Money pit or money maker?

One thing is for sure, if you own a classic Jaguar you’re not in it for the money. Joy comes at a price. Like all classic motors, keeping a Jaguar reliable and in good condition takes cash, sometimes lots of it. This can lead to all sorts of complications – tension, marital strive, scuffles with bank managers, or even worse.
There are many different ways to solve the problem. Lock it away in a darkened garage and forget about it. Sell it. Give it away. On a more practical note, some owners have thought about hiring their classic cars out. There is a buoyant market for self drive classic car hire in the UK, which can provide a useful income to justify owning a classic pride and joy. It also carries much less risk than many owners imagine. For enthusiasts looking for a sound investment, buying a classic car for hire can provide better returns (and more enjoyment) than a savings account.
The trouble is, to set yourself up to hire classic cars is an expensive business – you need a website, specialist insurance, card processing equipment and there are various legal requirements. Typically the break even point is six good hire cars, which requires a typical investment in vehicles of £80,000. It is all too easy to watch profitable car hire revenue dribble back into the overheads of running a small business. And as many people have found, running a classic car hire business may be a dream job but it requires a very broad range of skills, in particular marketing capability.
I started Great Escape Classic Car Hire in 2006 motivated by most of these factors. I began with an Alfa Romeo Spider and a Jensen Interceptor but quickly realised I had a problem. I had the skills to get the phone ringing, but not the capital to build the business with extra cars in order to make it sustainable. That’s when I received two phone calls that transformed the business. Two classic car owners approached me to hire their cars for them. Both had cars but a lack of space and a dilemma – their partners were keen for them to sell, but they couldn’t bear to part with them.
The success of this early foray into leasing in cars from owners – both owners are still involved with the business – led to me developing a range of packages for classic car owners seeking to hire out their cars. Today Great Escape is the UK’s largest classic car hire company with a fleet of nearly 60 classic cars for hire. Over half of those cars are hired on behalf of owners. This includes the largest range of classic Jaguars for hire in the world.
Our experience working with classic car owners for nearly six years has given us an insight into what works best for both parties. So we now offer owners two different ways to hire out their cars. Our Owners Package is aimed at enthusiasts who want to hire their car from one of our existing sites. This arrangement suits owners who lack storage, have bought a car purely as an investment or want an entirely hands-off approach to the hire process.
For owners who want to be more involved, we have developed an Operators Package. This arrangement effectively sets the owner up as a new Great Escape Classic Car Hire location, offering cars from their own home or a local storage unit. Operators are separate businesses linked to Great Escape like a franchise, but without the costs and cumbersome formalities of a franchise arrangement. Operators also have the opportunity to grow their hire fleet through cars that Great Escape sources from other owners who join us under an Owners Package arrangement. This option is popular with owners who are looking for a small retirement income or an additional income stream. If you enjoy meeting customers, then it is also a very rewarding experience.
The returns an owner can expect vary depending on which route they choose. Under the Owners Package we offer two remuneration options, which are dependent on the level of risk the owner wants to take. Our most popular package is a percentage payment, with the owner paying for the maintenance of the car. Alternatively, we can pay a fixed leasing fee with Great Escape then picking up all costs incurred during the hire and maintenance of the car. The Operators Package is more straightforward, with the owner being remunerated for the hire of the car and their work to prepare, handover and maintain the car.
The returns you can expect from hiring a classic car inevitably vary greatly. We know which cars work and don’t work on hire, and the ones that cost a lot to keep reliable and roadworthy. The different returns between a good hire car and an average one are considerable – a good hirer will return two or three times the rate of a savings account and will generally appreciate. When you are thinking about which car to hire it is important to decide whether you want to secure a good return on your investment or simply cover the cost of owning and enjoying a beloved classic. This decision affects your choice of car for hire and will enable you to properly assess the benefits you receive.
Great Escape Classic Car Hire does give you a head start with ensuring a good return. We have become the UK’s largest classic car hire company through successful marketing. Our website, http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/ attracts over 20,000 unique visitors every month and is ranked at the top of page one on Google for all key search terms. Consequently, we consistently achieve hire rates per car that are well above the norm for classic car hire companies. Our relationships with event and experience companies, our advertising and our various unique initiatives to boost rental days means that when you put your car with Great Escape you are giving it a very good chance of success.
We have an established set of procedures and systems for managing hires through our network of locations. We use the car hire industry’s leading booking system to process all hires, whether online or by phone. This means that we effectively manage all hires for you and keep life simple, whether you are working with as an Owner or Operator.
Jaguars are consistently amongst the most popular – and profitable – cars for hire. Inevitably E Types and Mk2s top the list, but the XJS and XK8s – particularly the XKR – are growing in popularity. Other Browns Lane models such as the Daimler V8 250 and XJ6 are showing signs of becoming future classic hire cars.
When thinking about hiring out your classic car there are a number of issues to consider. From our perspective, the car must be presentable, reliable (which means it is receiving regular use) and largely standard. Ideally we are seeking cars in popular colours such as red, green, blue, white or silver.
As an owner you need to be mindful of the risks. The risk of loss or damage inevitably increases when you hire your car to someone else. However, in five years of hiring out cars for thousands of hire days I have only suffered one serious accident, which was resolved through our insurer. Our checks and controls ensure that we can always trace every hirer and we do not hire to boy racers. The relatively high price of classic car hire, plus a hefty insurance excess, tends to mean that customers are actually more careful than many owners are with their own cars. Inevitably, wear and tear commensurate with increased usage is unavoidable – stone chips and some car park damage are the most likely problems.
We have continuously refined our packages for classic car owners to ensure that they work in everyone’s best interests. And as a classic car owner myself I am acutely aware of the responsibility we have when we hire your car, whether you work with us as an owner or operator.
If you would like to avoid marital strife and find out more about hiring your classic car with Great Escape, including a personalised analysis of the costs and income, call or email me for an informal chat on 01527 893733 or graham@greatescapecars.co.uk.

What's the best 10k garage?

At Great Escape Classic Car Hire we have the great privilege of being able to work with many different types of classic cars. We often get asked by customers what the best classic car is or to recommend a classic car for weekend or everyday use.

What we've actually learned after 5 years is that one classic car in the garage is not quite ideal. If you have a convertible then you can only use it in Britain's variable summer. If you have a coupe you want a convertible when it's warm and a saloon when friends and family come over.

So we started to think what garage we'd create with a notional £10,000, which seems to be the sum most people have in mind to spend.

Rather than spend £10,000 on a nice TR6 or MGB,. we'd prefer to put it into 3 or 4 classics that fit the mood and the situation 365 days a year. By splitting your budget across more than one car you can also chop and change the fleet to suit your mood - without making a drastic change. Ok, so you might argue, the cost of owning the cars will increase if you have 3 or 4. There will be extra insurance and storage costs and perhaps additional road tax costs. Maintenance costs may also increase based on increased use of your fleet throughout the year. If these are hurdles for you we suggest you adjust your £10,000 budget to take this into account. But in our experience the additional costs are relatively small and offset by the enjoyment your cars will bring.

For us at Great Escape, the ideal classic car garage would have to cater for summer weather, cold or inclement weather (so that we can extend the driving season), an everyday commute car (so we can actually use one of the cars daily) and a family and friends weekend getaway car. So here's our first shot at our ideal 365 day per year classic car fleet:

Classic Convertible

A great, fun two seater convertible is a must for any classic car fleet. You can pick up an average MGB for £4-5k or a very nice Alfa Romeo Spider S3 or S4. Stick with either of these common, reliable models with good club support and your convertible will be easy and cheap to maintain.

Drivers Car

A convertible is for sharing, a driver's car is for those days when you just want to drive, without worrying about making a passenger seasick. There are plenty of sweet handliing 80s classic hot hatches around that deliver just that - they'll never be cheaper and they are more reliable than their 70s counterparts thanks to innovations like electronic ignition. The Peugeot 205 GTI (in 1.6 rather than heavyweight 1.9 guise), the increasingly rare Alfasud Ti, VW Golf Mk1 or Mk2 or Mk3 Escort XR3 or RS1600i. Good examples of these cars all start at less than £2k.

Classic Commuter

Your Drivers Car can double as your Classic Commuter if you're working on a tight budget, but if you want something more soothing and relaxing for the trip to and from work then there are plenty of great commuting cars. A good commuting car needs to be relaxing, distinctive and reliable. For us here at Great Escape Classic Car Hire it has to be a slat front Saab 900 Turbo 16S - bulletproof build quality, ultra reliable and very comfortable. Our 1990 example has covered 213,000 miles, cost £950 and looks the business. Alternatives include VW Corrado, Fiat Coupe and 1990s Alfa GTV, particularly in 3 litre 24v form.

Family & Friends Ferry

Call them old smokers or luxobarges but there is something about an old 70s or 80s executive saloon. They're very cheap and ideal for weekend day trips with family and friends - a chance to share your hobby with generally reluctant kith and kin. There is plenty of choice around the £2k mark, which would bag you a nice Series 2 or Series 3 Jaguar XJ6, Mercedes W123 saloon or estate, Citroen CX or a Mark 2 Ford Granada (obviously a Ghia X or a S).

So there you have it. Tell us what you think or if you've already gone down this route, let us know what's in your garage.

60s GT Shoot Out

Aston Martin DB6 v’s Jensen Interceptor by Matt Nichols

Which of these do you secretly aspire to be, film star or rock star? Not sure, then consider this for a minute or two. Do you at times find yourself swanning around the house, curtains drawn of course, assuming the appropriate posture and delivering killer lines from your favourite films? Or instead do you sometimes wait until your other half is going out and then as soon as the door clicks shut, pump up the volume on the stereo and start playing along to a heavy metal band from a bygone era using the only instrument of choice, air guitar? Answer that and my work here is done, DB6 for budding Bond’s and an Interceptor for all you Motorhead, Judas Priest, Aerosmith and Whitesnake wannabes. The Aston is a handsome and smooth operator that is instantly recognisable as the carriage of secret agents everywhere, with the Jensen hiding its intoxicating and loud big block V8 habit beneath an otherwise classy looking 70’s frame.

First impressions

With all the changes at the rear of the car, the front of an Aston Martin DB6 is identical to the DB5 used on films like ‘Gold Finger’ and so as you approach the car for the first time in the metal I guarantee you will feel like the man himself. You’ll also most likely break into an involuntary smile and start jabbering nervously or unable to speak at all, pretty much the same as you were on your very first date, such is the aura surrounding this car. The Jensen on the other hand is cloaked in mystery as when it was new it came and went in what seemed like a heartbeat, even though in actual fact it was around much longer than its counterpart here. Interceptors are rare things, seldom viewed close up and your first thoughts are largely taken up absorbing its sheer size and wondering how they managed to make it with so little room in the back. Quickly followed by a moment of realisation that a beast lurks within, as the key is turned and 7.2 litres of American iron stirs itself into life. These two cars are like Roger Moore meeting Ted Nugent.

Sat inside

The DB6 is instantly recognisable from all the films it appeared in. You are required by law to prod every bit of it to test whether anything moves or opens to reveal launch mechanisms for rockets, the passenger seat ejector button, or the oil spray nozzles underneath the rear bumper. With everything pressed and tapped, sit inside and you realise the true age of this car in examining the binnacle directly in front of you that envelopes the main dials and switches. It would seem that the lines between aircraft and motor vehicle were still fuzzy when this interior was designed, as the DB6 has more than a whiff of Piper Cub about it immediately behind the distinctive and apparently inverted three spoke steering wheel. The Interceptor on the other hand has what appears to be an Italian supercar of the same era look to it, as all the dials along its wide dashboard are pointing directly at the driver. There is also an almost race car like steering wheel which is quite bizarre in a car that weighs in at nearly two metric tonnes. The differences are distinct and it’s the Jensen that really impresses, being much more Maranello than Midlands.

Engine and exhaust note

There can be only one winner here and as much as I love the subtlety of Aston’s very British straight six, accompanied by some traditional background transmission noises at low speeds, the Chrysler unit in the Jensen is a monster with more torque on tap at tickover than its all-round disc brakes can contain. The whole car rocks to the beat of the purposeful idle and when you do let go of the reigns and pull away the Torqueflite automatic gearbox quickly responds with two quick gear changes confirming what you probably already gathered, you only need one forward gear in this car, unless of course you plan to point it skywards and drive straight up to the moon, in which case it might just need to drop back down one ratio.

Out and about

This is where both cars confirm their true purpose in life as continental cruisers, being comfortable and relaxed places to be with several hours passing before you even consider taking a break. Both therefore prove that cruising is not the preserve of modern and up to date machinery and was available 40 years ago, it just came at a premium that’s all. In terms of differences then it’s more about preferences on how you prefer to pass through towns and villages. Choosing between an instantly recognisable star of the big screen, or as the overly loud rock star from that band, what were they called again, Jensen, oh that’s right.

Ownership prospects

One of these cars is going to set you back in the region of £100,000, the other in similar condition around a quarter of that, less if you shop around. One is a true thoroughbred and brings with it everything that means including servicing, maintenance and repairs. The other built in the UK in the 70’s and yes all that brings as well. The size of your purse and most likely cut of your cloth will ultimately determine which of these cars you buy, but the Jensen is not the poor relation by any means offering much of what the Aston does and in some ways more.

Overall

An Aston Martin DB6 with known history is a solid investment with values only likely to increase providing a superb cross country driving experience and a warm response from everyone who sees it, young and old. Jensen prices vary tremendously and with most having undergone some sort of major refurbishment quality depends on the wealth and generosity of the owner at the time. On the road an Interceptor is a truly awesome car and will suck you in with its mix of Anglo-Italian styling and American drag car soundtrack and performance.

1967 Aston Martin DB6

1974 Jensen Interceptor

Driving

Aston - Polished cruiser that only requires you to take a break every couple of hours

Jensen - Matches DB6 cruising ability with attitude when you stir the beast under the long bonnet into life

Engine

Aston Martin 3995cc in line six cylinder engine, with DOHC and Triple SU Carbs carried straight over from the DB5

Chrysler 7,212cc V8 OHV and four-barrel carburettor

Brakes

Aston - brakes do require some adjustment and a very firm press indeed. Leaving more time and space is the safest option

Jensen - brakes work well right up to the point of actually stopping when the torque from the engine has to be overcome as well

Handling

Beautifully weighted once the front of the car has settled into corner, and so best enjoyed with a ‘slow in and fast out’ driving style

Surprisingly good on fast flowing corners, but if the terrain gets bumpy so can the back of the car allowing the Panhard rod acting on the rear axle to start to affect the overall balance and steering

Desirability

This Aston is right up there no question, although purists still insist on a DB4 or DB5 and so they are where the really serious money is

Looks the part and with residuals nowhere near as strong as the Aston, much more accessible as well

Pro’s

Stunning classic British grand tourer that makes you feel like James Bond

Big beautiful cruiser that stirs your sole with it’s excellent V8 motor, inspiring interior and cossetting ride and comfort

Con’s

Buying an Aston Martin DB6: With aluminium body panels and the unique Superleggera construction onto a spaceframe chassis it’s all about hidden horrors. Project cars have been known to require six figure investments to bring them back up to scratch Renting: None

Buying a Jensen Interceptor: Some potentially expensive maintenance tasks given both the tight fitting big block V8 and large expanse of leather inside. You also need to be mindful of poor repairs by previous owners lacking the necessary funds to do the job properly Renting: None

Overall

5/5

4/5

Choosing the right E Type

Jaguar E-Type V12 Roadster v’s V12 Coupe v’s 4.2 Coupe

by Matt Nichols

Comparing three Jaguar E-Types from Great Escape Classic Car Hire is a bit like choosing from the menu at your favourite restaurant. You already know you’re going to have a memorable meal you just have to make your final decision on exactly what it is going to be. In our case a classy white Series 3 V12 roadster, Series 2 Coupe with a 4.2 litre Jaguar straight six engine looking absolutely stunning in red, and the rather menacing dark blue Series 3 Coupe with a later fuel injected XJS V12.

First impressions

Other than all being E-Types, which of course guarantees your full attention from the off, my eye is most drawn to the two coupes with their distinctive roofline and intriguing sideways opening rear hatch. Of the two it’s the red series 2 car that wins, being an absolute stunner in its bright red paint and red leather interior along with distinctive triple wiper blades. The midnight blue car looks far more aggressive, something that only gets confirmed when the engine is started waking everything within a mile radius courtesy of the quad tail pipe exhausts. The roadster is the least dramatic but looks ever so classy in white with its contrasting black leather interior. Get up close and peer inside and you find that all three cars have the same steering wheel, dashboard and related switchgear, not to mention wide sills and narrow door openings in which to squeeze through to get in, despite all three cars being based on the longer 2+2 platform. Early 2 seat cars must be really tricky to get in and out of.

Sat inside

Once installed, and without the engine running, the cars have a very similar ambiance; the Series 2 Coupe being completely enclosed, Series 3 Coupe slightly more open with its Webasto sunroof and Series 3 roadster literally with the sky as the limit. The most comfortable of the three is the Series 2 Coupe following some recent fettling, with all three having the same well placed arms rests on the doors and central consul between the driver and passenger seats. My only gripe is that there is nowhere to park your left leg once clutch duties have been dispensed with. I do however love the large analogue dials that relay messages about on your speed and engine rpm as well as the long line-up of switches in the centre of the car for everything from side lights to map light and washers to wipers. The two main light switches are also separately encased and bang in the middle of the dash with the wiper/washer switches immediately to the right, so that all the primary controls are easy to locate even in the dark, clever stuff.

Engine and exhaust note

Turn the key in the dark blue late series V12 coupe and it sounds as though you are on the start-line at the Goodwood Revival, such is the intensity of noise echoing all around you. The Series 2 Coupe follows this with its own slightly tamer, but still very appealing 6 cylinder growl, whilst the white roadster is as quiet as a mouse by comparison despite also packing a V12. As all three sound so different it would appear that you can ask your E-Type to play any tune you like by picking the appropriate pipes for it to play through, something that is worth keeping in mind.

Out and about

Driving the three cars is where further similarities are confirmed, such as the long narrow bonnet, peachy handling, decent brakes and absence of any body roll. The latter point catches me out every time I take the wheel of one these outstanding British classics. No body roll and yet a cosseting ride that is kind to its occupants over road imperfections, speed bumps and other related disturbances. How did they do that, as it is unbelievably good? The differences that do come into play are all based on your final choice from the menu in that restaurant. Maybe you played it safe with a traditional roast or in this case the roadster which offers a lovely relaxing ride with the wind whistling through your hair as you navigate from place to place at a gentle pace. Or were you tempted instead by a special from the board and pleased to discover that the Series 2 Coupe with its smaller 4.2 litre engine satisfies in equal measure to the V12 roadster bringing with it an increased deftness born out of the lighter lump up front. If not then did the spiced prawns get you drooling, as you donned your race overalls and charged away in the Series 3 Coupe with its more powerful XJS V12 engine and angry cry from the four exhaust pipes that exit the rear of the car? Leaving the other two cars and for that matter pretty much everything else on the road at the same time trembling in your wake whilst struggling to keep within the speed limits

Ownership prospects

Jaguar E-Types have always represented a significant investment of anyone’s time and money, particularly given their quirky construction, and arguably increasingly so these days with advancing years. Cream of the crop are series 1 roadsters commanding the highest values with Series 2 Coupes in 2+2 guise offering the best opportunity for an entry level purchase. In terms of driving experiences I’m yet to have a poor one, so if in you’re in the market I think just get the best car you can for the money so you can spend as much time as possible enjoying it, without getting too hung up on precisely which model it is. After all, they are all priceless gems really and great menu choices.

Overall

Offering the ultimate in classic car ownership experience E-Types are instantly recognisable by virtually everyone who sees one. Roadster and coupe configurations mean you can choose what style of car to go for whether, fully open, fully closed or somewhere in between. Early series 1 roadsters are the most valuable, followed by 2 seat V12’s with 2+2’s bringing up the rear. Not that it matters particularly as all E-Types are truly wonderful places to be and in which to enjoy the great outdoors. Now where did I see that advert for a Series 2 Coupe in red with a tuned 4.2 litre engine for £25,000?

Driving

The smoothest of the three with excellent road manners and the bonus of open air motoring

Proves you don’t need a V12 delivering a lighter and nimble feel on the road

Later XJS engine and performance exhaust combine to make a thrilling proposition

Engine

5.3 litre SOHC V12 with four Zenith-Stromberg carburettors

4.2 litre DOHC Straight 6 with either twin Stromberg (US) or triple SU’s (UK)

5.3 litre SOHC V12 with Lucas fuel injection

Brakes

Disc brakes front and rear work well

Handling

Smooth and refined

Light and nimble

Exhaust noise accentuates its natural race car feel

Desirability

Series 3 V12 Roadsters are up there and only behind series 1 cars in terms of value

Lowest of all E-Type values in 2+2 form although still appeals

All V12 E-Types are sought after cars although the later engine in this car may divide opinion

Pro’s

All E-Types are universally revered with V12 roadster values holding strong

Great entry into E-Type ownership with the smaller engine giving nothing away to the heavier V12’s

Fairly unique racing E-Type for the road, truly awesome

Con’s

Buying: Tricky and potentially very costly to maintain Renting: None

Overall

5/5

5/5

5/5

The Need For Speed

At the end of 2011 we took the plunge and invested in an in-house servicing and repair workshop at our headquarters in Worcestershire. Since we got the new facility fully up to speed in March we've been wishing we'd done it years ago.

By creating a fully functioning Great Escape Classic Car Hire workshop with ramp facilities we have been able to resolve simple and complicated repairs much faster. And lets face it, whatever we do and however much we spend, these old classic cars do like to breakdown occasionally. But now, when they decide to throw a wobbler, we can get them back on the road much faster. Which all means less inconvenience for our customers and overall a better customer experience.

Our new facility is managed by Tony Hunting, who has been working in classic car hire for several years. He still runs our Suffolk fleet at weekends but spends his week days in Worcestershire keeping our largest fleet on the road.

This week we've had some problems with our MGB V8 and normally trusty Jaguar E Type convertible. Thanks to our new workshop we managed to get these cars fixed and back on hire within a matter of hours, meaning that two customers had cars that otherwise we might have had to rearrange or switch to alternative cars.

For more details on our classic car hire visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/ or call 01527 893733. We plan to extend our classic car servicing and maintenance facility to external customers during 2011.

Like driving a warm duvet

Try Before You Buy – Jaguar XJS V12 Convertibleby Matt Nichols I’ve had a real on-off love affair with the XJS over the years, a car that feels as though it has been in my life for as long as I’ve been driving cars. At one time I nearly bought a 3.6 coupe, it was a very close run thing, I nearly did but I didn’t. Not long after I saw JC review a V12 on Top Gear and in the show’s usual style apologising to the camera at regular intervals whilst he seemed to pull into every petrol station just to quench its almighty thirst. Fortunately to a greater or lesser extent those days are confined to the history books because the old girl has reached classic status now and can be enjoyed for what it is, a very relaxing weekend Grand Tourer. The XJS these days no longer lives in fear of awkward comparisons being drawn to contemporaries, that back in the day lined up one after the other to try and knock it off of top spot. With personal emotions also safely buried, getting behind the wheel of the Great Escape Cotswolds based XJS V12 Convertible brings one phrase to mind, this car is the finished article. Compare it to an E-Type roadster in terms of say desirability, on a sunny day, and the XJS will lose every single time. But compare it to the same E-Type when the rain comes in or its freezing cold outside and I can guarantee either you or your passenger will willingly jump ship.As iconic as an E-Type is, the roof and heater are in kit-car territory when compared to those fitted to an XJS. I drove both on the same day on the Great Escape – Cotswold Rally and honestly the roof had to go up on the E-Type it was so cold. Whilst sat in the Great Escape Classic Car Hire Jaguar XJS you stay nice and toasty by simply setting the climate control up high which then wraps you in a blanket of warm air travelling up from the footwell. The roof is also electric when you do need to put it up and achieved with just the press of button and not an Engineering Masters Degree in fastener technology. It simply works.Now granted on the move an E-Type has it over the XJS in terms of driving dynamics but again it depends on what you are after from your time with either car. Get out of an E-Type after an hour and you feel you’ve made a new friend. Do the same with the XJS and you hardly feel a thing, as this car wasn’t designed for a short term relationship? No an XJS is expecting you to drive to Scotland or Paris and arrive looking arguably better than when you set off and certainly not running to the nearest bar desperate for a drink just to get over the journey. For that reason I don’t think my brief encounter was long enough because the time whizzed by without incident or unnecessarily dramatic situations. The roof stayed down, we remained comfortable, there was plenty of space, it was easy to drive, I even found time to talk and at no point did the stress levels rise above zero. Next time I’d like a longer go, just to be sure you understand, because for me this XJS V12 Convertible was a refined and relaxing place to be, especially in and amongst high octane alternatives such as the E-Type, Porsche 911 and TVR Tuscan. Verdict Jaguar XJS V12 Convertible Driving There would have to be a blizzard before you thought to put the roof up. A genuine 365 day per year open grand tourer. Engine Jaguar V12 is hidden away behind a velvet cloth in this car, still there if needed though. Performance Max Power: 285 bhp0–60 mph: 7.8 secondsTop speed: 142 mph Brakes Hidden behind the same velvet cloth as the engine. You never have a problem stopping but equally do not feel inclined to examine the size of the calipers. Handling Erm…velvety…! Desirability Growing appreciation of this car now, particularly in light of the fact the chassis was re-used on later XK8 and Aston DB7 models Pro’s Like lying in front of a warm fire wrapped in a thick duvet on a bitter winters evening. Con’s Renting – Too smooth for some maybe.Buying – History, as they say, is everything. Overall 3/5

Jaguar XJ6 coupe road test

Jaguar (Daimler) XJ6 Coupe road test by Matt Nichols Do you find that you or some of the people you know tune into a particular car manufacturer, whilst others simply do not get it at all, often revealing itself at times as an almost blind faith that seems to remain intact throughout troubled times caused by ill-conceived or poorly executed products. Now before reviewing the XJ6C I have to very quietly, just to be polite you understand, admit that I haven’t ever really fully got Jaguar. There you go I’ve said it. Now I loved the two V12 E-Types that I drove on the Great Escape – Cotswold Rally because at the end of day they are iconic cars and universally revered. But the Great Escape Classic Car Hire XJ6C, I wasn’t so sure about, after all this was going to be a taste of something closer to what mainstream Jaguars were all about. Well, if I’d actually said it out loud, right now I would still be chewing my way through an off white Le Mans baseball cap. This car let me get inside and disappear off as one of its biggest cynics to return as someone who had to stop a few times en-route just to give his brain the chance to re-calibrate. How so? Well there was the fact that this was the coupe model with frameless doors allowing you to lower both front and rear side windows leaving large crescent shaped openings either side. How cool is that? Then there was the punchy six cylinder and, iconic in its own right, 4.2 litre powerplant. Not one that is as silky smooth as the V12, but an engine that you can work with, being gentle low down and then getting much more aroused when stirred. This for me served as a very fitting tribute to this British prestige car manufacturer and as I was slowly beginning to appreciate being very ‘Jaguar’. These things definitely helped ‘oil the wheels’ on my personal journey in understanding this brand and then whilst looking around to find fault, as you do, I clocked the dashboard. Suddenly I was there because I like car interiors, particular classic car interiors, and I often find there is either not enough dials, or maybe incoherent switchgear. But the more I stared at the inside of this particular Daimler derivative model I realised I’d found it, the complete walnut covered, analogue dialled and rocker switch combination I craved. Perfect.Combine the superb interior view with the fact you can stick the XJ6C into drive, sit back and relax into your journey, until you need to hustle this surprisingly spritely sports coupe into action, then you will not be disappointed. This car delivers on many levels and has room for four passengers plus luggage. Jaguar I salute you. Verdict 1975 Jaguar (Daimler) XJ6 Coupe Driving As relaxing or racy as you want it to be, although its charms mean you soon find yourself chilling out on your journey Engine Jaguar’s six cylinder unit is refined at a gentle pace with some useful grunt further up the rev range to whistle you past any pesky peasants Performance 0–60 mph: 8.6 secondsTop speed: 125 mph Brakes Good match for the car’s weight and performance Handling You can hustle it, but feel far more inclined to adopt a more leisurely pace. Does move around on the profile of the front tyres when first entering a corner at any sort of speed. Desirability Relative rarity puts it above similar Jaguar saloon models Pro’s Cossetting family sized cruiser that makes you feel a cut above the rest Con’s Renting – None. Buying – Nothing other than the usual tin worm worries that accompany a British built car from the 1970’s, particularly those hidden by the vinyl roof in this case Overall 4/5 For more details on hiring the Jaguar XJ6 coupe from Great Escape Classic Car Hire call 01527 893733 or visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/

How reliable can a classic car be?

Trying to determine the reliability of classic cars is the sixty five million dollar question. For a classic car hire company like us, keeping our cars reliable and on the road ready for hire is a constant challenge, one that is not dissimilar to painting the Forth Road Bridge.

The problem with classic cars is that, like people, they get old. No matter how much exercise you get or how well you eat, illness can strike at any time. It's the same with cars. Old cars need to be used and exercised and they need to be maintained properly using quality parts and fluids. But as they get older the risk of breakdown inevitably increases.

At Great Escape Classic Car Hire we work hard to minimise the risk of breakdowns because they cost us money and they disappoint our customers. Our cars cover over 10 times the typical annual mileage of a classic car but our breakdown rate is less than 2% - significantly better than the average classic car.

We achieve this by operating a strict preventative and scheduled maintenance programme. Every car is subjected to a mechanical and safety inspection at the start of the season, fully serviced and then inspected and serviced every 3000 miles, 20 hires days or every 3 months, whichever is sooner. We check typical wear and tear parts like fuel pumps, starter motors, distributors, points and plugs.

At Great Escape Classic Car Hire we use our own workshop to carry out routine maintenance, backed by a group of specialist garages that are familiar with classics and in particular know our fleet.

This procedure keeps breakdown rates on our cars to a minimum. But when the worst happens we ensure we have proper and professional back up. So every car is covered by the highest level of AA breakdown cover. If our cars break down anywhere in the UK, the AA will attend to diagnose or repair the car - or recover the car to a location of the customer's choosing.

Despite all that, we also ask that our customers are sensible. We can never factor out the risk of breakdown but where the car goes and how it is driven can significantly affect the outcome. Customers are free to go wherever they like but we recommend that 100-150 miles per day is a good and comfortable distance to travel in a classic car. And means they will never be too far from our base to benefit from the best help we can provide.

Running our fleet of 50 classic cars has taught us the benefits of preventative maintenance. By anticipating typical faults - which are well documented for most classic cars - most classic car owners can significantly improve the enjoyment of their cars and also reduce the cost of owning them.

For more information on Great Escape Classic Car Hire visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/ or call 01527 893733.

Get revved up for love

With Valentine's Day less than 3 weeks away we're getting in the mood for love at Great Escape. Before you splutter over your morning coffee (or afternoon latte) we'll be clear - it's purely in the interests of research. We've perused the Mills & Boon back issues and put together a series of four unique and frankly unusual Valentine-themed driving experiences that will surely please the man or woman in your life. And what's more - they're great to share.

The packages include our Romantic Classic Car Day, Dinner & Drive evening, Bella Italia latin-themed love-in and our Romantic Grand Tour.

You can find out more by clicking here. Each experience is not just about driving a cool romantic classic - we've included touring routes with great scenery and wonderful dining experiences too. And with a choice of beautiful classic cars to hire from our white Morris Minor convertible to a Jensen Interceptor coupe, we feel sure we've set the scene for romance this Valentine's Day.

The new Valentine's Day packages are all available from Great Escape Classic Car Hire's largest site in Worcestershire, close to the Cotswolds. Some of the packages include delivery of the car to your hotel or home locally - or collect from our convenient central site.

Great Escape Classic Car Hire offers the widest range of classic cars to hire in the UK from 6 locations in Yorkshire, Suffolk, Worcestershire, East Midlands, Shropshire and Dorset. For more information visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/ or call 01527 893733.

Try before you buy - 1974 Jensen Interceptor by Matt Nichols

Freelance journalist Matt Nichols recently hired our Jensen Interceptor for a weekend. Here's his verdict.

Car

1974 Jensen Interceptor Mk111

Supplied By

Graham Eason

Great Escape Classic Car Hire
Tel: 01527 893733

http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/
Located

Suffolk, Dorset, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Yorkshire24 hr Hire Cost: £245.0048 hr Hire Cost

2 days, £445.00 (1 day - £245)

Additional 24 hours

£175.00

Security Deposit

£750.00 (Not pre-charged to card)
Having just spent the day with a 1974 Jensen Interceptor MK111 on a 250 mile circular route starting and ending in Worcestershire and taking in Bristol, Chepstow, Monmouth, Symonds Yat, Ross-on-Wye, Pershore, Evesham and Inkberrow, I feel strongly inclined to announce at every opportunity ‘This is your captain speaking, cabin crew please prepare the aircraft for take-off’. Because after the success of the day spent with the Alfa GTV I booked the Jensen, this time from Graham Eason at ‘Great Escape Classic Car Hire’ in order to compare driving one of the smallest 2+2 coupes from the 1970’s to one of the biggest. The Interceptor has also intrigued me from when I very first saw it appear in various films and as a lover of interior car designs I was smitten a long time back by the array of dials, vents and switches that expand its vast dashboard. Couple this to a 7.2 litre Chrysler engine and lazy 3 speed Torqueflite automatic gearbox and you get one car hero I just had to meet.
The particular Jensen Interceptor we had did not disappoint either, except of course for the slight chink in otherwise near-perfect armoury, I am of course referring to the 14mpg we averaged, or to put it another way travelling 250 miles consumed £100 worth of fuel. So I won’t be mentioning the E-word again because we all know that it’s a conversation stopper in this company. The aircraft analogy I started with works best in describing the way the car launches, reminding me of take-off in a commercial airliner, from the great swell of power as the turbines start to roar, to the slight delay as engine noise translates into actual forward momentum followed by the feeling you get sat inside as the pace increases almost exponentially that by the time terminal speed is reached the sheer size and mass of the thing means absolutely nothing will stop it, truly awesome.
In fact whilst driving along I found myself looking for situations where having just burbled through a town or village with the auto-box insisting on finding 3rd gear at just over tick-over, particularly in one case when sat behind an E-Type Jag at a set of traffic lights with the combination of very loud V12 and V8 engines meaning that passers by didn’t quite know what to do and ended up staring in disbelief with their mouths wide open. To then exit and on spotting the national speed limit signs either floor the throttle for the full kick-down experience of never ending thrust, or instead opt for the half throttle approach that keeps the box in 3rd gear to produce that lovely wobbly V8 sound as the engine purrs its way along before lifting again for the next corner or restricted speed area. Both equate to instant forgiveness of the Interceptor’s drink problem replaced instead by a new self-indulgent and potentially very expensive big-block V8 habit that is extremely intoxicating.
I also got accustomed to having to firmly press the large double width brake pedal at times because even from the off as soon as you select D on the auto-box the engine wants to, and lets face has the necessary torque to, drag the whole car forwards at walking speed without even a tickle of the throttle pedal. This initially caught me out when getting off the drive particularly with very cold and ineffective brakes requiring a very firm press indeed, making me feel like someone trying to keep control of a fresh four or six horse stage coach eager to get going shouting things like ‘woooo’ and sloooo’ whilst pulling on the reins with all their might. On the move this scenario repeats itself as you approach junctions and roundabouts especially when shedding off the last 5-10mph when it’s not only the near 2 ton mass the all round disc brakes have to cope with but also the shove from the engine fighting to maintain forwards momentum. In the end I either just snicked it into neutral, or if on a slow roll 2nd or 1st gear which all proved to be good, rein-like solutions.
Having tuned into both the acceleration and retardation aspects of this big coupe focus next shifted to understanding its handling capabilities and general road manners. I already knew it was big and heavy and as a marque came with absolutely zero motorsports history to hark back to, but the biggest surprise of all was just how well it dealt with corners whether one at a time or navigating left-right combos. Because the Jensen does it rather well, a credit to its 1950’s chassis design, meaning huge pleasure can be taken in placing it on the road with surprisingly low levels of under or over-steer despite the mass. In fact the only time things started to get a bit carried away were on stretches of road that caused the car to pitch front to back as the Panhard rod, acting on the live rear axle, oscillates the back of the car in a sideways arc as the weighty body bounces up and down. In these situations there is no choice but to lift and allow things to settle back down, although bump-steer aside the car was a pleasure to wind through the A and B roads of Worcestershire through to Wales and back again.
It was definitely a memorable day with the only small gripe being the lack of cabin ventilation meaning if it rains, which it did, then things get steamed up despite the impressive maritime styled knobs located on the wide central console indicating temperature and fan speed options. Jensen and time have both helped resolve the problem to some extent with electric windows that don’t always close properly leaving an inch or two’s worth of fresh air to circulate and help maintain vision. That said we thoroughly enjoyed our time with the Interceptor and what really did it was a combination of the cosseting comfort and ride, overall look and feel, dashboard switches and dials, massive V8 under the long square bonnet and easy going auto-box hiding the devil that lurks inside that comes out to reap havoc every time you prod it hard enough with your right foot, quite superb.
Matt Nichols

Verdict
1974 Jensen Interceptor MK111
Driving
Ticks all the boxes as long as you stick to decent sized and relatively smooth A and B roads and can live with the 10-14mpg.
Engine
Gentle until aroused when it becomes the beast from hell with a V8 soundtrack that should be bottled and sold to every petrolhead in the land
Performance
7,212cc V8 ohv four-barrel carburettor
300-330 bhp through the rear wheels
380 lb/ft torque at 3,000 rpm
3 speed Torqueflite automatic gearbox
1980 kg kerb weight
135 mph top speed
7.5 Secs 0-60 mph
Brakes
Brakes worked well, although keeping it in D wouldn’t let it drop below 5-10mph, whilst N, 1 and 2 all provided better options when crawling or coming to a stop.
Handling
Surprisingly good on fast flowing corners, but if the terrain gets bumpy so does the back of the car allowing the Panhard rod acting on the rear axle to start to affect the overall balance and steering.
Desirability
Looks the part although arguably because Jensen chose Chrysler over an in-house or British sourced motor residuals are nowhere near as strong as counterparts from the same era. We’d have one in a flash though.
Pro’s
Big beautiful 2+2 cruiser that stirs your sole with it’s excellent V8 motor, inspiring interior and cossetting ride and comfort.
Con’s
10-14 mpg and if you’re in the market some potentially expensive maintenance tasks given both the tight fitting big block V8 and large expanse of leather inside.
Overall
4/5

Rover SD1 is cover star

The Great Escape Classic Car Hire Rover SD1 Vitesse is the star of a great feature on buying one of these rare British saloons in the February 2011 issue of Classic Car Mart. The article extolls the virtues of the big Rover, which was the last 'true Brit' Rover before the company partnered up with Honda to develop its saloon car range.
The Great Escape Rover SD1 Vitesse was chosen to illustrate the piece because it is in excellent condition. When we acquired the car in March 2010 it was in very good condition but we have continuously improved it over the intervening months. The car is one of the last Rover SD1s ever built and features the limited production high performance Twin Plenum version of the venerable Rover 3500 V8 engine.
The Rover SD1 Vitesse is one of a small group of 1980s cars that are both rare and increasingly sought after. Prices have risen dramatically in the last couple of years as good examples are snapped up. The car is part of Great Escape Classic Car Hire's new 1980s classic car rental fleet, which also includes a Ford Capri, VW Golf GTI and Jaguar XJS.
"1980s classic cars are becoming increasingly sought after," explains Graham Eason of Great Escape. "In the current straightened economic times it makes sense to hire the classic car of your youth rather than buy one."
For more details on the Rover SD1 Vitesse visit www.greatescapecars.co.uk or call 01527 893733.
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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Great Escape Classic Car Hire has gone and joined the social media revolution. We've been dabbling with Facebook and Twitter for a while alongside our blog but now we've gone for it big time. Our Twitter -ati are a select band but we've got close on 1000 followers on Facebook now.
We've taken a while to embrace social media because we wanted to be sure we could do it justice. We love classic cars first and foremost so our Twitter and Facebook posts tend to be about what we're up to - not just shameless plugs for stuff we sell.
Now you can follow Great Escape Classic Car Hire on Facebook and Twitter direct from the Great Escape website. We've added links to Facebook, Twitter and our own blog on every page of our site.
We've been blogging, twitter and facebooking for ages now on whatever crosses our mind but always involving classic cars. We live and breath classic cars here at Great Escape towers and we don't think about an awful lot else. Our social media contributions vary from the irreverent to the serious, including advice and assistance on running and maintaining classic cars. Our classics are amongst the highest mileage examples of their kind and while we don't claim to be experts we're very happy to pass on our experience of owning and running classic cars on a daily basis. This is the kind of stuff we post. Oh, and you'll also find the occasional special offer and news on additions to our classic car hire fleet - we're only human after all.
Click on the links to view our Facebook, Twitter and Great Classic Cars blog pages.

And they're off

It's been a sad old weekend for us here at Great Escape Classic Car Hire. First off our trusty 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee gave up the ghost when the head gasket blew. It's towed virtually every one of our classic cars for hire this year, covering 10,000 miles in the service of delivering and collecting cars for customers all over the UK. It became more than a workhorse, more of a trusted member of the team. Sadly it's not worth repairing it so it's off for spares or repair via Ebay.
Then on Saturday we despatched our 1994 Jaguar X300 XJR and 1984 Ford Capri S to new owners. We love both these cars but decided to move them on. Both cars have been popular but we like to keep our fleet fresh - and with space at a premium we had to do some brutal cutting. So until we move to our new unit early next year we won't be replacing these cars. But expect some exciting new additions in the first quarter.
It is a shame for these cars to go as the Jaguar XJR is a real sleeper classic - brutal performancecombined with genuinely cossetting luxury. All for a bargain basement price. They can't stay this cheap for much longer. Same with the Ford Capri 2 litre S. Every Capri fan wants a 2.8 but we'll let you into a secret - in terms of bangs for your buck, the 2 litre is hard to beat. We really like the woofly urge of our Ford Capri Brooklands for hire but the 2 litre is wonderfully chuckable and light. And not much slower than the 2.8.
So congratulations to David and Martin the new owners of the XJR and Capri, we hope you enjoy your purchases. We did.

Why buy when you can hire?

Buying a classic car can be the fulfillment of a dream, the chance to at last drive and own a car that you may have lusted after for many years. For many classic car enthusiasts there is no alternative to owning a classic. But for others the reality of owning and running a classic is not quite the dream they expected. Classic cars are inherently unreliable and expensive to maintain. They also tend to cover very few miles every year; we all lead busy lives and sometimes the run of perfect summer's days to enjoy a classic don't quite materialise as often as we'd like. If you're considering buying a classic or already own one and worry about how much use it gets and the cost involved, there may be another way to live your dream. There are now an increasing number of classic car hire companiesaround the world and in the UK particularly that offer a wide range of classic and vintage sports cars for self drive rental. These companies provide high quality classic rental cars on a daily, weekly or weekend basis. There are hundreds of cars available to hire from companies that provide very good coverage across the UK. The choice of cars includes MGs, Triumphs, Jaguars, Jensens, Alfa Romeos - in fact everything from Morris Minors to Aston Martins. Some cars are available to hire from small businesse with three or four cars, other cars are available from much larger fleets. For example, companies like Great Escape Classic Car Hire have large fleets of over 50 cars available to hire from multiple locations. Hiring rather than buying a classic car means that someone else has the hassle of servicing and maintaining the car. They also have the responsibility for storing the car, insuring it and taxing it. The typical cost to maintain a classic car over 12 months is around £250/month, equivalent to at least £3,000 per year. Although hire costs vary by car - from as little as £100 - you will undoubtedly find that even if you hire a classic car for as many days as you need during the year, the price will be significantly less than the storage, maintenance and purchase cost of a classic car. The investment of £3,000 - which excludes the cost of financing the car purchase - would buy, for example, 15 days in a Jensen Interceptor or 20 days in a MGB. Many owners of such cars do not use their cars that often. Based on typical annual mileages of 1,500-2,000 miles a classic car is used around 10-15 days per year. Hiring a classic car from any one of the many classic car hire companies in the UK can be like having your own virtual garage - on demand whenever you want it. If you like lots of different cars and don't want to be stuck with one, then hiring is a great alternative to buying - you have a massive choice of cars from the 1950s to 1990s available at the click of a mouse. Hiring a classic car also enables you and your partner to explore different parts of the country - without the hassle and uncertainty of having to drive all the way there in a classic car. You can simply choose the location you want to explore, find a local classic car hire provider and collect the keys. And if something goes wrong, you are unlikely to end up with a long journey on the back of a low loader and a ruined break - the classic car hire company will usually repair the car or provide an immediate replacement so that you can continue your journey. Classic cars are an ideal hobby or add an extra dimension to a weekend away. But if you don't fancy the uncertainty and financial risk involved in buying a classic car, hiring may be a safe and low cost alternative.

What to consider when buying a classic car

Buying a classic car is, for many, the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Whether buying a prize example of their first car 30 years on or reliving childhood holidays in a fine example of dad's old saloon, classic car ownership is about enjoyment and relaxation. But the sheer enthusiasm with which many people enter into the purchase can sometimes blind them to the harsh realities of owning and running a classic car.
I have bought and sold many cars in my years running the UK's largest classic car hire company. In that time I have learnt the hard way how to buy classic cars well. I bought my first classic car in 1993, a rare Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti in black. It was my dream car, having cycled past an identical example every day while at school. I did my research, buying copies of all available Buyers' Guides and I knew exactly what to look for and what to avoid. Unfortunately, what none of these guides told me was the cardinal rule - buy with your head not your heart. I particularly wanted a black Alfasud and when I clapped eyes on the car this was the over-riding thought in my head. It blinded me to the reality of the car's obvious flaws, including suspect electrics and typically Alfa-esque rust holes. Floating on a wave of dream fulfillment I convinced myself that these were idle matters and coughed up the asking price to a probably flabbergasted owner.
When you go to buy a classic car bear in mind two simple rules. Firstly, it is not the only example of its kind in the world. Regardless of how closely its specification matches your desires, there will be another one out there. Secondly, picture the asking price as money in your hand - this will help you to appreciate the value of the purchase. Very often cars are bought and then paid for later, which gives plenty of time for circumspection! I strongly recommend that anyone buying a classic car takes along a friend who can be relied upon to be objective - they can reign you back when your enthusiasm takes ov er.
When I bought the Alfasud I managed to bring it back to a respectable standard, but it cost me to do so. That taught me another rule of car buying - objectively assess the cost of repairing the car before you buy it. Know the market value of any car you plan to buy - what is it worth in average condition and what is it worth in excellent condition? Objectively assess the value of repairing the car's faults by researching the cost of trim, bodywork, mechanical work and so on. Do not under-estimate the cost of apparently minor work - scuffs and scrapes on the paintwork can cost hundreds of pounds to put right. If a seller says something is an 'easy fix' you have to wonder why they haven't done it themselves.
When you go to view a classic car do your research first. Check the buying guides. Visit web forums and ask questions that are not immediately answered by your research - generally forum contributors are very happy to help. Talk to the experts - marque experts who repair cars on a daily basis are often very happy to offer advice because you may become a customer. Talk to people who own similar cars - a good place to start is with classic car hire companies who run classic cars over several thousand miles every year. I often get asked by would-be owners about the cars I run and I am always very happy to offer advice based on living with classic cars day in and day out. Before you view the car ring the owner first and run through a checklist of questions - this will save you a wasted journey.
Besides the actual car itself, there are two other areas to pay particular attention to when you view a car. Firstly, the owner - the old adage about buying a used car from a man like this obviously applies. If the owner is genuine, the chances are that the car is too. And of course, the reverse is true too. Secondly, have a look at the paperwork thoroughly - check that the contents back up the description of the car in the advertisement and from the owner. The paperwork should be well presented rather than a jumble of paperwork that is difficult to decipher - if the owner can't be bothered to organise this detail, what else has he skimped on?
Your test should include full inspection inside and out and underneath, ideally using a ramp (local garages are often happy to arrange this - the seller should be able to sort this out).
On the test drive you should start the car from cold - insist before arrival that the seller allows you to do this - and you should drive at least 5-10 miles at the wheel. Check for unusual noises on start up - particularly knocking - and monitor the dials throughout the test. Check that the oil pressure and water temperature perform as expected. Check the brakes - do an emergency stop. Rev the engine through the gears and test rapid gear changing. Drive the car quickly around a corner to test the suspension and steering. Test all of the switches, particularly the heating - failed heaters can be a costly and very inconvenient expense.
if you like the car you're looking at, buy yourself some thinking time. Don't be railroaded into a quick decision by the vendor. Often the seller will genuinely have a lot of interest in the car - if so, depending on how you feel you should ask for either overnight or at least a few hours to think about it. if you are serious you could offer a small deposit as a demonstration of good faith. It is better to lose £100 than several thousand through a rushed decision. I would recommend viewing the car at least twice in daylight.
This is inevitably not an exhaustive assessment of what to consider when buying a classic car but if you follow these simple rules you will stand a much better chance of buying the right car for you. Buy with your head not your heart and buy with a closed wallet. Then classic car ownership will be a hugely rewarding experience rather than a financial millstone.