Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[schmarx]

Hi there

 

I am thinking of setting up a classic car hire business and would appreciate some advice on the cars people would like to see for hire for weekends away or special occasion. I was thinking of having a mix of sports cars and luxury cars with a couple of miscellaneous cars in there. Any advice or opinions would be gratefully appreciated. My choices are;

 

Classic Porsche 911 and 944/924 from the 80s

VW camper van

Classic Alfa Romeo Spider

Jaguar Mk2 or maybe XJS

TVR Griffith/Chimaera/Cerbera

kit car such as Caterham or Cobra

BMW 635csi

maybe Mk1 Audi TT or Porsche Boxster

Classic mini Cooper

MGB/TR4 type roadster

Ford Mustang

These are some of the cars i am considering as they are affordable for good examples. Any other advice would be gratefully received

cheers

Simon

[BigJohn]

No pre war? Maybe an Austin 12 or similiar for people who want to recreate a leisurely pre war picnic, wicker hamper, wind up gramophone, What! Pip Pip! Top hole! Stripey blazers and all that.

[Rick]

E-Type?

Welcome to the forum btw

R
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[welshrover]

audi t.i.t /porch boxter

[buzzy bee]

My Friend does this in Scotland, have a look at his site, he has a good selection of cars...

http://www.classic-vintage-car-rental.com/

[Jason]

I don't want to put a dampner on your idea, but its hard keeping work keeping one classic car on the road never mind a fleet of them.

with keeping them clean, regular servicing and general upkeep, it can be very time consuming and hard work.

if you've got the time and resources, then go for it, but keeping a classic on the road is certainly harder than a modern car.

just my advice and something for you to think about.
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"people with money buy a Rolls Royce, people with taste buy an Alvis".

[clan chieftain]

Welcome to the forum Simon. A mate of mine has an old fire engine that gets plenty of bookings for hen nights and stag nights. Especially hen nights as the driver wears a firemans uniform. ............Larry.
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The Clan Chieftain

[52classic]

The idea is sound enough and most of us dream of being able to make a living out of our hobby.

However, you need to think carefully about your business model. I'd expect insurance and maintenance to be astronomical whilst your customers' expectations will be very high, especially with regard to reliability.

I would imagine that it is the sort of business that would operate nicely alongside something else, perhaps modern car hire or taxis or perhaps a restoration shop.

[JC T ONE]

[schmarx]

Thanks for the advice - it seems the Audi TT and boxster didnt go down well. I had a feeling it wouldnt but wanted to guage opinion as they made quite a stir when released. Is there anything on the list that you would definitely hire or definitely wouldnt hire and anything that would definitely be added to the list.

cheers
Simon

[ukdave2002]

Hi Simon and welcome

Nice idea!, If I were you I'd model a business plan that assumed a sub 50% utilisation, avoiding any back to back bookings, thus allowing a reasonable time to complete any repairs and maintenance. Many folk who will book a classic will want a specific model, so wont be impressed if the MGB they booked is replaced with a Triumph Stag

I'd mix in a few newer cars like the TT & Boxter , it will broaden your target customer base, that's important for a new business.

Dave

[Dalek]

[Riley Blue]

Good choice of vehicles, I'd probably consider booking most of those myself though probably a 928 rather than a 924/944. I agree with Dave, I wouldn't want a Stag instead of an MGB!

[smiffy220]

If I was going to hire a classic, certainly wouldn't be a Porsche Boxster or Audi TT. I would want something that caught my eye as a kid, but was out of the reach or most everyday hard working people! I'd want something like a Jensen Intercepter, or a Ferrari 308 maybe. Or a nice fifties american classic. If it was going to be something pre-war, I guess a Model T or a Rolls or Alvis as icons of the era.
But most of these are expensive to buy and maintain now, so depends where you're going to pitch your market. Personally, I couldn't see me hiring an MGB, or a Mk1 Escort or something. I'd want something really 'special' to part with my money.
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Born to rally, forced to work!

1980 Opel Manta 2.0 SR Berlinetta
1934 Morris Cowley Four (my late fathers)

[Rick]

FYI I just had someone land on the main site, searching for a Ford Pop for hire

RJ
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