your opinions wanted please - classic car hire?

Question

Hi Anyone/Everyone,
I am contemplating starting a classic/retro car hire business, and just wanted to gauge some public opinion on a few issues.

1. What would be your top 5 cars that you would like to drive/hire from the 70’s and 80’s
2. Do you think there is a market for cars from the 80’s, or should I stick to the classics.
3. Do you know anyone who I could talk to regarding such a business?

I am aiming the business at the 30/40 somethings, and am based in Leeds,West Yorkshire.

Any feedback would be great,good or bad!

Thanks for your time.

Paul

Answer 1

Paul,
The business sounds good in theory, but there may be some other things to consider.

In the 60's Hertz tried renting Shelby GT-350's. They called it theri "Rent A Racer" program. People would rent the cars and then they would take them apart and change engines, steal the cylinder heads and swap them with regular ones. Some people just stole them outright and then reported them stolen. That's the problem with high performance cars, and historic cars. People are not honest. I know it is the minority of people, but the saying goes, "There's one in every crowd" and "It only take one, to mess it up."

Good luck with the program and I hope it works for you, just be very careful with it.

Answer 2

hi, good idea and good luck. i have used a company in kings cross before that do both modern and classic, bespokes...but in answer to your question.

1) Sierra Cosworth 500, E30 M3, Lancia Integrale, Mercedes 450SEL 6.9, Lancia Stratos.

2) I think there is a market for 80's more so than classic. Only because there is not many companies offering this and everything from the 80's has made comeback of late, why not the cars. The Integrale for example is still one of the ultimate drives, albeit a bit fragile.

3) Not sure who would offer advice, think other classic car hire companies would not, so best talk to someone who knows cars well and can tell you which ones to avoid, as your biggest headache is going to be maintenance. I wouls certainly avoid under 30's, and in addition i would consider a base in the south as well as the north, like london..

Perhaps offer a schem such as the P1 supercar club.. http://www.p1international.com/about.php

All the best and if you hire any of the above let me know!

Answer 3

Good idea! as for era I think you should stick with 60,s/70,s cars a couple of mk 2 jags would go down well if possible a Rover P5B 3500 coupe or 2 as they still look nice now keep away from supercars as they are hellish to maintain! a couple of ford zodiacs / zephrys maybe a Roller or 2 I am in your age group set and they are all cars that stick in my mind from my era ! Oh yeah get a stag if you can they were /are cool but I would dip my toe into the 80,s with a couple of Capris 3.000 or 2800

Answer 4

Insurance for car hire firms running bog standard modern motors is very expensive. To do the same using classics would cost you monstrous amounts for insurance.
The running costs of 20-30 year old cars, being driven (and let's face it, abused) on a day to day basis would price you out of the market.
How many people could safely handle a car with no power steering, no ABS or airbags, drum brakes and leaf-spring suspension?

Is there a market for it? Probably.

Would it be worth it? Look around the U.K. and see how many successful classic car-hire firms there are. I'm afraid that's your answer..

Answer 5

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