Our 2001 Jaguar XKR has been in the hands of classic car technician Jonn as he has begun inspecting the vehicle ready for it to eventually go live on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions very soon.
During his investigation, Jonn tested the air con which he found to be working fine. He also found that there was a broken wire inside the loom which meant the boot release button was not working as it should. After Jonn had repaired this, everything was back working again.
The bezels that go around the centre gauges were reattached before Jonn turned his attention to the front seats. The driver’s seat module was found loose under the seat so needed to be reattached to the seat frame.
This was slightly better than the passenger side module which was missing completely. Jonn also needed to untwist the nearside front seatbelt at the reel behind the panel.
There are some vehicles that appear from time to time that become icons of their era. When you think about iconic scooters, one of the names that very quickly comes to mind is Lambretta. The now legendary Italian scooter has an interesting history that spans over seven decades.
The Birth Of Lambretta
The Lambretta story begins in post-World War II Milan, Italy. The man behind the scooter was Ferdinando Innocenti, who saw the need for a more affordable, efficient, and stylish scooter than the ones being produced at the time. Drawing inspiration from the scooters used by American troops during the war, Innocenti set out to design a vehicle that would cater to the European market.
In 1947, the Lambretta Model A was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. With its sleek, aerodynamic design and user-friendly features, the Lambretta quickly gained popularity and would go on to become one of the most recognisable scooters out there.
Lambretta And Mod Culture
The 1950s and 1960s were very successful for Lambretta. The brand rapidly expanded its lineup to include various models, such as the LD, TV, and SX series, each offering unique features and catering to different consumer needs. Lambretta became more than just a mode of transportation; it was a symbol of youth culture, freedom, and rebellion.
During this period, Lambretta scooters became closely associated with the Mod subculture in Britain. Mods, characterised by their stylish attire and love for modern jazz and R&B music, adopted the Lambretta as their preferred mode of transport. The scooter’s design, with its clean lines and polished chrome, perfectly complemented the Mod look.
The Mods didn’t stop at just riding Lambrettas though; they made the scooter a key element of their fashion identity. Stylishly dressed in tailored suits and parkas, Mods used their Lambrettas as fashion accessories as much as they used them for transportation. The scooter was an extension of their sharp, well-groomed image, and it became an iconic symbol of Mod culture.
Challenges and Decline
Despite its initial success, Lambretta faced stiff competition from Vespa, another Italian scooter manufacturer. The two brands engaged in a fierce rivalry, each trying to outdo the other with innovative designs and features. However, by the late 1960s, Lambretta began to face financial difficulties, and production began to gradually decline.
The oil crisis of the 1970s caused further problems for Lambretta, as fuel-efficient small cars gained popularity, leading to a lower demand for scooters. In 1972, Lambretta ceased production altogether.
Lambretta Is Still Alive
Although Lambretta disappeared from the production line, its legacy never truly faded. Enthusiasts and collectors around the world continued to cherish and restore vintage Lambretta scooters, keeping the brand’s spirit alive.
More recently, Lambretta made a comeback with a renewed focus on electric scooters. Even though these new electric models maintain some of the style and feel of their predecessors, it’s still hard to beat the feeling of riding one of the original models.
From its beginnings in post-war Italy to its modern-day revival, Lambretta has consistently captured the imagination of riders around the world. It’s more than just a scooter; it’s a symbol of freedom, style, and the open road. Whether you’re a classic scooter enthusiast, a fashion follower, or a modern commuter, the Lambretta legacy lives on, reminding us of the unique combination of fashion and transportation that defines its remarkable history.
Win Our Lambretta
If you want to relive Mod culture, then our 1977 Lambretta Jet 150 will be drawn live tomorrow (Tuesday, 5th September). There are still tickets available so you have a chance of winning your very own Lmabretta for just a few pounds.
Believed to be the car of choice that took centre stage on the TVR stand at the 1976 British Motor Show, this beautiful classic certainly comes with a fascinating back story.
Believed to be the 1976 British Motor Show Car for TVR
Recommissioned back to the road from 2012 to 2014
2.5-litre inline-six and 4-speed manual gearbox with overdrive
Our 2020 AK 427 has been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for just a few days and it is already getting lots of attention.
Before it goes live on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions ready to be won, we have been looking back at some photos that its previous owner has provided us with of it in various stages of its build.
Our 1973 Triumph TR6 will soon be going live on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. Before that happens though, classic car technician Jonn has been checking it over to make sure everything is ready for its lucky new owner.
Part of Jonn’s work included getting all of the rear lights working, replacing the aftermarket steering wheel with a more period-correct one, and getting the stereo loom ready for the stereo to be fitted.
The stereo was then fitted and tested and found to be working as expected. Jonn went on to adjust the handbrake as well as fitting new door locks on both sides. A new clutch pedal anti-slip pad was fitted too.
Classic car technician Jonn has been working on our 1980 MGB GT in preparation for it to be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions very soon.
After charging the battery, Jonn inspected and cleaned the brakes and was happy with their condition. A new choke cable was fitted and the tappets were adjusted. Jonn went on to clean the rocker cover ready for a new gasket to be fitted.
The jet depths were set and our MGB GT is now almost ready to go to the lucky winner when the live draw takes place in a few days time.
This morning, we held two live draws, the first for our 1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4, followed by the very special draw for our 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5.
The lucky winner of our Sierra was David Monks with ticket number 2037.
The lucky winner of our E-Type was Robert Alfonso with ticket number 878.
Molly and Freddie had a great time finding the winners of these 2 classics. Both were sellouts and the E-Type actually sold out more than 30 days early! As our biggest-ever competition, it’s very exciting to see our beautiful classic Jaguar soon leave the workshop to join its new owner.
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to congratulate David and Robert on their wins and we hope you both enjoy the new additions to your garage!
As our 1976 Morris Mini was won last night, classic car technician Jonn has been doing some work to make sure it is ready to go to its new owner very soon.
Some of the work included fitting a new wheel bearing, replacing a wheel stud, and fitting a new fog light switch.
Once Jonn is happy, our classic Mini will be making its way to the lucky winner.
Our 1976 TVR 2500M has been having some work completed by classic car technician Jonn.
Jonn looked at a number of areas of our classic TVR in preparation for it to eventually be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
As well as repairing the bonnet strap, Jonn attached the DAB aerial to the nearside of the windscreen and a new stereo was fitted utilising the original stereo front backing.
We teamed up with our local cinema to host a screening of the 1969 classic ‘The Italian Job’. The evening began at 7 pm when attendees parked their classic cars and spent some time admiring the other special vehicles that made the trip.
The A Listers was also open and drinks were available ready for the screening of the film at 7:45 pm.
One of the highlights of the evening was the live draw of our 1976 Morris Mini which was won by Dan Robinson with ticket number 3410.
We would like to thank everyone who attended for helping us all have a great time and, of course, congratulations to Dan on becoming the new owner of his very own classic Mini.
One of the newest additions to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop is our 1957 Austin Healey 100-6. Coming to us from a good friend of ours in South Africa, this beautiful classic will eventually go on to be a competition car through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
However, before that happens, classic car technician Tom has been hard at work inspecting and assessing the car as well as repairing and replacing various issues and parts found along the way.
Coming with an extensive history file containing invoices, MOT certificates, and a collection of photographs showing the car undergoing restorative work pre-2010, it is clear that this car has been kept by proud and caring owners throughout its life.
You can enter the draw to be in with a chance of winning this popular classic now!
We recently welcomed our 1980 MGB GT into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. In an eye-catching shade of yellow, with an equally as beautiful black interior with yellow piping, we are very excited to have this as a competition car for Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
Once it has been inspected by the workshop team, it will soon be live and ready to win.
Our 1990 Rover Mini Cooper has been going through its pre-delivery inspection with classic car technician Jonn.
During his inspection, Jonn noticed that the rev counter wasn’t working correctly. To resolve this, he swapped the fascia of a replacement and rebuilt it in the old cluster. After adjusting the rheostat for the rev counter, everything was tested and reading correctly.
The car was then road tested and has now been signed off by Jonn to say it is ready to be delivered to its new owner very soon.
Before being delivered to Terry, the vehicle has been undergoing a pre-delivery inspection. During this inspection, classic car technician Jonn wasn’t completely satisfied with the tyres that were on the car. As a result, new tyres have been put on ready for it to be delivered to the lucky winner and new owner very soon.
Soon to be making its way to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop is our 2017 Ford Mustang 5.0 GT.
This is not only a beautiful car to look at but it has only covered 5000 miles from new! Freshly MOT’d until June 2024, this will be a very exciting addition to the collection.
Once it arrives, it will go through a thorough inspection and assessment before it goes live on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions where someone will be lucky enough to win it in the near future.
Our 1976 Morris Mini has been in the care of classic car technician Jonn as he has been resolving a few issues that he found during his investigations.
Part of this work involved sorting the wiring for the spotlights on the front of the car. Once this was complete, Jonn reassembled the lights and everything worked as it should. The speakers in the rear shelf were Jonn’s next focus before the front of the car was fully reassembled and cleaned.
There is a switch on the accessory panel which now functions correctly in that it operates the three spotlights on the front of our Mini when the full beam is activated. New CV boots were also fitted to our latest competition cars.
Before Jonn finished working on our 1976 Morris Mini, new discs and pads were fitted to the front of the vehicle.
Some new wheels have arrived for our 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5. As this is now live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website, it’s great to see this example of one of the most recognisable (and iconic) classic cars move into the finishing stages of its build.
Finished in striking red with contrasting black trims, our Sierra XR4x4 is fitted with the later 2.9-litre V6 and was earmarked to be one of the first breed of 4-wheel drive super saloons thanks to its 150BHP sent through a Ferguson-developed all-wheel drive gearbox allowing for increased grip and handling.
You can enter the draw to be in with a chance of winning this popular classic now!
It has been a very busy time for our 1976 Morris Mini since its recent arrival in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Now that filming has been completed after a successful first inspection, classic car technician Jonn took a more detailed look at our newest competition car.
There are some small jobs that need to be completed before the lucky winner of this beautiful classic Mini takes ownership, but Jonn will soon have any issues resolved.
On 25th July 2023, Nick Friar was randomly selected, with ticket number 1569, as the lucky winner of our 2000 TVR Chimaera 450.
Yesterday, Nick came to see us at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop to pick up his car in person. As Nick and his family are relatively local to us, he decided to collect the car and drive it home himself.
We had a great time speaking with Nick and finding out about the previous TVR Chimaera he owned many years ago. With his plan to join the TVR club that he used to be a member of, we are sure that Nick will love being a TVR owner once more.
Our 1976 Morris Mini hasn’t been in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for very long but it is already live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
As we haven’t had much time to update the project, we thought we would take a quick look back at the collection of our eye-catching Mini, known as Alfie.
Bradley from Drivers4You collected the classic mini on our behalf and delivered it safely to the workshop. Very soon after it arrived it was taken by Molly and Freddie to film, ready to be won at our Bridge Classic Cars Movie Night.
We recently welcomed our 1976 Morris Mini to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Known as Alfie, this classic Mini has clearly undergone quite a bit of work and care from its previous owners and it is now live and ready to win on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website.
Classic Minis are always popular competition cars and we are expecting nothing less from this eye-catching example.
The winner will be drawn at our movie night at the Riverside Theatre when we are hosting a special viewing of The Italian Job.
The bonnet of our 1958 Austin Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite has been assembled and put back onto the car by classic car technician Jonn.
A new exhaust has also been fitted.
As this beautiful classic will go on to be a competition car through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, it’s very exciting to see it go through the final list of jobs to be completed before it is won and taken home by its new owner.
This is our biggest-ever competition and one that we are extremely excited about. The Jaguar E-Type is one of the most recognisable and iconic classic cars. Even Enzo Ferrari himself described it as “the most beautiful car in the world” so this is an amazing opportunity to win your very own piece of automotive history.
Our E-Type came to us as a stalled restoration which is being completed by our team of classic car technicians ready for it to be won by its lucky new owner.
As the time gets closer to our biggest competition to date, our 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5, going live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website, work has been picking up pace as the restoration comes to an end.
One of the latest jobs to be completed was done by workshop manager John as he fitted the window chromes.
As we move into the finishing touches phase of the project, these little jobs go a long way in making our E-Type look as good as we know it will.
We were very proud of our special charity competition where we gave the opportunity for someone to win a 1973 Triumph Spitfire, while also helping to keep East Anglian Air Ambulance saving lives throughout Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Bedfordshire.
Although we are known for our classic car restorations, we love being able to offer incredible opportunities like this to win a classic car. This competition not only allowed us to contribute to an extremely important cause, but it also gave car enthusiasts the chance to own an iconic piece of automotive history for just a few pounds.
The 1973 Triumph Spitfire was a true gem among classic sports cars, renowned for its timeless design, thrilling performance, and undeniable charm. Our Spitfire was finished in stunning Carmine Red with a black and red interior. It came with a history file containing invoices, MOT certificates, parts catalogues, and a Haynes manual. Showing 59,000 miles, the car was transported from its previous home in Scotland by Bridge Classic Cars ready for it to be won.
By collaborating on this charity competition, we wanted to make a significant impact on EAAA’s mission of saving lives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Craig Ranson, Managing Director of Bridge Classic Cars said “We were delighted to support EAAA as we know just how important their work is for our region. We understand that without their fundraising efforts, a lot of lives will be put at risk, so we are extremely happy to play our part in helping the charity continue their incredible work and save many more lives.”
Our 1973 Triumph Spitfire charity competition generated around £40,000 in ticket sales. From this, all profits were donated to East Anglian Air Ambulance. The live draw of the car took place at the 2023 Bridge Classic Car Show and Alex Chifu was randomly selected as the lucky winner with ticket number 3744.
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars would like to say a massive thank you to the whole team at EAAA for working with us. We would also like to express our gratitude to everyone who purchased a ticket for the Spitfire. It was great to see so much support for this very special charity.
Classic car technician Jonn has been giving our 1986 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet a final check over before it leaves us ready to be delivered to its new owner, who was lucky enough to win it through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
Jonn installed a new GPS speedo in the car before testing it. The test was a successful one and the speedo worked beautifully.
Our Golf GTI also spent a small amount of time in the paint shop with Mauro as he freshened up a couple of areas of paint too.
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