We took our 1996 Mini Cooper 1.3 over to Bentwaters for its photoshoot. We were lucky with the good weather and bright sun for our photos and videos. As usual, the team split in two with Freddie handling the videos and Ellie shooting the photos. Craig and Charlotte later joined to be our faces and drivers for this mini.
Charlotte came to help out for this shoot and sat for some portraits to create some more lifestyle photos for this characterful classic.
We headed out to Bentwaters to shoot our classic 1969 Mini Deluxe, which is one of three of our most recent mini madness competition release. This mini in particular comes bursting with stories and personality including its own Mini World magazine feature, untouched fuel ration tokens are beautifully aged interior.
Charlotte came to help out with the driving and sat for some portraits and more editorial photos. We love having people involved with the cars as we find it brings the car to life, and with Charlotte being our talented presenter, she’s perfect to also sit in for photos and videos. Prior to each shoot Freddie and Ellie organise with Charlotte what she’s going to wear for each car to match the style, and how we’re going to pitch the visuals.
The log pile made for a great location to shoot this darling classic, as the tones of the mini match the timber perfectly.
Freddie shooting his videos for the mini:
We also get Charlotte to drive our cars around Bentwaters for Freddie to shoot his video. We’re lucky to have access to Bentwaters for our shoots and videos. We have a hanger here on base and find that Bentwaters provides a perfect selection of back drops.
Michael Caine would be proud…
Today we welcomed in this quirky 1993 Mini from Ted at Team C racing that needs its door frames and inner wing panels repainted. This characterful mini is decorated in Mini Run and Mini club stickers that tell a colourful history of this particular motor. In particular, it has an Italian Job logo on the side with the famous quote on the back ‘You Were Only Supposed To Blow The Bloody Doors Off’, which fits well with the doors currently missing…
We thought we’d give you a closer looked at this nippy little green machine that’s recently come in. This 1996 Almond Green Mini Cooper 35 arrived in the workshop today in perfect condition! We can’t wait to give it a drive around Bentwaters to show you more. Big things are on the horizon..
In this morning’s dreary drizzle, a 1996 Mini Cooper 35 1.3i (1275cc) arrived adorned with roof rack and Monte Carlo anniversary stickers. Finished in a fantastic Almond Green with the classic white roof, this little classic is set to be on our competition website in the near future, watch this space…
Special Edition 35 – “to celebrate 35 years since the Mini Cooper first rolled off the production line and went on to make history. Winning the Monte Carlo Rally three times in the Swinging 60s. And out-manoevering far larger and more powerful rivals in countless other racing and rallying events.
Our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, fondly named ‘Eva’s Mini’ has had some recent paintwork including a new respray on the bonnet. With new interior trim furnishings, the updated bodywork will make this little Mini look just like new!
It’s our gorgeous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe’ last day with us today. We have a load of work to do before tomorrow night, where she will be presented as a birthday gift to Eva Ranson, wife of our Director; Gordon Ranson.
The Mini arrived at our Pettistree workshop this morning looking pretty bare! Although her engine was in, she still needed all her interior fitted, including carpets, door panels and seats.
Firstly, one of our engine technicians Ted completed some final tweaks to the Mini’s 800cc engine. The engines already been totally recommissioned, as well as stripped and repainted in that lovely green you can see in the picture.
Meanwhile, Brian in the trim shop is getting the first section of the headlining in. He’s then got the front lining in and has fitted the C Posts.
The front dash was then fitted with it’s fleck material. “I trimmed around the edge” explains Kath, another of our trim-shop experts. “Then, I’ve glued it all in place.”
Kath’s then fitted the upper section of the dash, she’s then bent it round and trimmed it to fit. “I then glued the ends around the door seal” she tells us “then reattached the door seal.”
The door panels were next on the list. They were tricky! Kath had to trim the board and cut some foam out along the side to be able to slide it in. She then inserted the little door fillet panels.
The rear door panel pockets were equally difficult. “The boards didn’t fit” Kath explains “so we had to trim down to get them to fit inside nicely.”
Kath then had to trim holes for the ashtrays – a fixture you never see anymore in modern cars!
She trimmed the holes for the lights and fitted them in place. Getting the rivet bracket into position then fitting the rest of the board.
The sun visors were the next feature to be fitted. First of all the brackets were screwed into place, then the custom made visors were attached.
All the underlay and carpet was yet to be fitted when our Mini arrived back with us this morning. Underlay was trimmed up and glued into position. Matching red carpet was then fitted under where the seats will go. Taking care to trim around the seat brackets where each of the front seats will go.
The final sections of carpet were then fitted into place, trimmed up and glued to hold their position.
The seats were then fitted into the front. Looking lovely!
Brian then added sound deadening to the back seat section, before attaching his custom-made back seat. He also added the rear squab and the parcel shelf behind it.
“I’ve then fitted the rear quarter panels” Brian explains “securing them with screws at the top”. Brian’s also glued the wheel arch covers into position.
Aside from the interior, the Mini’s working components also had to be reassembled. These parts arrived back with us this morning as individual bits. The team have spent the day reassembling the subframe, ready to get the wheels back on and get her back up and running!
My goodness! What a team effort to get our gorgeous little Mini ready for her big reveal. We hope Eva loves her ‘Little Eva’ as much as we do!
Happy Birthday!
Our Austin Mini has sparked some online conversation!
We’ve teamed up with Electric Classic Cars to build the ultimate 300hp electric powered classic Mini. Our 1967 Austin Mini will appear on the upcoming series of Vintage Voltage, due to air on Quest.
Bridge Classic Cars has undertaken the bodywork preparation and paintwork. Our Paint Shop finished the vehicle in this dazzling ‘Surf Blue’.
The team at Electric Classic Cars have now begun installing the braking system. With 300+ horsepower now coursing through the wheels, this Mini was going to need a bit of an upgrade!
With over 3,000 likes, comments and shares, this little electric Mini certainly is a talking point! What do you think of the build? Spoiling an iconic classic or adapting to survive in the 21st century? We’ll keep you updated as the build progresses.
October 5, 2020 7:03 am Leave your thoughts
Our fabulous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe has had her engine recently resprayed in this delightful earthy green.
With us for a full restoration, our cherry red Mini arrived with us as little more than a rusty shell. So far we’ve restored her body and given her a full paint job. We’ve completely transformed her interior, including newly upholstered seats. Meanwhile, we also recommissioned her engine before it was painted.
Our Morris Mini is a really early example of this car, we plan to restore her back to her original form as closely as possible.
We love Mini’s here at Bridge classic cars. So much so, that we’ve had three Mini’s appear in our classic car competitions. Currently, we have a bright yellow 1991 Austin Mini up for grabs for just £7. Head to our competitions page to find out more and to purchase your tickets.
September 24, 2020 9:32 am Leave your thoughts
Brian in our trusty trim shop has been busy with our 1961 Morris Mini this week. “I laid the restored frame over the headliner material,” explains Brain, “cutting flaps at the edge and stapling around the crossbars.”
Brian then glued the corners, front and rear pulling the fabric tight to stick it to the frame.
“I’ve then trimmed off all the excess” says Brian, “then added the clips and it’s done!” Brian’s followed the same process for both the front and rear roof liners, both of which are now read to be fitted.
Seamless work Brian!
September 11, 2020 9:55 am Leave your thoughts
This week, the 1961 Morris Mini had her headliner stripped off by Brian in the trim shop.
“I’ve stripped off all the old fabric,” explains Brian, “then cleaned up all the metal frame ready to have the new cover made and attached.”
This project is coming along nicely so far, we can’t wait to see the new fabrics.
September 10, 2020 9:57 am Leave your thoughts
Following stripping the interior of the 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, our trim shop extraordinaire Brian has been hard at work rebuilding this iconic beauty.
With the chairs stripped right back to the bare metal, Brian’s rebuilt the chairs starting with new rubber straps fixed to the frame. “I used hessian to line the base and stop damage,” he describes. “Then I added foam to the base, with extra foam added to bolster the front of each chair.” This is the slight curve you can see in the pictures and add to not only the look of the seats but to their comfort too.
Brian then attached the leather covers across the foam, using clips around the base and hog rings to hold the fabric in place.
We’re already so in love with this colour combination. The options really are limitless when it comes to classic car restorations!
September 4, 2020 3:07 pm
Brian in the trim shop here at Bridge has started rebuilding the seats on our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe.
“I started by fitting new rubber straps” Brian explains, “then added foam around the bottom edge”.
“I added hessian to the base, glued foam on top and marked out the middle.”
The finished cover was then glued to the foam lining, along with the calico flap, then the bolster foam was glued on top with the cover pulled over everything nice and snugly.
Horse hair was then glued to the rear of the seat, pulled around the frame and fixed into place. Wadding was also added to the top and sides of the chair to add extra padding.
The back cover was then fitted over, pulling the flaps though to glue them to the frame then clipping the outer flap to the seat frame. “Any ends have then been turned underneath to make it neat” described Brian, “then simply glued and and clipped into place”.
The back seats on the 1961 Morris Mini also received some similar special treatment from Brian this week.
Brian fitted the foam around the back seat frame. Added calico, lining and the backseat foam and pieced it all together.
“I then marked where the cover sits,” explains Brian, “gluing the cover down centrally to the foam and finally gluing the calico flap down”.
A small piece of brown felt was added to the front of the foam, then a large piece of brown felt over the top then glued the foam over the top to make a front bolster.
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Brian then began work on the back seat Squab. “I glued the horse hair padding to the refurbished metal frame” Brian describes. “I then added scrim foam to pad the seat out further and trimmed it up to match the shape of the frame”
Brian then pushed the foam into Kath’s custom-made cover, glued the flaps around the side and the bottom of the seat then glued the cover to the metal.
We’re often completing full interior restoration on anything from our 1961 Morris Mini you see here, to Jensens, Triumphs and everything in between. For more information on our trim shop services get in touch today! – 01473 742038
August 29, 2020 8:44 am
This gorgeous little Mini has just arrived at Bridge Classic Cars. It is in need of minor recommissioning work to get her back to her best.
Although mechanically it looks very good, Mauro is now giving this Austin a thorough inspection to make sure there isn’t any issues that need addressing.
The mirrors will need to be re-attached and the passenger side door card needs to be remade in our Trim Shop. There is also a few spots of rust and paint defects which will be addressed by the Paint Shop.
Once restored, this vehicle will be up as a competition. Who’s excited to see another classic Mini available to be won?
Launched in June 1989, the limited-edition Mini Thirty (30) celebrated the car’s 30th birthday and was based on the Mini Mayfair. Fitted with the 998cc engine, it was offered in Cherry Red (COG-BLVC843) or black (PMA-BLVC90) and was fitted with chrome bumpers and grille, a dedicated Coachline set and 1959-1989 crests, a security coded stereo and a set of Minilite-style alloy wheels.
The black and red half-leather interior was common to both car colours.
Of the 3,000 produced for the UK, 2,000 were in Cherry Red and 1,000 were Black; 2,800 were manual and 200 had an automatic gearbox. 600 were made with an optional sun roof.
Our 1967 Austin Mini 850 is very close to paint preparation stage now. With the majority of the new panels and repair work having now been completed Darren will look at final stages of re-shaping. When he is happy the car will move on to paint preparation before we apply the new Surf blue and Old English white.
Our 1993 Rover Mini Rio is now available at auction: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174230599086
This vehicle is absolutely perfect for the home restorer. These cars are great to work on and fit comfortably within even very modest garages.
If this vehicle is of interest to you, please take a look at our eBay auction and consider bidding. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174230599086
