Bridge Classic Cars welcomes John to the team

This week we welcomed a new member to the Bridge Classic Cars team.

John, a motor vehicle technician with over 28 years experience within a local franchised dealer.

He’s joined the Bridge Classic Cars team at one of our busiest times so we are thrilled to have him on board and we look forward to seeing his area’s of expertise put to the test: servicing, repairs and diagnostic faults. John is qualified in MOT testing, he’s also a qualified air conditioning and diagnostic technician, he’s an ATA accredited technician and a qualified First Aider.

As a keen classic car enthusiast himself, John owns a Ford Escort RS2000, MkI.

Europcar at Aberdeen Airport

As a regular traveller to Aberdeen and with a 4am start it is always good that when you go to collect your hire car that there is one there as Europcar is in great demand.

Ted and his team always try and go the extra mile in getting me a diesel car with Bluetooth as the roads from Aberdeen to Elgin are not the best.

Ted and his team at Europcar, Aberdeen Airport.

You are always greeted with courtesy and a smile from Tammy (Second Left) but that is not to say that the others are not just as courteous.

As a VIP status customer with Europcar they always try and upgrade me where they can into the next range of vehicle.

On Tuesday 24th May 2016 I arrived as normal and Ted asked if a Focus would be ok for this week to which I agreed.Whilst filling in the paperwork he asked if I was travelling alone. When I said ‘yes’ he smiled and handed me the keys to:

2016 Mercedes SLK 250D

On arriving at the Mansion House Hotel and Country Club in Elgin I was greeted and signed in by Becky who, straight away, saw the car and insisted on a sit-in.

Becky, sitting outside The Mansion House Hotel and Country Club, Elgin

When you return to Aberdeen Airport with your car it has to be inspected for damage. Again you are welcomed into the office whilst one of Ted’s team checks the car and signs it off. (Whilst left alone this gives you the opportunity to fill your pockets with the free sweets!)

Thanks Ted and the team, see you Tuesday! (I am rather partial to Range Rover Sports)

A future classic at John Grose Ford in Ipswich

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The lights ahead were changing to red…as I started to slow my pace on the dual carriageway all I could hear was this raw grasp of something coming up behind me. As I looked in my rear view mirror I caught a glimpse of the bright red back end of something soon to be appearing beside me…as I looked down to my side there she was, a future classic!

Here I was witnessing my first 2016 UK right hand drive Ford Mustang Fastback and if possible, looking and sounding even better than you imagine, quite rightly described by Ford themselves as ‘a legend redefined’.

And it was even more pleasurable today to see a collection of these beauties on show in our hometown, at John Grose Ford, Ransomes Europark, Ipswich.

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We get behind wheel of the muscular 412bhp V8 in right-hand drive form in the UK. Does it live up to the legend?

The Ford Mustang is one of the most famous cars of all-time; it’s arguably up there with the Volkswagen Beetle, Citroen 2CV and Porsche 911. However, Ford’s best known sports car has never been officially sold in the UK, and even grey imports that made it here have all been left-hand drive.

• Best sports cars to buy right now

But the brand is making amends with the all-new 2016 model, and Auto Express has got its hands on one of the first UK-spec cars. However, there’s a lot more to the latest Mustang than simply engineering it as a right-hooker, as it’s the first of its kind to get fully independent suspension front and rear, while Ford’s engineers have worked hard to ensure that the car delivers the kind of handling and performance that European customers and roads demand.

From the outside, the newcomer certainly looks like it means business. There are retro touches to the design of the nose and tail, plus a bulging bonnet and muscular wheelarches. And while the Mustang is a big car, it’s well proportioned and makes its presence felt on the road.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”4129,4130,4131,4132,4133,4134,4135,4136,4137,4138,4139,4140,4141,4142,4143,4144″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Inside, the dash has a mixture of retro design touches and modern displays. The rotary audio controls and bank of toggle switches to change driving modes are positively old school, while Ford’s latest eight-inch SYNC2 infotainment touchscreen and large central trip display are easy to use.

Overall, build quality is good, but there are some hard plastics and cheap-feeling buttons dotted around, plus the silver plastic and chrome trim on the centre console are a bit on the tacky side.

The long body means the Mustang is pretty practical for a coupe. There’s plenty of room up front, while the back seats are usable, too. In fact, the equally large (and more expensive) Nissan GT-R has far less room for back seat passengers.

Practicality is one thing, but what really matters is how the new Mustang drives. Fire up the 5.0-litre V8, and you get a traditional burble from the exhausts. Blip the throttle, and the whole car shakes, while selecting Track mode from the Driving Modes screen adds a bit more volume. It’s not as loud as a Jaguar F-Type, but it’s still a pleasing sound.

The six-speed manual gearbox has a short and crisp shift, which is helped by a user-friendly clutch. In reality, the six gears are there to help boost efficiency, because when you press on, fourth gear is all you really need to make fast progress.

Indeed, if you want to get anywhere near the claimed 20.9mpg economy figure, then you’ll find that the big, torquey V8 is happy to turn at 750rpm in sixth at 30mph if you’re cruising around town.

It’s in corners where the Mustang really needs to impress, though, and it does exactly that. The steering is light yet responsive and there are three levels of assistance – with Sport mode adding decent weight to the wheel. The traction control system has four settings; Track mode reduces the amount of electronic intervention to allow you to play with the throttle on the exit of bends, or there is the option to turn it off completely.

The 5.0 GT model comes with a limited-slip diff as standard, and the combination of fast steering and quick throttle response means the Mustang will tail slide all day if you’re so inclined. But there’s more to the Ford than just power oversteer, as the chassis also delivers decent handling. The suspension isn’t overly stiff, but body roll is well controlled and the car has an agility that defies its large dimensions.

This GT version also benefits from Brembo brakes, and while the pedal is quite sharp under foot, there’s plenty of strong and consistent bite from the six-piston calipers. The Mustang also features an Electronic Line Lock function, which is a party trick Ford has taken from drag racing.

The system fully applies the front brakes, which then allows you to spin up the rear tyres with the throttle. It’s designed to get the rears warm for standing starts at the track (Ford states that the system is for track use only), but it’s a bit of a novelty in truth. Use it frequently, and you’ll soon be on first-name terms with your local tyre fitter, as you eat your way through endless sets.

So, the Mustang is impressive in corners, yet it’s equally accomplished when you want to take it easy. The ride is comfortable at motorway speeds and only really becomes unsettled over big bumps, while tyre and road noise are well suppressed considering the big rubber tucked away at each corner.

There’s a minor issue with forward visibility due to the large hump of the bonnet ahead of you. But overall the Mustang is easy to manoeuvre, plus you get a reversing camera as standard.

We’ve established that the Ford is an accomplished drive, it looks good and benefits from useful electronic tech, but perhaps the most astonishing thing about the car is its price. In the US, the Mustang has a reputation for delivering affordable performance, and that’s something it maintains in the UK.

A price tag of £33,995 is excellent value when you consider the performance on offer, while standard kit includes sat-nav, climate control, keyless entry and go, auto xenon lights and all of the mechanical bits already mentioned – which is more than enough to overlook some of the cheaper cabin materials on show.

If you want a car with similar performance, then the BMW M235i is equally fast and is arguably better built, yet it doesn’t have the character or charm that the Mustang simply oozes from every pore.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Key Specifications”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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Step foot through the front doors of John Grose Ford, Ransomes Europark in Ipswich, right there in front of you will be one of the most beautiful modern day sport cars you’ll ever find…in stunning orange…it’s the 2016 Ford Mustang, UK specification, Right Hand Drive.

Use it as your high days and holidays sports car, enjoy it when the sun comes out but be sure to look after it and cherish it, this car is a future classic and in years to come this will be the car sitting in the showroom at Bridge Classic Cars![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Visiting our good friend Tim

As with all good restorations it’s key to build up great relationships with the people in the know. With so many passionate classic car enthusiasts around today it makes life so much easier when you know you can pick up the phone and speak to someone who’s been there and done that.

And when it comes to Jaguar E-Types there’s not many people around today that knows more about these beautiful machines than our good friend Tim Walton.

On Thursday Craig took a trip up to Coventry to spend some time with Tim and whilst there it would have been criminal not to have a sneak preview of his current E-Type restoration.

Game of Thrones arrives at Ipswich Volvo dealership

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Iron Throne prop from Sky Atlantic’s Game of Thrones arrives at Ipswich Volvo dealership.

The Iron Throne set piece from hit Sky Atlantic TV series Game of Thrones arrived in Ipswich this week, ready for budding Kings and Queens to have their pictures taken on the iconic prop.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYn35a2dSPY”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Donalds Volvo dealership in West End Road, Ipswich is hosting the set piece as part of the car manufacturer’s sponsorship with Sky Atlantic, with the Ipswich dealership landing the prop for an exclusive one-off weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday, members of the public are being invited to come down in their best fancy dress and have their picture taken for free, as well as taking part in competitions and a quest in the showroom.

Benjamin Grant, group marketing manager, said: “I was going back through Volvo’s Facebook feed and they did a pop-up shop at a Volvo event in Manchester with the throne.

“I just wrote to them asking if it was available for dealerships, and it was available for that weekend.

“It’s quite exclusive for a dealership to have it so it’s very exciting.”

The showroom will be open from 9am-6pm on Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sunday.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

1922 Rolls Royce ‘Silver Ghost’

Last week we had the pleasure of handing Carl and Lesley the keys to their new purchase, our 1957 MGA. They’ve had a great week with her so far and as the weather this weekend is so gorgeous they enjoyed a leisurely drive out, stopping off at a local pub.

We received a text from them with some wonderful pictures of another classic that was at the pub.

“His name is George Simpson, he has been to the Malvern Spring Festival today. He has had the car for 12 years.

1922 – Rolls Royce ‘Silver Ghost’

Inside Gordon Forbes home

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Imagine my delight when I was asked by fellow car enthusiast Gordon Forbes of Elgin Scotland if I would like a little look round his palatial home.

Set in three and a half acres of manicured grounds the nine bedroom seven bathroom mansion with two extra flats and servants quarters was truly stunning.

The river Lossie of course ran through the garden. Why wouldn’t it!!!!

The four garages housed a Mercedes wide arched 560 SEC, Rover 3500 and his convertible Series 3 V12 etype and oh! and of course his lawnmower. His Dodge Ram even looked at home.

Oh and if your interested he wants to move. Could be the best £1.3 million you could ever spend.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”4009,4010,4011,4012″ title=”Mercedes Wide Arched 560 SEC”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”4013,4014,4015,4016″ title=”Rover 3500″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”4017,4018,4019,4020″ title=”Jaguar V12 E-Type Series III”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”4021″ title=”Dodge Ram”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Austin Healey at Mansion House Hotel

The north of Scotland is always a classic car haven.

The beautiful hotel and grounds of the Mansion House Hotel adds that little bit extra to our European friends.

We bumped into this fellow German enthusiast in his stunning Austin Healey, 3 litre on his over night stay before his 4 hour picturesque jaunt to Glasgow.

Anglia Car Auctions are giving away a Fiat 500 Abarth

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Fiat 500 Abarth to be raffled on Saturday 18th June 2016

As a big thank you to all their vendors, purchasers and attendees, Anglia Car Auctions have decided to purchase another classic car to raffle at the June 18th auction. After much deliberation they came to the conclusion that a classic purchase is a very personal thing so, instead, procured this cheeky little Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse.

The reasoning being that if the lucky winner doesn’t like it, they can pass it on to a spouse or family member.

The car itself has covered just 19000 miles from new and is a genuine esseesse with supporting documentation and has a retail value in excess of £10,000.

So everybody should come along to the next classic car auction at Anglia Car Auctions on Saturday 18th June as you could be in with a shot![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”3993,3994,3995,3996,3997,3998,3999,4000,3992″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Festival of Classic & Sports Cars

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August 7, 2016 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Held in association with the Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Club (SVEC). Over 6,000 people attended the 2015 festival. The event attracts classic and sports car owners who exhibit their cars some of which parade up and down the main drive on the two concourse runs throughout the day.

Over 700 vehicles attend, representing the last 10 decades of motoring history, including many from Britain’s motoring heyday – marques on display included Alvis, Bristol, Jensen, AC Riley, Armstong Sideley, Lea Francis, Crossley, BSA, Lagonda, Lanchester and Gordon Keeble. The oldest vehicle seen on display was a 1914 Ford Model T and the latest sports car models have included the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Mustang’s as well as Ferraris’ and Porsche.

Download Entry Form

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAICQEaBxXk”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This amazing collection of vehicles is displayed against the magnificent back drop of Helmingham Hall and its surrounding moat which sits in the middle of the ancient deer park.

As well as this impressive display of vehicles, the festival is also a lovely day out for the whole family with mini Land Rovers for children to drive, fairground stalls, over 40 craft and trade stalls, main ring entertainment, birds of prey and much, much more!

There will be an abundance of local food, drink and entertainment from The Broadside Boys, The Suffolk Phoenix Brass Band and Itchy Feet plus Chocks Away will be dancing throughout the day showing off their skills in Jive, Swing and Lindy Hop.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”3978,3979,3980,3981,3982,3983,3984,3985″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Calling all Motorcycle Clubs…WE NEED YOU!

In addition to classic & sports cars we would very much welcome local MOTORCYCLE CLUBS to exhibit with us. Thanks to the 2014 attendees we had a great start to this display but would welcome many more! Please email us for a motorcycle club booking form.

The 2015 event made a £5,500 donation to EACH – Ipswich Children’s Hospice www.each.org.uk
Car exhibitors have given very generous over the past 10 years and we hope that with the 2016 Festival we will be able to make an even greater donation. It is possible to make a donation with your classic car entry or as a visitor on the day at the EACH stand.

Lord Tollemache would like to thank everyone who made a donation in 2015 to The Ipswich Children’s Hospice which goes to help with the everyday running costs of the Hospice as well as days out for the children and their families.

(ONLINE TICKET PURCHASE FACILITIES)

Adults £9.00
Children 7 years and over £4.00
Children under 7 years FREE
Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £22.00

Tickets can be bought in advance via the telephone 01473 890799 or on the gate on the day (please note that credit/debit cards cannot be accepted on the gate on the day).

Well behaved dogs on leads welcome!

Answers to our 2015 ‘NAME THAT CAR!’ Prize Draw Challenge Name the car that’s associated with the Film/TV character:

1. Simon Templar = Volvo P1800
2. Jack Reagan = Ford Consul GT
3. David Starsky = Ford Gran Torino
4. Frank Cannon = Lincoln Continental Mark IV
5. Endeavour Morse = Jaguar Mark II
6. Jim Rockford = Pontiac Firebird
7. Roy Cropper = Morris Minor
8. Bo Duke = Dodge Charger
9. Harry Orwell = Austin Healey Sprite
10. Jim Bergerac = Triumph Roadster 2000
11. Thomas Magnum = Ferrari 308 GTS
12. Vera Stanhope = Land Rover Defender
13. Brett Sinclair = Aston Martin DB5
14. Number 6 = Lotus 7
15. Terry McCann = Ford Capri
16. Emma Peel = Lotus Elan

Congratulation to our winners:

Mrs Godfrey-Whitehead
Mr Iain Thorl
Christine Winder[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Tickets to the UK’s biggest & best Classic Motor Show are now on sale!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tickets now on sale for the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show 2016!

What do 2000 classic cars, 250 classic motoring clubs and your favourite motoring celebrities have in common? We’re all heading to Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th November for the UK’s biggest classic motoring extravaganza! Tickets are now on sale for the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show 2016, the not-to-be-missed finale of the classic motoring season.

There are lots of different ticket options available; Grab your mates and come as a group; Come for all three days, the weekend or just for the day; Bring the family or your fellow club members. Find all the details you need here so you can be the first to get your tickets booked.We’re only just getting started with news about this year’s show.

Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll be bringing you all the exclusive show news, brilliant exhibitor offers, competitions, celebrity insights and so much more…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”The Cars”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There’s a mouth-watering array of classic cars on display at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show. Whether you’ve a passion for traditional British classics, vintage motors, historic motorsport, European exotica, American muscle, or prefer the more modern retro classics, you won’t be disappointed. Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and enjoy the cars from years gone by.

When you think of places you’d see a Ferrari 250 GT SWB or an Alfa Romeo Spider, where springs to mind, Monaco, Cannes…Birmingham? That’s right; you don’t have to travel across the water to see a European beauty because here at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, we’re bringing continental chic to you. Gaze enviously upon our collection of flamboyant and exotic motors as they flutter their headlights at you and, with marques including Porsche, Maserati and Ferrari, you’ll be in classy company.

We know there’s no school like the old-school but at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, we like to welcome the new kids on the block. Clubs will also exhibit the ‘youngtimers’ considered to be the next generation of classics motors. These vehicles may not be rare on our roads just yet, but this doesn’t make them any less pleasing to the eye. Come and feast your eyes whilst debating amongst your friends what makes a car a classic.

Here at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, we believe in the old adage ‘respect your elders’ and with some of the earliest cars engineered on display in our exhibition you can do just that. A ‘must-see’ for any enthusiast of the world’s pioneering vehicles, visit our display and see how far the motoring world has come since the industry’s early days.

From Austins to Astons, Fords to Ferraris, Morris to Maserati, Peugeot to Porsche, Lancias to Lamborghinis, and every marque in between, we’ve something to suit every motoring passion – come and share yours![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”The Classic Motorbike Show”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Free entry into Classic Motorbike Show!

Your show ticket also gives you free entry into the Classic Motorbike Show, a celebration of two-wheeled motoring with some 350 motorcycles on display from clubs around the UK. There’s also the Fire Up Paddock with the National Motorcycle Museum, Comet Classics Pride of Ownership competition and much, much more.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Connect with the show”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Join in the show’s social scene

Our show is as much the classic motoring enthusiasts as it is our so we want you to get involved. You can like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, share your pictures with us on Instagram and Pinterest, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Whenever you are talking about the show, use the hashtag #NECClassic and that way we can see what you are sharing and keep in touch.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]