land rover

Defender Improvements

The Bridge Classic Cars Defender has been having some work completed recently. Lydia sanded off the sharp edges of the rear bench to avoid any

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Final Preparations

To prepare for our 1953 Land Rover Series 1 to be delivered to its new owner, classic car technician Jonn has assembled the hard top

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Series 1 Hard Top

Our 1953 Land Rover Series 1 has had its hard top fitted by classic car technician Jonn and workshop manager. If you thought it looked

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Camping With Our Defender

There aren’t many better-equipped vehicles for a camping trip than our 2010 Land Rover Defender. Recently, Craig went camping with his family and, as you

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Inspecting Our Series 1

Classic car technician Jonn has been checking over our 1953 Land Rover Series 1. During his initial inspection, Jonn checked and topped up the gearbox

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Assessing Our Defender

Our 2010 Land Rover Defender has been in the skilled hands of classic car technician Jonn as he has begun his initial inspection and assessment

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Prepping Our Defender

Our 2015 Land Rover Defender 110 continues to make progress in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. The photos below show it before a thorough clean

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Strip Down And Paint

Our 2015 Land Rover Defender 110 has been stripped down by classic car technician, Mauro. Once it had been stripped, Mauro rubbed down the roof

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On Its Way

We are very excited that our 2015 Land Rover Defender 110 is on its way to us. This Defender was recently stolen and stripped of

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Our Defender Has Been Won – Behind The Scenes


Yesterday, Garry Smith was randomly selected as the lucky winner of our 2010 Land Rover Defender 90. His ticket number of 2534 was the one that made him the new owner of this off-roading beast.

During the live draw, we also found out that Richard Jones was the winner of our fast-selling Spitfire Gin with ticket number 177.


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Ready For Delivery

Our 2007 Land Rover Defender 110 is loaded in our trailer and is on its way to the lucky new owner.

Reverse Light Switch

Jonn has fitted a new reverse light switch to our 2007 Land Rover Defender 110. He traced the position to the gearbox and removed the multi-plug which had shorted out. A new switch was fitted and everything worked as it should.

Defender Improvements

The Bridge Classic Cars Defender has been having some work completed recently.

Lydia sanded off the sharp edges of the rear bench to avoid any future injury to passengers. She then sprayed the bare metal with black paint to finish.

While Lydia did this, Mauro primed the roof ready for paint.

Final Preparations

To prepare for our 1953 Land Rover Series 1 to be delivered to its new owner, classic car technician Jonn has assembled the hard top roof, bolted up the panels and removed the roof for full assembly.

He then fitted the seals between the panels and the edges before measuring up and cutting and glueing all door seals in position. Jonn then stripped and fit the new nearside wheel cylinder as well as bleeding and adjusting it. He then refitted the wheel and torqued it up.

The assembled roof was then fitted to the Land Rover and the fixings and door top halves were secured. Rear door hinges were fitted before the rear door and tailgate were put on the vehicle too.

Jonn fitted grommets to the holes in the roof and sides before he painted the exposed new bolts in the panels in cream to match the roof.

The PDI was carried out and, once Jonn is happy with the road test, our Series 1 will be ready to leave the workshop.

Series 1 Hard Top

Our 1953 Land Rover Series 1 has had its hard top fitted by classic car technician Jonn and workshop manager.

If you thought it looked cool without a roof on, or with its canvas roof, the hard top certainly looks equally as appealing (if not even better).

Win A Classic Land Rover

You can now enter to win our 1953 Land Rover Series 1 through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.

There aren’t many more iconic vehicles than a Land Rover, and this one is an incredible example that will make someone very happy when it is won on 17th October.

All the information you need can be found here.

Camping With Our Defender

There aren’t many better-equipped vehicles for a camping trip than our 2010 Land Rover Defender.

Recently, Craig went camping with his family and, as you can see from the photos below, our Defender looks very much at home in the great outdoors!

Soon to be available to win through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, our Defender will be a great off-road capable vehicle for its lucky new owner.

Inspecting Our Series 1

Classic car technician Jonn has been checking over our 1953 Land Rover Series 1. During his initial inspection, Jonn checked and topped up the gearbox level, as well as fitting the canvas roof that comes with the Land Rover.

Jonn also cleaned and unblocked the axle breather before freeing and lubricating the sticky wheel cylinders. A new washer pump and pipe were fitted too.

Once Jonn is happy with our Series 1 Land Rover, it will be available to win through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.

Assessing Our Defender

Our 2010 Land Rover Defender has been in the skilled hands of classic car technician Jonn as he has begun his initial inspection and assessment of this future competition car.

Chris has also been working on our Defender by undersealing.

Coming Soon – Land Rover Defender

Soon to be arriving at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop is our 2010 Land Rover Defender.

For now, the plan is for it to join our personal collection but, after its initial inspection and assessment with our team of classic car technicians, a definitive plan of action for the future will be created.

Land Rover Defender – The History Of An Icon

The Land Rover Defender is an iconic vehicle that has left an undeniable mark on the automotive industry. Renowned for its ruggedness, versatility, and off-road capabilities, the Defender has built a fan base of drivers and adventure enthusiasts around the world.

The Original Land Rover Is Born

The story of the Land Rover Defender started in the aftermath of World War II. Maurice Wilks, the chief designer at Rover, was inspired by the surplus American Jeeps used during the war. He saw an opportunity to create a similar vehicle for civilian use. In 1947, he sketched the first design for what would become the original Land Rover.

The Land Rover made its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948, attracting a lot of attention. It was immediately recognised for its robustness, simplicity, and versatility. The original Land Rover featured a boxy design with a lightweight aluminium body and a robust chassis. It was equipped with a 1.6-litre engine and had permanent four-wheel drive, making it capable of driving over rough terrains with little issue.

Series II and III

The Original Land Rover went through several iterations and improvements and, in 1958, the Series II was introduced. The Series II featured more refined styling and a larger engine. It became increasingly popular as a commercial vehicle in various industries, including agriculture, military, and exploration.

In 1971, the Series III was unveiled, marking a significant milestone in the Land Rover’s history. It featured a more comfortable interior, improved brakes, and an upgraded suspension system. By this time, the Land Rover had gained a reputation as a reliable workhorse and was loved by farmers, adventurers, and anyone else who needed an all-terrain vehicle.

110 And 90

In 1983, the Land Rover One Ten and Ninety models were introduced, which marked the beginning of a new naming process which was based on the wheelbase length (in inches) of each vehicle. These models featured several enhancements, including better soundproofing, improved heating systems, and more refined interiors.

The Land Rover Defender Name Arrives

In 1990, the Land Rover Defender name was officially introduced, as a way to differentiate the rugged off-road vehicle from the more luxurious Range Rover models that were now being produced. The Defender continued to evolve, with the introduction of more powerful engines, improved suspension systems, and advanced safety features.

Throughout its history, the Defender has been associated with numerous expeditions and adventures. It has conquered challenging terrains across the globe, from deserts to snow and ice and everything in between. Its off-road capabilities, combined with its durability, have made it the vehicle of choice for explorers, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts in some of the harshest environments on the planet.

The End Of An Era

Despite its iconic status, the Land Rover Defender faced challenges in meeting modern safety and emission standards. After a remarkable production run spanning over six decades, the original Defender ceased production in 2016. This marked the end of an era for Land Rover enthusiasts, who mourned the loss of a true automotive legend.

A New Beginning

Land Rover recognised the significance of the Defender and the demand from its passionate fan base. In 2020, the company unveiled the all-new Land Rover Defender, blending the classic design elements with modern technology and engineering. The new Defender retains its boxy silhouette, rugged capabilities, and off-roading ability while incorporating advanced features such as all-wheel drive, advanced terrain response systems, and a range of powerful engines.

The introduction of the new Defender brought new life into the iconic nameplate, ensuring that the legacy of this legendary vehicle continues into the future. Even to this day, the Defender remains a symbol of adventure, freedom, and exploration, embodying the spirit of the original Land Rover.

The history of the Land Rover Defender is a story of innovation, endurance, and timeless design. From its humble beginnings as a post-war utility vehicle to its status as a global automotive icon, the Defender has captured the imagination of generations.

I am a big fan of the Land Rover Defender and we have had several come into the Bridge Classic Cars workshop which is certainly an exciting perk of the job!

Here’s to many more years of the iconic adventurer!

Prepping Our Defender

Our 2015 Land Rover Defender 110 continues to make progress in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.

The photos below show it before a thorough clean and the fit-out process being started by classic car technicians Tamas and Scott.

Our Defender continues to look better and better and we are very excited to see its progress continue until it is ready to leave us in the near future.

Strip Down And Paint

Our 2015 Land Rover Defender 110 has been stripped down by classic car technician, Mauro. Once it had been stripped, Mauro rubbed down the roof ready for it to be painted.

It wasn’t just the roof that had the attention of our paintshop though, as the wheel arches, front grill, and front headlight surrounds were also prepared to be painted black.

Once all the prep work was complete, the roof and the other prepped components were painted.

As you can see from the photos below, our Defender is looking great now that some of its paintwork has been completed. With more paintwork coming very soon, we are looking forward to seeing it continue looking better and better, the longer it spends in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.

Just Arrived – 2015 Land Rover Defender 110

We have very recently welcomed our 2015 Land Rover Defender 110 to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.

This isn’t any old Defender though as it comes with quite a bit of history, despite it only being 8 years old. Belonging to explorer and adventurer Ed Stafford, this imposing vehicle was stolen and stripped of a lot of its components.

Since the Land Rover was returned to Ed, he has been hard at work rebuilding it and getting it back on the road. Following Ed’s recent visit to us, we will now do some restoration work on the Defender to help him get the vehicle looking as good as it should.

Ed’s Defender was featured on the cover of the January edition of Land Rover Monthly magazine.

If you want to hear more about the story of Ed Stafford’s Land Rover as well as his epic expeditions including walking the length of the Amazon river, surviving on an uninhabited island, and living on the streets of the UK, you can meet Ed and hear his stories first hand on March 25th 2023 when we host Stories at The Atelier with Ed Stafford. Tickets are now available!

On Its Way

We are very excited that our 2015 Land Rover Defender 110 is on its way to us.

This Defender was recently stolen and stripped of a lot of its components. Its owner has been working hard to put it back together and we will help with this when it arrives here at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.

It’s likely that you might even recognise the vehicle and its owner too!

The Late Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 Land Rover Series I Is Going To Auction

Late Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 Land Rover Series I, originally delivered to Her Majesty at the Balmoral estate, is going to auction with a guide price of £100 000 – £150 000.

It has recently been restored to an extremely high standard, with King Charles III rumoured to have helped fund the restoration after recognising the vehicle a few years ago.

Queen Elizabeth II received the Land Rover at Balmoral in 1953. It was later purchased by its former owner in 1966 who ended up storing it for a number of years. During its time in storage, its condition deteriorated until a complete restoration was needed.

Now fully restored, the Land Rover is in exceptional condition. It still features its production chassis number despite being considered a ‘pre-production build’ that was made specifically for the Royal Family. The original features of this very special vehicle include some unique options that you won’t find on any other similar model, including twin rear doors.

Sales Director of Silverstone Auctions, (who will be auctioning the Land Rover), Rob Hubbard said that

 “It’s not often that a vehicle with such impressive Royal provenance like this is offered publicly for sale.  Its special features and Royal connections make it exceptionally interesting. This Land Rover would doubtless have been used extensively on the Balmoral estate where we know the Royals loved to picnic. It would have been a familiar and much-loved part of Her Majesty and Prince Philip’s private lives.”

If its Royal connections weren’t enough, the 1953 Land Rover Series I has also featured on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow and led the Land Rover parade during the jubilee celebrations earlier this year. As the jubilee celebrations were watched by billions, Silverstone Auctions believes that this is “probably one of the most photographed Land Rovers in the world”

The Auction – Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 Land Rover Series I

The auction for the late Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 Land Rover Series I will be held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on the 24th – 26th of February.

Although the guide price is £100 000 to £150 000, this special vehicle will likely sell for much more than this. The last vehicle with royal connections sold by Silverstone Auctions was Princess Diana’s Ford Escort RS Turbo which sold for the world record price of £650 000 in August.

Sold On MyClassics.co.uk – 1970 Land Rover Series IIA

Our 1970 Land Rover Series IIA recently sold on MyClassics.co.uk

Despite needing some restoration work, it still runs and, with a bit of care and attention, it will be a very impressive vehicle again in the future.

We will be sad to say goodbye to our Land Rover but we are pleased that a new owner has been found and we hope that the future is very bright for this great classic vehicle.

Underneath Our 1970 Land Rover Series IIA

Since we put our 1970 Land Rover IIA up for sale, we have had quite a few interested parties reach out to us to find out more.

One individual specifically asked about the condition of the underside of the vehicle. One of the workshop team headed up to our storage facility, The Hangar, to take some photos to share with the interested person.

As you can see from the photos below, although some attention is certainly needed to get this vehicle back to its former glory, everything is still running and the car is ready to be purchased by its new owner.

New On MyClassics.co.uk – 1970 Land Rover Series IIA

Newly listed on MyClassics.co.uk is a 1970 Land Rover Series IIA. It is in need of some restoration work but it will no doubt be up and running again with a little bit of attention given to it.

This iconic classic vehicle runs although the current engine is somewhat smokey. A spare engine comes with the Land Rover though which has been seen running in another vehicle.

Full details can be seen here.

The Land Rover is also listed on eBay.

Behind the Scenes – Shooting the 1993 Land Rover Defender 90

Just launched over on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website is this! Our 1993 Land Rover Defender 90.

After a full check over by the Bridge Classic Cars workshop who gave it a clean bill of health after fitting the battery cut-off switch ahead of its date in front of the camera.

Recently the team took it out around our filming location near our Pettistree workshop to do the full video and photoshoot for the off-roader.

The beauty of the Defender was clear when as soon as we pulled off the beaten track, the truck felt at home. Uneven ground, changing surfaces and slow, steady progress across any type of terrain is the best place for a classic Land Rover. But then, as soon you put it back onto solid ground it became a pleasant cruiser. The updates done by the previous owner made the car far more civilised than one would imagine.

The quilted seats and upholstered armrests made driving the car an absolute delight on the road and made sure you had some comfort while the 4-wheel drive system did its work underneath you in the rough stuff. Although built in 1993, the truck was updated last year to a much more modern specification to use around town as a rugged, reliable daily driver or the perfect set-up for a weekend away in the country.

And now, it could be yours! Head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website right now and get your tickets to win our 1993 Land Rover Defender 90.

To see the full gallery and video, see below:

Back in Place – Installing the Rebuilt Injection Pump on the Land Rover Series IIA

When work began on this 1970 Land Rover Series IIA, there was a slight bit of confusion. Originally it was thought to be a Series III but thankfully, we have Scott who drives a Series II every day to work.

The other bit that had us scratching our heads somewhat was working out what engine it. The last MOT certificate stated it was petrol, but once Ady opened up the bonnet he was faced with an Injection Pump and Glowplugs. Meaning that sometime between then and now, a diesel engine had been put in its place.

Either way, we need to get the Series IIA running. So, our in-house engine wizard Ady had the injection pump sent off to a nearby specialist to be rebuilt and tested. Within a couple of days, the pump was back here at Bridge Classic Cars.

Next Ady had noted some wiring that didn’t quite make sense. A positive cable leading from the glowplug to the frame, in the same way a ground would be routed. After looking into the matter to be double sure, Ady removed the old wiring and rewired up the glowplug to the correct set-up.

Now, it is time to prep the engine for its first fire-up since being with us. Which you will see very soon here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog

This Just In – 1970 Land Rover Series III

This lovely, honest 1970 Land Rover Series III has just arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in Suffolk, UK to begin its restoration journey.

This particular Series III Land Rover will be given a full restoration for its devoted owner by our in-house restoration technicians. This wonderful little off-roader has been used and enjoyed for many years. But, now it’s time to get her back to her former glory if not better.

Keep a lookout on our News Page for more updates on this incredible 1970 Land Rover0 Series III.

Starting Off – Starting a 1990 Range Rover CSK

The 1990 Range Rover CSK is important in the history of the luxury 4×4. Built to honour the memory of its creator, only a limited number were built and even fewer still remain.

This particular example has been stored with us at Bridge Classic Cars in preparation for its move over to our workshop but when that day arrived, unfortunately, it would not start under its own power. This was no problem. Some manpower and our vehicle transportation team in the closed vehicle transporter, the CSK was on its way to our workshop.

Once safely at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, our technician Mauro clambered under the 1990s icon to check over each component of the starting system methodically and carefully. First starting with the battery, which was indeed flat. Putting it on our Sealey battery charger was simple to get some power back into the black beauty. However, this didn’t change the issue.

Checking that the engine was free became Mauro’s next job. Carefully and precisely barring the 3.9 litre V8 over several times to check that it span freely, which happily it did. With the key in the ignition in the second position, Mauro gently clicked it over to the third point on its cycle. Again nothing.

With this information and his experience, Mauro recommended changing the starter motor on number 47 of the 200 Range Rover CSK’s built.

With this crucial part on order. Mauro enlisted the help of the other in-house Bridge Classic Cars technicians to get the considerable car on our 4 post ramp to begin its inspection.

Range Rover’s Stopping Starter Motor

Our lovely 1971 Range Rover Classic has come back in after a breakdown due to an issue with the starter motor. John, our head technician has been working on trying to understand the issue. He’s set to replace the starter motor fitted due to a failure of the old starter motor solenoid not engaging. It was not repairable so a new replacement has been found.

Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Show Respects To Late Duke With Classic Land Rover 2A In Edinburgh

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate, have been seen arriving at a drive in cinema in Edinburgh in one of the Late Duke of Edinburgh’s classic Land Rovers.

William and Kate arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in a 1966 2A model Land Rover which belonged to Prince Phillip. The event, hosted by William and Kate, is a special screening for Disney’s Cruella, set up for NHS staff as a thank you and recognition of their hard work throughout the pandemic.

The couple parked the Land Rover in the forecourt alongside other classic cars that had been used in the film, including the classic Panther De Ville, famous for its appearance in the iconic Disney film.

Our Land Rover Series 2A is set to be on its way to its new owner next week, who’ll be pleased to know that he’s got a matching Land Rover with the royals.

Land Rover Series 3 Assessment

This Land Rover Series 3 has been assessed for body work and engine work however we are unsure to our next steps with it. It may come in in the future and we hope to see it again soon.

Land Rover Owner International – May 2021

We’ve been featured in Land Rover Owner International. Theo, editor, rang us up and had a chat with Ellie, about our beloved Land Rover and the competitions. After sending over visuals and some more information, we saw out feature on the website and absolutely love it.

“Series Land Rovers are sadly growing out of reach for an increasing number of us, as the costs of buying and restoring them are much higher than they used to be. Bridge Classic Cars has adopted a novel approach to selling vehicles, and one that could allow competition entrants to snap up this 1964 Series IIA for only £9.50″

You can read the article here.

Land Rover and IFRC Highlight Importance Of Community Aid Units In New Film Series – Premier Tonight

Land Rover and IFRC have one of the longest corporate/humanitarian relationships. Their new short film series highlights the importance of this partnership and the work local community units carry out.

We’re all used to seeing Police, Traffic Officers, Mountain Rescue and the occasional Ambulance Land Rover, but what many people may not realise is that the use of Land Rovers in local community response units, such as emergency responses to humanitarian aid, is vital to their functioning.

Land Rover and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are set to release a series of short films shot on GoPro’s by volunteers in the Red Cross to show their work. Land Rover supply vehicles to response teams to help reach people across the world.

Land Rover and IFRC have worked together for 66 years and form one of the longest running corporate/humanitarian relationships. Throughout this partnership, Land Rover have supplied vehicles and offered experience and expertise. No other automotive company is better suited to the work IFRC do, which often leads workers to hard to reach corners of the world, places where off-road vehicles are vital.

The films will premiere on IFRC’s Facebook Live alongside a panel discussion on the future of crisis response. The first film premiers tonight.

We have seen during this year, like no other, that the future of emergency response is local. Communities have gone above and beyond to support each other and their most vulnerable people.

However, the capacity to respond locally varies vastly by country and area. International organisations like ours need to work with local communities leveraging our National Societies and put their expertise and resources towards strengthening local capacity and addressing inequality.

NENA STOILJKOVIC
IFRC UNDER SECRETARY GENERAL FOR GLOBAL RELATIONS, HUMANITARIAN DIPLOMACY AND DIGITALIZATION

Each film focuses on “life-changing moments of humanity and crisis, from the streets of Italy, where homeless people are more vulnerable than ever, to the communities still rebuilding their lives after the devastating Australian bushfires in 2020. Local teams also teach life-saving skills to people in remote Mexican communities and support those hit hardest by coronavirus in the UK.”

This last year has been exceptionally challenging for people all over the world and Land Rover is prouder than ever to work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

These films capture the commitment of the IFRC’s staff and volunteers and the vital importance of going above and beyond to support people at a local level.

FINBAR MCFALL
LAND ROVER BRAND DIRECTOR