News

New MGB In

We’re daydreaming of more sunny days with the arrival of this breezy 1963 MGB Roadster. This stunning example of a practical classic just needs to

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New Mercedes In

This stunning 1986 420SL has just come in for a re-commission. Our technicians will take a look over this classic to evaluate what needs to

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Patrol Painted

The painted panels have been fitted back on our 1996 Nissan Patrol. They’ve been flattened and polished, and are now ready for fitting up.

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Porsche Painted

Our classic 1982 Porsche 911SC has just had its final colour applied in the paint booth and is looking fantastically shiny and fresh! We’re looking

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EADT – April 2021

A great article in the East Anglian Daily Times about one of our recent local winners, Matthew Sudgen and his 1949 Morris Minor Lowlight. “I

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Mr Genlloud – Suffolk

“Absolutely delighted with the renewed headlining – superb job displaying tremendous skill and the considerable care taken not to harm the vulnerable materials of this

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Green With Envy

David Turnage popped into the workshop today as he has manufactured the spare wheel carrier for our Peony Red Jensen. David arrived in his fantastic

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Behind The Scenes: 1962 BMW Isetta

Our charming 1962 BMW Isetta has just launched and we’re already getting a lot of love for the micro sized car.

Opening up the small front door, it teeters on its hinges in a fridge like fashion, revealing a steering wheel and gears attached to the inside of the door, which present themselves to you as you get in. Sitting on the front seats which are fashioned to look like a comfortable tartan bench, the seating area leaves little room for a passenger. Everything about this car is dainty and charming, and is set to trigger nostalgia in many.

The BMW Isetta offers a great solution to crowded cities and difficult parking but isn’t one you’d be pulling handbrake turns in. Certainly amid a pandemic, a bubble car seems suited to the days of socially distanced car meets.

Rumour has it, just after the war, BMW were struggling. They were making big saloons and high end sports cars in the hopes that they could attract wealthy buyers, but it came at a cost. A cost that almost finished one of the biggest brands in the world today.

They then discovered the Isetta. The Isetta was already in production by another company and BMW worked out that it was far cheaper to buy the rights to building this incredible car rather than try to produce something similar, so that’s exactly what they did.

And here we have it, one of the quirkiest classic cars ever to have graced our roads, our 1962 BMW Isetta ‘Bubble’ Car.

A huge hit in the 50’s with over 160,000 units sold, ours being one of the later models, a 1962, means it has the upgraded high displacement engine, pumping out a massive 298cc, producing a colossal 13bhp. With a recommended top speed of 46mph and achieving an impressive 63 miles per gallon.

The Isetta was not popular in the UK until a three-wheeled version was introduced. Although three-wheeled vehicles are more prone to rolling over, there was a financial advantage: they could evade automobile legislation and taxation by being classed as three-wheeled motorcycles and could be driven with a motorcycle licence.

In 1962, Isetta of Great Britain stopped production of the little cars so ours being from the final year makes this very rare classic even more special. A very collectable classic, this lovely Isetta would be a welcome addition to any garage. Pick up your tickets today for a chance of winning this fun little classic.

Jaguar E-type Sheds More Parts

Scott has been dismantling more Jaguar E-Type elements and started to clean up and organise them ready for refitting. He’s sorted through the chrome and found out which parts needed repairing and re-chroming. Having come in as a working car, this 1973 Jaguar E-Type Roadster needs very little in the way of new parts and is simply needed to be dismantled so that Scott can clean up the parts and make small modifications.

We’ve also sent more parts off to be sandblasted.

New Jaguar Prowling Its Way To HQ

Currently residing in Romford, this classic 1989 Jaguar XJS is soon to arrive at our workshop HQ. Keep your eyes peeled for updates surrounding this stunning Jag.

New MGB In

We’re daydreaming of more sunny days with the arrival of this breezy 1963 MGB Roadster. This stunning example of a practical classic just needs to be cleaned and assessed before our marketing team can take it out to capture the visuals. Stay tuned for more updates!

Jaguar XK8 In For Corrosion Corrections

The owners of this Jaguar XK8 spotted the early onset of rust in the rear quarter sill and brought it in to be repaired. Our fabrication team have welcomed this little Jag into the fabrication bay where Pricey will get started with welding and replacing the rusted section.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Early Ford Model T Barn Find In For Recommission

This barn find Ford Model T is a turn of the 20th Century classic. Dating back to 1926, this unique green Ford is part of local history, with its life both beginning and being in Suffolk as an agricultural and taxi vehicle, hence the unique green. Henry Ford famously said that “Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants, so long as it is black.“, making this green unique to work vehicles.

This Model T has had quite the life, being owned or looked after by the Potters for the majority of its life. In 1915, this Ford was delivered by train from Old Trafford and was bought by A.G Potter, who then supplied it to Mr Funden Self of Marlseford who used it for deliveries, provisions and as a taxi service once a week to Ipswich Market, an exciting journey from Framlingham at the time. Mr Self used it until he died. In the early 1930’s this Ford became the property of Mr Walker, Sir Colin’s father. It then remained in a barn until 1954 when A.G Potter was employed to look after and restore the car with the agreement that he could use it as and when he wished. In 1963, the car was used in A.G Potters Golden Jubilee celebrations where it was used to collect Lord Cranbrook in Great Glemham to perform the opening ceremony.

Mr Potter, who handed his beloved Ford over to us today for recommissioning, owns a selection of other classics including Ford Popular, a Willies Jeep and another Model T, this one being a black 1926 model. All of which have been stored in his barn at his house, making these classics almost barn finds.

You can read more about the history of the car, here:

The black 1926 Ford was his fathers who acquired it from Rv. John Waller from Walderingfield, who had, in turn, bought it new in 1926. The Waller family still reside in Suffolk. Both of these Ford Model T’s have spent their whole life in Suffolk and mostly owned by the same family. Such a sentimental and personal link to these cars is always lovely to see as their history and their stories become more tangible.

The Ford Popular is unfortunately in a great state of disrepair and cannot be restored however the Willie’s Jeep is in running order.

New Vinyl For The Nissan

Brian has recently recovered the door capping’s of our Nissan Patrol in fresh vinyl to give them a new lease of life.

New Mercedes In

This stunning 1986 420SL has just come in for a re-commission. Our technicians will take a look over this classic to evaluate what needs to be done. At a first glance there are some serious signs of rust on the lower sills, worn and torn interior, paint bubbling, chips and blemishes as well as cracks in the glass. We’re looking forward to getting this charming classic back on the road and looking healthy again.

Radiator Trouble Resolved

We’ve had some issues with the radiator in our 1957 Jensen 541R/S which has now been resolved as has the issues surrounding lagging oil pipes.

White E-Type’s Front Suspension

Our 1973 White E-Type Roadster has had its front suspension fully stripped down as Scott starts dismantling the rear axle in order to repaint and refurbish all the parts.

This lovely E-Type came to us in working condition, so much of the stripping is purely to take elements apart to clean and tidy up, and to get to what’s around them.

The body of the E-Type has been placed on the rollover spit and is ready for media blasting. Our media blasting is done at Abbey Protective Coatings which includes blasting heavy-duty particles at the metal to strip the paint off be leave the base metal remaining in good condition.

Lilac Jensen Interior Seats

Lydia has been working on the interior of the 1960 Jensen 541R which is Gordons restoration project and is fondly referred to as the Lilac Jensen as that’s the colour he’s chosen for the paintwork.

Lydia has made the second front seat backboard. First, she started by glueing white leather to the millboard, creating the piping to go around the curved edge and then glueing the piping in place around the underside edge of the board. She then marked out lightly where to place the pocket which she made before. Then she glued it into place around the curved edge. After sewing the pocket in place, she took apart the cover of the second seat tub. She marked out the tub which will help her recreate the cover for it. Once she’d taken apart the front base cover, Lydia took it all apart.

Bentley Continental Gets New Interior Trim

We’ve recently had some interior come in from a 1963 S3 Continental for a total re-trim. These seats and pieces of trim are looking tired and well loved, and in need of some TLC. Our trim shop will soon start recovering these seats and making them look brand new again.

Claret Triumph Stag Trim Arrival

The interior trim packs have arrived for our Claret Red Triumph Stag meaning that our trim shop can begin to fit them. Often we create the trim ourselves and refurbish the original trim however on occasions clients prefer to order in a pack of trim parts which we can then fit together.

Patrol Painted

The painted panels have been fitted back on our 1996 Nissan Patrol. They’ve been flattened and polished, and are now ready for fitting up.

Van Gets New Branding

Our works van has recently received some TLC and has now had its final touches in the form of the new branding. We took our van over to Apex Signs who applied our designs.

An 80’s Hatchback With A Secret Addition: Honda City Turbo II

This 1981 Honda City Turbo II is the perfect city hatchback. Being small and nippy, it is perfectly designed to navigate city living, however, this Japanese classic came with a surprising addition that could be stored in the boot: a 49cc motorbike called the Motocompo.

This motorbike is what Honda called a ‘trunk bike’, a small and portable bike designed to be folded up and be stored in the back of your hatchback. This urban mobility solution came back 40 years before anyone really started talking about such concepts, making this Japanense classic a car well ahead of its time.

With a top speed of 18 miles an hour, this suitcase scooter was designed to be ridden through city centres with the idea of parking your car in the suburbs. As accessories go, it’s a lot more cumbersome than a furry steering wheel cover or sporty spoiler, however, it does provide a great deal of practicality.

Honda has recently teased some new folding electric motorbikes, have trademarked the name ‘Motocompacto’, suggesting that these nifty bikes may be making a comeback after being discontinued. Their new Honda E takes on resemblances of its iconic predecessor and has already begun to wow crowds focused in on e-city cars. With no wing mirrors, the new Honda E’s sleek design instead finds them as cameras inside the car, located on the dashboard with the 6 other display screens, making your commute navigation system a newly enhanced DJ deck.

You can read Top Gear’s detailed feature here.

TR5 Seat Belts fitted

The 1968 Triumph TR5 has had its seat belts fitted by Mauro who tells us they needed a bit of modifying and focus to get them to fit perfectly, however no problem is too small or big for our technicians. With the seat belts firmly fitted, our TR5 is progressively becoming more and more road worthy!

The Duke’s Defender: Take A Look At The Duke Of Edinburgh’s Custom Land Rover Hearse

A specially modified and designed Land Rover Defender Gun Bus has been revealed as the late Duke Of Edinburgh’s hearse. In an intimate conversation with the Queen, Phillip said “Just stick me in the back of a Land Rover and drive me to Windsor.”

Known for his love of Defenders and Land Rovers, this final drive seems only fitting. With the hearse designed and engineered with the Duke, this Defender is an incredibly sentimental restoration.

The modified Defender Gun Bus has been created by Foleys in 2016 and designed with the Duke. In 2005 the Defender bus was commissioned and has since been built onto a galvanised chassis with a hand-built rear body in a traditional Deep Bronze Green as requested.

According to a report by The Sun, the funeral is set to be a ‘green funeral’ as the Defender Hearse is rumoured to be a hybrid.

The funeral company, Leverton and Sons, who has organised the funerals of other Royal Family members and is the oldest funeral directors in London. In 2017 they became the first company to offer an electric hearse, which is based on the Nissan Leaf. It is said that the Duke’s coffin will be an environmentally friendly wool coffin.

Peony Red Jensen Bonnet Catches

Paul has manufactured some new bonnet catches for our 1960 Jensen 541S. These components are crucial to keeping the bonnet closed and secure. Being made by hand, these catches have been designed and made to fit our Jensen perfectly.

Francis Barnett Up And Running

Our 1953 Francis Barnett Rigid Body Trials motorbike was having some issues starting, so we had John take a look who quickly diagnosed the issue as dirt and debris getting caught in the carburettor.

Porsche Painted

Our classic 1982 Porsche 911SC has just had its final colour applied in the paint booth and is looking fantastically shiny and fresh! We’re looking forward to seeing the final details such as the bumpers and whale tail painted and seeing the finished product.

Nissan Patrol Prepped

Our adventurous 1996 Nissan Patrol has made its way into the paint shop to have its next stage of paint. Its currently been masked and primed and now awaiting its colour.

Porsche Primed And Ready For Paint

Our stunning Porsche 911SC has been masked and prepped for paint and will now have its respray. We can’t wait to see it looking shiny and new after our expert paint technicians have finished.

1959 Jensen 541R Resto-Project

We’ve recently welcomed this 1959 Jensen 541R into the workshop as a restoration project for someone to take on to turn into their dream Jensen. The beauty of retoration projects like this is that this Jensen is a blank canvas which can be made back to originaly and become a custom classic.

If you’re interested in purchasing this, you can get in touch via info@bridgeclassiccars.co.uk

Putting The British Back Into The Jaguar

Having spent a lot of its life across the pond in sunny California, it’s only natural to find American modifications on our 1973 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Series 3, however, now back on home soil, parts such as rubber bumpers can be converted back to British/European standard. James has welded up all the holes and repaired the dents which had previously been filled, resulting in poor symmetry on the front.

Scott has started to to disassemble the front suspension components ready to be refurbished as well.

Pricey has scraped the body shell, removed the under sealer and sound deadening for media blasting. Pricey told us that the condition of the E-Type body is immaculate and holds very little rust for the age of the car.

EADT – April 2021

A great article in the East Anglian Daily Times about one of our recent local winners, Matthew Sudgen and his 1949 Morris Minor Lowlight.

“I didn’t realise at first that I had won, so when they called me I thought it was a wind-up. I only bought one ticket – it was incredible. It’s brilliant to drive. It’s very rustic and very different to drive than modern cars.”

Matthew tells us he’s taken it out a few times already and is loving it.

In a wonderful cyclical move, the Morris Minor that started its life in Ipswich and then moved around the UK has found its way back to Ipswich with its new owner.

We wish you many more happy miles, Matthew!

You can read more here.

Land Rover Gets A New Gear Box

We’ve just had the gearbox reconditioned and refitted into our 1964 Land Rover Series IIa. We recently had some trouble with the gearbox seizing due to the teeth from the third gear falling off. We sent the gearbox off to Last Transmission to have it rebuilt.

After receiving the gearbox back, Scott and Ady were tasked with lowering the gearbox back in place through the centre column of the Land Rover. Using their initiative, they set up our small engine crane to help lift it in place.

Now the gearbox has been refitted with no extra complications, Scott has been re-fitting the panels and seats ready for the team to take it out for its pre-launch photoshoot.

Suffolk Wire Business Magazine – April 2021

The Suffolk Wire featured our latest competition winner, Matthew Sugden who received our 1949 Morris Minor Lowlight last week.

Matthew tells us he’s already taken out his new classic a handful of times and is loving it! We’re delighted to hear he’s enjoying his Morris.

You can read the article here.

Mr Genlloud – Suffolk

“Absolutely delighted with the renewed headlining – superb job displaying tremendous skill and the considerable care taken not to harm the vulnerable materials of this 80 year old unrestored Alvis”

Green With Envy

David Turnage popped into the workshop today as he has manufactured the spare wheel carrier for our Peony Red Jensen. David arrived in his fantastic dual-toned green 1939 Alvis Speed 25. This spectacular green machine is in pristine condition and is David’s pride and joy. David is the 541 Registrar of the Jensen Owners Club.

“In the Alvis Speed TwentyFive the makers have produced a car which will delight those who appreciate fast motoring with an ample margin of safety. A very quick response to the accelerator is matched by exceptional steadiness under heavy braking conditions, light and accurate steering, and road holding of that special quality which is so rarely encountered nowadays.” – George Butlin

This is the spare wheel carrier that David manufactured for us: