The Mince Pie Drive
December 8, 2023
On 1st December 2023, we set off on a festive adventure across the Suffolk countryside – our first-ever Mince Pie Drive. The day dawned bright
lotus europa
Lotus Europa Check Over
December 8, 2023
On, what we thought would be, our final drive of the Lotus Europa prior to it leaving us for its new home, John heard a
A 70’s icon… with a twist! Our 1970 Lotus Europa
November 23, 2023
Our 1970 Lotus Europa is now live! The Lotus Europa is without doubt one of the quirkiest and individual sports cars of the 1970s. A
Lotus Europa Repairs
November 3, 2023
Jon is working on the final preparations of the Lotus Europa, ready for the filming to take place, hopefully, the week after next . A
Europa Steering And More
October 19, 2023
Our 1970 Lotus Europa has been in the hands of classic car technician Jonn. He drilled and fitted a new washer jet. Jonn then drilled
Rewiring Our Europa
October 17, 2023
Workshop manager John has been looking after our 1970 Lotus Europa. He has been rewiring the fuel pump to work off a relay as well
Lotus Europa Repairs
October 12, 2023
Classic car technician Jonn has been carrying out a further inspection of our 1970 Lotus Europa and carrying out any repairs that were needed. He
A New Heatshield
October 6, 2023
Our 1970 Lotus Europa has been in the skilled hands of classic car technician Jonn who has been making and fitting a new heatshield. Jonn
Back To Original
October 4, 2023
Bridge Classic Cars workshop manager John has been working on our 1970 Lotus Europa. He has been returning the wiring of our classic Lotus back
Coming Soon – Banks Lotus Europa
August 3, 2022
Coming soon to the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ is this rare and unique Banks Lotus Europa. The Banks Europa’s have a redesigned chassis from
New Beginnings
October 28, 2020
The 1971 Lotus Europa is set to travel to Scotland for restoration with its new owners. Back in September, a dusty 1971 Lotus Europa barn-find
Road Runners Rinse
September 23, 2020
Our striking 1971 Lotus Europa that arrived with us last week is having her first wash in well over ten years. After spending her entire
Cars You Don’t See Anymore – September 2020
September 18, 2020
Our 1971 Lotus Europa was spotted near Debenham this morning by some eagle-eyed classic car fans while being transported to our workshop in Pettistree. It
The Mince Pie Drive
December 8, 2023
On 1st December 2023, we set off on a festive adventure across the Suffolk countryside – our first-ever Mince Pie Drive. The day dawned bright but extremely cold and icy. We decided to still venture out, albeit with a smaller convoy than first planned. The Bridge Classic Cars team wrapped up warm and headed out (special mention goes to our friends Garry Catchpole and Derek Rush for joining us).
The idea behind our Mince Pie Drive was to take classic cars to several local residential care homes to bring nostalgia and festive cheer to the residents and staff. There were mince pies, kindly provided by The Bakehouse Bakery Woodbridge, and carol singing from Molly and me (sorry about that folks!)
We went first to Highlands in Woodbridge before making our way to Bucklesham Grange Care Home, where we were greeted by the lovely Amanda-Jane Frank, who introduced us to the residents. Several came out to have a look at our cars, with Derek’s BMW proving to be a favourite here. Luke Deal from BBC Suffolk came along to chat with us and see what we were up to. You can listen to that interview here.
Next, we headed to Glebe House in Hollesley. The residents were just having their lunch, and talk about a meal with a view! The mince pies were a very welcome dessert! Lastly, whilst chasing the last hour of daylight, we popped to our neighbours at Lehmann House in Wickham Market.
We are so humbled by all the lovely residents and incredible care workers we met on our Mince Pie Drive. It was so wholesome to be able to remind them of yesteryear by bringing along a spectrum of cars. There really was something for everyone.
We can’t wait to do more events like this in future.
Lotus Europa Check Over
December 8, 2023
On, what we thought would be, our final drive of the Lotus Europa prior to it leaving us for its new home, John heard a slight knocking noise coming from the front so he now needs to do some further investigations to diagnose and repair what is creating this noise.
A 70’s icon… with a twist! Our 1970 Lotus Europa
November 23, 2023
Our 1970 Lotus Europa is now live!
The Lotus Europa is without doubt one of the quirkiest and individual sports cars of the 1970s. A low slung, mid-engined, racecar inspired drivers’ cars which has garnered a following amongst marque enthusiasts and classic car fans across the world.
The Europa, with its slab back design, would become a precursor to later performance cars like the Elise of the 1990s. But what if you took that classic style and gave it a modern performance heart? That question is answered with our 1970 Lotus Europa and it could be yours…
This beautiful pale yellow 2-seater has been retrofitted with a legendary Toyota 4AG-E engine, giving this retro silhouette modern day performance. Converted to be run on carburettors and then taken onto a rolling road to be fully set up ready for that backroad thrash or an easy cruise to your local car show.
Recently imported from South Africa, the car has been recommissioned for road use and registered in the UK.
Bridge Classic Cars Competitions is giving you the chance to win this unique and stunning sports car and experience all the classic cool with added modern performance – Enter now for your chance to win our 1970 Lotus Europa.
Watch the film with our unique 1970 Lotus Europa here:
Lotus Europa Repairs
November 3, 2023
Jon is working on the final preparations of the Lotus Europa, ready for the filming to take place, hopefully, the week after next .
A new, modified fuel sender has been fitted into the tank. Fuel has then been added to check the integrity of sender seal and all ok.
We have fitted tank into the hole in body and aligned the bolts. All fixings have been secured
Jon has then drain the fuel out to connect fuel feed and return pipes.
The electrics were next on his list as he repaired the wiring to the fuel pump and made connections.
Checked pump operates and all ok so we have refilled with fuel.
The gauge is reading ok, 3/4 full on gauge which is accurate.
We have applied underseal in black.
Refit nearside rear wheel and torque up.
Put battery on charge.
Refit engine heatshield and boot liner.
Get car off ramp and start up before carrying out a road test. The car pops and bangs under light throttle conditions but ok under hard acceleration which will need to be addressed.
Slow idle speed down on each carb equally.
A trip to DanST Performance Engineering next week to correct the running issue and hopefully ready for the competitions department!
Europa Steering And More
October 19, 2023
Our 1970 Lotus Europa has been in the hands of classic car technician Jonn. He drilled and fitted a new washer jet.
Jonn then drilled out the panel in the offside front arch and routed the new washer pipe through into the car. He then connected it to the push switch on the dash and then from the switch to the washer jet.
The steering rack gaiters were stripped and removed and the ball joint rubbers were secured. Jonn fitted new rack gaiters and secured them before centralising the steering rack and refitting the track rod ends evenly.
After refitting the wheels and torquing up, Jonn carried out tracking checks and adjusted as needed. Finally, the steering was set to 0 degrees 20 minutes toe in.
Rewiring Our Europa
October 17, 2023
Workshop manager John has been looking after our 1970 Lotus Europa.
He has been rewiring the fuel pump to work off a relay as well as rewiring other relays and tidying up the wiring.
This stunning classic car will soon be going live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website and someone will be the lucky winner of our Lotus Europa.
Lotus Europa Repairs
October 12, 2023
Classic car technician Jonn has been carrying out a further inspection of our 1970 Lotus Europa and carrying out any repairs that were needed.
He drilled out the broken boot striker plate and flattened it before re-riveting it to the boot lid and fitting new screws to catch and secure. Upon testing, the boot locks work as expected.
Jonn then went on to tighten the front suspension bolts before greasing all points. He then stripped the brakes and cleaned and checked them. He then delipped the drums, refitted and adjusted them. Once the wheels were re-fitted and torqued up, all the tyres were pumped up, including the spare.
The connections to the horn were repaired and new rear light lenses were fitted. Jonn investigated why the reverse lights were not working and, after tracing back to the loom, he was unable to find reverse light wires from the loom and the gearbox doesn’t have a reverse light switch anywhere.
Jonn then looked at the choke cable fitment and routing and ordered a long cable. The nearside door panel was removed to find out why the passenger door didn’t lock via the key. Jonn freed the locking mechanism and worked it back and forth. He tried to lock the car with the key and it now locks.
The fuel tank was drained and the return hose was replaced with new clips. The tank was then refilled and checked for leaks – none were seen.
Jonn is now waiting on parts to finish the prep work for this beautiful classic going live on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
A New Heatshield
October 6, 2023
Our 1970 Lotus Europa has been in the skilled hands of classic car technician Jonn who has been making and fitting a new heatshield.
Jonn first made a mock-up of the heatshield from cardboard before making the alloy shield itself. He then went on to fit the new heatshield. While working on the car, Jonn noticed that the alternator wiring is in a poor state so this will need to be rectified before the car becomes available to win through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
The fuel filter mount and filter were also secured in place.
Workshop manager John also did some wiring work inside our classic Lotus.
Back To Original
October 4, 2023
Bridge Classic Cars workshop manager John has been working on our 1970 Lotus Europa. He has been returning the wiring of our classic Lotus back to its original specifications. This is in preparation for the car to be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions very soon.
Coming Soon – Banks Lotus Europa
August 3, 2022
Coming soon to the Bridge Classic Cars Suffolk HQ is this rare and unique Banks Lotus Europa.
The Banks Europa’s have a redesigned chassis from the standard Lotus style which adds rigidity and some adjustability in certain areas. This particular car has been modified and customised by its owner to suit their needs, fitted with a 2-litre transverse Vauxhall engine, it makes this Banks Europa even more of a rarified piece in that apparently very few were set up to run transverse engines.
This car will be coming into our Pettistree workshop later in the year for our technicians to carry out several jobs on the classic Banks Lotus.
New Beginnings
October 28, 2020
The 1971 Lotus Europa is set to travel to Scotland for restoration with its new owners.
Back in September, a dusty 1971 Lotus Europa barn-find found its way into the Bridge Classic Car family. After a thorough clean, it started to resemble its original self.
When the car first arrived, it had be collecting dust in a barn in Stonham Aspal for some years. You can read more about it here.
The 1971 Lotus Europa ready to begin its journey up north.
Soon the Lotus was purchased by Mr. Kerr Davidson and transported to Scotland by Lets Go Automotive.
Now residing on the outskirts of Pentland Hills National Reserve near Edinburgh, the Lotus will begin its restoration journey by the father and son duo.
Road Runners Rinse
September 23, 2020
Our striking 1971 Lotus Europa that arrived with us last week is having her first wash in well over ten years.
After spending her entire life as part of the Dew family in Suffolk, having been passed down through the generations, it was finally time for the Lotus to be welcomed into a new family; the Bridge Classic Cars family.
Like most barn find classics, we first needed to give her a well-deserved and thorough scrub.
We’re still toying with the idea of removing her Road Runner sticker from the side panel. It certainly brings some fun to the classic sports car, but it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea that’s for sure!
Next we plan to remove the gearbox, recommission the brakes and service the engine.
Hopefully she’ll be be back to her road-running self in no time!
Cars You Don’t See Anymore – September 2020
September 18, 2020
Our 1971 Lotus Europa was spotted near Debenham this morning by some eagle-eyed classic car fans while being transported to our workshop in Pettistree. It was then appropriately posted on the Facebook Group ‘Cars You Don’t See Anymore’.
They’ve clearly got a keen eye, as not only did they spot straight away that she’s a Lotus, they also spotted that she’s in need of a good wash!
Well, we’re happy to oblige… So, next on the ‘to-do’ list is give this stunner a well deserved wash. Thereafter, we’ll be figuring out what work needs to be done to get her back on the road.
