After Kath had mocked up the rear seats into the Charger, it was time to start getting the carpets into the car. However, underneath the
Bridge Classic Cars will soon be welcoming a new car into our in-house trim shop. Soon, this bright yellow big block 1966 Ford Thunderbird will
It’s been an absolute treat to have one of the most iconic muscle cars of all time in the trim shop of Bridge Classic Cars.
Brian has been getting on with renewing the headlining in the 1990 BMW 750iL. He started off by removing all the panels and parts that
Brian has been finishing the headlining fitting for the 1981 Rover SD1 Vanden Plas. In this last post about it, you can see that he
We’ve received some footwell carpet for a 1989 Alfa Romeo Spider which Lydia has sewn vinyl sides on. Before: After:
Our 1940 Alvis came in last week to have its hood restored and that process has begun today. Brian and Lydia have been taking apart
We’ve been working on a plastic speaker panel for Craig’s Mercedes 500SL that needed to be stitched back together. This was done by attaching the
Our trim shop are continuing to work with the 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe. Currently Kath is working to modify the main footwell carpet to allow
Our 1961 Morris Mini Delux has had some extra refurbishments recently. It needed the carpet neatened and new footwell mats. Our trim shop made templates,
The door panels have been made up in the trim shop and fitted into the 504. It’s really satisfying to see everything come together with
Our new 1994 Land rover – Range Rover TDI has just joined the family but needs some TLC before its ready to go. These refurbishments
Our trim shop is not only incredibly unique but it is also relatively new! The trim shop, as a functioning entity has only really existed
The parts for our 1968 Triumph TR5 have arrived and our technician Mauro has set them all out to assess what’s there and If anything more needs to be ordered.
Our trim experts have taken apart the 1972 Peugeot 504’s back seats in order to make the new ones. Kath, one of our trim experts
The Jensen 541R receives new interior trimmings in its latest restoration step. The Jensen 541R’s next pitstop in its renovation journey has been in the
We popped into our in-house paint and trim shops this afternoon to check out what our classic car technicians are working on today. Darren, one
This 2008 BMW 118 came for a consultation today to look at some extensive interior damage. A car of only 12 years old isn’t our
Our trim shop team were in for a real treat last week when we received a request for a full interior transformation on a 1973
Kath has been making great progress on our Jensen 541R interior. She’s been carefully stripping down the original interior. The original material is then used
Kath has been making progress on our Lotus Elise Hardtop restoration. the head lining was coming apart so we’ve stripped off the old fabric and
Kath has been hard at work on our Jensen interiors. For the convertible roof she has tackled the following stages Dismantled the headlining Marked out
Kath has been had at work on our E-Type interior. We’ve trimmed several E-Type interiors this month alone. Is your classic car interior in need
After Kath had mocked up the rear seats into the Charger, it was time to start getting the carpets into the car.
However, underneath the carpet is where to most important bit of the interior is. The sound deadening. It’s crucial in making long journeys more enjoyable just due to its job of cutting down the cabin noise.
Kath carefully laid out the material across the floors of the car to make sure each piece was just in the right place to give the best result. All of this needed to be done before fitting up the carpets, which will be happening next!
Bridge Classic Cars will soon be welcoming a new car into our in-house trim shop. Soon, this bright yellow big block 1966 Ford Thunderbird will be coming in to have its dash pad assessed by our trim team.
As you can see, its seen better days. But, our trimmer can work wonders.
Keep an eye on the news page to see more on this amazing American icon.
It’s been an absolute treat to have one of the most iconic muscle cars of all time in the trim shop of Bridge Classic Cars. This 1970 Dodge Charger. The 2nd generation Chargers are without a doubt, one of the best-looking muscle cars built.
This particular 1970 Charger is in with our expert in-house trim team to be fitted out with a brand new interior. First up, Kath began to fit the headliner to the Charger. Covering such an expanse in fabric can be daunting, but for the Bridge Classic team, it’s not a problem. Working through the car methodically allowed Kath to stretch and pull the headliner into shape and give it the best finish possible.
Each of the ribs was carefully moved into its position millimetre by millimetre to ensure it was level and square. These spars allow the fabric some element of give but also when they are correctly installed, gives the best finish with no ripples or waves.
Whilst installing the headliner, Kath did note a small area of corrosion on the shell by the back window. It had been treated and wasn’t structural. In any case, we always let our clients know and suggest a course of action. At this time, it will be underneath the headliner. As said, it’s not in a structural location, it has been treated and on inspection by our body shop team, it is perfectly fine for years to come.
Updates on the rest of the interior will be up very soon so keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.
Brian has been getting on with renewing the headlining in the 1990 BMW 750iL. He started off by removing all the panels and parts that went onto the headlining and were holding it in place. Once these were all taken off, the board with the headlining on could come out via the boot of the car. Brian could then start taking the original headlining fabric off the board.
Brian has been finishing the headlining fitting for the 1981 Rover SD1 Vanden Plas.
In this last post about it, you can see that he was glueing in the sunroof section. https://bridgeclassiccars.co.uk/headlining-work-continues-for-the-vanden-plas/ The board with the main piece of headlining on slid in from the back of the car. Brian had to take out the panels with the seatbelts attached, to put the headlining back in, and then they got put back into place.
Don’t forget, you can win this car! Just click on the following link to find out more information about the car and how to enter! https://www.bridgeclassiccarscompetitions.co.uk/product/1981-rover-sd1/
We’ve received some footwell carpet for a 1989 Alfa Romeo Spider which Lydia has sewn vinyl sides on.
Before:
After:
Our 1940 Alvis came in last week to have its hood restored and that process has begun today. Brian and Lydia have been taking apart all the pieces including the rear panels and seats so that they don’t get damaged in the process. Lydia has been marking out where the stitches are on the fabric.
Brian has been stripping off al the old material from the front trim panels and recovering them in a new material to match the headliner. He has also removed and recovered the side trim panels and b post panels.
We’ve been working on a plastic speaker panel for Craig’s Mercedes 500SL that needed to be stitched back together. This was done by attaching the two pieces together via plastic welding.
Our trim shop are continuing to work with the 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe. Currently Kath is working to modify the main footwell carpet to allow for the headlight dip switch to sit comfortably in the trim. Kath has had to measure up hole and where it will sit on the carpet.
Our 1961 Morris Mini Delux has had some extra refurbishments recently. It needed the carpet neatened and new footwell mats.
Our trim shop made templates, marked out the correct measurements on the carpet material, cut it out and marked out the binding, they then sewed on a heel mat to the footwell mats and fitted all the pieces in. The base carpets also needed regluing.
The finished work has left Little Eva looking very smart.
The door panels have been made up in the trim shop and fitted into the 504. It’s really satisfying to see everything come together with this project.
Fitting these door panels include measuring up the leather, allowing holes for the handles, buttons and window winders, adding in fluting and then fitting it all in place at the end.
The Peugeot has also had newly restored will installed from Wheelworx in Bury St Edmunds.
Our new 1994 Land rover – Range Rover TDI has just joined the family but needs some TLC before its ready to go.
These refurbishments include carpeting the floor, replacing the ceiling cloth, refurbishing the back quarter panels, re-painting the body work and servicing it.
So far, our technician Tom has replaced the carpets and ceiling cloth.
The back quarter panels have been removed and placed in the trim shop to be refurbished once we decide on a paint colour for the rest of the body.
Our trim shop is not only incredibly unique but it is also relatively new! The trim shop, as a functioning entity has only really existed since this year. Although we’ve had a trim specialist before, we never had a specific team and workshop dedicated to it until 2020! Both Kath and Brian have joined the Bridge Classic Car family this year and have been invaluable.
It’s rare to have an in-house trim shop at a classic car restoration workshop as many companies prefer to outsource, which comes with its own problems and communications. We, however, are very lucky to have ours in-house which not only saves time and miscommunications but also means everything is made to fit and can be fitted and tested immediately. This makes for swifter restorations and ultimately a better workflow. Anything that’s needed can be made and modified as needed.
Vibrant and talented, Kath is one of our Trim Shop Trio.
Kath describes herself as arty and crafty, with always having a creative background. Kath holds a selection of qualifications from Interior Design to Spatial Design and history in painting and decorating as well as previous car trim work. Kath then joined the team in January 2020.
“I’ve always enjoyed making things and being creative. I like being hands-on.”
Kath loves VW’s and has always had a soft spot for them. She’s done up her own VW campervan before but currently owns a beautiful red VW Beetle which is her pride and joy.
Kath says she enjoys working in an in-house trim shop rather than outsourcing it as she did before, as you get more of a personal connection with the projects, “You’re never doing the same thing twice!” Kath tells us, “I love everything here, it’s so satisfying learning where everything fits and seeing it being installed.”
Brian was the second Trim Shop specialist to join Bridge Classic Cars who started in March 2020.
Brian originally started working on Micralite planes but later moved to trim work and interior car design. Brian also worked with Kath at their previous workplace outsourcing interior trim, so made the perfect team when they both moved to Bridge Classic Cars!
Brian has always worked with interior trim and really enjoys being a part of the team.
“It’s great to see cars go from parts to being roadworthy. You have such a big part in keeping these old cars going.”
Brian says he’s always loved hot hatches but currently has a new mini but has his sights set on buying an original mini to do up too. “Working with cars like these, at some point you want to get your own!” Brian tells us.
The third and final member of the Trim Shop is Cockerpoo puppy, Rosie!
As an invaluable member of the team, Rosie offers morale and team spirit for not only the trim shop but for the whole of the Bridge Classic Cars team!
Rosie is now 9 months old as she was born on Valentine’s day. She certainly has a talent for spreading the love!
Rosie’s favourite part about being in the trim shop is getting visits from other members of the Bridge team who frequently give her cuddles and attention, she’s a real team player!
The parts for our 1968 Triumph TR5 have arrived and our technician Mauro has set them all out to assess what’s there and If anything more needs to be ordered.
Within this pile of goodies, you can find brake parts, clutch, seat belts, chrome parts such as door handles, rubber for the windscreen, injector pump, radiator, fan, headlights, copper fuel, and brake lines as well as a huge host of other bits that will go towards making our TR5 whole again!
Our trim experts have taken apart the 1972 Peugeot 504’s back seats in order to make the new ones.
Kath, one of our trim experts has unstitched the old seats and measured up the old parts onto new leather. Once this is done, the new parts are stitched together and flute lines added.
The flute lines need to be carefully added so that they line up with the ones on the back squab cover as seen here:
The Jensen 541R’s next pitstop in its renovation journey has been in the trim shop where it had the full works done.
The makeover included fitting the side window panel, rear seats, rear quarter and side panels installed, side scuttle panel, ashtray in the rear side panel, chrome panel trim, center panel, leather into the rear pockets, and the parcel tray leather fitted.
Kath and Brian, our interior trim specialists took time to modify each piece of leather interior, measuring it up by hand to fitting each bespoke trimming. Aside from the centre panel, which retained the original design, everything else had to specially designed for this Jensen, making it one of a kind!
With new trimmings now fully installed, the Jensen is starting to resemble the beautiful car it used to be.
We popped into our in-house paint and trim shops this afternoon to check out what our classic car technicians are working on today.
Darren, one of our specialist painters is sanding down the fuel tank on our 1972 Peugeot 504. “I’m stripping it right back to the bare metal” Darren explains “thereafter it’ll be ready for it’s protective coating.”
You can see in the background the shell of our Peugeot 504 that Darren’s been stripping and priming ready for her thorough paint job.
Over in the trim shop, Kath and Brian have been working on two separate cars. Both of which, interesting enough, aren’t physically with us, so it’s only their interiors we’re working with right now.
Kath’s unpicking the original interior of our white 1961 Jensen 541S. “I separate all the sections so I can use them as a pattern for the new seats.” Her owner has opted for a mushroom leather interior. So soon we’ll see Kath bringing the new seats to life!
Meanwhile Brian has been working on the seats for our Jaguar XK150. “I’m using the gun to evenly distribute the glue across the foam to make the fabric attach evenly.”
Whether it’s a full restoration on every part of the car or a repair or restoration on one singular part, we love being able to transform these beautiful classics into their owners vision.
Here at Bridge Classic Cars we carry out all our restorations in-house. We have a team of over twenty-plus technicians specialising in engines, mechanics, electrics, bodywork, paintwork and interior trim.
If you have a classic in need of some expert attention, give us a call to see where we can help – 01473 742038
This 2008 BMW 118 came for a consultation today to look at some extensive interior damage. A car of only 12 years old isn’t our usual ‘classic’, but we’re always up for a challenge! And this job is no different.
Looking at all the rips in the fabric and cigarette burns we suggest to change the panels like-for-like with new fabric. Check back in to see our progress once we begin the work.
Our trim shop team were in for a real treat last week when we received a request for a full interior transformation on a 1973 Triumph TR6.
“We’ve stripped it all off” explained Brian. “The seats had lost their spring too, so we’ve not only done new upholstery, they’ve also got new foam inside”.
“I’m also doing some bespoke stitching work” Kath explains. It’s a distinctive double diamond pattern and so far, it looks absolutely stunning. Be sure to keep an eye out for more pictures in our next update!
Kath has been making great progress on our Jensen 541R interior.
She’s been carefully stripping down the original interior. The original material is then used as a template for fresh material to be cut to. When cutting out the material its crucial to leave enough spare material for the seam, whilst also making the most out of each roll of the expensive leather.
These Jensen interiors are far more complex than many vehicles of the era. They use plenty of tacs to keep the material in place. This provides a wonderful tight quality finish, but is very time consuming to safely remove. We will upholster the interior in the same fashion to keep everything as original as possible.
The current red interior will be changed to a wonderful rich black leather. This will match the stunning deep black exterior that was recently finished by Chris down in the Paint Shop.
Next up, Kath will be reupholstering the interior in the freshly cut new black leather.
Kath has been making progress on our Lotus Elise Hardtop restoration. the head lining was coming apart so we’ve stripped off the old fabric and removed the old glue. It’s now fully prepared for new black brushed nylon headlining.
Kath has been hard at work on our Jensen interiors. For the convertible roof she has tackled the following stages
Kath has also begun stripping down the Jensen seats. They actually sit on a fibreglass base that attaches to the car. The seats are currently still being prepared to be reupholstered.
Kath has been had at work on our E-Type interior. We’ve trimmed several E-Type interiors this month alone. Is your classic car interior in need of a new lease of life? We can source, design and create bespoke trim to give your classic vehicle interior the wow factor. Give our friendly sales team today to discuss your requirements.
Bridge Classic Cars are award winning Classic Car Restoration and Maintenance specialists. Your pride and joy is in safe hands with our expert Classic Car Technicians. Take a look at our awards here.
