1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

Holey Moley!

Our classic Jaguar 240 has two substantial holes in its underside due to corrosion. It’s been sat 18 months and now needs some thorough TLC.

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Jaguar 240 – Leaking Clutch

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our 1967 Jaguar 240 is in with us this week to investigate an issue with the clutch leaking. Upon further inspection the slave cylinder looks

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Chasing a Noise – Fixing a Few Issues on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

The Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration technicians have been working on getting to the bottom of some noises that have been noted by the owner of this 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4.

After looking into the issue, our senior technician Dave found several components that could cause the sound. The biggest one was that there was a pin missing and perished rubber isolators from the gearbox mount which can allow the vibrations and movement of the gearbox to transfer through the chassis and into the cabin and present as a sound. Along with that, Dave also noted that the exhausts would move occasionally and when they touched each other would also cause noise.

Whilst under the car, Dave also noted that the Universal Joints had become severely worn. For that, the prop shaft had to be removed in order to replace the joints. Whilst out of the car, Dave also cleaned up the splines and assembly to make sure everything was in good condition before reinstalling back into the car.

Laying Down – Fitting the Sound Deadening and Carpet to the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

While the seats were removed from the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 which is in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, our in-house trim expert, Brian, could begin work on retrimming the floors and installing the sound deadening into the floor of this classic Jaguar.

Previously, Brian had stripped out the floors of the car in our trim shop in preparation for the welding repairs needed. Now, Brian could begin his work getting the inside of the car looking as good as the outside. Using original style sound deadening, Brian laid the material into all of the areas that can be affected or are known for transmitting sound into the cabin. Using a series of specialist trim tools, Brian managed to neatly secure the sound deadening into the car. This, allowed Brian to carry on to the next phase of the interior in the 1968 MkII 2.4.

Next up, was getting the carpet panels in the least accessible places throughout the interior. Trimming the rear seat edges, driveshaft tunnel and seat cross members in the stunning, vibrant red which was closely matched to the original pieces. Brian also hand trimmed the gearbox tunnel as well. Using the original pieces as a template to work from but would trim and adjust the pieces to ensure the best fit and finish once all of the accompanying trim has been fitted.

Under the Skin – Undersealing the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

Part of the work carried out on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 by our in-house technicians here at Bridge Classic Cars was protecting the underside of the car.

Dave, one of our in-house restoration technicians, began by prepping the entire underside of the car and the wheel wells ahead of the undersealer being applied. The preparation before this is done is crucial to make sure the treatment has a clean and even surface to work on and build off.

After it had been thoroughly cleaned down, Dave began the process of applying the sealer to protect the car from the elements and whatever road grime may lay ahead on its adventures with its owner.

New Set of Shoes – New Tyres for the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

As work continues of the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, our friends over at Tyre Assist in Ipswich have been out to do their part on the project.

Previously, our in-house paint expert Alan had worked his magic on the wheels of the MkII to match the colour of the wheels to the car. Now, with the paint dry and cured, they could be handed over to Graham to fit them up with new rubber.

Thanks to Tyre Assist being mobile, they come out with their state of the art equipment to mount, balance and test the new tyres we have fitted to our classics. So, our customers can be safe in the knowledge that even the specialists we use work to the same exacting standards that our in-house technicians work to on our projects.

Coming Back Together – Reinstalling the Interior of the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

It’s been a pleasure having this 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop. Our in-house restoration technicians have been hard at work on the car getting through the list of jobs requested by its lucky owner.

Our technician Dave has been working on getting the reworked front seats safely and securely back into this classic saloon car. Since the car has also been in our workshop where our master trimmers have been working their craft on the inside of the big Jag. Dave has been carefully working around the incredible work that has been done by Brian and Kath our trimmer so as to not damage or mark any of their work.

With the front seats being so important, Dave has been making sure that all the hardware used to secure them to the car is in the best condition and all the threaded holes are clear and clean-cut to make sure they can be tightened down accurately. So, with that, Dave will get the front seats into the car and then the team at Bridge Classic Cars can work on getting the other jobs on the 1968 MkII 2.4 done.

Down to It – Working on the Steering Coupler of the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

The next job to be done on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 by Bridge Classic Cars is to replace the steering coupler. This will help to tighten up the loose steering for its owner.

This job is being done by our master tech, Dave. Dave has a huge wealth of knowledge and experience working on classic cars so a job as delicate and crucial as this was given to him. Carefully, Dave began by removing the shaft from the coupler in order to gain access to the bushes and balls inside the steering box. As opposed to some MkII’s that we have worked on in the past, this MkII remains as a steering-box car.

After removing the original parts from the car, Dave began to check the new replacements would work with the car and were correct. Then, it was a case of getting everything back together and into the car. Dave took his time to make sure that every component cleared the steering box and its boot so it remained happy for many years to come.

After the job was complete, Dave manually checked that the box rotated as it should and also meshed together with as little play as possible thanks to the new parts.

There will be more updates soon as work continues on this stunning MkII 2.4.

Wheel of Fortune – Refinishing the Wheels of the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

One of the jobs to be done on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 was to paint the wheels to a colour matched off white, just the same as the body. So, it was off to the paint shop under the watchful eye of our in-house paint expert Alan.

Finished in a healthy layer of primer, to begin with, the wheels were then prepared to be put in the booth ready for painting. Alan used our state of the art paint mixing computer to find the closest match possible to the existing paint of the MkII in order to get the best match.

Then, with the right amount of paint mixed up and in the gun, it was time to start laying down the first of many coats to get these wheels to look perfect. Alan took his time to make sure the paint fell evenly and was given enough time in-between coats to achieve the best results straight out the gun. And, as you can see the results are absolutely incredible.

Seamlessly – Repainting the Rear Valance on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

The 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 has been in the Bridge Classic Cars in-house paint shop where our paint expert Alan has worked his magic on the rear valance.

The valance had been coated with a thick black stone chip protection across the lower parts, so Alan pulled out his trusty DA sander and got to work. Carefully knocking back the stone chip, Alan exposed the paintwork underneath. Because of the thickness of the protection, Alan had to take it back quite a way. Once the area had been thoroughly cleaned down and smoothed out, Alan could begin his detailed and meticulous work.

Carefully, Alan applied the new stone chip to the area to protect the car from any possible marks or damage while it’s being enjoyed by its very lucky owner.

After the area around the new stone protection had been masked off, Alan carefully colour matched a small amount of paint to the rest of the car in order to seamlessly blend the new area into the existing rear panels and behind the rear bumper.

Preparing for the Next Phase – Continuing Work on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

Bridge Classic Cars have been working on preparing the 1978 Jaguar MkII 2.4 to prepare it for the next phase of work to begin.

Dave, one of our most experienced in-house restoration technicians, has been working on removing the interior and other parts of the car to begin working through the mechanical jobs on this stunning MkII. Carefully, as each piece is removed from the car, it is then catalogued and safely stored for later during its rebuild.

For now, it’s carefully assess the areas of attention for the owner and coming up with a plan to deliver the best result.

Expect to see more on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 here on the Bridge Classic Cars news page very soon.

Rock Solid – Repairing Rust Issues on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

Unfortunately, it is a problem that plagues all classic cars at some point in their lives. But, caught early enough it can be easily sorted. We’re talking about rust. The dreaded plight that rears its head on old metal. That is the case of this 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 which Dave has been been working on.

Previously, this car has been in with Bridge Classic Cars for some sympathetic rust repairs but now it’s time to continue. There were two areas Dave concentrated on. The spare wheel well in the boot floor and the drivers footwell.

The hole in the drivers footwell had crossed out over onto the chassis rail so, Dave has made up custom patch panels to be able to bridge the gaps safely and securely underneath the MkII. Through years of experience and skill, Dave evaluated how much of the original metal would need to be removed in order to get rid of any corrosion and also create a strong enough span for the piece. After that, Dave used as close as original thickness material to create the multi-piece patch panel for the drivers foot well. After tacking the piece in, Dave slowly moved around the panel to allow it time to cool and settle and avoid any warping which may cause interior trims to not sit correctly.

The boot floor was much the same story. Using a patch panel, Dave carefully cut only what was needed to achieve a strong bond and a stable floor. All of the exposed metal was treated and then covered in several layers of prime and matching black paint to prevent the new pieces from rusting prematurely.

Expect to see more on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 very soon on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.

New and Improved – Working on the Interior of the 1968 Jaguar MkII

The interior of the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 is the next item on the list of jobs to complete for its very lucky owner. With this, it’s been down to our in-house trim expert Brian to carefully dismantle and evaluate the intricate interior of the MkII.

Removing both the front seats, Brian could begin to carefully pull up and remove the front carpet from the car. This is being done as part of the replacement with a brand new matching set of carpets we have got for the car. Also during this process, Brian removed several leather-wrapped panels and the centre console that will need Brian’s expert eye and skill cast over them.

With the centre console and seats out of the car, Brian also needed to remove the rear air vents for the next phase.

With the front carpets removed from the car and safely stored away in case they are needed. Brian could turn his attention to stripping down the rear seats and floors ready for the refit. For that, Brian also had to strip the leather from the original rear seat bases to prepare for the new kit.

With everything stripped, Brian could then put the new matching set into the car. And, they look absolutely incredible!

Class Act – Repairing the Drivers Seat on the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

Brian has been working hard on the driver’s seat of the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 that is in at Bridge Classic Cars.

One of the jobs we had been asked to do by the owner was to repair the back of the driver’s seat on this amazing classic Jaguar. The back of the red leather seat had begun to come loose from the frame. This isn’t a problem for our incredible in-house trim shop who removed the seat and began to strip everything back down.

Brian removed the original coverings of both the seat back and the side panels to use as a pattern for the new red leather covers. Our expert in-house trim team worked on wrapping the pieces in new leather and securing them to the original seat frame.

As you can see, the results are phenomenal.

Lean In – Fixing the Armrest of the 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4

This 1968 Jaguar MkII 2.4 is in with Bridge Classic Cars for our amazing in-house restoration teams to have a look and some work for its owner.

First is a trip to the trim shop where Brian has been working on fixing the drivers armrest. Brian carefully removed the door card from the car to take it into our trim shop and begin working on fixing the issues.

Brian got to work on carefully and methodically removing the old coverings, making sure not to cut or tear any of the original material so as to use it as a template for the new piece. Once the inner piece of the armrest was cleaned up and prepared, Brian could then begin making the new covering for the armrest itself.

Using the original piece for reference, Brian went through our leather stock to find the closest material in terms of colour and grain to the original. Once the hide had been selected then Brian could begin to transfer the templates and cover the armrest bolster with all new foam topping.

Finally, installed back onto the car it looks phenomenal.

Repairs to Jaguar Mk2 wheel arches

Dave has successfully cut out the corroded areas within the wheels arches of our Jaguar 240 Mk2. He is now working on repairing the areas with treatment and welding in new metalwork.

Welding new life into the arches of the Jaguar Mk 2!

Dave has been repairing one of the rear wheel arches of our 1968 Jaguar Mk2 . He has welded new metal into places where corrosion was beginning to take over. He then fitted the jacking point back in to position!

Unfortunately the other side will require a lot more attention but although it’s often unexpected work on classics that come back to bite you it is work that is essential in order to keep the cars on the road for many many years to come.

Holey Moley!

Our classic Jaguar 240 has two substantial holes in its underside due to corrosion. It’s been sat 18 months and now needs some thorough TLC.

Jaguar’s Electricals And Holes

We’ve been fabricating replacement panels to cover the holes in the wheel arch of our 1958 Jaguar 240. Unfortunately, as with a lot of corrosion issues, the more you remove, the more you discover.

Now is very much a good time to be tackling this issue on our Jaguar before it gets any worse.

And the electrical issues discovered were due to corrosion in the fuse box.

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.

Jaguar 240 – Leaking Clutch

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our 1967 Jaguar 240 is in with us this week to investigate an issue with the clutch leaking.

Upon further inspection the slave cylinder looks to be almost new, however, the master cylinder is in need of replacing.

Thanks to SNG Barratt as always for supplying us with a brand new master cylinder and now that it’s fitted up its time for a few test runs.

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