Tippers Vintage plates - Superb number plate company

Original style number plates are important to the look and detail of your classic car. 

We use Tippers because they are the only remaining manufacturer to use the original equipment and techniques to make truly authentic plates for your classic, vintage or veteran vehicle. 

Established in 1932 they have a broad range to suit all makes and models from 1898 through to today.

Further information can be found here.

The Bristol Owners Drivers Association - Recommended!

We have known the Bristol Owners Drivers Association for many years and being dedicated to keeping Bristol cars on the road - just like us - we have no hesitation recommending them.

Further information can be found here. 

Wingfield Bristol Special is now signed by Stirling Moss

Stirling Moss signs the Spencer Lane Jones Ltd  recently fettled Wingfield Bristol Special

The car attracted plenty of attention on its first time out in its new livery at a Classic meeting on Prescott hillclimb recently. 

 

The great man, Stirling Moss was most interested in the car and its history and felt moved to autograph the scuttle. 

 

Prescott on a variable weather day

Whilst the day was a mix of wet and dry conditions, the car ran like clockwork.

Bristol 400 Farina with SL-J Ltd rebuilt engine completes 2013 Mille Miglia

The 2013 Mille Miglia has just finished and the Bristol 400 Farina of Adrian and Hannah Berry did very well.

 

The car performed extremely well and Adrian had this to say about his recently rebuilt SL-J Ltd engine: “During the race, there was not one BMW 328 that could keep us back, as well as a greater number of other cars. Previous stages when we had “run out of steam” saw us merrily ploughing on.  A big thank you to all for the engine performance.”

 

Well done to Adrian and Hannah. Just by getting to the event was a victory as there are some 1900 applications annually for only 375 places.

Joy Across America. With Spencer Lane Jones Ltd supporta 2600 mile journey is completed successfully

The end of the journey. Completed with brilliant reliability

Nick Cooper is now back at Sl-J Ltd after supporting Joy Rainey on her 2600 mile drive across America in a 1904 Oldsmobile.


1904 Oldsmobile with intrepid travellers mid journey


The car needed remarkably little attention throughout its great journey and the trip
attracted much attention.  Raising funds for cancer research UK the trip has been an outstanding success and proves that SL-J Ltd does not just know about Bristol cars.

Two days to go before Joy Rainey starts a 2600 mile journey in a 109 year old Oldsmobile

Please check out the Joy across America blog to keep up to date with the progress of Joy Rainey in an Oldsmobile that is 109 years old......and has to complete 2600 miles across the US.

Joy Rainey chats to Stirling Moss at Prescott

Spencer Lane Jones Ltd wish her every success and will also keep you updated via this section of our website.

An International project: Touring bodied Bristol 401 restoration

Touring bodied Bristol 401 - Internal strengthening frame fitted

At the request of the French owner, Spencer Lane-Jones Ltd (SL-J) has been asked to coordinate the restoration of this rare Touring bodied Bristol 401.  

Touring bodied Bristol 401 - Frame being fitted

Mechanical parts have been removed and will be reconditioned by us. The body and chassis unit has been braced internally and bolted to a mobile jig - also constructed here -  for its journey to Italy where it will be restored by Touring of Milan. Touring  built the car originally. 

Touring bodied Bristol 401 - Mobile jig SL-J created below

When body and chassis are completed the car will be returned to SL-J Ltd who will be responsible for re-attaching the oily bits and re-commissioning the car for use by the owner.  

Luigi the chief panel beater at Touring Milan on left. Andrea Dragoni head of coach work at Touring in Milan on right.

A truly international project.

WB120 Special - sans body

The WB 120 Special is stripped bare.  

With the engine and transmission removed and the complicated tubular chassis and suspension refinished, the owner is briefed on the state of the aluminium body following the removal of a significant amount of filler and old paint.

After panel welding repairs, the car will be re-painted in its original shade of blue.

Rover 1929 Sportsman's Coupe 2.0 litre exhumed

The Rover was a local barn-find car that has been stored, hidden from view, since the 1970's.  Spencer Lane Jones Ltd have been asked to exhume the car and get it running before it goes to auction in March.

Barn find Rover Sportsman's Coupe

In the same ownership since 1953, this is an unusual challenge.

Bristol 411 heater contains weird creature

A former resident of a Bristol 411 heater compartment was revealed when fitting a new, improved heater matrix.

Unknown creature in well known (to us) heater compartment

Not a compelling reason for fitting one of our improved heater matrices, but the recent cold snap may well be.

Bristol 405 drophead features in Dents Gloves promotion

Bristol as a fashion item? Quite possibly. The cars were certainly a great backdrop for a Dents Glove photo shoot.

Dents gloves and a Bristol 405 drophead

Further pictures and information can be found on the Dents Gloves blog here.

Supporting a 1904 Oldsmobile for 2700 miles across the USA

Following the loss of her partner in 2010 to Cancer, well known motoring journalist and competitor, Joy Rainey, is undertaking a 2700 mile trek across America in her 1904 Oldsmobile in aid of Cancer Research UK.   

Joy seated in the car with Nick on the right of the photograph

Nick Cooper from Spencer Lane-Jones Ltd will be providing support and engineering assistance throughout the trip.  Leaving Oceanside California on 13 April the plan is to drive the 2700 miles to Daytona Beach arriving on 15th May.

1904 Oldsmobile

Nick’s progress will be reported here during the trip and further details on the event are at:  www.joy-across-america.com. Donations welcome.

Bristol 411 Series 3 completes in Le JOG endurance rally

Spencer Lane-Jones Ltd recently helped customer, Bruce Wood, get his 411 series 3 prepared for the Lands End to John O' Groats Endurance Rally – Le JOG.  

However, just days before the off, Bruce suffered a fractured exhaust manifold.  With spares difficult to obtain and time running out the car was transported to our workshop where another manifold was sourced, fitted and the car returned just hours before the start.  

Over the 1700 miles of this rigorous event and on the 700 mile journey home, the car performed totally reliably finishing in a highly respectable 13th overall.  It also won its class with driver Bruce and navigator John received the award for the best novices.  

Our V8 engine specialist takes 3rd overall at the Sahara Sands Land Rover Time Trials

Proving he builds tough engines our V8 specialist, Nick Cooper,  gets dirty at the weekend during an off road trial.  

He achieved 3rd overall. A superb result against tough competition.

Enjoy the video below which gives a flavour of the day.

SLJ prepared Aston Martin DB5 stars in local Skyfall premiere

Hot on the heels of the new James Bond movie “Skyfall” here is an immaculate Aston Martin DB5. 

Aston Martin DB5 prepared by Spencer Lane Jones Ltd

SL-J Ltd have just completed a full restoration of the braking system to allow the owner to provide this star car at the recent Salisbury premiere of the film.

Fully prepared and ready to help James Bond at a local Skyfall premiere

Spencer Lane Jones Ltd in Africa!

During this summer SL-J Ltd helped sponsor an expedition to East Africa by students from Kingdown School, Warminster.  The purpose of the expedition was to meet another culture and to provide help and assistance to local young people.

Whether the SL-J Ltd Logo will result in any new business from Africa may be open to debate, but the firm’s help was pivotal in allowing all those involved to benefit from a tremendous opportunity for cultural exchange.

Further detail on the Bristol Wingfield Special

We have got ahead of ourselves by blogging about the Bristol Wingfield Special's first outing.

Details of its exit from long term storage and condition on arrival are detailed below.

The vehicle was created in 1957/58 by Brian Wingfield and raced during the 1950's. After long term - as in decades - storage Spencer Lane Jones Ltd are re-commissioning the car and it is intended to use on the track once more.

Bristol 411 - Full rebuild.

After one year of work this Bristol 411 is nearing the end of a total restoration.

Key elements of the restoration are new chassis, new - modified V8 - engine, suspension restored and new paintwork.

The car is currently being trimmed.

Upgrades have improved performance via the engine mentioned above, electronic engine management and superior brakes. Air conditioning and a long range fuel tank were added also.

Pictures below that will shortly be followed by a detailed blog entry showing the finished car.