November 26, 2021

This Just In – 1973 Saab 96V4

We have welcomed the latest resident of our classic car storage facility, The Hangar, here at Bridge Classic Cars. The newest addition to the storage facility is this absolutely incredible 1973 Saab 96V4 Rally Car.

This particular car will be cared for at The Hangar until such time when it will be bought over to the workshop to have some jobs done. The Saab, still wearing its rally livery, is a wonderful reminder of the simpler days of motorsport and shows the variety of machinery that used to compete at every level.

Expect to see more on the 1973 Saab 96V4 here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.

Behind the Scenes – Photoshoot of the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Tribute

This was always going to be a special car. The 1967 Ford Mustang is an icon of the car world. One of the most recognisable pieces of pop culture. But this one pays tribute to the cars high performance cousin. The infamous Shelby Mustang.

Just after the rain, comes the best light. Every surface reflects the soft sun and lights up a car in a way a lamp never could. So, with the conditions like these, Freddie and Charlotte dropped the top on this stunning car and headed for the taxiway. This car, is a homage to the great Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s. Except this one, is a bit more special than any of those ones. This particular car, has been converted to Right Hand Drive.

As the V8 rumbled through the airbase towards Freddie’s keen eye and sharp lens. The scene was set to capture the heart and soul of this American icon. This, is what you see right here.

The other great thing about this car? It could be all yours. It’s the latest Bridge Classic Cars Competitions car.

Just head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website and enter now for your chance to own this incredible dream classic.

Click here to enter now for the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Tribute

Not All Plain Sailing – Working on the Glastron Sea Ray

The Glastron Sea Ray is back in the Bridge Classic Cars for our technician Jonn to look into the ongoing issue with the carburettors on the engine.

A new unit had been put on order for the boat from Holley and once it had arrived here at the workshop it was time to get the boat from storage and have it fitted to the Volvo engine.

Jonn worked through the various linkages and plates to make sure that everything was safely in its place with no hang-ups or catching. The carburettor is a newer design than the previous unit so it was crucial to make sure the new carburettor plate sat perfectly on the manifold to ensure that when the boat is run up during testing that it behaves.

Next up, it was noted that an issue with the nearside wheel on the boat trailer. Jonn began to carefully take apart the drum and bearing to inspect all of the components to get to the bottom of the grabbing issue.

Expect to see more updates on the Glastron Sea Ray soon on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.

Carrying On – Continuing the Woodwork for the 1956 Jensen 541

Brian has been busy at work hand-crafting several pieces for the interior of the 1956 Jensen 541 that is being restored by Bridge Classic Cars.

Brian, one of our master in-house trim experts, has been using what is salvageable from the original interior as well as reference photos and experience to create the needed trim panels. Here, Brian is making new wooden pieces for interior cards of the 541 which will be foamed and then wrapped in the world-class hide to the customers choice of colour.

Brian took his time to carefully measure and template the pieces that are needed for the car. Then, he began to bring them to life for this stunning British sports car which is currently being restored by all of our restoration teams.

Inspect and Rebuild – Work Begins on the 1964 Triumph TR4

Jonn, one of our in-house restoration technicians at Bridge Classic Cars, has been working on the recommission of the 1964 Triumph TR4.

The first port of call for the car was to rebuild and set the carburettors. Jonn worked meticulously through the units to ensure every passage and galley was clean and free of any sediment. Once back on the car, Jonn checked for any leaks and began to set up the carburettors for its eventual road test.

Along with the carbs, Jonn has been working on a couple of small issues throughout the car. Namely some wiring issues. Jonn worked his way through each system which had its problems to make sure each component functioned correctly before moving on to the next and testing. Underneath the car, Jonn also worked on the handbrake cable to ensure that when it is needed to be relied on it works correctly and efficiently every time.

This little red sports car is absolutely wonderful to see in our Pettistree workshop, so expect to see more updates on the car here on the Bridge Classic Cars blog.

In Time – Inspecting the Timing Belt of the 1992 Toyota MR2

The 1992 Toyota MR2 is in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop after its spell in our in-house paint shop.

This time it was for our in-house restoration technician Paul to inspect the timing belt of the 29-year-old Sports car. Although the belt itself seemed to be in relatively good condition, it was decided that as a matter of course that both the timing belt and the water pump were replaced as part of its routine maintenance.

With such a complex engine, the timing belt is a crucial part of the operation so it is best to replace it with a new component. While the timing cover is removed and access is easier, it is also good practice to replace the water pump with a newer, updated version to ensure the rear-engined sports car can cool itself down after a spirited drive.

Featured – The Electric Blue Mini at the Birmingham NEC

The blue all-electric Classic Mini we worked on a while ago has been spotted at the recent Birmingham NEC Classic Car Show!

The car was on a stand with several all-electric classics to showcase one of the ways that classic cars will be used in the future. This little car is absolutely incredible and we’re proud to have played a part in its story.

We handled the bodywork and paint for the project, working to make sure the outside met the same wow factor as what lay beneath its tiny turquoise bonnet.

Best Reaction – Calling the Winner of the 1975 Ford Escort Mk1 RS Mexico Recreation

Sometimes a simple phone call can change peoples lives. In some ways, it’s our favourite part of our live draws and of our competitions. Hearing and then seeing the reaction on our winner’s faces and voices when they realise the car is well and truly theirs.

Take for example this video clip of Charlotte calling Chris back after we had announced on the live draw that his winning ticket of 987 had won the competition. We think this is probably the best reaction we’ve ever had to calling a winner. Enjoy!

Parts are In – Wiring Loom on the 1962 Jensen 541S

The wiring loom for the 1962 Jensen 541S that is in at Bridge Classic Cars has arrived! This means our world-class in-house restorations technicians can begin to slowly and carefully remove the old harness in preparation for the new loom to be put into the car.

Before the harness is removed, our technicians will check vital components and their connectors to ensure that the new loom will fit into place just as intended both neatly and safely back into this gorgeous British sports car.

We’re excited to see more on the 541S in the coming weeks!

Behind the Scenes – Live Draw of the 1974 Ford Escort Mk1 RS Mexico Recreation & REC 901 Watch Bundle

A bit of a change of venue with this week’s Live Draw for the 1975 Ford Escort RS Mexico Recreation and also for the REC 901 Watch & Automobilist print of a 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera RS. This time, the draw was bought to you from our very own Bridge Classic Cars restoration workshop in Pettistree.

This week, being at the workshop, we thought we would give everyone a look around some of the restoration projects we currently have being worked on. Charlotte and Freddie carefully negotiated their way through the cars to give the audience the best views and little bits of information on each of the cars and the various stages of their restoration.

There was an inevitable question ”where’s the Mustang?” to which Charlotte let everyone know it was safe and sound being stored at The Hangar. However, we did have another competition car parked just behind the Escort RS Mexico, the stunning 1966 Mercedes Benz 250SE Coupe (which tickets are still available for!).

Charlotte gave our live viewers a look around the stunning green metal flaked RS Mexico Recreation with details added in by Freddie to guide our lucky audience around the car. Then, it was time for the main event!

Heading over to the laptop, Charlotte and Freddie ran through the way our draws are run (something we do every single time) to ensure everyone watching along is clear on how this live draw will work. First up, the watch.

As Charlotte entered the parameters for the ticket numbers onto the Google Random Number generator. As the number generator whizzed through, everyone on the pre-published entry list must have been holding their breath with anticipation. Then, appearing on the screen was number 819. After checking through the entry list on the live stream, it was Terry Dawson who became the lucky owner of the REC 901 Porsche Watch and Automobilist print.

Up next, the series of events which would make one very lucky person very happy thanks to Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. As Charlotte reset the numbers for the Google Random Number generator to select from between 1 and 4999. Then with a click of a button, the generator did its thing. The numbers flew past in a haze until it picked a number at complete random. Number 987. It had been the number given to Chris ONeill after his purchase of several tickets as part of Black Friday Event to bolster his chances of getting his hands on this amazing Mk1.

As Charlotte talked to the live audience to console or congratulate, the details for Chris were found by searching his ticket number in our database. Then Nick handed Charlotte the phone to call Chris. One ring. Two rings. Three Rings..

”Welcome to the answering service…” was the response. But just as the live stream had ended and the Bridge Classic Cars competitions began to pack up for the evening. The phone rang. It was Chris calling us back, and we honestly had never heard someone so excited when Charlotte told him where we were calling him from. After a quick chat on the phone and all of us congratulated him on his new 1975 Ford Escort Mk1 RS Mexico Recreation, it was time to wrap up this latest draw of the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions.

If you fancy getting hold of a dream classic of your own, then head over to the Bridge Classic Cars Competitions website and enter now for your chance to win by clicking the link below.

Bridge Classic Cars Competitions