Classic car technician Mauro has been getting our 1980 MGB GT prepped for paint. He has been stripping the car down taking the areas to be improved back to bare metal.
Once it leaves the paint shop, it will continue to progress through the Bridge Classic Cars workshop until it is ready to move into the next chapter of its life on the road.
Classic car technician Scott has been working on our 1971 MGB Convertible recently.
After being off the road for a considerable length of time, there are several issues that need to be resolved before this classic MG can get back on the road again.
Scott began by sorting an issue with the fuel pump. He replaced the lines, drained the old fuel and replaced it with new. He was then able to get the car running.
A leak on the carbs was fixed and the brakes were stripped and checked. Scott cleaned and regreased the rear brakes before running our MGB up to temperature and test-driving it around the grounds surrounding the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
The water pumper will need to be replaced so Scott removed this and prepared the car for the arrival of the new pump.
Finally, Scott gave the underside of the vehicle a clean and applied rust protection to any bare areas.
It’s no secret that everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars loves an MG! In particular, the MGB has proven to be extremely popular with the team here and with our customers too.
That’s just one of the reasons why we are excited to welcome our 1971 MGB Convertible into the workshop. We have it with us to investigate and resolve several issues that its owner has been experiencing.
After being rebuilt in 1998, it has been used infrequently and was SORN from 2009 through to 2019. Now that it has come out of storage, the list of issues to look at include a broken sender on the petrol tank, fitting a new battery, finding out why the radiator is losing water, and repair the faulty spline on the spare wheel.
The car will also undergo a full valet and will be prepared to MOT level.
It’s a divisive viewpoint in the classic car world – Do you use your classic in the snow and clean it down afterwards or keep it tucked away?
Well, the cold weather was closing in on our Suffolk HQ this morning. As the snow began to fall across the surrounding countryside, some of our own cars which are stored outside whilst awaiting time in the workshop got a light dusting. One of those, was our personal 1969 MGC GT.
That’s what sparked this question. In period, these cars would of course have been taken out and driven in all weathers but as their rarity and age grow so does the scarcity in which they are used in the majority of cases.
During the cold snap a few years ago, I owned a 1972 Volkswagen Beetle 1300 and proved (if only to myself) that categorically it was the greatest all-terrain vehicle of all time. With no ABS, no power steering or traction control to interfere with driving and all its mighty 36BHP heading straight to the rear wheels with the weight of its flat-four engine sitting right above it, the grip was phenomenal as I drove on my hour long commute across the wintery Suffolk countryside on back lanes and B-roads.
But, it did pay a price. I forgot to clean down the wings and front edge of the pan which began to corrode. This would ultimately spread and caused me some more issues down the line. But, I learnt from that. Just like with a modern car, the salt and moisture will begin to cause damage and corrode components if left.
It’s not as noticeable with modern cars as it is with classics, perhaps down to the wider use of plastics and composites for body panels and trims or better weather proofing in modern paints and coatings but if left long enough for long periods of time, the dreaded bubbles start to appear…
Our customer cars do not go outside in this kind of weather. At the first hints of any rain or not ideal weather, they are brought inside for safe keeping and cleaned down instantly before being put away in the shelter of our workshop.
But it’s an interesting thought, do you use them in the winter or keep them tucked away?
March 10, 2023 12:28 pm
Classic car technician Steve has continued his work on our 1975 MGB GT V8. As this will soon be a competition car on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions, the workshop team are making sure it is working as it should and is ready to be won by its new owner in the near future.
Steve noticed a dent in the sump which he removed and repaired before reinstalling back onto this beautiful classic MG. As well as fixing the dent in the sump, Steve also fitted a new timing cover and water pump rear housing. This was to replace the corroded and leaking housing that Steve found on the car during his initial inspection and assessment.
The engine of this classic car has been put back together now too which has given the car a big leap forwards toward being ready to leave us and get back out on the road.
Steve wasn’t done yet though as he went on to fit a new exhaust mount and clamp as well as new rear shackle bushes too.
Work continues on our 1975 MGB GT V8 and it won’t be long before it goes live on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website ready for someone to win. This will no doubt be a very popular competition but, until then, our workshop team will continue getting it ready for its new owner.
Our 1975 MGB GT V8 has been undergoing its initial checks and assessment by classic car technician Steve.
When any classic vehicle arrives at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, it is thoroughly inspected and assessed to identify any restoration work that may need to be carried out before the car is ready to move on through its restoration journey, back to its owner, or over to Bridge Classic Cars Competitions for someone to win.
Some of the tasks that were completed to make sure everything is as it should be on this beautiful classic car include Steve checking and cleaning the rear brakes as well as cleaning the sump and engine gasket surfaces before reassembling them.
While Steve was working on our 1975 MGB GT V8, he noticed that there appeared to be coolant leaking from the car. To find the cause of the leak, he removed the inlet manifold and water pump rear housing. Once these were removed, Steve was able to identify that there were actually two leaks – one coming from the inlet manifold gasket and the other from the steel heater pipe under the manifold.
Steve’s inspection and assessment of our MGB GT V8 will continue until he is completely satisfied that the car is ready to move on to the next chapter of its story.
If you can see yourself as the new owner of our 1975 MGB GT V8, then keep an eye on the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website as, at some point in the near future, it will be one of the impressive classic vehicles you can win for yourself.
In the meantime though, it will continue its stay in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop while Steve and the rest of the workshop team continue making sure it drives as good as it looks!
Everyone here at Bridge Classic cars loves an MG. We have had lots come and go in the past so it’s always exciting to see a new one come into the workshop.
The latest addition is our 1975 MGB GT V8.
As you can see from the photos below, it is a beautiful car and will soon be back out on the road for everyone to enjoy.
Despite our 1968 MGB GT not being in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop for very long, our team of classic car technicians have already begun working on it.
Paul has been assessing the car and has found some rust-related issues that need to be resolved.
While Paul was assessing the mechanical condition of the car, classic car technician Brian got to work on the interior. There was some damage to the driver’s seat that had Brian’s initial focus.
He started the repair process by removing the damaged front squab. He then went on to remove the cover before re-fitting the backboard. New foam was added around the edges of the squab before all the damaged areas were glued.
Calico was added to strengthen the back of the foam before the foam was glued to the frame.
After the repair had been completed, Brian re-fitted the cover back onto the seat and reinstalled the squab back into the car.
It has made a significant difference to the look of the interior of this beautiful classic car by repairing the damaged squab. Now work has started on our 1968 MGB GT, it will continue to make progress through its restoration journey and, ultimately, back out onto the road.
Our 1968 MGB GT has recently arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
As with all the cars that come to us, our classic car technicians will give it a thorough assessment and inspection before its future is decided.
All we know so far is that this is one beautiful classic car to look at.
As our 1978 MGB GT continues to move through the restoration process, things are progressing well and more tasks have been ticked off the checklist.
Classic car technician Rob has painted and fitted the number plate backing panels, fitted the door trim and handles on the right-hand side of the vehicle, as well as making new backing panels for the C pillar trim.
Rob has been extra busy as he also assembled and fitted the rear anti-roll bar and fitted the rear roof trim too.
Classic car technician Rob has been making and fitting the new brake and fuel lines for our 1978 MGB GT.
He also fitted the brake master cylinder, which brings the car one step closer to being able to get back out on the road.
Other work continues on the MGB GT in the form of more trim being installed. This helps the car look much closer to how the finished restoration will look.
Mauro, one of our restoration technicians here at Bridge Classic Cars, has been hard at work reassembling the 1977 MGB Roadster we have in for restoration in preparation for the next phase of the project.
Mauro has been fitting all of the trims and windows to the car since the paintwork is now fully cured and hardened. This really makes the little sportscar come alive!
As with this being new paint, our team take their time and carefully manoeuvre the trims into place as to not cause any damage to the beautiful dark blue roadster. Some of the pieces have been refurbished but those that couldn’t be have been replaced with the highest quality pieces we have sourced.
The windows were thoroughly cleaned and all mechanisms liberally greased to ensure they work flawlessly when needed and all the trim pieces have new clips and hardware to create a good, tight fit to the body of the car.
Mauro is systematically working through each part of the car to complete each section before moving on to the next.
Also, the team fitted the windscreen to the car as a finishing touch!
Expect to see more on the beautiful 1977 MGB Roadster soon, here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.
January 25, 2022 8:50 am
The 1977 MGB Roadster currently in with Bridge Classic Cars has finished its time in our in-house paint shop and has now been moved into our restoration workshop to begin reassembly.
After previously assessing the condition of the trims when the car first came into us, they were bagged and catalogued for this stage of the car’s aesthetic restoration. Some of the trims and parts weren’t able to be refurbished or reused so high-quality replacements from trusted suppliers were sourced to make sure the Roadster looks and works perfectly. That includes cleaning and refinishing the fuel tank to match the standard of the rest of the car.
Our in-house restoration technician Mauro has been working alongside our other technician Paul to get the trims and pieces back onto the MGB before it goes into our in-house trim shop for its interior. Mauro and Paul will work methodically through the car to ensure every component and fitting is secure and neatly back onto the car.
Expect to see more in the very near future on the 1977 MGB Roadster in with Bridge Classic Cars.
January 21, 2022 10:39 am
The first layers of colour are now on the body of the 1977 MGB Roadster in the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop.
Our head painter Chris has spent hours, along with our other painter Alan, getting the MGB Roadster’s body ready for its first coats of colour. It looks absolutely fantastic and these results only come with the extensive and meticulous prep work done by our in-house restoration teams. The colour sits nice and evenly across all the panels to give a beautiful uniform look on the 1970s convertible.
Next, Chris and Alan will prepare and begin the next stage of getting this 1977 MGB Roadster looking better than new.
January 13, 2022 9:00 am
Mauro, one of the restoration technicians here at Bridge Classic Cars, has been working through the list of jobs we have been asked to complete for the owner of the 1975 MGB GT V8.
The next item on the list to get sorted is the handbrake cable. After many years, the cables do stretch so we’ve been asked to replace the old one. Mauro made sure it was safely installed into the car and it didn’t bind or was twisted in anyway to make sure that when it is need, it is always there.
January 12, 2022 1:41 pm
Progress is continuing on the 1973 MGB GT V8 that is currently in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Our technicians have been going through to check all the systems required for its testing and found a couple of issues.
Paul has been looking into an issue with the oil pressure gauge and some peculiar issues with the wiring. Look into the gauge to begin with, Paul has cleaned out and rewired the pressure sender which he believes has sorted the problem but it will be reevaluated during the cars tests.
The wiring was some issues down to the routing of certain wires through the engine bay which was causing the car to blow fuses during the cars fire up. Paul went through each of the wires in the engine bay and behind the dash in order to trace back any problems to get them fixed. After this and a couple of repairs to the wiring, Paul is moving forward with his checks on this amazing 1973 MGB GT V8.
January 11, 2022 12:16 pm
The Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop have been busy getting the 1977 MGB Roadster we have in for restoration ready for its first coats of colour.
Chris, our lead painter, has been working on getting the body panels just right for the next phase of painting the MGB Roadster. Hours of sanding, filling and more sanding to ensure that each panel sat correctly with its bodylines and also in terms of its curve down and across the body. Then, the body and all its panels had several coats of epoxy primer.
Once the primer had cured enough, it was time to begin working on the first coat of colour on the roadster. A Light guide coat for the car in preparation for its full colour coat which will be going on very soon.
January 11, 2022 8:53 am
The 1977 MGB Roadster which is in for aesthetic restoration, has now been prepared and taken into the paint booth where Chris and the paint team have applied the first coats of primer to the car.
Now, there’s a process of sanding the primer back and preparing it for the next stage in its aesthetic restoration which will build up the layers of primer before finally the colour is applied and make this iconic sports car dazzle once again.
More very soon on the 1977 MGB Roadster in on the Bridge Classic Cars news page
January 5, 2022 3:22 pm
Our in-house paint and body experts have been busy preparing the 1977 MGB Roadster for its date with the Bridge Classic Cars in-house spray booth.
Chris has been busy working on the back half of the MGB getting all the new metalwork to sit correctly and flow neatly and gently into the other panels. This is a crucial part of any aesthetic restoration so that when the primer and paint are applied to the car there is no change in the laying of either.
Soon, the car will soon go into the booth to have its epoxy primer laid and then it will all be prepared for its colour and clear coat.
January 4, 2022 11:42 am
It wasn’t precisely the night before Christmas but it was near enough. With the workshop tidied away and set up for the exciting new year ahead of us at Bridge Classic Cars, it was time to do the final live draw of the year. It was the turn of our 1975 MGB GT V8 to find its new home and it was time for a very special announcement.
After the normal formalities, it was time to fill our amazing audience in with some news. Our incredible presenter Charlotte, was leaving the role at Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. Charlotte, who has been such an amazing presence since the very beginning of the journey has handed over the reins to our newest presenter Hayley. Hayley is a true petrolhead with a wealth of knowledge and passion for anything vintage. So, with wishing Charlotte the best of luck with everything moving forward our followers were introduced to Hayley who will handle proceedings from now on.
Then, Charlotte took you around the stunning 1975 MGB GT V8. Finished in deep red with a black interior, this 1970s British sports car was going to find its new owner that night after an amazing response by our followers. After the walkaround, it was time to fire up the laptop and the random number generator. Along with the MGB was the chance to win a very special, limited edition REC Mustang watch. First, we had to find the new owner of the watch.
As Charlotte put in the highest and lowest numbers into the random number generator, the comments on our live stream began to wash over words of encouragement and good fortune to everyone. Then, in the flash of an eye, it was number 28 who would own the REC Mustang watch. That number belonged to Russell who had Christmas come early for him with his new special edition watch.
Finally, it was time for the main event. The draw of the MGB GT V8. As Charlotte readjusted the criteria on the number generator, the anticipation rose. Then, with the click of a button, the number 2441 appeared. That particular ticket had been bought by Roger who was now the very lucky owner of this fabulous icon of British motoring.
We at Bridge Classic Cars Competitions love being able to give someone the chance to win their dream classic! And there’s even more. Head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website and enter now!
www.bridgeclassiccarscompetitions.co.uk
January 4, 2022 9:50 am
There’s always a buzz around a new competition car. Especially one as special as this… a 1975 MGB GT V8.
This small, V8 powered British sports car is the latest prize to be won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions by one very lucky winner. This is the story behind the amazing photos and video of the car.
Although the winter morning was damp and the sun hid its bright rays behind grey lumbering clouds, it couldn’t dampen the spirits of the team ready to shoot the new competition car. The V8 burbled into life after it had been pushed out of The Hangar. Gently, the aluminium V8 warmed up on the tarmac. Making sure the pressures and temperatures were all correct before being driven to the South Loop, Charlotte eased the sports car into gear and pulled away from the shadow of the hangar.
The wonderful noise from the V8 wound its way through the trees in the Suffolk forest. The early morning light left the highlights across its vibrant, rich red bodywork soft but with a certain crispness from the moisture in the air. While photographing the car, you couldn’t help but fall in love with the simplicity of an MGB GT. It does however have a certain elegance and sophistication with that simplicity. The sloping back which then rolls into the bumpers that wrap around its rear and the long elegant bonnet that stretches towards the horizon but not to the scale where visible is difficult. Perfectly useable as a classic or even every day.
The interior shows the story of the car. The seats have a character to them that matches the personality of the car, they show that the car has been used and adored since its earliest days.
As the MGB moved out and Charlotte gently rolled it through the gears, the car has a majesty as it moved. A gracefulness that all MGB’s seem to have but is amplified by the low, ambling noise from its 3.5 litre V8. As the clouds grew darker and the sun drifted further and further away, it was time to take the car back to The Hangar. Ready, for it’s next lucky owner.
This 1975 MGB GT V8 could well be yours. Click the link below and enter now for your chance to win this and other dream classics with Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.
See all the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions prizes.
December 9, 2021 12:30 pm
This 1977 MGB Roadster is in with Bridge Classic Cars for a full cosmetic restoration. That does involve a bit of cutting…
Scott has worked his magic on the passenger side of this amazing sports car over the last few weeks. Carefully removing any corroded metal on its flanks so that the new wings can be grafted in and secured. Now, it was time for Scott to begin work on the driver’s side. Much the same as the other, Scott only cut where was needed to remove the material and give enough room to comfortably weld the new panels in with very little distortion from the heat.
Using a thin cutting disc, Scott managed to create clean and precise cuts to remove firstly the original rear wing and then the structure and wheel arch behind it. These are needed to be removed and replaced with brand new pieces as part of the car’s aesthetic restoration.
Now, with the wings all on and cleaned up. It’s time to move forwards.
December 6, 2021 12:55 pm
A few weeks ago, after firing the newly rebuilt V8 in the front of our 1973 MGB GT V8 for the first time, our in-house restoration technicians discovered some flecks of metal in the oil.
With this, our technicians have decided to take the engine back out of the front of this iconic purple sportscar and begin to diagnose what has happened. With a project such as this, it’s always done that after the engines first run in that everything is checked, doubled checked and then triple checked to ensure the health of the engine.
Thankfully, our in-house restoration experts are on hand to oversee the investigation and expect to see more here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.
November 24, 2021 8:45 am
Bridge Classic Cars team of in-house restoration experts have been working on getting this 1973 MGB GT V8 we have in all buttoned up and ready to hit the road!
John and the workshop team have gone through hours of wiring checks and small fixes that were needed to ensure the wiring system throughout the whole car was in good working order and each component worked exactly as it should. Along with that, the interior of the car can now begin to go back in. Step by step, it’s beginning to look like an MGB GT again.
Underneath, there’s a brand new exhaust system to help that V8 breathe. Tucked up nearly underneath its brightly coloured body, there will be no doubt thanks to the new exhaust that this is indeed a V8 car. Also, the new brakes and clutch hydraulic systems have been put in, bled and tested passing with flying colours.
All of this means we should be able to test this stunning little sportscar on the road very soon. Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for updates on the 1973 MGB GT V8.
October 26, 2021 8:59 am
Bridge Classic Cars will soon be welcoming this stunning 1969 MGB GT into our Pettistree workshop for a list of jobs to get this beautiful white 2 door sportscar back up and running.
There’s a reported issue with the fuel pump, which in turn means that the carburettors will need to be adjusted and balanced. Along with the bits under the bonnet is a service/overhaul of the points and rotor arm in the distributor upon the client’s request. The customer also reports the overdrive only working intermittently so that will be investigated by our in-house restoration technicians then we will advise on any issues.
Around the car, there are a few areas around the car that our in-house restoration teams will also be looking into. Some rubber seals on the rear hatch have perished in places so to make sure the car is weatherproofed and stop any water from entering the cabin. Next up, our body and paint experts will have a look at an issue with tyre fitment. The nearside wheel arch apparently catches on the tyre but there does seem to have been some modifications done to the offside rear arch to stop that from happening.
Keep an eye out on the Bridge Classic Cars news page for more updates on the 1969 MGB GT.
October 25, 2021 11:59 am
The Bridge Classic Cars paint and body experts have been busy assessing the 1977 MGB Roadster that is in with us for Aesthetic restoration.
Chris and the team careful began to take apart and inspect every aspect of the car. Removing the interior to assess condition but also to gain access to vital structural parts of the car’s chassis. In all, the car’s underpinnings were in relatively good shape. However, some of the body panels will require work done to them in order for this stunning little roadster to be in the best condition possible.
Chris and Lydia then began to remove the paint for each of the panels to assess any more repairs that will be needed in terms of bodywork.
October 21, 2021 10:15 am
New to the Bridge Classic Cars workshop is this 1977 MG B Roadster. It is in with us for a full aesthetic restoration which will include a brand new paint job along with a full interior, a new convertible hood and a new radio.
Work will begin shortly and getting this iconic sportscar stripped down and ready for our in-house paint team to work their magic on the car.
Expect to see much more on this MG B Roadster on the news page on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.
October 14, 2021 10:55 am
Work is continuing on the 1973 MG B Roadster that is in at Bridge Classic Cars to be recommissioned. This time, our in-house restoration technicians are looking into the cooling system. A crucial part of any classic.
The reason we needed to remove the radiator was to gain access to the water pump. This was due for replacement as Ady had noticed it begin to weep. Whilst the radiator is out, it allows our in-house team to inspect and assess the radiator itself to see if it needs any repairs or is in need of replacement.
Keep a lookout on our news page for any updates on the MG B Roadster.
October 4, 2021 8:15 am
The MG B Roadster. A staple of British Sportscars for decades. Beloved by many for its small, lightweight feel but its solid reliability.
This particular 1973 MG B Roadster has come into Bridge Classic Cars for recommissioning. It will be assessed by each of our in-house restorations teams to determine what needs to be done and in what order.
It’s lovely to see a car that is still so original but has led an honest and enjoyed life in its previous years. But, the time has come for this iconic sportscar to be bought back to its former glory.
September 28, 2021 10:44 am
Previously on the 1973 MG B GT V8, we were installing the electric fans to help keep that freshly rebuilt V8 cool. Another integral part of the engine is its oiling system.
Our master engine-builder Ady fitted a remote oil filter housing to the MG’s engine bay. To help with the oil feed of the refreshed V8 in the MG B, he needs to add a specialised small fitting to connect up to the hardlines.
With the fitting now in place and hardlines bent up to meet the new fitting, it could be installed into the engine bay safely tucked out the way.
Next up for the MG B GT V8 will be its first fire. Keep an eye out on the News Page for more updates.
September 23, 2021 8:22 am
