March 2016

Reminiscing over the past…

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Currently sorting through thousands of images, reminiscing about some past classics that have passed through our doors…this beauty brings back some great memories. 1965 Ford

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Our MGTD is possibly the only one left in the world…

If you are as passionate about cars as we are here at Bridge Classic Cars, you’ll know yourself that it is always wonderful to hear the stories and the history behind these amazing classics we get to see everyday.

Just like their owners, all cars have a history. The new ones may just be starting their journey but one day, we hope they too have the stories just like the old ones do.

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of one of our latest classics to join the Bridge family, a 1951 MG TD MkII. We found her over in Canada and instantly fell in love with her.

Lucky for us, our good friend Bud lives over in Canada and agreed to collect her on our behalf which just left us to arrange the necessary paperwork to have her brought back to the UK. The great news is; she is now on her way and you’ll soon be able to see her here in sunny Suffolk.

Here’s Bud on collection day…

1951 MG TD in Canada

But that’s not all, as I said above we love a little story, and it’s even better if it’s a story that is completely unexpected!

1951 MG TD Prince Andrew

So who in Britain doesn’t love a Royal story? Exactly, we all do, we’re British.

And how many of us can boast that we’ve had Royalty sitting in our car?  Here’s Prince Andrew having a go in our 1951 MG TD. At the rear of the car is his body guard and at the side if Frank Francis, manager of The Craven M Car Collection.

But AGAIN, that’s not all…as you may have noticed from the title of this post we have uncovered even more hidden gems.

“The early MG’s were built as a very basic automobile to be driven and maintained by their owners. Many of these owners entered their cars into rallies, hill climbs and races. Soon after the first TD’s were built, enthusiasts complained that they were not competitive with other cars in it’s class. The cry for more power promoted Abington to produce the Mark II. Although the appearance remained the same, the engine compression ratio was raised to 8 to 1, all ports and combination chambers were polished with larger inlet and exhaust valves fitted along with heavier valve springs and an upgraded camshaft. Higher capacity Lucas ignition equipment, an extra fuel pump and added shock absorbers were standard on the Mark II models. All of this, increased the weight to 2015 pounds and the horsepower to 60 at 5000 rpm with a maximum speed of about 85mph.

In 1951 there were only eleven Right Hand Drive Mark II’s built and all exported. I am one of these eleven. I was shipped to the South of Ireland where I was sold and a few years later brought back to England and was purchased in 1957 by Tony Bamford who took me to his home in Buckinghamshire. Mr Bamford renewed my chrome and had me painted in 1973 then sold me to Rothmans International, who brought me to Canada and displayed me in their Craven Foundation Car Collection. A year later I was bought by Roy Newton and put into storage until my present owner, George Merson rescued me and took me to his home on the shores of Georgian Bay where I get to travel the beautiful countryside and feel the wind on my fenders. I am the only 1951 MarkII Right Hand Drive in North America and possibly the only one left out of the original eleven in the world. So please be nice to me and touch me softly.”

Thanks

“Finnigan”

1951 MG TD - Possibly the only one left in the world

What an amazing story…

To see our previous posts on our 1951 MGTD click here

 

 

Eagle E-Types announce the shape of things to come…

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Eagle, a British company that has specialized in restomodding classic Jags for over thirty years, has rolled out a new version of their modified E-Type called the Eagle Spyder GT.

If you’ve heard of Eagle already, it’s probably for its gorgeous Speedster. The company subsequently followed up with the fixed-roof Low Drag GT, inspired by the competition modelJaguar developed back in 1961 (and recently continued). The Spyder GT splits the difference, with a chopped and raked windscreen and a folding fabric roof mechanism. Like its stablemates, the Eagle Spyder GT wears bodywork painstakingly crafted entirely out of aluminum, with exquisite detailing.

No wonder that, in reviewing it on Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson said, “I think this, by a long way, is the most beautiful car I have ever seen. It might actually be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” That’s high praise indeed from a guy who’s not known to shy away from speaking his mind. Unfortunately most of us will never find out, as Eagle only produces these special editions in very limited quantities and at very high cost. Each is custom-made to the owner’s specifications, with the first example of the new Spyder GT to be delivered this summer.

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Kersey Mill’s Historic Vehicle Rally – Sunday 24th April 2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kersey Mill Classic Car Rally

On Sunday 24th April, from 10:30am to 4:30pm there will be a classic car rally taking place in the grounds of Kersey Mill.

The Drive It Day is an annual event throughout the UK to commemorate the Royal Automobile Club 1900 1000 mile Trial that left London and travelled via Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester to Scotland and returned via many British towns back to London. 65 automobiles were entered for this pioneering event and remarkable 46 made it to the finish line. The gold medal winner was Charles Rolls of Rolls Royce fame in his 1899 Panhard 12hp Tourer. 

This year’s event has attracted International recognition from FIVA and will be the UK’s Flagship Event for the

2016’s World Motoring Heritage Year.

Kersey Mill is set in an area of outstanding beautiful Suffolk countryside, close to the historic market town of Hadleigh. The buildings are surrounded by 18 acres of beautiful grounds including sunken Mediterranean and water gardens and meadows alongside the River Brett.

Kersey Mill in conjunction with Historic England will be having a special opening at midday which will be orchestrated and performed by Bill Griffiths, the well known Millwright who has been involved with this restoration since the very start to celebrate and admire the current progress that has been made towards the total restoration.

The water wheel will be turning and it is almost 100 years since it was fully operational.

To date we have 20 marque motor clubs who have agreed to support the event. A special display of early motor cars will be positioned in front of the Mill which include Charles Rolls original 1899 Panhard and one of his early Silver Ghosts the famous 1908 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn. Alongside these two very special cars will be an early Stanley Steamer, Model T Ford, Austin 7, Lagonda, Bentley to name but a few.

Adjacent to the Mill building there are a number of diverse business including a Health and Fitness Centre, Pilates, Denza Beauty Room, Photographer, as well as Suffolk Craft Shop with local handmade crafts and gifts from over 40 local craft makers. They will be creating special glass and ceramic painting wares especially for children to decorate in their craft studios. Zor Boutique offers a wide range of handbags, accessories and clothing with something to suit every taste. They will be offering a 10% discount on the day on all items. The Flower Shop offers beautiful handmade floral arrangements using freshly delivered flowers Holland also seasonal plants. The Venue (a Weddingand Events venue) will be having an open day presenting their facilities. Their bar will be open throughout the day for drinks. The Copper Kettle Cafe Tea Room will be providing a full range of refreshments including breakfast, barbecue, cakes and scones using locally produced food all freshly prepared.

We are expecting a large turnout of sensational old cars and if you are an owner of such a vehicle please come and join us. Even if you are not an enthusiast it is sure to be a great day out for all the family and we look forward to welcoming you.

Admission free

 

Kersey Mill Classic Car Rally[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”3624,3625,3626,3627,3628,3629,3630,3631,3632,3633,3634,3635″ title=”Confirmed to be appearing…”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

MGTD and Jaguar E-Type coming soon…

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’ll soon be welcoming in to the workshops 2 new classic car projects. They are currently en-route from Canada so will be hitting our shores in approximately 5 weeks time.

 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”1971 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Convertible”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The £125,000 cost shown in the ‘For Sale’ section of our site is for this rare E-Type Series 3, to be fully restored, to concours condition, depending on specification. As you will see by the pictures, Bridge Classic Cars restore any car to shown winning standards. This very rare car left the factory as a right hand drive and was later exported to California before being converted to left hand drive.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”3388,3387,3386,3385,3384,3383,3382,3381,3380,3379,3378,3377,3376,3375″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”1951 MGTD”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]British Racing Green with black leather. Also has connection to Prince Andrew.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”3400,3399,3398″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM5374F76Jo”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwl6lW8LbXg”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Reminiscing over the past…

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Currently sorting through thousands of images, reminiscing about some past classics that have passed through our doors…this beauty brings back some great memories. 1965 Ford Thunderbird. Photographs taken in April 2013[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”3342,3343,3344,3345,3346,3347,3348,3349,3350,3351,3352,3353,3354,3355,3356,3357,3358,3359,3360,3361,3362,3363,3364,3365,3366,3367,3368,3369,3370,3371,3372″][/vc_column][/vc_row]