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1961 Morris Mini Deluxe

Little Eva Spotted

March 7, 2023

Images of our 1961 Mini Deluxe ‘Little Eva’ were shared recently on social media by N G Vehicle Logistics. They were transporting the beautiful classic

Read More »

New Year, New Respray

January 13, 2021

Our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, fondly named ‘Eva’s Mini’ has had some recent paintwork including a new respray on the bonnet. With new interior trim

Read More »

Green With Envy

September 24, 2020

Our fabulous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe has had her engine recently resprayed in this delightful earthy green. With us for a full restoration, our cherry

Read More »

A not-so-Mini Job!

September 21, 2020

Ady, our engine specialist, has completed an entire engine rebuild on our fabulous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe. “She’s literally had everything done” Ady explains. “Including

Read More »

Chrome & Away

September 18, 2020

A variety of chrome parts are being sent away this week. Our good friends at Douglas Metal Findings are going to bring them back to

Read More »

Raising the Roof!

September 11, 2020

Brian in our trusty trim shop has been busy with our 1961 Morris Mini this week. “I laid the restored frame over the headliner material,”

Read More »

Pull Up A Chair

August 29, 2020

Brian in the trim shop here at Bridge has started rebuilding the seats on our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe. “I started by fitting new rubber

Read More »

Little Eva Spotted

March 7, 2023

Images of our 1961 Mini Deluxe ‘Little Eva’ were shared recently on social media by N G Vehicle Logistics. They were transporting the beautiful classic Mini to Somerset on behalf of South Norfolk Classics.

Little Eva was won through Bridge Classic Cars Competitions back in October 2022 and we hope that she will be enjoyed in Somerset or anywhere else she ends up.

Winner Of Our 1961 Mini Deluxe ‘Little Eva’

October 19, 2022

Paul Mazey was the lucky winner of our beautiful 1961 Mini Deluxe ‘Little Eva’.

He won with ticket number 2772 at our live draw on 6th October 2022.

Paul visited the Bridge Classic Cars workshop to see his mini for himself. Congratulations to Paul and we hope you enjoy ‘Little Eva’ as much as we have.

Triple Live Draw: 1961 Mini Deluxe ‘Little Eva’, 1970 MG C, 1994 Ducati 750 Supersport

September 21, 2022

Join us at the workshops for an evening of entertainment and our Live triple draw. Molly and the team will be finding new homes for 3 more amazing machines!

Bridge Classic Cars, The Nursery, Main Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 0HH

Our 1961 Mini Deluxe, 1970 MG C and our 1994 Ducati 750 Supersport are all guaranteed to be drawn on the night.

We’ll also have live music from Molly and her 1940’s vintage trio The Three Chordettes.

As well as food by The Miller’s Kitchen and coffee (and cake) by Carmello’s

Our gates open from 6:00pm and we’ll be live for the draw from 7pm. The event is free to attend and everyone welcome.

If you plan on joining us, simply send us your name and the number of people who will be coming with you to events@bridgeclassiccars.co.uk so we can make sure there’s enough food for everyone!

Little Eva: The Next Chapter

September 15, 2022

Little Eva is the name given to our charming 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe.

Since its restoration, Little Eva has joined our personal collection of classic cars. As this lovely little classic has not had the use we had anticipated, we have decided to let her go for someone else to enjoy.

Restored in collaboration with Team C Racing, our Mini was restored to the very highest of standards. To read our full write-up and for your chance of winning Little Eva, enter the draw here.

Strip Down – Cleaning Out the Carburettor on our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe ‘Little Eva’

August 9, 2022

As part of getting our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe ‘Little Eva’ in perfect running order, the Bridge Classic Cars team have stripped and cleaned the carburettor.

Our technician Jon has been carefully taking apart the part and clearing out every passage and venturi to make sure the fuel and air can pass through unchallenged by any dirt or debris that may have built up during its time in storage.

Eva’s Handbrake Gaiter

January 29, 2021

Kath has been making the handbrake gaiter for our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, ‘Eva’. Kath made this by measuring out a pattern against the old on and working new leather into a gaiter to mimic the old version.

Carpet Modifications On The Mini

January 27, 2021

Our trim shop are continuing to work with the 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe. Currently Kath is working to modify the main footwell carpet to allow for the headlight dip switch to sit comfortably in the trim. Kath has had to measure up hole and where it will sit on the carpet.

New Year, New Respray

January 13, 2021

Our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, fondly named ‘Eva’s Mini’ has had some recent paintwork including a new respray on the bonnet. With new interior trim furnishings, the updated bodywork will make this little Mini look just like new!

Little Eva’s New Interior

December 21, 2020

Our 1961 Morris Mini Delux has had some extra refurbishments recently. It needed the carpet neatened and new footwell mats.

Our trim shop made templates, marked out the correct measurements on the carpet material, cut it out and marked out the binding, they then sewed on a heel mat to the footwell mats and fitted all the pieces in. The base carpets also needed regluing.

The finished work has left Little Eva looking very smart.

The Deluxe’ Last Day

October 15, 2020

It’s our gorgeous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe’ last day with us today. We have a load of work to do before tomorrow night, where she will be presented as a birthday gift to Eva Ranson, wife of our Director; Gordon Ranson.

The Mini arrived at our Pettistree workshop this morning looking pretty bare! Although her engine was in, she still needed all her interior fitted, including carpets, door panels and seats.

Firstly, one of our engine technicians Ted completed some final tweaks to the Mini’s 800cc engine. The engines already been totally recommissioned, as well as stripped and repainted in that lovely green you can see in the picture.

Meanwhile, Brian in the trim shop is getting the first section of the headlining in. He’s then got the front lining in and has fitted the C Posts.

The front dash was then fitted with it’s fleck material. “I trimmed around the edge” explains Kath, another of our trim-shop experts. “Then, I’ve glued it all in place.”

Kath’s then fitted the upper section of the dash, she’s then bent it round and trimmed it to fit. “I then glued the ends around the door seal” she tells us “then reattached the door seal.”

The door panels were next on the list. They were tricky! Kath had to trim the board and cut some foam out along the side to be able to slide it in. She then inserted the little door fillet panels.

The rear door panel pockets were equally difficult. “The boards didn’t fit” Kath explains “so we had to trim down to get them to fit inside nicely.”

Kath then had to trim holes for the ashtrays – a fixture you never see anymore in modern cars!

She trimmed the holes for the lights and fitted them in place. Getting the rivet bracket into position then fitting the rest of the board.

The sun visors were the next feature to be fitted. First of all the brackets were screwed into place, then the custom made visors were attached.

All the underlay and carpet was yet to be fitted when our Mini arrived back with us this morning. Underlay was trimmed up and glued into position. Matching red carpet was then fitted under where the seats will go. Taking care to trim around the seat brackets where each of the front seats will go.

The final sections of carpet were then fitted into place, trimmed up and glued to hold their position.

The seats were then fitted into the front. Looking lovely!

Brian then added sound deadening to the back seat section, before attaching his custom-made back seat. He also added the rear squab and the parcel shelf behind it.

“I’ve then fitted the rear quarter panels” Brian explains “securing them with screws at the top”. Brian’s also glued the wheel arch covers into position.

Aside from the interior, the Mini’s working components also had to be reassembled. These parts arrived back with us this morning as individual bits. The team have spent the day reassembling the subframe, ready to get the wheels back on and get her back up and running!

My goodness! What a team effort to get our gorgeous little Mini ready for her big reveal. We hope Eva loves her ‘Little Eva’ as much as we do!

Happy Birthday!

Green With Envy

September 24, 2020

Our fabulous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe has had her engine recently resprayed in this delightful earthy green.

With us for a full restoration, our cherry red Mini arrived with us as little more than a rusty shell. So far we’ve restored her body and given her a full paint job. We’ve completely transformed her interior, including newly upholstered seats. Meanwhile, we also recommissioned her engine before it was painted.

Our Morris Mini is a really early example of this car, we plan to restore her back to her original form as closely as possible.

We love Mini’s here at Bridge classic cars. So much so, that we’ve had three Mini’s appear in our classic car competitions. Currently, we have a bright yellow 1991 Austin Mini up for grabs for just £7. Head to our competitions page to find out more and to purchase your tickets.

A not-so-Mini Job!

September 21, 2020

Ady, our engine specialist, has completed an entire engine rebuild on our fabulous 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe.

“She’s literally had everything done” Ady explains. “Including new pistons, new bearings, a new gasket, an unleaded cylinder head fitted and a reconditioned gearbox.”

Now all the technical work on the engine is done, it’s time to get it into the paint shop to make it look pretty! A gorgeous green is the chosen colour, we can’t wait to see it finished.

Our Morris Mini is being kept as close to it’s original state as possible. Another Mini of ours is currently with Electric Classic Cars where’s it’s undergoing a full electric conversion. Check out the latest news on this project here.

Chrome & Away

September 18, 2020

A variety of chrome parts are being sent away this week. Our good friends at Douglas Metal Findings are going to bring them back to life.

These parts belong to our 1957 Jensen 541R and our 1961 Morris Mini. See if you can you match which parts belong to which car!

Raising the Roof!

September 11, 2020

Brian in our trusty trim shop has been busy with our 1961 Morris Mini this week. “I laid the restored frame over the headliner material,” explains Brain, “cutting flaps at the edge and stapling around the crossbars.”

Brian then glued the corners, front and rear pulling the fabric tight to stick it to the frame.

“I’ve then trimmed off all the excess” says Brian, “then added the clips and it’s done!” Brian’s followed the same process for both the front and rear roof liners, both of which are now read to be fitted.

Seamless work Brian!

The Mini’s A Headline Act

September 10, 2020

This week, the 1961 Morris Mini had her headliner stripped off by Brian in the trim shop.

“I’ve stripped off all the old fabric,” explains Brian, “then cleaned up all the metal frame ready to have the new cover made and attached.”

This project is coming along nicely so far, we can’t wait to see the new fabrics.

We’ve Got Front Row Seats For The Morris Mini

September 4, 2020

Following stripping the interior of the 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe, our trim shop extraordinaire Brian has been hard at work rebuilding this iconic beauty.

With the chairs stripped right back to the bare metal, Brian’s rebuilt the chairs starting with new rubber straps fixed to the frame. “I used hessian to line the base and stop damage,” he describes. “Then I added foam to the base, with extra foam added to bolster the front of each chair.” This is the slight curve you can see in the pictures and add to not only the look of the seats but to their comfort too.

Brian then attached the leather covers across the foam, using clips around the base and hog rings to hold the fabric in place.

We’re already so in love with this colour combination. The options really are limitless when it comes to classic car restorations!

Pull Up A Chair

August 29, 2020

Brian in the trim shop here at Bridge has started rebuilding the seats on our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe.

“I started by fitting new rubber straps” Brian explains, “then added foam around the bottom edge”.

“I added hessian to the base, glued foam on top and marked out the middle.”

The finished cover was then glued to the foam lining, along with the calico flap, then the bolster foam was glued on top with the cover pulled over everything nice and snugly.

Horse hair was then glued to the rear of the seat, pulled around the frame and fixed into place. Wadding was also added to the top and sides of the chair to add extra padding.

The back cover was then fitted over, pulling the flaps though to glue them to the frame then clipping the outer flap to the seat frame. “Any ends have then been turned underneath to make it neat” described Brian, “then simply glued and and clipped into place”.

The back seats on the 1961 Morris Mini also received some similar special treatment from Brian this week.

Brian fitted the foam around the back seat frame. Added calico, lining and the backseat foam and pieced it all together.

“I then marked where the cover sits,” explains Brian, “gluing the cover down centrally to the foam and finally gluing the calico flap down”.

A small piece of brown felt was added to the front of the foam, then a large piece of brown felt over the top then glued the foam over the top to make a front bolster.

 

Brian then began work on the back seat Squab. “I glued the horse hair padding to the refurbished metal frame” Brian describes. “I then added scrim foam to pad the seat out further and trimmed it up to match the shape of the frame”

Brian then pushed the foam into Kath’s custom-made cover, glued the flaps around the side and the bottom of the seat then glued the cover to the metal.

We’re often completing full interior restoration on anything from our 1961 Morris Mini you see here, to Jensens, Triumphs and everything in between. For more information on our trim shop services get in touch today! – 01473 742038

1961 Morris Mini Deluxe

August 24, 2020

Work has begun down in the Bridge Classic Cars Trim shop on our Morris Mini Deluxe.

Brian has stripped down the seats, ready for the restoration to begin.

1961 Morris Mini Deluxe Leaves the Paint Shop

August 10, 2020

Another major stage in the restoration of our 1961 Mini has been hit. Darren has completed painting the body shell. After a polish it’s looking absolutely stunning in the sunlight.

Our Mini has been painted in the original cherry red paint colour. This is a much stronger red than the more maroon tone of the Mini 30’s cherry red paint.

Smashing work, Darren. When paired with the cream wheels and details, this little mini will look incredible.

1961 Morris Mini Deluxe in paint

July 24, 2020

Our 1961 Morris Mini Deluxe is starting to take shape in the beautiful, original Cherry Red finish.

Darren has now completed the priming stage of the entire shell and has given the underside it’s first coat of Cherry Red.

Next week we will see the car out of the paint shop ready for the rebuild stage to commence.

1960 Morris Mini Deluxe in Primer

July 23, 2020

Darren has completed the bodywork preperation on our Morris Mini restoration. He’s also completed the first coat of epoxy primer. This will be sanded back to a smooth finish before moving onto base primer coats.

Lovely work, Darren

Mini Deluxe ready for paint preparation

July 17, 2020

The new metalwork has been fitted and the repairs have been completed. The body shell can now venture into the paint shop to be prepared, ready for paint. The body will soon be brought back to the original Cherry red ready to be refitted.

1961 Morris Mini Deluxe

July 14, 2020

Darren has been hard at work in our fabrication bay. He has been cutting out all the rusted metal and coating in zinc weld-though primer before any new panels and fresh metal gets let in.

Superb work, Darren

Mini parts for blasting

July 7, 2020

Tamas has been busy sorting out the parts from our 1960 Morris Mini Deluxe, ready for blasting.

We work alongside Abbey Protective Coatings when we have lots of blasting to do. Their facilities cater for large quantities of parts so when we have lots to do and only one blaster in house it is more cost effective and faster to use specialist services.

Chromework Completed on several Classic Car Restorations

June 16, 2020

These chrome items have been completely transformed and are shining bright once more. The first step in the process of re-chroming is the stripping process. Grease, paint and rust that has accumulated on the car bumper over the years is removed.

Items are then stripped in a solution known as ‘Labere’. This solution is a perfect chemical balance to ensure the old chrome plating is removed without damaging the metal underneath.

The next step in the process is polishing to a smooth finish.

The metal has then gone through a triple plating process. First copper, applied for weather protection. Then Nickel is applied. Once the nickel layer has been applied it is time for the chrome.

The chrome plating process is a method of applying a thin layer of chromium onto a substrate (metal or alloy) through an electroplating procedure.

In simple terms, electroplating is achieved by passing an electric current between two electrodes which are immersed in an electrolyte bath comprising of chromic acid. One of the electrodes will be the substrate which is to be plated. During the flow of electricity between the two electrodes, chromium atoms are deposited in a layer on the electrode to be plated.

We have chromework here for our Peugeot 504, Mini, Triumph TR6, Ford Capri and Corvette projects.

1960 Morris Mini Deluxe preparation progress

June 3, 2020

Work continues on our 1960 Morris Mini Deluxe. Darryl has been working hard on this project on our behalf from his home workshops. The car returns to us very soon to be prepared for paint.

A tight deadline on this project as we need to have it built and finished within the next few months. Time is ticking!

1960 Morris Mini Deluxe Body Preparation

May 6, 2020

Our 1960 Morris Mini is for our own private collection and the body preparation is nearing completion in the trusted and capable hands of our good friend Darrell. Once completed, the car will return to us for paint.

Lots more chrome heading off to London

March 3, 2020

A large assortment of our chrome work is now in the hands of Douglas Metal Finishing to be repaired, plated and polished. Brightwork from our Peugeot 504 cabriolet, Morris Mini Deluxe and Triumph TR6 projects are in the latest collection to be collected.

If you have chrome work that requires attention, feel free to get in touch. With regular collections leaving our workshops on a weekly basis we will be more than happy to assist you in a structured and timely fashion.

Douglas is one of the leading chrome platers and metal finishing companies in Great Britain and our management team has over 80 years experience between them. We believe that our customers have a right to the highest possible standards of quality and service. This is reflected in everything we do, from single items through to major projects from multinational companies.

Massive investment in the latest technology enables us to offer a wide range of finishes. Our up to date satin plant means we can offer satin or bright finishes in nickel, chrome or any of our four shades of Gold.

Douglas is one of the leading chrome platers and metal finishing companies in Great Britain and our management team has over 80 years experience between them. We believe that our customers have a right to the highest possible standards of quality and service. This is reflected in everything we do, from single items through to major projects from multinational companies.

Massive investment in the latest technology enables us to offer a wide range of finishes. Our up to date satin plant means we can offer satin or bright finishes in nickel, chrome or any of our four shades of Gold.

Douglas is one of the leading chrome platers and metal finishing companies in Great Britain and our management team has over 80 years experience between them. We believe that our customers have a right to the highest possible standards of quality and service. This is reflected in everything we do, from single items through to major projects from multinational companies.

Massive investment in the latest technology enables us to offer a wide range of finishes. Our up to date satin plant means we can offer satin or bright finishes in nickel, chrome or any of our four shades of Gold.

Douglas is one of the leading chrome platers and metal finishing companies in Great Britain and our management team has over 80 years experience between them. We believe that our customers have a right to the highest possible standards of quality and service. This is reflected in everything we do, from single items through to major projects from multinational companies.

Massive investment in the latest technology enables us to offer a wide range of finishes. Our up to date satin plant means we can offer satin or bright finishes in nickel, chrome or any of our four shades of Gold.

Douglas Metal Finishing is one of the leading chrome platers and metal finishing companies in Great Britain with over 80 years experience in the business.

Massive investment in the latest technology enables Douglas to offer a wide range of finishes. Their up to date satin plant means they can offer satin or bright finishes in nickel, chrome or any of their four shades of Gold.

Morris Mini Heads Into The Paint Shop

February 7, 2020

Our Morris Mini Restoration has begun! This lovely little Morris is being restored to it’s original factory Cherry Red colour.

Its now had its first coat of primer to keep the rust at bay. It will now head into the fabrication shop.

Bridge Classic Cars are award winning Classic Car Restoration and Maintenance specialists. Your pride and joy is in safe hands with our expert Classic Car Technicians. Take a look at our awards here.

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