Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[pigtin]

Anyone had interesting or embarrassing experiences with hire cars? I had a one in the States in 1979.
We had, for a small consideration, borrowed a car from a Mr Hertz. If my memory serves me correctly it was a brand new GM ‘compact’ called a Phoenix?
It must have been late October and after a couple of weeks of using the car it started to get a bit chilly. Knobs and levers were twiddled, switches were tried in all positions until, in desperation, we consulted the handbook and religiously followed the instructions. Still no heat!
The local service station was consulted and the bonnet reverently raised to see within. There was a sucking of teeth and shaking of head from the mechanic. “Friday afternoon car” he told us. "They forgot to install the heater harness—nothing I can do about it, have to go to the main dealer at Cleveland." With that he slammed the bonnet shut forgetting about the stay, located halfway down its length… So, in addition to no heat for the next few weeks we had something resembling a steel tent perched on the front of the car partly obscuring our view. We drew lots to determine who was going to tell Mr Hertz.

[peter scott]

About 25 years ago the island of Zakynthos extended its airstrip just long enough to allow a modern jet to land if it applied full brakes and full reverse thrust after touch down. Well we had quite an eventful but enjoyable holiday there. Although tempted, I wont stray into other events. One day we thought we'd hire a car to explore the rest of the island.

The car was a "kiddie's" Jeep. We signed all the necessary forms took out the full insurance cover and then read what was actually covered.

Basically there was only one road in Zakynthos, that being around the periphery although one or two walking paths stayed off it here and there. The insurance did not cover off road use so really the little paths were a no-no. The insurance also failed to cover any road within 200 meters of the sea which accounted for 99% of the island's road system. Oh, and finally the insurance did not give cover in towns. Zakynthos town was about the only part that extended to more than 200 meters from the sea.

I still have the "insurance" document tucked away somewhere.

Peter