working on getting this 1973 MGB GT V8 we have in all buttoned up and ready to hit the road!

John and the workshop team have gone through hours of wiring checks and small fixes that were needed to ensure the wiring system throughout the whole car was in good working order and each component worked exactly as it should. Along with that, the interior of the car can now begin to go back in. Step by step, it’s beginning to look like an MGB GT again.

Underneath, there’s a brand new exhaust system to help that V8 breathe. Tucked up nearly underneath its brightly coloured body, there will be no doubt thanks to the new exhaust that this is indeed a V8 car. Also, the new brakes and clutch hydraulic systems have been put in, bled and tested passing with flying colours.

All of this means we should be able to test this stunning little sportscar on the road very soon. Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for updates on the 1973 MGB GT V8.

MGB’s New Luxurious Water

Our MGB has transition to the luxurious Evans water for its engine which is waterless coolant to accompany the new water pipe. We first need to drain and flush the system with engine flush and then top it up with Evans coolant. We’re also waiting on a new battery isolator switch to arrive so we can fit that.

MG B V8 Arrival

We’ve been working on the engine for this MG B V8 and now the rest of the car has finally come in for us to fit the engine.

Happy 60th Birthday Little MG A

Our 1960 MG A’s owner got in touch to tell us that it’s his classic’s 60th birthday, marking 60 years since it was first registered. Happy birthday MG A!

MG TD Service Results

Scott has carried out a service on our MG TD and found that it only needs its rear left wheel cylinder replacing as it was leaking. Other than that, its had the normal checks, oil changed and been re-greased so once the wheel cylinder is replaced, its good to go again!

MG TD In For Service

This pristine 1952 MG TD is back in for a service and a check over. Stay tuned to see what may need to be done on this lovely classic.