October 2018

Running up the Jensen engine

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We are now fine tuning and running up our Jensen 541S engine. The engine has been removed and detailed but has not been rebuilt. We

Read More »

The wait is over…

Our 1965 Amphicar is now ready to leave the paintshops and return for refit. The red colour has disappeared to be replaced by the original Beach

Read More »

Great British Bake Off’s Manon Lagreve out in London

Source: Instagram @manonlegreve

Great British Bake Off‘s Manon Lagreve enjoying a day out in sunny London when she comes across this 1991 Nissan Figaro.

We followed Manon‘s progress throughout this year’s show and she did amazingly well, reaching the quarter finals of undoubtedly the biggest show of the TV calendar.

Not only did she achieve great things inside the tent but Manon owns and runs Manon’s Little Kitchen, a platform to which she shares her amazing recipes, travels and ideas.

Undersealing our 1998 BMW 840Ci

Some very questionable repairs have been carried out to the underside of the spare wheel carrier so we’ve stripped the entire area back to reveal exactly what needs to be done to put it right. Fibreglass had been applied over the corroded areas which is only a short term fix and is not recommended.

These repairs will be carried out properly prior to the entire underside being stripped, cleaned and sealed. The corroded areas will be cut away and new metal will be secured back into position. This is the only way to properly tackle the spread of rot.

Work complete on our 1933 Talbot AX65

Work is now complete on our 1933 Talbot AX65. The rear boot panel and door have been repaired and painted. The rear wing has also been blackened once again and we have carried out various sympathetic touch ups around the entire car so as to improve but not detract from the originality of the bodywork.

And thank you to the guys at Car Glass and Trim for re-manufacturing the damaged windscreen and side window.

One final task now to carry out prior to returning…a good good to get her looking even more lovely once more.

The newly rebuilt BMW shocks have arrived in the UK

Rebuilding the BMW 8 Series shocks are a very specialist skill so we called upon the experts over in Poland to help us out on this one. The results are incredible.

The Nagengast company is a Polish enterprise operating on a European wide market, which has specialized in regeneration of automotive parts for 35 years.

Main activities of the company:

  • regeneration of shock absorbers
  • regeneration of bellows (pneumatic shock absorbers)
  • regeneration of steering transmissions
  • regeneration of power-steering pumps
  • regeneration of gas springs
  • manufacture of electric spring extractor
  • sales of new, specialist parts for pneumatic and adaptive suspensions

And now we have them successfully fitted to our BMW.

 

Carrying out necessary repair work to sills

Due to a recent MOT failure we have our 1989 Ford Granada in our workshops for some necessary repair works to both the inner and outer sills.

The majority of the corrosion issues can be found on the nearside with only a little work to be carried out to the offside.

Chassis’s and Parts ready for media blasting

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The chassis’ and parts are now ready to go for media blasting. We expect these only to be away for a short period of time.

1957 Jensen 541R – chassis 328[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”24177,24178,24179,24180,24181,24182,24183″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s every restorer’s nightmare – spending £1000’s returning a classic car to its original glory, to then find it rotting from the inside out. By cleaning shells right back to bare metal, you can see exactly what condition the metalwork is in, and therefore what work needs to be done for the best restoration.

1960 Jensen 541R – chassis 493[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”24184,24185,24186,24187,24188,24189,24190″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Audi 100 Coupe S arrives back from chemical treatment

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’ve collected our 1974 Audi Coupe S from the guys at Prostrip who have successfully completed the chemical treatment on the body shell to remove all paint, rust and filler

The shell has now been treated with a coating of primer to preserve the metalwork until welding commences very soon.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”23490,23489,23488,23487,23486,23485,23484,23483,23482,23481,23480,23479,23478,23477,23476,23475,23474,23473″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Jaguar E-Type Sofa off to the blasters

We’ve not spent much time on our Jaguar E-Type sofa of late but today we’ve pulled it out in preparation for the blasters to work their magic.

Next time we see her she’ll be primed and most probably (based on the pictures) a bit more of a challenge for us to deal with!!

Replacing the side steps

Our 2008 Range Rover is up on the ramp today having the existing side steps changed for new ones. We are unsure how the previous ones became damaged but never-the-less, we have an exact replacement so our first task is to remove the old and replace with new. Not as easy as it sounds.

The sill covers will need to be removed, cleaned up behind. The existing brackets will need to be removed and replaced with new.

A vast improvement to the existing step which on the surface looked fantastic but underneath the plastic casing revealed a lot of surface rust.

Nothing to worry about now though as the existing set up is now fully removed and replaced with brand new. We have also stripped, cleaned and sealed the areas of the car that we manage to expose prior to fitting back up with the new steps.

New MGB sills have arrived

The new MG B sills have arrived this morning from Rimmer Brothers. We are not yet ready to fit them on but they are here, on the shelf, ready for the day Tommy requires them.

Experimenting with plastic welding on our spare Capri dash

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Due to his fantastic connections in the motorcycle world our man Brian has built up some what of a reputation for himself as being the go-to man when it comes to motorcycle repairs using the specialist skills of plastic welding.

We let Brian loose with our spare Capri dash, just to see wether he could turn his hand to more than just motorcycles.

More of Brian’s amazing plastic welding work:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”23785,23786,23787,23788,23789,23790,23791,23792,23793,23794,23795,23796,23797,23798,23799,23800,23801,23802,23803,23804,23805,23806,23807,23808,23809,23810,23811,23812,23813,23814,23815,23816,23817,23818,23819,23820,23821,23822,23823,23824,23825,23826,23827,23828,23829″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Source: Plastic Welding (Wikipedia)

Plastic welding is welding for semi-finished plastic materials, and is described in ISO 472 as a process of uniting softened surfaces of materials, generally with the aid of heat (except solvent welding). Welding of thermoplastics is accomplished in three sequential stages, namely surface preparation, application of heat and pressure, and cooling.

Read more on Wikipedia[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Work begins on the body of our 1960 Jensen 541R

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The preparation of our 1960 Jensen 541R body is now underway. To get the body shell into an acceptable standard to paint requires a lot of time and effort but in the end it will end up better than the day it left the Jensen factory.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”24416,24417,24418,24419,24420,24421,24423,24424,24425,24426″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Unveiling our newly built MG B engine

Here we have the first photographs of our newly built MG B engine.

The project is progressing very well now and once the carbs are complete we can marry them up to the engine to carry out our first test run.

 

Running up the Jensen engine

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We are now fine tuning and running up our Jensen 541S engine. The engine has been removed and detailed but has not been rebuilt.

We carried out various tests when we original received the car and with all running and pressures how you would expect we made the decision, alongside the customer, to leave the engine in one piece.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yujsnYx_9ew”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]However, now we are running her up once again for fine tuning, Ady has discovered a lot of wear in the original rocker shaft.

Due the fact that these shafts are almost impossible to find Ady has re-produced the shaft and fitted with brand new fingers supplied to us from AH Spares.

You can see the wear in the original rocker shaft here.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Work continues on our 1975 MG B

Having recently had the body sandblasted and primed, we are now preparing old repairs and cutting in new metal prior to re-fitting certain areas with new heritage panels.

The wheels are away being refurbished so we should expect them returned within a matter of days.

The engine is in the final stages of being rebuilt with just the carbs to be completed. The engine should be complete within the next 4 weeks. New photographs will be added next week.

 

Unseizing the Jaguar 240 Brakes

Our work is almost complete on our Jaguar 240. On our first test run we found that the brakes were binding ever so slight. Enough for it to be frustrating and not a very pleasurable drive.

Back on the ramp we go as we now strip the brakes to investigate the issue.

The brakes are heavily corroded so we have stripped them back to clean up. Once this is completed we’ll get her back on the road to carry out test drive number 2.

Whilst in our workshops we are also in the process of re-fitting a steering column bush to prevent the movement in the steering column.

Cleaning up the inlet manifold

Under the bonnet the engine bay was already looking beautiful but whilst the inlet manifold is removed from position Pete has blasting the casing to remove all grime and debris before reapplying the unit.

Here we have the images of how they looked before the clean

And with a little TLC we have brought back some of the shiny and newness to them.

We believe it’s the little things that can make a big difference…attention to detail and care means so much to us here at Bridge Classic Cars.

1960 Jensen 541S Nearing Completion

We are now days away from the completion of our 1960 Jensen 541S (the prototype).

It has been a long restoration journey but hugely rewarding as we revive one of the very first prototype 541S’s to leave the Jensen factory.

We still have a couple of smaller tasks to take care of and some touching up in places but we are so very close now. The grille is cut, shaped and ready to be fitted but we are just waiting on completion of the outer chrome edging before we can fully fit up.

 

The fixings visible behind the rear plate will also be addressed as we lose sight of them during the paint touch up process.

 

Repair work to our 1968 Jaguar E-Type

Whilst repairing the accident damage on our 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5 we have uncovered more areas in which we need to tackle to ensure we complete the job to our very exacting standards.

With the body preparation now complete our E-Type is now waiting on paint to start which is due to begin at the beginning of next week.

1975 Triumph Stag in for routine maintenance

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today we welcome into our workshops our stunning 1975 Triumph Stag.

In for some routine maintenance we will look to give the engine a full and thorough service, flush out the coolant and replace, identify any oil leaks and to check the operations of the vehicle.

We will also look to diagnose a slight water leak coming from near the thermostat housing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”23332,23331,23329,23325,23324,23323,23322,23321,23320,23319,23333″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Upon closer inspection using our camera system we have found a possible cause for the leak but in order to fully diagnose we will need to remove the inlet manifold.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Applying under seal to our 1968 Jaguar 240

A couple of areas on the underside needed addressing whilst the car was in with us so we carried out the necessary repairs. We also stripped back the remaining areas, cleaned and removed all service rust and debris.

Once we had completed this task we under sealed the entire car to prolong the life of the exposed areas.

 

Maintenance work to carry out on our 1968 Jaguar 240

Our 1968 Jaguar 240 has returned for the annual check over with some remedial work to be carried out.

A full service and MOT will also be completed whilst in our workshops. We have a couple of electrical issues to resolve with the low ignition light repeatedly flashing.

A brand new Quadoptic Halogen headlight conversion has also be fitted. Fitting modern halogen headlamps is one of the most worthwhile safety improvements you can make to your classic car.

The wait is over…

Our 1965 Amphicar is now ready to leave the paintshops and return for refit.

The red colour has disappeared to be replaced by the original Beach Strand White finish – Ditzler Code 8703=DAR offset 90113. Supplied by PPG Industries who bought out Ditzler.

The car will be returned to the original specification and will be restored to concours condition to include all UK paperwork required for use both on the road and water.

 

Porsche Club GB Region 12

Today we had a visit from one of the members of the Region 12 Porsche Club GB with his beautiful 2000 Porsche GT3.

Source: Wikipedia

The “GT3” nameplate was introduced in 1999 as part of the first generation of the Porsche 996 model range (commonly known as 996.1). As with Porsche’s previous 911 RS models, the 996 GT3 was focused on racing, and so was devoid of items that added unnecessary weight to the car. Sound deadening was almost completely removed, as were the rear seats, rear loud speakers, sunroof, and air conditioning, although automatic air conditioning and CD/radio became no-cost optional add-ons.

The engine of the 996 GT3 set it apart from most of the other Porsche 996 models, although it shared the same basic design of the standard so-called “integrated dry sump” flat-six engine. The engine is naturally aspiratedand based on the unit used in the Porsche 962 and Porsche 911 GT1 race cars. That engine was known as the ‘Mezger’ engine, after its designer Hans Mezger. The engine uses the original air-cooled 911’s versatile dry-sump crankcase, with an external oil reservoir. The 996 GT3 has 360 PS (265 kW; 355 hp), compared to the 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp) of the regular Porsche 996. In GT3 configuration, this so-called “split” crankcase(meaning the parting line of crankcase is on the crankshaft centreline) uses, instead of a fan and finned cylinders, separate water jackets added onto each side of the crankcase to cool banks of three cylinders with water pumped through a radiator. Thus, the GT3 engine is very similar to the completely water-cooled Porsche 962 racing car’s engine, which is based on the same crankcase. The 962 differs, however, by using six individual cylinder heads while the GT1/GT3, like the air and water-cooled Porsche 959, uses two cylinder heads, each covering a bank of three cylinders. The GT3 engine could thus also be thought of as similar to a 959 engine, but with water-cooled cylinders. Up to early model year 2004 996 GT3 production, the basic casting used for the crankcase of the GT3 was the same as the air-cooled engine. The “964” casting number was visible on the bottom of the crankcase, and on areas normally machined in air-cooled applications, but not in water-cooled ones. The crankcase casting was changed in mid-2004 to a “996” casting number crankcase to eliminate these external air-cooled remnants, but internally it was the same.

Because the 911 air-cooled crankcase uses the Porsche 356 engine to transmission mounting flange configuration, the 996 GT3 used a manual gearbox also of air-cooled 911 heritage. This gearbox has interchangeable gear ratios and is more durable making it more suitable for racing than the standard 911 type 996 gearbox.

To bring the vehicle’s track-prowess to the maximum level, Porsche endowed the GT3 with enlarged brakes, a lowered, re-tuned suspension system, lighter-weight wheels and a new front bumper with matched rear spoiler to help increase downforce, thereby increasing grip.

Porsche offered a no-cost option for the GT3 called the ‘Clubsport’ package. This option replaced the standard electrically adjustable leather front seats with manually adjustable racing buckets finished in fire-retardant fabric, single mass flywheel, bolt-in half-roll cage, 6-point drivers racing harness (also replacing the standard side airbags), fire extinguisher (mounted in the front passenger footwell) and preparation for a battery master switch. The Clubsport option was never offered to US customers, ostensibly due to the additional DOT crash testing that would have been required to allow US sales.

Underseal and fitting up the new exhaust

The underside of our 1985 Mercedes 280SL has now been successfully stripped down, cleaned up and under sealed.

Just in time for the new exhaust system to be fitted.

And thank you to William for spotting the exhaust rubbers pulling the rear pipes slightly to the left. A new set of rubbers and now the exhaust is sitting in position correctly.

MGB interior ready for refurbishment

Our trimmer is now ready for work to commence on our 1975 interior re-trim. The seats have been stripped for some time but due to other work commitments they have been safely stored away until now.

We have everything now ready for the re-upholstery work to start.

Fitting up the new interior trim

We received a box of trim relating to the interior of our 1934 Austin 10 but unfortunately the majority of it was beyond repair.

Having said that, it gave us great templates to re-produce the trim we required.

It would be nice to recover the sunroof but this may come at a later date.