A Winning Delivery
May 17, 2024
Tony recently delivered our 1979 Triumph Spitfire to lucky winner Michael Stuart de Neys. Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to congratulate Michael
classic spitfire
Spitfire Transport
April 29, 2024
Our 1968 Triumph Spitfire has been loaded into our trailer and is on its way home.
PDI And Road Test
April 18, 2024
In preparation for our 1979 Triumph Spitfire to be delivered to its new owner (who won it through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions), Jonn has been
Spitfire Wheel Caps
April 12, 2024
The wheel caps of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire have been prepped ready to be painted very soon.
Win Our Spitfire
April 5, 2024
Our 1979 Triumph Spitfire is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website. Introduced in the wake of the oil crisis, the Spitfire was
Paint And Rebuild
March 11, 2024
Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire has made lots of progress recently. The wiper motor has been stripped, rebuilt and fitted. The dash bridge panel was stripped,
Radio And speakers
February 29, 2024
Neil has been working on the radio and speakers of our 1968 Triumph Spitfire.
Spitfire Repairs
February 27, 2024
Jonn has been working on our 1978 Triumph Spitfire in preparation for it to be won very soon through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. Here’s what
Inspection and repairs
February 23, 2024
Jonn has been looking at our 1978 Triumph Spitfire. His notes are below: Finish as much of the inspection as possible on the floor. Carry
Spitfire Bodywork
February 22, 2024
Mauro has been polishing the bonnet of our 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500. He has repaired the chips and cracks along with completing some light welding
Spitfire Bushes
February 22, 2024
Classic car technician Neil has been working on the rear bushes of our 1968 Triumph Spitfire.
The Rebuild Continues
February 16, 2024
Technician Rob has continued his work rebuilding our 1976 Triumph Spitfire. The starter and alternator have been fitted, as have the exhaust manifold, inlet manifold,
Spitfire Work
February 15, 2024
Classic car technician Steve has been working on our 1968 Triumph Spitfire. He removed the broken hand brake pivot and fitted a replacement. He also
Spitfire Engine
February 15, 2024
The engine of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire has been making great progress in the hands of technician Rob. The rods and pistons were fitted, and
A New Arrival
February 13, 2024
We have recently welcomed our 1978 Triumph Spitfire into the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions workshop. This will go on to be won through Bridge Classic
Rocker Cover And Air Filter
February 8, 2024
Neil has refitted the rocker cover and air filter to our 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500.
Spitfire Engine
February 8, 2024
The engine has been the centre of attention for Mauro and Rob lately. Mauro painted some of the engine components in black satin dtm while
Last Bit Of Paint
February 7, 2024
Alan has been adding colour to the wheel arches of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire after it had raptor applied. As well as the arches, the
More Paint And Trim
January 19, 2024
The reassembly of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire is making good progress. Rob has now fitted the rear seat pan sound deadening aswell as fitting new
Paint And Reassembly
January 18, 2024
Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire has made a lot of progress recently. After having its body painted in Java Green, it left the Bridge Classic Cars
Priming Our Spitfire
January 8, 2024
Bridge Classic Cars paint technician Alan has been working on our 1976 Triumph Spitfire. He prepped the polyester primer ready for high-build primer before applying
Springs And Differential
December 20, 2023
Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire has continued to make good progress at the hands of technician Rob. Rob has built up both front spring/shock absorber assemblies
Rear driveshafts
December 18, 2023
Classic car technician Rob has built up the left-hand front disc/hub with new bearings and fitted it to our 1976 Triumph Spitfire. He has also
Suspension And Plating
December 14, 2023
Classic car technician Rob has been refitting the front suspension to our 1976 Triumph Spitfire. Rob has also cleaned, sandblasted, and replated all of the
Spitfire Bulkhead
October 25, 2023
Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire bulkhead has been modified by classic car technician Rob, to ensure the bonnet gaps are correct. Rob then finalised the door
Welding, Grinding, And Painting
October 12, 2023
More progress has been made on our 1976 Triumph Spitfire. Classic car technician Rob fitted the left-hand rear wing and modified the rear wing door
Another New Arrival
October 11, 2023
Our 1969 Triumph Spitfire has recently entered the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. It has come to us for a full service and inspection, which classic
Spitfire Progress
October 2, 2023
Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire has made some great progress in its restoration journey lately. The American spec chassis extensions have been removed and the lower
Stripping Spitfire Parts
September 25, 2023
Classic car technician Rob has been stripping parts from our 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500. This is in preparation for them to be sandblasted before being
Stripping Down A Spitfire
September 7, 2023
Classic car technician Rob has been continuing his work on our 1976 Triumph Spitfire. He has been stripping down the chassis ready for it to
A Winning Delivery
May 17, 2024
Tony recently delivered our 1979 Triumph Spitfire to lucky winner Michael Stuart de Neys.
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to congratulate Michael again and we hope he enjoys his new classic.
Spitfire Transport
April 29, 2024
Our 1968 Triumph Spitfire has been loaded into our trailer and is on its way home.
PDI And Road Test
April 18, 2024
In preparation for our 1979 Triumph Spitfire to be delivered to its new owner (who won it through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions), Jonn has been conducting a pre-delivery inspection and road test.
Here are his notes:
Finish pdi and carry out road test. Choke not picking revs up enough when operated. Adjust quadrant bolts on throttle spindle and retry, ok. Drives ok when warmed up properly. Throttle pedal a bit stiff again like before. Remove cable and lubricate. Refit and test, better. Just waiting for spare tyre yo be fitted to spare wheel and the ready to go.
Jonn also stripped and adjusted the nearside front wheel bearing before refitting the wheel and torquing it to spec.
Spitfire Wheel Caps
April 12, 2024
The wheel caps of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire have been prepped ready to be painted very soon.
Win Our Spitfire
April 5, 2024
Our 1979 Triumph Spitfire is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
Introduced in the wake of the oil crisis, the Spitfire was fitted with a more fuel-efficient 1.5-litre engine, which helped make it both economical and lively on the road. Despite its small size, our Spitfire is surprisingly comfortable and practical. The driver’s seat is a fun place to be and there’s even enough space in the boot for your shopping or luggage for a night or two away.
Our 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500 comes with an extensive history file that contains invoices, MOT certificates, handwritten correspondence from its previous owner, a parts catalogue, and a current membership card for the Triumph Sports Six Club (expires 1st June 2024).
Enter the draw here.
Paint And Rebuild
March 11, 2024
Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire has made lots of progress recently. The wiper motor has been stripped, rebuilt and fitted. The dash bridge panel was stripped, recovered and refitted. The centre armrest was also stripped, repainted, recovered and fitted. The seats were recovered too.
Seat belts have been installed along with the centre armrest and trims and the left-hand seat. New covers were put on the right-hand side seat before this was put into the car.
Various parts of the seats and trim also spent some time in the paintshop.
Radio And speakers
February 29, 2024
Neil has been working on the radio and speakers of our 1968 Triumph Spitfire.
Spitfire Repairs
February 27, 2024
Jonn has been working on our 1978 Triumph Spitfire in preparation for it to be won very soon through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
Here’s what Jonn did:
- Drain oil and filter
- Strip and fit new offside front wheel bearing
- Fit new oil filter and refit sump bung
- Fill with oil, run and test
- Check and top up oil
- Use electrical contact cleaner on the hazard switch and work back and forth until all working ok
- Adjust both mirrors
- Lube throttle and choke linkages
- Carry out tracking, check and adjust
Inspection and repairs
February 23, 2024
Jonn has been looking at our 1978 Triumph Spitfire. His notes are below:
Finish as much of the inspection as possible on the floor. Carry out repairs. Sort connections to nearside reverse lights. Remove offside door handle and inspect. Strip apart and clean components. Lubricate and reassemble and test. Works fine. Refit to drivers door and test. Still the same. When it has to release the pressure of the lock it slips past p clip inside handle. Requires new handle.
Spitfire Bodywork
February 22, 2024
Mauro has been polishing the bonnet of our 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500. He has repaired the chips and cracks along with completing some light welding next to the headlights.
The car was then prepped and primed.
Spitfire Bushes
February 22, 2024
Classic car technician Neil has been working on the rear bushes of our 1968 Triumph Spitfire.
The Rebuild Continues
February 16, 2024
Technician Rob has continued his work rebuilding our 1976 Triumph Spitfire. The starter and alternator have been fitted, as have the exhaust manifold, inlet manifold, and exhaust system.
Spitfire Work
February 15, 2024
Classic car technician Steve has been working on our 1968 Triumph Spitfire.
He removed the broken hand brake pivot and fitted a replacement. He also replaced the worn o/s/f top ball joint that was causing corrosion to the joint.
The o/s/f track end boot was split so this was replaced. The n/s/f complete track rod end was also replaced as the old one had excessively worn.
Steve then adjusted the tappets and fitted a new rocker cover gasket. While working on the car, Steve noticed a hair line crack on the gearbox rear housing so he has marked this for repair.
Spitfire Engine
February 15, 2024
The engine of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire has been making great progress in the hands of technician Rob.
The rods and pistons were fitted, and the camshaft timing was checked and adjusted to bring it to the manufacturer’s specifications. Rob also fitted the cylinder head and rocker ger before setting the valve clearances.
Once the assembly of the engine was complete, the gearbox was bolted to the engine before it was fitted to the car. The radiator was also fitted.
A New Arrival
February 13, 2024
We have recently welcomed our 1978 Triumph Spitfire into the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions workshop.
This will go on to be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions very soon.
Rocker Cover And Air Filter
February 8, 2024
Neil has refitted the rocker cover and air filter to our 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500.
Spitfire Engine
February 8, 2024
The engine has been the centre of attention for Mauro and Rob lately.
Mauro painted some of the engine components in black satin dtm while Rob unmasked the engine block and thoroughly cleaned it. The crankshaft and rear seal plate were fitted and the steering column was built up with new bushes, switches and reconditioned hardware before being fitted to the car.
The door handles were fitted with new lock barrels and keys and fitted to the car.
Rob then made the dashboard mounting plates and fitted them to the rear of the dashboard.
Last Bit Of Paint
February 7, 2024
Alan has been adding colour to the wheel arches of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire after it had raptor applied. As well as the arches, the last few small components were painted too along with the headlight bowls and bonnet corners.
Alan then flatted and polished both sides of the bonnet.
Technician Rob has also been working on our Spitfire. He has fitted the boot lid and the lid stay was blasted and painted before being fitted to the car too.
The front side lamps were fitted to the quarter valances before these were also fitted to the car. Rob then made the brake pipes and fitted them to the brake master cylinder and pressure valve.
More Paint And Trim
January 19, 2024
The reassembly of our 1976 Triumph Spitfire is making good progress. Rob has now fitted the rear seat pan sound deadening aswell as fitting new trim in the rear of the cockpit area.
While Rob was doing this, Alan was prepping the doors and bonnet for colour. He then applied colour and lacquer.
Paint And Reassembly
January 18, 2024
Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire has made a lot of progress recently. After having its body painted in Java Green, it left the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop and went back to Rob in the main workshop.
Rob has now begun the process of reassembling the car. After reassembling the rear brakes with new and reconditioned parts, the bodyshell was refitted and bolted down.
The new and reconditioned parts have also started to be fitted as the restoration of our classic Spitfire continues.
Priming Our Spitfire
January 8, 2024
Bridge Classic Cars paint technician Alan has been working on our 1976 Triumph Spitfire.
He prepped the polyester primer ready for high-build primer before applying the high-build primer to the doors and boot lid.
Alan then masked and primed the body of the car.
Springs And Differential
December 20, 2023
Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire has continued to make good progress at the hands of technician Rob.
Rob has built up both front spring/shock absorber assemblies and fitted them to the car. He also fitted the poly bushes to the rear trailing arms.
He then went on to fit the poly bushes to the differential rear case and fit the differential to the chassis with poly front mounts. The rear spring and rear driveshaft assemblies were fitted before Rob built up the heater box and water control valve. He then built up the right-hand front disc/hub assembly with a new wheel bearing and fitted it to the chassis.
Rear driveshafts
December 18, 2023
Classic car technician Rob has built up the left-hand front disc/hub with new bearings and fitted it to our 1976 Triumph Spitfire.
He has also fitted the steering rack before he built up both rear driveshafts. The rear spring bushes were changed for poly ones and the spring mounting box was assembled.
Suspension And Plating
December 14, 2023
Classic car technician Rob has been refitting the front suspension to our 1976 Triumph Spitfire.
Rob has also cleaned, sandblasted, and replated all of the parts for the steering and suspension that were initially plated. These are now ready for reassembly.
Spitfire Bulkhead
October 25, 2023
Our 1976 Triumph Spitfire bulkhead has been modified by classic car technician Rob, to ensure the bonnet gaps are correct. Rob then finalised the door gaps before repairing the anti-roll bar brackets on the chassis.
The boot lid was repaired and trial fitted before the front wheel arches were removed from the bonnet to allow the paint shop to paint the underside of the bonnet.
Alan from the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop then stripped the panels back to bare metal ready for epoxy primer to be applied. The chassis has been epoxy primed and painted in java green.
Welding, Grinding, And Painting
October 12, 2023
More progress has been made on our 1976 Triumph Spitfire. Classic car technician Rob fitted the left-hand rear wing and modified the rear wing door gap to give the correct clearance. The right-hand door gaps were achieved by cutting away the edges, rewelding and then grinding to get even shut lines. The front quarter valances were fitted to check the fit.
Rob found that the sill front closing panels didn’t fit correctly so these were removed and correct panels welded in.
Classic car technician Chris also had our Spitfire in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop. He masked up the inner wings and painted them before they were put on the car.
Another New Arrival
October 11, 2023
Our 1969 Triumph Spitfire has recently entered the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
It has come to us for a full service and inspection, which classic car technician James has been doing.
Overall, the car is in good condition, although it looks like it may have been stood for some time. The engine oil and filter have been replaced along with the brake and clutch fluid. Then the brakes were stripped, cleaned and checked, again, there was some rust build-up, potentially from a lack of use.
A new distributor cap and rotor arm, along with points and condenser have been ordered, and the fuel filter was replaced as it was heavily contaminated. All fluid levels were checked and topped up where necessary, and grease points on the chassis and transmission were serviced.
Both the front seat mounting fixings were loose so James tightened these up, and the car had a good checkover in preparation for an MOT test. The only thing left to do now is the cooling system flush and new antifreeze needs to be added.
There are a couple of small issues that James identified such as the tyres which, even though they are still looking okay, are 10 years old now. The rear hub seals are weeping slightly and there appears to be some evidence of a brake fluid leak around the master cylinder area (cleaned off). There are also some minor oil leaks, possibly from the sump and gearbox casing, but otherwise, the car seems to have had new brake pipes and cylinders at some point so these are in good condition.
