mini restoration
In The Workshop – 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850
February 8, 2023
Our 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850 has recently arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. You could end up owning this beautiful Mini as it will be available to win through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions in the near future. For
Little Eva: The Next Chapter
September 15, 2022
Little Eva is the name given to our charming 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe. Since its restoration, Little Eva has joined our personal collection of classic cars. As this lovely little classic has not had the use we had anticipated, we
Covered – New Rear Matting in the 1980 Austin Mini Van
May 18, 2022
The interior team at Bridge Classic Cars have been busy making new rear matting for the load bay of the 1980 Austin Mini Van. The team begun by making a paper template to ensure the matting would fit up tightly
Underside – Sanding the Underneath of the Team C Racing Mini
March 22, 2022
The underside of the Team C Racing Mini shell has been worked on by the Bridge Classic Cars body shop ahead of its appointment in the in-house paint booth. Mauro, our paint and body restoration technician, has been painstakingly sanding
Primed and Ready – Team C Racing Mini in Primer
March 16, 2022
The body shell and panels for the Team C Racing classic Mini has moved from the Bridge Classic Cars body shop to the paint booth ready to be shot in primer. With the body and panels cleaned down thoroughly and
Featured – 1967 Austin Mini 850 in the Ipswich Star
January 31, 2022
It’s always a lovely sight to see our previous projects out in the world. An example of this is the 1967 Austin Mini 850 owned by our friend Simon Benton. This Mini was aesthetically restored by Bridge Classic Cars last
New Home – The 1989 Austin Mini Safe at Her New Home
January 12, 2022
The beautiful 1989 Austin Mini is safe and sound at her new home in Scotland. Also, she seems to have got some company for her life up north. The new owner of the straight cut gearboxed 1989 Austin Mini also
Austin Mini Back Seats Completed
June 17, 2021
Our elusive 1989 Austin Mini has had its back seats completed. The mini itself is set to be in soon. Kath has been working on refurbishing the back seats. She’s added pipping and a skirt around the edges and then
Austin Mini Gets New Interior
June 10, 2021
Our new Mini is having some new interior made up before in comes into us. Kath is working on taking apart the rear seats and recovering them. She begun by removing the old covers, making new vinyl which she mounted
Sill Rebuilding
May 13, 2021
Pricey has been taking apart and rebuilding the lower rear sills, entire lower sill, rear inner sill and floor as all of it were showing series signs of corrosion as the structural integrity was challenged. The process includes correcting previous
Panels Painted On The Rover Mini
March 29, 2021
Our talented paint shop colour matched, masked up, primed and painted our 1993 Mini Rover side panels before it was sent back to Ted at Team C Racing (Formerly known as Anglian Mini Centre).
Behind The Scenes – 1980 Mini 1275 GT
March 26, 2021
Last week we ventured out with our friend and model, Hannah, to shoot our 1980 Mini 1275 GT, which you now know is one of three of our grand mini reveal. This characterful orange classic is not only fun to
You Were Only Supposed To Blow The Bloody Doors Off
March 18, 2021
Michael Caine would be proud… Today we welcomed in this quirky 1993 Mini from Ted at Team C racing that needs its door frames and inner wing panels repainted. This characterful mini is decorated in Mini Run and Mini club
Something New Has Arrived…
March 16, 2021
In this morning’s dreary drizzle, a 1996 Mini Cooper 35 1.3i (1275cc) arrived adorned with roof rack and Monte Carlo anniversary stickers. Finished in a fantastic Almond Green with the classic white roof, this little classic is set to be
A Mini and Merc Maybe
February 23, 2021
This charming little Mini may be coming in soon to be recommissioned and assessed. Currently we’re at the enquiry stage but hope to see this little red motor come in soon! And we have our 300 SL Mercedes with the
Eva’s Handbrake Gaiter
January 29, 2021
Kath has been making the handbrake gaiter for our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, ‘Eva’. Kath made this by measuring out a pattern against the old on and working new leather into a gaiter to mimic the old version.
New Year, New Respray
January 13, 2021
Our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, fondly named ‘Eva’s Mini’ has had some recent paintwork including a new respray on the bonnet. With new interior trim furnishings, the updated bodywork will make this little Mini look just like new!
The Deluxe’ Last Day
October 15, 2020
It’s our gorgeous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe’ last day with us today. We have a load of work to do before tomorrow night, where she will be presented as a birthday gift to Eva Ranson, wife of our Director; Gordon
Green With Envy
September 24, 2020
Our fabulous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe has had her engine recently resprayed in this delightful earthy green. With us for a full restoration, our cherry red Mini arrived with us as little more than a rusty shell. So far we’ve
A not-so-Mini Job!
September 21, 2020
Ady, our engine specialist, has completed an entire engine rebuild on our fabulous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe. “She’s literally had everything done” Ady explains. “Including new pistons, new bearings, a new gasket, an unleaded cylinder head fitted and a reconditioned
The Mini’s A Headline Act
September 10, 2020
This week, the 1961 Morris Mini had her headliner stripped off by Brian in the trim shop. “I’ve stripped off all the old fabric,” explains Brian, “then cleaned up all the metal frame ready to have the new cover made
We’ve Got Front Row Seats For The Morris Mini
September 4, 2020
Following stripping the interior of the 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, our trim shop extraordinaire Brian has been hard at work rebuilding this iconic beauty. With the chairs stripped right back to the bare metal, Brian’s rebuilt the chairs starting with
Pull Up A Chair
August 29, 2020
Brian in the trim shop here at Bridge has started rebuilding the seats on our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe. “I started by fitting new rubber straps” Brian explains, “then added foam around the bottom edge”. “I added hessian to the
1960 Morris Mini Deluxe in Primer
July 23, 2020
Darren has completed the bodywork preperation on our Morris Mini restoration. He’s also completed the first coat of epoxy primer. This will be sanded back to a smooth finish before moving onto base primer coats. Lovely work, Darren
1967 Austin Mini 850: Custom Bodywork
March 13, 2020
Antony has been working hard in our fabrication bay on our Austin Mini 850. He’s custom built a new roof gutter and window top as well as repairing any rust effected areas. Top work, Antony!
1960 Morris Mini
January 20, 2020
Here at Bridge Classic Cars, we’ve acquired a very early example of a Morris Mini. We’ve got big plans for this Mini. As pictured, there are still remnants of the original, Cherry Red paintwork. We intend to fully restore this
In The Workshop – 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850
February 8, 2023
Our 1979 Austin Morris Mini 850 has recently arrived at the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
You could end up owning this beautiful Mini as it will be available to win through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions in the near future.
For now though, it will be inspected by the workshop team before a plan of action is created for our classic mini.
Little Eva: The Next Chapter
September 15, 2022
Little Eva is the name given to our charming 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe.
Since its restoration, Little Eva has joined our personal collection of classic cars. As this lovely little classic has not had the use we had anticipated, we have decided to let her go for someone else to enjoy.
Restored in collaboration with Team C Racing, our Mini was restored to the very highest of standards. To read our full write-up and for your chance of winning Little Eva, enter the draw here.
Covered – New Rear Matting in the 1980 Austin Mini Van
May 18, 2022
The interior team at Bridge Classic Cars have been busy making new rear matting for the load bay of the 1980 Austin Mini Van.
The team begun by making a paper template to ensure the matting would fit up tightly to the rear arches and meet perfectly in the centre of the classic Mini. Once each side have been marked out and cut from paper, it could then be transferred onto the matting and cut to size.
The next step involved gently keying the load floor inside the car to give it the best surface to adhere to. Then, very carefully it was put into place with the adhesive and left to cure.
Underside – Sanding the Underneath of the Team C Racing Mini
March 22, 2022
The underside of the Team C Racing Mini shell has been worked on by the Bridge Classic Cars body shop ahead of its appointment in the in-house paint booth.
Mauro, our paint and body restoration technician, has been painstakingly sanding the underneath of the classic Mini. Each and every inch of the car’s top and the bottom has been worked on to ensure the work done by the paint shop is perfect.
The underside of the car is due to be raptor guarded to give the best durability to the bottom of the car against the elements.
Primed and Ready – Team C Racing Mini in Primer
March 16, 2022
The body shell and panels for the Team C Racing classic Mini has moved from the Bridge Classic Cars body shop to the paint booth ready to be shot in primer.
With the body and panels cleaned down thoroughly and masked up, Chris could begin the process of getting the classic Mini into primer ahead of its colour change. Several coats of primer were laid onto the body before it is taken back to the body shop to have more delicate sanding done to ensure the best finish on the shell for our friends over at Team C Racing.
Featured – 1967 Austin Mini 850 in the Ipswich Star
January 31, 2022
It’s always a lovely sight to see our previous projects out in the world. An example of this is the 1967 Austin Mini 850 owned by our friend Simon Benton.
This Mini was aesthetically restored by Bridge Classic Cars last year in preparation for its all-electric conversion done by Team C Racing and Electric Classic Cars. The car arrived at our workshop as a shell, then our in-house paint and body team got to work getting this wonderful classic Mini back to better than new condition before its date with the workshop in Wales for the conversion.
You can see more on this project in the upcoming Discovery Channel series about the car.
To read the full article, click the link below.
New Home – The 1989 Austin Mini Safe at Her New Home
January 12, 2022
The beautiful 1989 Austin Mini is safe and sound at her new home in Scotland. Also, she seems to have got some company for her life up north.
The new owner of the straight cut gearboxed 1989 Austin Mini also has a very nice 1275GT which will be sharing its stable with the little blue car. The 1275GT was given the name of Little Floorie by its owner, who has decided that the name of the 1989 Austin Mini will be Little Lottie.
We wish Ken and his wife many happy miles with our little Mini and look forward to seeing more of Little Lottie on her adventures in years to come.
Austin Mini Back Seats Completed
June 17, 2021
Our elusive 1989 Austin Mini has had its back seats completed. The mini itself is set to be in soon. Kath has been working on refurbishing the back seats. She’s added pipping and a skirt around the edges and then fit the cover over the foam base. She then sewed up the cover for the squab and taken off the rust from the wire frame. She added in 12mm of scrim foam on the front and 3mm on the back. After gluing the foam to the frame, Kath then cut out the pipping, back flap and side skirt. After fitting new foam and the new cover on, Kath could sew up the final pieces.
Austin Mini Gets New Interior
June 10, 2021
Our new Mini is having some new interior made up before in comes into us. Kath is working on taking apart the rear seats and recovering them. She begun by removing the old covers, making new vinyl which she mounted on 12mm scrim foam. Kath then made up some piping, sealed the edges and trimmed off excess foam. Next up, Kath cut out the calico to sew into the base for attached the foam to. Once she’d sewn up the flutes and sewn in the calico, she could attach the piping along each side.
Sill Rebuilding
May 13, 2021
Pricey has been taking apart and rebuilding the lower rear sills, entire lower sill, rear inner sill and floor as all of it were showing series signs of corrosion as the structural integrity was challenged.
The process includes correcting previous fixes and a lifetime of rust and wear. Pricey has been fabricating new sections and welding them in so that the lower sills are ready to be repainted.
Pricey has been addressing the poor alignment issues and previous corrections. He has stripped parts back to good metal to be able to fabricate new parts.
Panels Painted On The Rover Mini
March 29, 2021
Our talented paint shop colour matched, masked up, primed and painted our 1993 Mini Rover side panels before it was sent back to Ted at Team C Racing (Formerly known as Anglian Mini Centre).
Behind The Scenes – 1980 Mini 1275 GT
March 26, 2021
Last week we ventured out with our friend and model, Hannah, to shoot our 1980 Mini 1275 GT, which you now know is one of three of our grand mini reveal. This characterful orange classic is not only fun to look at, but also fun to drive. For Hannah, it is her dream car, making her the ideal candidate to model and drive this competition car.
As usual, the team splits into two divisions with Freddie tackling the video aspects and Ellie taking on the photography. By splitting responsibilities and time like this, the team can swiftly get through multiple car shoots in a day, creating content for all our social media outlets.
As we usually do, we shot in RAF Bentwaters where we have a hanger. Driving up and down the 1.3 mile run way, we captured our videos and photos of this spritely orange classic.
We were lucky to have fair weather on this shoot after the unlucky spell of bad weather recently which makes shooting cars in difficult.
We always aim to shoot multiple galleries of each car, including the main product photos you see, the portraits and motion ones, but where we can, we also like to pick a second destination to shoot in to create a wider diversity of photos.
You Were Only Supposed To Blow The Bloody Doors Off
March 18, 2021
Michael Caine would be proud…
Today we welcomed in this quirky 1993 Mini from Ted at Team C racing that needs its door frames and inner wing panels repainted. This characterful mini is decorated in Mini Run and Mini club stickers that tell a colourful history of this particular motor. In particular, it has an Italian Job logo on the side with the famous quote on the back ‘You Were Only Supposed To Blow The Bloody Doors Off’, which fits well with the doors currently missing…
Something New Has Arrived…
March 16, 2021
In this morning’s dreary drizzle, a 1996 Mini Cooper 35 1.3i (1275cc) arrived adorned with roof rack and Monte Carlo anniversary stickers. Finished in a fantastic Almond Green with the classic white roof, this little classic is set to be on our competition website in the near future, watch this space…
Special Edition 35 – “to celebrate 35 years since the Mini Cooper first rolled off the production line and went on to make history. Winning the Monte Carlo Rally three times in the Swinging 60s. And out-manoevering far larger and more powerful rivals in countless other racing and rallying events.
A Mini and Merc Maybe
February 23, 2021
This charming little Mini may be coming in soon to be recommissioned and assessed. Currently we’re at the enquiry stage but hope to see this little red motor come in soon!
And we have our 300 SL Mercedes with the usual bulkhead corrosion concerns. This could be another exciting project to come into our workshops in the coming months.
Eva’s Handbrake Gaiter
January 29, 2021
Kath has been making the handbrake gaiter for our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, ‘Eva’. Kath made this by measuring out a pattern against the old on and working new leather into a gaiter to mimic the old version.
New Year, New Respray
January 13, 2021
Our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, fondly named ‘Eva’s Mini’ has had some recent paintwork including a new respray on the bonnet. With new interior trim furnishings, the updated bodywork will make this little Mini look just like new!
The Deluxe’ Last Day
October 15, 2020
It’s our gorgeous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe’ last day with us today. We have a load of work to do before tomorrow night, where she will be presented as a birthday gift to Eva Ranson, wife of our Director; Gordon Ranson.
The Mini arrived at our Pettistree workshop this morning looking pretty bare! Although her engine was in, she still needed all her interior fitted, including carpets, door panels and seats.
Firstly, one of our engine technicians Ted completed some final tweaks to the Mini’s 800cc engine. The engines already been totally recommissioned, as well as stripped and repainted in that lovely green you can see in the picture.
Meanwhile, Brian in the trim shop is getting the first section of the headlining in. He’s then got the front lining in and has fitted the C Posts.
The front dash was then fitted with it’s fleck material. “I trimmed around the edge” explains Kath, another of our trim-shop experts. “Then, I’ve glued it all in place.”
Kath’s then fitted the upper section of the dash, she’s then bent it round and trimmed it to fit. “I then glued the ends around the door seal” she tells us “then reattached the door seal.”
The door panels were next on the list. They were tricky! Kath had to trim the board and cut some foam out along the side to be able to slide it in. She then inserted the little door fillet panels.
The rear door panel pockets were equally difficult. “The boards didn’t fit” Kath explains “so we had to trim down to get them to fit inside nicely.”
Kath then had to trim holes for the ashtrays – a fixture you never see anymore in modern cars!
She trimmed the holes for the lights and fitted them in place. Getting the rivet bracket into position then fitting the rest of the board.
The sun visors were the next feature to be fitted. First of all the brackets were screwed into place, then the custom made visors were attached.
All the underlay and carpet was yet to be fitted when our Mini arrived back with us this morning. Underlay was trimmed up and glued into position. Matching red carpet was then fitted under where the seats will go. Taking care to trim around the seat brackets where each of the front seats will go.
The final sections of carpet were then fitted into place, trimmed up and glued to hold their position.
The seats were then fitted into the front. Looking lovely!
Brian then added sound deadening to the back seat section, before attaching his custom-made back seat. He also added the rear squab and the parcel shelf behind it.
“I’ve then fitted the rear quarter panels” Brian explains “securing them with screws at the top”. Brian’s also glued the wheel arch covers into position.
Aside from the interior, the Mini’s working components also had to be reassembled. These parts arrived back with us this morning as individual bits. The team have spent the day reassembling the subframe, ready to get the wheels back on and get her back up and running!
My goodness! What a team effort to get our gorgeous little Mini ready for her big reveal. We hope Eva loves her ‘Little Eva’ as much as we do!
Happy Birthday!
Green With Envy
September 24, 2020
Our fabulous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe has had her engine recently resprayed in this delightful earthy green.
With us for a full restoration, our cherry red Mini arrived with us as little more than a rusty shell. So far we’ve restored her body and given her a full paint job. We’ve completely transformed her interior, including newly upholstered seats. Meanwhile, we also recommissioned her engine before it was painted.
Our Morris Mini is a really early example of this car, we plan to restore her back to her original form as closely as possible.
We love Mini’s here at Bridge classic cars. So much so, that we’ve had three Mini’s appear in our classic car competitions. Currently, we have a bright yellow 1991 Austin Mini up for grabs for just £7. Head to our competitions page to find out more and to purchase your tickets.
A not-so-Mini Job!
September 21, 2020
Ady, our engine specialist, has completed an entire engine rebuild on our fabulous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe.
“She’s literally had everything done” Ady explains. “Including new pistons, new bearings, a new gasket, an unleaded cylinder head fitted and a reconditioned gearbox.”
Now all the technical work on the engine is done, it’s time to get it into the paint shop to make it look pretty! A gorgeous green is the chosen colour, we can’t wait to see it finished.
Our Morris Mini is being kept as close to it’s original state as possible. Another Mini of ours is currently with Electric Classic Cars where’s it’s undergoing a full electric conversion. Check out the latest news on this project here.
The Mini’s A Headline Act
September 10, 2020
This week, the 1961 Morris Mini had her headliner stripped off by Brian in the trim shop.
“I’ve stripped off all the old fabric,” explains Brian, “then cleaned up all the metal frame ready to have the new cover made and attached.”
This project is coming along nicely so far, we can’t wait to see the new fabrics.
We’ve Got Front Row Seats For The Morris Mini
September 4, 2020
Following stripping the interior of the 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, our trim shop extraordinaire Brian has been hard at work rebuilding this iconic beauty.
With the chairs stripped right back to the bare metal, Brian’s rebuilt the chairs starting with new rubber straps fixed to the frame. “I used hessian to line the base and stop damage,” he describes. “Then I added foam to the base, with extra foam added to bolster the front of each chair.” This is the slight curve you can see in the pictures and add to not only the look of the seats but to their comfort too.
Brian then attached the leather covers across the foam, using clips around the base and hog rings to hold the fabric in place.
We’re already so in love with this colour combination. The options really are limitless when it comes to classic car restorations!
Pull Up A Chair
August 29, 2020
Brian in the trim shop here at Bridge has started rebuilding the seats on our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe.
“I started by fitting new rubber straps” Brian explains, “then added foam around the bottom edge”.
“I added hessian to the base, glued foam on top and marked out the middle.”
The finished cover was then glued to the foam lining, along with the calico flap, then the bolster foam was glued on top with the cover pulled over everything nice and snugly.
Horse hair was then glued to the rear of the seat, pulled around the frame and fixed into place. Wadding was also added to the top and sides of the chair to add extra padding.
The back cover was then fitted over, pulling the flaps though to glue them to the frame then clipping the outer flap to the seat frame. “Any ends have then been turned underneath to make it neat” described Brian, “then simply glued and and clipped into place”.
The back seats on the 1961 Morris Mini also received some similar special treatment from Brian this week.
Brian fitted the foam around the back seat frame. Added calico, lining and the backseat foam and pieced it all together.
“I then marked where the cover sits,” explains Brian, “gluing the cover down centrally to the foam and finally gluing the calico flap down”.
A small piece of brown felt was added to the front of the foam, then a large piece of brown felt over the top then glued the foam over the top to make a front bolster.
Brian then began work on the back seat Squab. “I glued the horse hair padding to the refurbished metal frame” Brian describes. “I then added scrim foam to pad the seat out further and trimmed it up to match the shape of the frame”
Brian then pushed the foam into Kath’s custom-made cover, glued the flaps around the side and the bottom of the seat then glued the cover to the metal.
We’re often completing full interior restoration on anything from our 1961 Morris Mini you see here, to Jensens, Triumphs and everything in between. For more information on our trim shop services get in touch today! – 01473 742038
1960 Morris Mini Deluxe in Primer
July 23, 2020
Darren has completed the bodywork preperation on our Morris Mini restoration. He’s also completed the first coat of epoxy primer. This will be sanded back to a smooth finish before moving onto base primer coats.
Lovely work, Darren
1967 Austin Mini 850: Custom Bodywork
March 13, 2020
Antony has been working hard in our fabrication bay on our Austin Mini 850.
He’s custom built a new roof gutter and window top as well as repairing any rust effected areas. Top work, Antony!
1960 Morris Mini
January 20, 2020
Here at Bridge Classic Cars, we’ve acquired a very early example of a Morris Mini. We’ve got big plans for this Mini. As pictured, there are still remnants of the original, Cherry Red paintwork. We intend to fully restore this lovely little vehicle to original specification and colour.
