We recently heard from David who had taken his Mini to a car show in his local area. As you can see from the photos below, not only does the Mini look great, David’s Bridge Classic Cars t-shirt looks very cool too.
We love to see past winners enjoying their classic cars and we hope David continues to enjoy his 1997 Rover Mini.
Our 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850 is a beautiful classic car. However, at the moment, it is a mix of colours and needs some attention from the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop.
Before the paintshop can make our Mini even more appealing though, it needed to be stripped down.
That is exactly what classic car technician Scott has been doing recently.
Now that it has been stripped, it will move into the paintshop. Once it leaves there, it will be in better condition and will be ready to move on to the next stage of its restoration journey in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Another new addition has recently arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. This time it is our 1989 Rover Mini City 1000 E.
Now that it is with our skilled team of technicians, it will be serviced and undergo a thorough inspection before eventually becoming a competition car through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
The lucky winner of our 1992 Rover Mini Cooper 1.3, received his car recently.
Peter Bell was randomly selected as the winner of our live draw held on 3rd November 2022 with ticket number 3569.
Everyone at Bridge Classic Cars would like to congratulate Peter again on winning this beautiful classic car and we hope he enjoys it as much as we did.
Entry is now open to win our 1992 Rover Mini Cooper 1.3.
With a higher compression engine of 10.1:1 and striking red paintwork, this is one classic mini that will not only get you to where you need to go, but will look good while doing it too.
Paul Mazey was the lucky winner of our beautiful 1961 Mini Deluxe ‘Little Eva’.
He won with ticket number 2772 at our live draw on 6th October 2022.
Paul visited the Bridge Classic Cars workshop to see his mini for himself. Congratulations to Paul and we hope you enjoy ‘Little Eva’ as much as we have.
Ahead of tonight’s double draw night, Dave has been finishing off a couple of small tasks on our 1968 Mini 850.
We have replaced the oil seals around the gearbox to the driveshafts. We’ve also replaced the rocker cover gaskets. We also noticed that the exhaust bracket was touching the handbrake cable guide so we have flipped the exhaust bracket around the other way so this is now far enough away so that it is no longer touching.
The Bridge Classic Cars workshop have been working on the 1997 Rover Mini for its new owner.
The first job was to replace the tie-bar bushes. The old ones had perished and begun to knock slightly so the team have gone through and replaced the old ones with brand new pieces.
The next job was to track down and fix a small coolant leak which the team tracked down to a small cut in a coolant hose which was immediately replaced and the system topped up.
The final job was to solve the slight knock from the front-end which was caused by a worn-out subframe bushing. The team have swapped that our for a brand new piece and secured down, road tested and then given the green light.
September 7, 2022 2:45 pmPublished by Craig Ranson
The Bridge Classic Cars team have been working on getting the 1968 Morris Mini MkII running absolutely perfect.
The team have put a brand new set of spark plugs in the classic 850 Mini – These were gapped to spec and then put back into the car before being tested.
After being fully inspected and checked over by the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop, the team were given the all-clear to get it ready to become our latest classic car competition.
It is of course of beautiful 1968 Morris Mini MkII, and it has one of the most amazing stories of any car we’ve had.
For those who don’t know – this car was delivered brand new to the island of Cyprus where its school teacher took delivery. A few years later, after the invasion of Cyprus, the little Mini was stowed away in a garage. Safe from prying eyes, looters or anyone out to get it. There it sat for 40 years… Alone in a garage. Until it was unearthed and rejuvenated before making its way back to the UK. And ultimately, wound up here at our Suffolk HQ.
The 850cc engine rumbled along the runway as we made our way to the filming location near our safe, secure storage facility. Its simplicity is its greatest charm and its classic shape has made it a favourite with enthusiasts for decades. The car finished in its original colour of Almond Green and tan interior happily zipped around the base.
And now, its time for you to take over the story of the 1968 Morris Mini 850 MkII. The next chapter of this classics Mini journey is with one of you…
Head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website and get your tickets now!
Or, check out the full gallery and our competition video:
As part of getting our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe ‘Little Eva’ in perfect running order, the Bridge Classic Cars team have stripped and cleaned the carburettor.
Our technician Jon has been carefully taking apart the part and clearing out every passage and venturi to make sure the fuel and air can pass through unchallenged by any dirt or debris that may have built up during its time in storage.
Just arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshops at our Suffolk HQ is this wonderful 1968 Morris Mini 850 MkII with an incredible story.
The car is coming in for our restoration teams to inspect and assess the entire car to compile their condition reports on the car – checking everything mechanical and aesthetic.
The story of this car is brilliant:
The car is one of 90 believed to still be on the road from the 206,000 Morris Mini MkII’s built.
Built on the 20th of June 1968, by the 26th of that month the car was on its way to C D Hay & Son in Cyprus for its new owner where the car would spend the next 41 years. In 1974, following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the car was locked away until being uncovered in 2015 where it was then handed over to a restoration specialist on the island to bring back to its former glory.
Due to it being hidden away not long after its build, the MkII still has its original, matching numbers 850cc engine and gearbox to this day – Leading us to believe the displayed 10,354 miles are genuine.
In 2017, the beautiful little MkII was brought back to the UK.
Last night the live draw of the 1957 MG A Roadster and the 1997 Rover Mini from Bridge Classic Cars.
The Mini was so popular it had sold out by Wednesday morning!
Going into the live draw though, there were still quite a few tickets remaining on the classic MGA. But, as the live stream began at 7pm on our Facebook page people were still getting their last-minute tickets before the competition closed at 7:10.
As always, the team gave all of our viewers a look around the other classic cars in our new competition building. Including some very special upcoming competitions… make sure to sign up to our mailing list to get the inside scoop on what’s coming!
But, it was time to find out who our very lucky winners were!
As always the entry lists are published beforehand on the website. The Mini list had been up for several days, so as we waited for the MGA list to go live, the team ran the draw for the 1997 Rover Mini.
We use a google random number generator to pick a winner. Hayley at the controls of the laptop, made sure that everything was working just as it should do with a few tests and the commenters gave the team that the stream was coming through nice and clear. So, the team set the numbers between 1 and 3999.
And just like that, the winner had been decided. 2228 – A ticket which had been allocated to David Renn.
As the fate of the Mini was being decided, the entry list for the MG A went live.
Next, we had to find out who had won our amazing 1950s sports car. Not all of the 6666 tickets had sold when the competition closed, so as the team again used the random number generator to find a winner – it took a couple of tries to land on a number which had been allocated to one lucky person.
That happened to be Stephen Walton with ticket number 6294.
We want to wish both winners congratulations on their new dream classics.
Bridge Classic Cars welcomed this 1997 Rover Mini to our Suffolk HQ.
The classic Mini will be inspected and assessed by the various restoration teams here at our workshop. This is a later version of the Rover Mini with a fuel injected 1275cc engine and has been modified both inside and out but the team will go through the entire car to check over and compile their report.
Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more on the wonderful 1997 Rover Mini.
Last night, Bridge Classic Cars went to find out who the lucky new owner of our 1980 Supercharged Mini Van was.
At 7PM live on our Facebook page, we welcomed our followers watching along to our competition build which houses all of our competition cars and a couple of our personal cars and finished restoration projects. To begin with, we began our live stream from the inside of our new 1993 Land Rover Defender 90.
Then, Hayley and Freddie took everyone around the various cars which are held inside the building at our Suffolk HQ. Including the beautiful Saffron Yellow 1973 Triumph TR6 and the 1972 Lotus Elan +2. Of course, we couldn’t miss out on the car everyone was there for, the 1980 Supercharged Mini Van.
After the look around, it was time to find out who the new owner of this tiny terror was. The competition had sold out the day before so the entry list, as with all of our entry lists, is pre-published on our website for all to see. With 4999 tickets, we fired up the Random Number Generator.
With the parameters set, with one click of a button the fate of the Mini was sealed.
Its new owner was Peter with ticket 4529.
The team will give the Mini its pre-delivery inspection and one final check over before it is delivered straight to Peter.
The interior team at Bridge Classic Cars have been busy making new rear matting for the load bay of the 1980 Austin Mini Van.
The team begun by making a paper template to ensure the matting would fit up tightly to the rear arches and meet perfectly in the centre of the classic Mini. Once each side have been marked out and cut from paper, it could then be transferred onto the matting and cut to size.
The next step involved gently keying the load floor inside the car to give it the best surface to adhere to. Then, very carefully it was put into place with the adhesive and left to cure.
There is something about a classic Mini which cannot help but put a smile across your face and that’s before you’ve even driven it. Just seeing one is a sure-fire way to brighten up your day. So, that’s why the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions team have sourced this. A 1980 Austin Morris Mini Van.
Beneath its humble and unassuming green paintwork though, lies a true athlete. Being a workhorse, the Mini Van was originally fitted with 998cc 4-cylinder engine. It’s previous owner however has fitted the pint-sized prowler with a 1380cc supercharged engine with a sports exhaust system so the whole world can hear about it. The team were very excited to shoot this particular car!
As the team pulled the classic Mini out of our secure storage facility, The Hangar, it happily sat idling in the late-spring sun. After it’s check-over by the restoration workshops at our Suffolk HQ, and given the full green-light, the team could take it out onto the airfield to shoot what needed to be done. The Mini pulled away perfectly, it wasn’t savage or had a throttle like a hair-trigger. It was actually rather civilised. With the sliding front windows open and the engine happily buzzing along this is the type of classic you could quite happily use for longer journeys or even on your commute to work when the weather is nice.
The reversed Cooper S wheels allow for more rubber to be placed under the Mini, which has had recent suspension and steering work done to it by the previous owner, and you can really tell there’s more contact with the tarmac that rushes under your feet. The short, sharp steering gives you all the feedback you need and when you need the brakes, they are right there when you want them.
The interior, is sparse and utilitarian. The single Cooper S style instrument panel is the only form of distraction in an otherwise purposeful setting. A perfect place to be when you experience the pull and whine of the Vmaxscart Supercharger fitted to the car…
But now, Bridge Classic Cars Competitions wants you to experience this. The 1980 Austin Morris Mini Van could very well be yours! One lucky winner will soon be taking delivery of the classic Mini just in time for summer. And it could be you… All you have to do is head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website and enter now for your chance to win the 1980 Austin Morris Mini Van.
Over the bank holiday weekend, the Bridge Classic Cars team welcomed East Coast Mini Club to our restoration workshops in Suffolk.
The club were doing their annual charity run with this year’s run being in aid of the Addenbrookes Charitable Trust which had helped 2 of its members in need of their expert help. So, to help out the East Coast Mini club raised nearly £900 through a raffle and an auction to help their Transport Unit with fundraising.
After the meet was done, a few of the members stayed around for the live draw of our 1993 Rover Mini and 2012 Mercedes SLK250CDI. A few of the members even had tickets for the Mini!
Hayley and Freddie gave everyone joining in on the live stream a look around our competition building and the beautiful classics that we have in. We were also joined by our friend Simon’s all-electric Mini which has recently starred in a Discovery Channel series and appeared in a video with YouTuber PetrolPed.
But it was then time to find out who the very lucky new owners of the 1993 Rover Mini and 2012 Mercedes SLK250 CDI. Both had completely sold out before the draw and the Mercedes actually sold out nearly a week before its scheduled draw!
First, was the Mercedes. The pre-published entry list was checked and Hayley set the numbers in the Random Number Generator. And, with one single click, we found who the winner was. Number 3204 belonging to Andy Wells.
Then the car everyone in the room was waiting for. The 1993 Rover Mini.
As the entry list was checked and the number generator reset, the anticipation built. With a few words of good luck and a single click, it was done. The new owner of the Mini was Jake Lees with ticket number 614.
Just arrived into the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop at our Suffolk HQ is this wonderful 1980 Mini Van. But, it’s hiding a secret…
Underneath the beautiful green bodywork lies the heart of a hotrod. This bite-sized bruiser is packing a 1380cc supercharged A-series engine! All of that performance in a small car is a recipe for fun in our books.
The car will of course go through the usual inspections and assessments by our in-house restoration teams who will check over the entire car in order to find out if anything needs to be done to this incredible classic Mini for it to be in absolutely tip-top shape.
Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page very soon for more on this tiny terror!
After having its inspection and being given a clean bill of health by the Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop, it was time to pull our latest Bridge Classic Cars Competitions prize out and shoot some photos of it.
That’s right, the next competition from Bridge Classic Cars is this beautiful 1993 Rover Mini Sprite. An iconic and well adored classic that almost everyone has a connection to in some way or another. The happy little 1275cc 4-cylinder buzzes along and the sound from the stainless steel sports exhaust bounced off the trees and concrete angles at our secure storage facility as it was taken over to our shooting location.
The tiny wheelbase and wider wheels, thanks to its upgrade to the later Sportback specification, allowed the bright white classic Mini to change direction and talk back to the driver. Letting them know exactly what was going on beneath them.
And from this evening, you’ll be able to enter for your chance of winning the 1993 Rover Mini! Just click the link below.
The Team C Racing Mini has been completed by the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop and is headed back home to Team C for final assembly.
The Innocenti Mini arrived at our workshops a few weeks ago and has had many hours of work put into it in order to get it looking absolutely perfect for the project. The car has even had the underside of the shell completely prepared and treated with tint matched Raptor Guard to protect it from the elements.
It’s sad to see some of our projects leave us but this one has been a pleasure. And, there’ll be a new Team C Racing Mini for the Bridge Classic Cars team to start work on soon.
The Team C Racing Mini, which has recently been in the Bridge Classic Cars paint booth, has been in the paint shop curing overnight. So, with the weather looking perfect the team thought we’d grab some photos of it out in the sun.
This is the first stage of getting the classic Mini into colour. It still needs to be cut back and polished but it looks absolutely brilliant.
The Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint booth has recently had the body shell of the Team C Racing classic Mini in to begin the process of getting the car into colour.
Chris, along with the rest of the Bridge Classic Cars paint and body team, have been getting the body shell of the classic Mini into the best shape possible before it heads into the booth. Every surface on the car, from top to bottom, has been meticulously prepared and cleaned down before being moved into the booth.
Coat by coat, Chris built up the layers of deep brown on the inside and outside of the shell of the Mini. Then, he could turn his attention to the roof of the car. For this, he had to re-mask the rest of the car before re-priming and laying down the white which gives this Mini its classic look.
The paint shop inside of Bridge Classic Cars have sealed the bottom of the classic Mini for Team C Racing.
The underside of the Mini was hand sanded to make sure the surface was perfect before it was handed over to the paint team. Chris has tinted the RaptorGuard to match the colour intended for the rest of the body but is much harder wearing and more durable than normal paint.
The underside of the Team C Racing Mini shell has been worked on by the Bridge Classic Cars body shop ahead of its appointment in the in-house paint booth.
Mauro, our paint and body restoration technician, has been painstakingly sanding the underneath of the classic Mini. Each and every inch of the car’s top and the bottom has been worked on to ensure the work done by the paint shop is perfect.
The underside of the car is due to be raptor guarded to give the best durability to the bottom of the car against the elements.
The body shell and panels for the Team C Racing classic Mini has moved from the Bridge Classic Cars body shop to the paint booth ready to be shot in primer.
With the body and panels cleaned down thoroughly and masked up, Chris could begin the process of getting the classic Mini into primer ahead of its colour change. Several coats of primer were laid onto the body before it is taken back to the body shop to have more delicate sanding done to ensure the best finish on the shell for our friends over at Team C Racing.
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