On The Home Straight
December 15, 2020
Our 1958 541R Navy Jensen is almost ready to leave again. We’re currently waiting for the wheel to come back after being cleaned as its
jensen specialists
Black Jensen bits and bobs
December 3, 2020
Many of the jobs that are done on our cars seem like very small insignificant elements but if you look at the bigger picture, every
Centre Console Fitted In The Grey Jensen.
November 19, 2020
This week the centre console trims have been made and fitted in the 1960 Jensen 541R. The first step was to make the top piece,
Jensen Owners Magazine – November
November 17, 2020
We were featured in the November-December 2020 issue of Jensen’s Owners Club Magazine for a Jensen 541S we restored a few years back for Ronald
Reconditioned Cylinder Heads For The Gold Jensen
November 12, 2020
Our 1962 Gold and Burgundy Jensen 541S has had its cylinder head reconditioned after multiple cracks were discovered that was causing water and oil to
The Batmobile (AKA: Jensen 541R)
October 22, 2020
The interior of our 1960 Jensen 541R has had a visit to our in-house trim shop this week. The customer is going full-black exterior and
1960 Jensen 541R Door Modifications
August 7, 2020
Dave has been working on our 1960 Jensen 541R restoration. He has taped up the side rear windows to test fit into the car for
Both Jensen Interior Projects Continues
May 19, 2020
Brian and Kath have been flat out the past few weeks since returning to our workshop. They’ve been tackling the interior on our two Jensen
1957 Jensen 541R – Uranograu
May 15, 2020
First glimpse of our 1957 Jensen 541R in its brand new suit. A unique two tone finish; with the body in Uranograu or Urano Grey
Jensen 541S Returns Home
March 31, 2020
We’ve had to say goodbye to our lovely Jensen 541S as it returns to it’s owner. Our skilled technicians are incredibly familiar with Jensen vehicles
Jensen Interior Restoration Update
March 13, 2020
Kath, Bridge Classic Cars’ interior trim specialist has been making wonderful progress on both of our Jensen interiors. Firstly, Kath begun by sewing up the
1960 Jensen 541R Interior Trim
February 26, 2020
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
Jensen 541R Custom Door Hinge
February 12, 2020
Dave has done a wonderful job fabricating new hinges for our Jensen 541R. He’s had to weld in a box section in order to extend
The First Ever Jensen Automobile: “The White Lady”
February 10, 2020
Customer, and friend of Bridge Classic Cars, Joerg has sent us these wonderful photos of his beautiful Jensen. Built in 1935, this was the first
Jensen Dash Trimming
February 4, 2020
Kath has been working on both of our Jensen 541 R’s within the Bridge Classic Cars Trim Shop. She has been simultaneously working on interior
Jensen 541 R Electrical Update
January 30, 2020
We’ve made great progress on our beautiful 1960 Jensen 541 R. Bob has installed the wiring harness, front and rear lights and indicators. Paul has
1962 Jensen 541 S Arrives at Bridge Classic Cars
January 20, 2020
This lovely ’62 Jensen 541 S has been collected and brought back to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. It’s in for paintwork correction and a
On The Home Straight
December 15, 2020
Our 1958 541R Navy Jensen is almost ready to leave again. We’re currently waiting for the wheel to come back after being cleaned as its currently sitting in overspray. We also have a few paint corrections to finish and polish as well as road testing it.
We’ve serviced it for some general faults too which we are waiting on approval or dismissal from the customer. These are faults we’ve found that don’t need immediate attention but could be corrected with a service.
Black Jensen bits and bobs
December 3, 2020
Many of the jobs that are done on our cars seem like very small insignificant elements but if you look at the bigger picture, every single detail is just as important as the larger parts.
The black 1960 Jensen 541R has recently had its spare wheel carrier lowering mechanism altered. The original it came in with didn’t function properly so we’ve lengthened the mechanism in the workshop today.
We have also replaced the fixing bolts on rear bumpers which had become faulty due to damage. We’ve welded in new bolts carefully, making sure we don’t damage the chrome and paint inside.
Centre Console Fitted In The Grey Jensen.
November 19, 2020
This week the centre console trims have been made and fitted in the 1960 Jensen 541R. The first step was to make the top piece, which was sewn and piped by our interior trim technician Kath, before passing it over to Brian.
Once the leather top piece had been passed to Brian, our other interior trim technician, he added foam padding and made the rest of the centre console.
Now assembled, it can now be fitted into the Jensen.
Jensen Owners Magazine – November
November 17, 2020
We were featured in the November-December 2020 issue of Jensen’s Owners Club Magazine for a Jensen 541S we restored a few years back for Ronald Everaert who recently wrote a piece for the magazine about his Jensen.
One of our favourite parts of restoring cars is being able to see the owners enjoy their pride and joys again, ready to make more memories in. It’s particularly lovely to hear from them via photos and articles such as this!
Reconditioned Cylinder Heads For The Gold Jensen
November 12, 2020
Our 1962 Gold and Burgundy Jensen 541S has had its cylinder head reconditioned after multiple cracks were discovered that was causing water and oil to mix.
The cylinder was removed and sent off for a pressure test at Coltec where the cracks were discovered. The cylinder head was then unleaded and replaced.
The Batmobile (AKA: Jensen 541R)
October 22, 2020
The interior of our 1960 Jensen 541R has had a visit to our in-house trim shop this week. The customer is going full-black exterior and interior. Kath and Brian, our trim experts, have been hard at work fitting all the interior trim right through the car.
First up, the sound deadening was glued and fitted to the metal body. This helps reduce the amount of road and engine noise while driving the car. Essential for classics, who’s engines are much loader than standard modern cars.
“I also made a template for the base of the seat” Kath explains “then glued that in and trimmed it up.” Kath also made templates around the foot well and pedals in a similar fashion. “First the sound deadening goes down” she tell sus “then I fitted the carpet in and glued it into position.” The carpet gets fitted all round the sides of the footwell so the edges are tucked away and look clean.
Carpet is also fitted around the handbrake gaiter. Kath’s also fitted the seatbelt eyes into position and cut the carpet to fit snug around them.
“I’ve then cut carpet for the foot wells and door sills.” Kath explains. The door sill carpet was then positioned and glued.
Kath then had to bind round the foot well carpets. Kath marked the position of the carpet fittings and fitted it into the car.
Leather is then fitted around the seat frame base.
The colour combination for our 1960 Jensen is black, on black, on black. Perhaps our customer is secretly a vampire, or maybe Batman? Who knows!
1960 Jensen 541R Door Modifications
August 7, 2020
Dave has been working on our 1960 Jensen 541R restoration. He has taped up the side rear windows to test fit into the car for a trial fit.
The rear windows are fitted in place after some polishing and filing. Dave is now bolting these fixed windows in position.
Dave has had to modify the doors on our Jensen to allow the glass to move freely up and down through the door. He has had to cut out a strip of metal at the top of the door, move it back a few millimetres and then weld the metal back into the correct position.
Both Jensen Interior Projects Continues
May 19, 2020
Brian and Kath have been flat out the past few weeks since returning to our workshop. They’ve been tackling the interior on our two Jensen 541R’s.
Brian has been mainly working on creating the bespoke wooden panelling and Kath has been working with our leather and fabric.
The old interior has been used by Kath as a template to cut our fresh leather to. She has then fitted the new leather to Brian’s bespoke built wooden panelling.
We’ve now finished work on the front two seats and the rear seat base and back swab of our black 1960 Jensen. The next stages will be to fit the headlining which will be a gorgeous cream colour. This should offset the black leather and black exterior paint wonderfully!
1957 Jensen 541R – Uranograu
May 15, 2020
First glimpse of our 1957 Jensen 541R in its brand new suit.
A unique two tone finish; with the body in Uranograu or Urano Grey and we have matched the roof to the wheels.
Here we have images of our Jensen in final stage primer before top coating the individual panels and body shell.
The car will now head back into the workshops to be fitted up with newly refurbished parts.
Jensen 541S Returns Home
March 31, 2020
We’ve had to say goodbye to our lovely Jensen 541S as it returns to it’s owner. Our skilled technicians are incredibly familiar with Jensen vehicles and we have become one of the most trusted Jensen specialists in the UK.
This 541S was brought in to us to repair the front bonnet, relocate the front bonnet latches and to replace the front bonnet grilles. Finally the vehicle was MOT’d before trusting our good friends at Russell’s Transport to transport the vehicle home. Please note, the vehicle was transported before the latest government advice to avoid all non-essential travel. We have since closed our workshops for the safety and health of both our staff and customers.
Jensen Interior Restoration Update
March 13, 2020
Kath, Bridge Classic Cars’ interior trim specialist has been making wonderful progress on both of our Jensen interiors.
Firstly, Kath begun by sewing up the new black leather seat covers before moving on to refurbishing the upper panels near the headlining. She then began assembling the front and rear seat bases, the rear seat middle section also required trimming in fresh leather.
Kath then began stripping the interior side panels and centre console, ready for reconditioning.
The seats are now complete and ready to be fitted back into the cars. They have been refitted to the highest quality and will look absolutely stunning fitted back into the vehicle. Great work, Kath!
1960 Jensen 541R Interior Trim
February 26, 2020
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.
Jensen 541R Custom Door Hinge
February 12, 2020
Dave has done a wonderful job fabricating new hinges for our Jensen 541R. He’s had to weld in a box section in order to extend the Jensen’s ‘A post’ towards the rear of the car. This has allowed to doors to sit in their correct position. The Jensen will go to our in-house paint shop for bodywork to ensure the door sits perfectly flush. Great work, Dave!
The First Ever Jensen Automobile: “The White Lady”
February 10, 2020
Customer, and friend of Bridge Classic Cars, Joerg has sent us these wonderful photos of his beautiful Jensen.
Built in 1935, this was the first vehicle ever produced by the Jensen brothers. They named her the White Lady and that name has stuck with the vehicle to this day.
A truly special automobile, This prototype (Chassis number S1/3799) is powered by a 3.6L Ford V8 which is mated to a three speed manual gearbox. Due to the dual-ratio rear end the white lady effectively had six gears.
What a stunning piece of history! We’re pleased to see this vehicle in the hands of such a huge Jensen enthusiast.
Jensen Dash Trimming
February 4, 2020
Kath has been working on both of our Jensen 541 R’s within the Bridge Classic Cars Trim Shop. She has been simultaneously working on interior components for both of our Jensen 541 R restorations.
The Jensen dials have also arrived in to the workshop, ready to be fitted and wired in to the newly trimmed dash.
Great work, Kath! These new interior pieces will shortly be installed into both cars.
Jensen 541 R Electrical Update
January 30, 2020
We’ve made great progress on our beautiful 1960 Jensen 541 R. Bob has installed the wiring harness, front and rear lights and indicators. Paul has fitted the bonnet and bonnet support struts.
This restoration is now really starting to come together. The next stages will be to fit the freshly trimmed dashboard and wire in the dashboard instrumentation.
The wiring harness is labeled by Bob before permanent install.
The bonnet in position before being mounted to the bonnet support struts.
Wiring has now been installed and the lights are tested at this stage.
1962 Jensen 541 S Arrives at Bridge Classic Cars
January 20, 2020
This lovely ’62 Jensen 541 S has been collected and brought back to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. It’s in for paintwork correction and a other remedial works.
Our classic car technicians have a wealth of well experience with Jensens. As such, we’ve picked up a lot of Jensen restorations over the years with clients eager to have their cars seen to by Jensen experts. They are beautiful cars, but also present many demands and challenges in order to restore with the finest quality. Rest assured, this Jensen is now with our expert technicians who will see this lovely 541 S back on the road, ready to be enjoyed soon.
