Website marketing de-bugged

This post strays a little from our usual four wheeled themes. But after a lecture from yet another cold-calling SEO company telling me how to optimise and improve the Great Escape Classic Car Hire site, I thought I'd share some simple words of wisdom for free.
I don't claim to be an expert but I have put the graft in over 5 years. Today the Great Escape site attracts 20,000 visitors every month and ranks in the top 3 on Google for every one of our key search terms. All that was achieved with some help from Mike Fieldhouse at RealityHouse and a lot of hard work.
In my experience, the effort put into marketing a small business in its first 3 years is at least 5 times more valuable than any other activity. After that it ranks equally with financial management.
Here are my 10 simple rules to website success.
1. Choose a relevant domain name - we hire classic cars, we should have put classic car hire in our domain name
2. Understand your customer - what are they looking for so what words will they put in Google?
3. Make the website journey simple - use Analytics to see which pages are most popular and focus on making them easy to find
4. Communication is king - fancy graphics and design have a role to play, but not if they get in the way of communicating clearly what you do and why someone should buy from you
5. Use social networking carefully - it can be time consuming so make sure you know what you're doing it for and what you are achieving
6. Use Google Adwords - you can't rank top for everything; target, target, target to maximise our budget
7. Do something every day - website marketing is a living thing; if you don't keep running, you'll get left behind
8. Always look around you - what is everyone else doing? What can you learn?
9. Listen - web marketing can feel like the sound of one hand clapping. Use Analytics, customer enquiries and customer feedback to learn what your web marketing is really doing and how it could be better
10. Enjoy it - if you don't enjoy web marketing, find someone who does. Otherwise it just won't happen

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.

Christmas for classic car fans

This Christmas we've got more gift ideas for classic car fans and bigger discounts for those who love them. Our gift packages start at just £95 and are available to buy online or by phone on 01527 893733. And until Christmas we're offering 10% off everything. Plus, because we supply the experience direct rather than through an online gift reseller you save even more.

Great Escape Classic Car Hire operates the largest fleet of classic cars for rental in the UK. You can start your experience from any of six convenient locations. In our Online Shop you'll find classic car gift vouchers, themed packages, getaway breaks and driving tours. Every package includes everything you need to enjoy your classic car to the full - insurance, breakdown cover and a full vehicle briefing.

To find out more about Great Escape's gift vouchers click here. Our Online Shop for classic car gifts can be found here. For more details cal 01527 893733 or visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/.

Jaguar Mk2 on John Bishop's Britain

Great Escape Classic Car Hire's 1965 British Racing Green Jaguar Mk2 saloon will feature on John Bishop's Britain, scheduled to air on 6th August 2011. The car features in a comedy sketch written by the comedian to appear in his popular Saturday night BBC1 television show.

We worked with the production team to provide the Jaguar at very short notice. We had to rework our vehicle logistics schedule in order to accommodate the request, fortunately without letting any customers down.

Great Escape Classic Car Hire regularly provides classic cars for television and film companies as well as advertising agencies. Our cars have appeared at The Brits and various films and documentaries for the BBC and Sky as well as numerous magazine and advertising shoots. We have full trailer and truck facilities for simple, reliable delivery and collection and can provide staff during the shoot to prepare and manouvre the vehicles.

The Jaguar Mk2 is for hire in the Cotswolds. It is one of three Jaguar Mk2 cars on the Great Escape Classic Car hire fleet. The company has a range of 50 classic cars for hire from 6 UK locations. For more details visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/ or call 01527 893733.

Jaguar E Type cover star

Great Escape Classic Car Hire's 1971 Jaguar E Type coupe V12 for hire in Worcestershire is the cover star of the July issue of Classic Car Mart.
The magazine, which regularly works with Great Escape, chose the dark blue car to illustrate a feature on 'Bargain E Types' to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Jaguar E Type. The later Series 3 E Type, particularly in coupe form, is relatively cheap to buy compared to its earlier cousins - despite the fact that it features one of the greatest mass-produced engines of all time, the Jaguar 5.3 litre V12.
Great Escape Classic Car Hire provided the Jaguar E Type to the magazine for photographs, which are used prominently on the cover and throughout the magazine article. The car's dark blue finish, black leather interior and sunroof make it a particularly attractive example of the later Series 3 E Type Jaguar.
"We work hard to maintain the high standards of our vehicles," explains Graham Eason of Great Escape, "so it is satisfying that Classic Car Mart felt this car was good enough to feature on its cover.
"2011 is a great time to experience a Jaguar E Type as it is the car's 50th anniversary."
For more information on hiring the Jaguar E Type V12 coupe in Worcestershire call 01527 893733 or visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/. Great Escape Classic Car Hire operates the largest fleet of classic cars for hrie in the UK, including a fleet of 4 E Types ranging from a Series 2 4.2 litre coupe to a late model Series 3 V12 convertible.
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Brits star for the Germans

Great Escape Classic Car Hire is celebrating after successfully staging one of the largest corporate events involving classic cars ever staged. The major corporate event for Toyota involved over 20 British sports and saloon cars and 100 people travelling a 140 mile route between Manchester and Derbyshire.
The event for Toyota's top German sales people took 6 months to plan and resulted in very positive feedback from the UK event management company for Great Escape's professionalism and the quality of its cars.
Great Escape provided a wide variety of classic cars for the German guests, ranging from an Aston Martin DB6 to a Morris Minor convertible. The company provided full vehicle familiarisation - assisted by interpreters - and back up in the form of three staff and two car transporters with spare vehicles. Despite the rigorous timetable and the large number of guests, just one car suffered a mechanical fault, which was quickly remedied by Great Escape with no disruption to the day.
"We have organised similar events but on a smaller scale," explained Graham Eason of Great Escape. "This event was on a much larger scale but its success depended on the same factors - careful planning, high standards of vehicle preparation and ample support on the day."
Great Escape Classic Car Hire is the UK's largest classic car hire company. The company operates a fleet of over 50 cars from sites across the UK including London, Yorkshire, Worcestershire, Suffolk and Lincolnshire.
For more details visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/ or call 01527 893733.

Bristol Fashion

Great Escape Classic Car Hire has added an elegant Bristol 411 in burgundy with a tan interior to its UK classic car hire fleet. The new car is available to hire from Islington in London.
Bristol cars are amongst the most exclusive and luxurious cars of the last 40 years and make Rolls Royce and Bentley cars appear positively mass produced. Hand built to highly exacting standards, Bristols are more British than roast beef and just as enjoyable.
The new Great Escape Bristol 411 for hire is a stylish 4 seat coupe similar in ethos to the Aston Martin DB6. It is available to hire by the day, week or weekend. Every hire day includes a full 24 hours use, 150 miles per day, breakdown cover and comprehensive insurance. It is available to hire from Great Escape's new base in Islington, London.
"Bristols are amongst the most exclusive classic cars ever made," explains Graham Eason of Great Escape. "For those in the know they are highly desirable. We're very pleased to offer one to hire from a very convenient London location."
For more details on the Bristol 411 for hire in London call 01527 893733 or visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/.
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Try Before You Buy MGB V8 Roadster

by Great Escape road tester Matt Nichols
I’ve always thought of early chrome bumper model MGB’s as an affordable alternative to the E-Type Jaguar. Back in the day they were sports cars built for the masses and these days that translates into an excellent entry into classic car ownership. The MGB is a sort of scaled down version of the Jaguar where everything has been slightly reduced from the width of the sills, which are not as wide or for that matter as tricky to clamber over, thanks to the more conventional chassis layout. Then there is the stylish dashboard, which is only a few dials and switches shy to be on a par. So OK it doesn’t quite have the sophistication and panache of an E-Type but then equally there are the much reduced running and maintenance costs when compared to its upmarket cousin.
Sit in the Cotswolds based MGB V8 and you know straight away that you are in a classic British sports car from the sweet smell of leather and a seated position that leaves you particularly close to the road and rubbing shoulders with your passenger. It is cosy no question but at the same time once inside there is plenty of space to give the driver enough elbow room to firmly hold and turn the thin rimmed steering wheel devoid of power assistance. And the passenger lots of lovely leg room to stretch out and enjoy the ride. Behind both seats is also some very useful space to stash soft bags and coats for an overnighter or weekend break if you don’t fancy your stuff sharing the boot with the full sized spare wheel and tyre.
Safely installed, roof down and the fixed seat belts suitably adjusted you find yourself peering underneath the sun visors and through the tiny windscreen giving the sensation of the car shrinking around you and feeling closer in size to the smaller Midget. Press the throttle a few times, turn the ignition key before thumbing the starter button in the centre of the dash, and the car grows back up in size once more as the silence is broken by the glorious resonance of the Rover V8 motor. An engine that generates a noise that has been turned up several notches by the single exit sports exhaust. Suddenly E-Type analogies seem far less appropriate and baby TVR ones much closer to the mark. This MGB is starting to come alive and we haven’t even turned one of its lovely looking 15” alloy wheels yet.
On the move I can confirm that Great Escape Classic Car Hire has done it again with this cracking Nightfire red MGB V8 convertible combining classic car styling and looks with the newer retrofitted Rover SD1 engine and 5 speed gearbox. The drivetrain combination enables you to purr along in a 30mph zone whilst listening to and sharing with passers-by that lovely V8 warble. Then enjoy a rewarding, best taken at half throttle, climb back up through the meaty feeling gearbox to snick it into 5th and cruise at 60mph with no more than 2,500rpm dialled in once back out on the open road. Keeping up with modern traffic is therefore no problem at all and slower road users easily despatched with overtaking manoeuvres that can be executed in 3rd, 4th or 5th gear depending on how much road you’ve got to play with.
This car genuinely travels along at a decent pace with no real effort offering great style and reasonable comfort. The distinctive engine note tracks your journey as you navigate country lanes and save for the crashing noises that indicate a broken road surface or dreaded pothole the ride is firm but not uncomfortable. There isn’t much body roll either and keep some power on through the bends and the 195 profile tyres hold on particularly well giving a nice neutral front to rear balance that marks this MGB V8 out as a very well sorted car. The non-assisted steering is also well judged and seems to feel the same whether stationary or on the move. In terms of classic car traits the only ones I experienced were the indicators not always cancelling themselves and a tendency for the engine to try and stall at junctions, something I compensated for by a couple of blips on the throttle under braking, any excuse to hear that glorious engine note once more.
Having started with pre-conceived ideas about how this car might feel out on the road the only conclusion I can draw is that it is very much its own car. The MGB V8 has a harsher ride than the E-Type Jaguar's I’ve driven and a soundtrack more akin to the TVR Tuscan. The handling is a joy and the ability to effortlessly cruise at 60-70mph quite uncanny. The heater works well with the roof down, a roof that also appears to fit nice and tightly once back up again. All the controls are easy to use and overall I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this classic British sports car and if in the market myself I think I might go all out for a V8 with Sebring body conversion fitted with slightly wider versions of the 15” alloys on this car just to fill the arches.
Verdict 1971 MGB V8 Convertible
Driving
Low revving V8 means decent pace can be easily maintained over a wide range of roads without any real effort. Ride can get a bit crashy if the road surface has broken up.
Engine
Rover V8 works well mated to the 5 speed gearbox and performs best in the mid-range
Performance
Surprisingly quick if you want it to be, but personally I think best driven as a characterful tourer
Brakes
Brakes are a match for keeping up a good pace but push on a bit harder and you may need to start the process of slowing down a bit earlier than you might say in a modern car
Handling
Very little body roll and firm ride mean this car will corner confidently at speed. Worth keeping some throttle on all the way through the bends so that everything stays nice and tight
Desirability
Prices are on the up with good ones fetching decent money these days
Pro’s
Entry level classic car that offers its own unique British sports car experience and easy access to spares
Con’s
Buying – The usual and with so much choice out there make sure you get the right one for you
Renting – None.
Overall 4/5

Triumph Twins in Yorkshire

Great Escape Classic Car Hire has expanded its popular Yorkshire fleet with the additional of two iconic British sports cars. The two Old English White Triumph convertibles - a TR6 and a Stag - are available to hire on a daily, weekly or weekend basis.
The Triumph Stag and Triumph TR6 were very popular in the 1970s and remain sought after open top classics today. Both are perfect for a day or weekend away enjoying the stunning scenery and spectacular roads of the Yorkshire Moors, Dales and coast.
The new Great Escape Triumph Stag to hire in Yorkshire is a 1974 car finished in white with a tan leather interior and 3 litre V8 engine that emits a delicious burble. It is a full four seater convertible and is fitted with an automatic gearbox. The Triumph TR6 for hire in Yorkshire is an elegant 2 seater convertible with a manual gearbox and a 2.5 litre straight six engine.
"These two Triumph sports cars are in superb condition and ideal for a tour of the British countryside," says Graham Eason of Great Escape. "The TR6 is the perfect getaway car for 2 while the Stag provides open top wind in the hair fun for friends and family too."
The new cars are available to hire backed by Great Escape Classic Car Hire's transparent pricing package, which includes full 24 hour for every day booked, unlimited mileage, comprehensive insurance and full AA breakdown cover nationwide. Prices start competitively at just £175 for the TR6 and £195 for the Stag.
Great Escape Classic Car Hire is the UK's largest provider of classic and vintage sports cars for self drive rental. The company has a fleet of 50 classic cars based at 5 sites in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Shropshire, Suffolk and Worcestershire. For more details call 01527 893733 or visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/.
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Big Cat in Lincolnshire

Great Escape Classic Car Hire has added a second Jaguar XK8 to its fleet of classic and performance cars. The new car is the only Jaguar XK8 convertible for hire in the UK and is based at Great Escape's Lincolnshire site near Grantham.
The Jaguar XK8 developed the excquisite lines of the Jaguar E Type to create a modern, extremely luxurious grand tourer. It is widely acknowledged as one of the most successful and beautiful Jaguar designs of modern times. It is a large convertible with an automatic gearbox and 2+2 seating layout.
The Great Escape Jaguar XK8 for hire in the East of England is finished in burgundy metallic with a cream leather interior. It has a power hood and is very easy to drive.
The Jaguar XK8 is available to hire by the day, weekend or week. Every hire day includes a full 24 hours use, unlimited mileage, comprehensive insurance and full UK breakdown cover.
Great Escape Classic Car Hire operates a fleet of 50 classic and performance sports cars. This includes the largest range of classic and modern classic Jaguars for hire in the UK. The company already has a Jaguar XKR for hire from its site in Worcestershire.
For more details call 01527 893733 or visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/.
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The One and Only

At Great Escape Classic Car Hire we got the shock of our lives when the wedding couple we chauffeured for on Saturday 30th April apeared on TV the following Monday.

Claire and Chris Lawrenson featured on the BBC's The One Show in a feature about weddings to accompany coverage of THAT Royal Wedding. The couple chose to be chauffeur driven in one of Great Escape Classic Car Hire's white Morris Minor convertibles, which also appeared on the programme (albeit fleetingly).

The wedding in Herefordshire went very smoothly, the couple loved the car and the combination of the Morris and Russ, our chauffeur, were a faultless combination.

Great Escape Classic Car Hire has four Morris Minor convertibles for hire from its sites in Yorkshire, Worcestershire, Suffolk and Lincolnshire. The fleet includes three white Morris Minors with burgundy interiors and roofs. All cars are available to hire on a self drive or chauffeur hire basis for weddings and weekends.

Click here to view The One Show broadcast.

For more information call 01527 893733 or visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/.

Simple, honest pricing

It's a fact - classic car hire is a rapidly growing leisure experience in the UK. After all, what can be more enjoyable and memorable than a day out in the great British countryside behind the wheel of a beautiful be-chromed classic car?

Classic car hire appeals to people who adore classics as well as people who just like them. It's the simple way to find out whether the car you like is a car you could own - or a cheap and fuss-free alternative to actually owning one or more classic cars.

The popularity of classic car hire has led to a growth in companies offering classic cars for rental across the UK. These companies generally offer a small fleet of 3-6 vehicles, although some like Great Escape Classic Car Hire are much larger. The advantage for customers is that this means much greater choice, plus the advantage of dealing with people who share the passion.

But there is also a downside. The wide choice of classic cars for hire from different, generally small companies means that the prices and package on offer vary significantly. Quite simply, what you get for what you pay is not always the same.

I have been running Great Escape Classic Car Hire for 5 years. It is now the largest classic car hire company in the UK. Here's my advice for anyone considering hiring a classic car or buying a classic car rental voucher as a gift. I've tried to make it as objective as possible and it's definitely not a sales plug for Great Escape. Because what every customer wants from their package will vary.

Classic Car Hire Checklist

1. Hire periods

Some classic car hire companies offer 24 hours hire and others offer AM to PM hire. Many 24 hr hire companies will also offer AM to PM at a discounted price if requested. Decide which works best for you. 24hr hire enables you to make a break of the trip but you need to make sure the car is securely parked overnight.

2. Insurance

Most classic car hire companies include insurance within the hire price. An excess usually also applies - some companies request this in full as an insurance deposit, others just take card details as security. As the sum can be large this is an important consideration. You should check what the insurance covers and any additional liabilities you may have. These are usually contained in the terms and conditions and can include liability for loss hire income in the event of the car being damaged. At Great Escape we used to include this clause but removed it after feedback from customers. We have separate insurance cover for this liability so the customer is not charged.

3. Vehicle condition

The cost of classic car hire varies considerably. Classic cars are by their nature old vehicles that require continuous maintenance. So experienced classic car hire companies carefully balance the price they charge against the maintenance they incur - too cheap and the car will be very popular and wear out quickly, increasing the risk of breakdown for customers. Too expensive and nobody will hire it! I recommend being wary of companies that appear too cheap - experienced classic car hire companies do not make this mistake because it does not benefit their customers. I believe customers would prefer to pay a little more to hire a car that is in good condition, properly maintained and above all reliable

4. Reliability

Don't be afraid to ask a classic car hire company to prove how reliable their cars are. At Great Escape we hire out our cars hundreds of times every year and we have spent thousands of pounds getting our cars to a reliable standard. As a result our breakdown rate is less than 2% of all hires.

5. Breakdowns

Classic cars by their very nature are less reliable than modern cars. For some customers, this risk is all part of their experience. For others it is a significant inconvenience. If the worst should happen, what will your classic car hire company do? You should ask this question when you book. Some classic car hire companies offer breakdown cover but you should check their terms and conditions to see what this covers - several companies only provide free breakdown within a certain radius of their site and they may charge you if you misuse the service. Great Escape, along with all other HCHG members, provides full nationwide AA cover - wherever and however you break down, we will sort it out free of charge

6. Mileage limit

When comparing prices between classic car hire companies it is very important to consider mileage limits. Some companies, like Great Escape Classic Car Hire, provide all inclusive prices with unlimited mileage. Other companies offer mileage limits, which can often be as low as 100 miles per day. Where a mileage limit is offered you should consider how you plan to use the car - excess mileage charges of £1/mile are not uncommon.

7. Beware short hire periods

Some classic car hire companies offer half day hires for low starting prices. Customers should take care when buying these type of packages because of the high cost of maintaining these cars. Over 35% of all our hire income goes into maintaining our cars. When you also take into account VAT and insurance it is easy to see why classic car hire can be expensive. To offer a low half day price at Great Escape we would have to find savings in how we maintain the cars. And we don't want to make that short cut

8. Time in Business

When you book your classic car hire experience you should ask how long the company has been in business. Many of the companies involved in classic car hire are small businesses and they can come and go relatively quickly. This is particularly important when buying vouchers, which are usually valid for 12 months - you don't want to find the company has gone out of business before you can redeem it. Great Escape is part of the HCHG and we put all voucher sales into a secure separate bank account.

9. Vehicle unavailability

It is a sad fact of classic car hire that sometimes cars breakdown and cannot be made available for your hire day. When you book your experience, check what happens in the event that the company cannot provide your car. At Great Escape we have the UK's largest fleet of classic cars so we are well placed to provide an identical alternative or a very similar vehicle. If we can't provide the car you booked then we will give you a free day in another car and let you rebook the original car free of charge.

Classic car hire is all about a great day out. But like anything, you get what you pay for. By following some simple checks on insurance, hire periods, breakdown cover and vehicle condition, you can guarantee a memory that will last a lifetime.

For more details on Great Escape Classic Car Hire or for advice on hiring a classic car call Graham on 01527 893733 or email graham@greatescapecars.co.uk

Grab a road rally bargain

Great Escape Classic Car Hire has organised the Break for the Border classic car rally on July 2nd. It is a unique opportunity to sample several great classic cars in one driving-packed day. We're booking up fast but if you buy before the end of April you'll benefit from our Early Bird Discount saving you up to £120.
The rally is the ideal present for a petrolhead or a great way to sample several classics on a try before you buy basis. The Break for the Border rally features 7 classic cars including Jensen Interceptor, Jaguar E Type and HMC Healey and 180 miles of glorious roads from our Worcestershire site to the Welsh Borders and back. The April discount prices are £295 for 1 driver or £575 for two. The price includes everything - fuel, insurance, lunch and a full day tour.
Great Escape Classic Car Hire has run similar rallies for corporate clients over the past 5 years. Now it is opening up the opportunity to customers too. The company's first private hire rally in March was attended by classic car journalists who praised it as "extremely well organised" and "everyone thoroughly enjoyed it."
To find out more call Graham or Jamie on 01527 893733 or email graham@greatescapecars.co.uk.
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Our first car rally - what our customers said

Great Escape Cotswold Car Rally - by Matt Nichols

Ten eagerly expectant teams assembled at Great Escape Cars northern Cotswolds base at 9:00am on Saturday 26th March to be greeted by hot tea and coffee, bacon sandwiches, croissants and perhaps most importantly of all a truly mouth watering selection of classic cars that had been assembled for this inaugural event. The main plan for the day was to navigate 120 miles in a circular loop starting and finishing at the Great Escape Cars main business unit taking in some of the most stunning scenery and picturesque towns and villages this part of the world has to offer whilst enjoying a fine selection of motor vehicles en route.The day itself was split into six pre-defined stages, each providing varied driving experiences from fast flowing routes right through to single track lanes so that each team could experience their allotted cars in different ways.

The event format, which was similar in style to the corporate days Great Escape Classic Car Hire organises (one for the employee suggestion scheme at work maybe…!) gave each of the ten teams the chance to get behind the wheel of half a dozen classic cars over six stages, each lasting on average 45mins and covering around 20 miles. As a bonus, because with 6 stages and 10 cars no one would be able to drive every car, there was an additional open session after the final stage where teams could take out any of the cars for a spin regardless of whether they’d driven them or not earlier in the day. So all things considered, and with the prospect of a tasty lunch included as well, there would be no losers on this the very first Great Escape Cotswold Car Rally.

The line up of cars also provided huge variety in driving experience, even the two Series 3 E-Type Jaguars on offer couldn’t have been more different with the first, an original white V12 roadster suiting Jaguar purists, whilst the black coupe fitted with a later fuel injected XJS V12 engine coupled to a sports exhaust finding favour with those who preferred something a bit rawer. The words rocket and ship both springing to mind. Elsewhere a Jensen Interceptor covered off the big V8 coupe end of the spectrum, whilst the svelte like Alfa Spider took a lot of people by surprise in just how good it was on the road despite its modest power claims.A rare by anyone’s standards XJ6 Coupe caught me out the most and I personally think delivered the most complete Jaguar experience combining classic and coherent styling with cosseted ride and comfort whilst pulling you along with the legendary Jaguar straight six motor. Completing the Brownshill line up was an earlier 3.8 Mk2 and a later XJS convertible. Stuttgart was also represented in the form of a mint air cooled 911 Carrera Targa in gleaming white, a car that served as the perfect reminder of what this mark was really all about before middle aged spread and obsessive horsepower battles with Italian supercar manufacturers took over. With the left field choice on the day delivered by none other than a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit giving passengers the chance to choose whether they rode up front or sat in back…‘left here James’.

Last in the line up and by no means least was a late entry only there to fill the shoes of a second 911 that was unable to participate, but one that generated a huge reaction from everyone who got the chance to drive it, enter one TVR Tuscan in pearlescent paint. A car best described as a road legal GT2 racer minus roll cage and harnesses, truly awesome.

A far more conservative Mercedes 300SL performed the role of trailer car, just in case of breakdowns, of which happily there were none.Teams each had a route map with spare copies stored in all of the cars and before setting off everyone was advised where the next meeting point would be and roughly how long it would take to get there. To maximise driving pleasure whilst minimising the number of things to remember in swapping from car to car, all driving advice was delivered on a one to one basis at the start of each stage.

Teams were then left feeling confident about how to operate all of the different alarm systems and, for convertibles, roof mechanisms whether electric or manual.The day ran like clockwork with everyone respecting the arrival times at each stage and only too willing to share their own experiences and views on the cars they’d driven thus far. A momentum also seemed to build, particularly in the afternoon, with each changeover being quicker than the last as teams were eager to start their next stint of classic car driving.

Everyone I talked to throughout the day left on a high, even the lunch at Washbourne Court in Lower Slaughter was superb with most dwelling on their favourite car, TVR, E-Type Coupe and 911 Carrera featuring strongly here, as well as the cars that had surprised them the most, with the Alfa Spider a clear winner in this category. The Great Escape Cotswold Car Rally is certainly something to look out for in the future and offers a lot of advantages from satisfying basic petrol head needs and desires with the wide selection of cars on offer that in turn may also help narrow choices on which cars to rent out for longer durations. As well as providing the opportunity to exchange views whilst enjoying the company of others, the day also came with the additional selling point to those nearest and dearest of the promise of lunch at a suitably selected hotel and restaurant.

Overall this event ticked all the boxes and so comes highly recommended.

Verdict: 2011 Great Escape Classic Car Rally

Cars

The range of cars on offer was quite superb, from the raucous V12 E-Type Coupe and totally full on TVR Tuscan right through to the Jaguar XJ6C, a car to be enjoyed best at a much more relaxed pace.

Routes

Good planning coupled with some luck on the day meant that except for a hold up going into Stow the roads selected were incredibly free of traffic and able to be enjoyed to the full. Pro’s

Fine selection of very well prepared cars from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 00’s (TVR) driven across well chosen routes with like minded enthusiasts to share your experience with.

Cons

None that I could see.

Overall 4 out of 5

Customer Quotes

“What a fantastic day it was. My son and I loved it”. Peter Geary.

“The Alfa Spider. Having driven a ‘72 GTV Coupe, I was very keen to see how the Spider compared. A real surprise package and I have to say a great all rounder”. Peter Geary.

“The lovely Jag MK 2 3.8. That lovely straight 6 engine and I remember thinking that no car would look better against the Cotswold back drop than the elegant lines of this car. Pure Morse. The temptation to do a bank job 60's style was very tempting indeed - roaring off into the mist like one of the Krays. A lovely car with an interior that would do a gentleman’s club justice. Better than I thought it would be for such an old girl”. Peter Geary.

"The TVR. Sheer raw power, a brute of a car, Oh my god, raw and unforgiving, one moments lapse of concentration and that would be it. What a drive, the slightest move of the wheel sent the car off in a different direction, the noise, the drive, everything about this car made you grin. I still haven't got all of the adrenalin out of my system bonkers fun”. Peter Geary

Break for the Border Rally

On Saturday July 2nd at Great Escape Classic Car Hire we’re off to frighten the wildlife on our first ever Great Escape Welsh Borders rally. We’ve assembled a fleet of our favourite classic cars for a 180 mile circuit of the Welsh Borders, taking in some of our favourite roads in the region. You can join us on our brand new Break for the Border rally. Places are limited and selling fast (we filled 30% in 24 hours) but if you book before the end of April you will save up to £120 on the normal price. You can book either yourself or bring a co-driver (or non-driving partner) and receive a further discount. The cars we’ve lined up for the trip are:

• HMC Healey Jaguar E Type convertible


• Ariel Atom


• MGB V8 roadster


• Jensen Interceptor


• TVR Tuscan


• Alfa Romeo Spider

But if there is a car you’d love to drive, just let us know and we’ll do our best to include it. The day will start at 9am and finish at about 5pm. Every driver will have the chance to drive each car during the day. The day includes breakfast, lunch, insurance, fuel and route maps and notes. Book by the end of April to get the special rate of £295 for 1 driver or £575 for 2 people. After April the normal price is £345 and £695. We can also arrange local overnight accommodation at special rates. To find out more email Jamie@greatescapecars.co.uk or call 01527 893733.

Buy buy Jaguar XJ6

Another sad day here at Great Escape Classic Car Hire. We're waving goodbye to our trusty 1974 Jaguar XJ6 saloon after 3 great years. Since I bought this car in March 2007 I've grown unnaturally attached to, mainly because it is so beautiful to drive and is such a good looking saloon car. But now it's for sale via E Bay, with a low starting reserve.

The Jaguar is part of the largest fleet of classic Jaguar hire cars in the UK and has been on hire through Great Escape for three years, in which time it's become popular with weddings and also worked on several fashion shoots and TV documentaries. Its Sable paintwork with green interior is certainly unusual, but it's back in fashion - and it's one of the things I like most about it, because it makes it so different.

Since the car has been with us for hire we have spent several thousand pounds improving and maintaining it, so someone is going to get something of a bargain. Plus it's had regular and careful use - its last hire was 470 miles in 24 hours.

So long and fairwell then BABs the Jag. Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved. Right, better stop there then. To find out more click here to visit the EBay listing or call Graham on 01527 893733.

Improving the reliability of our classic cars

Great Escape Classic Car Hire have set up a new workshop at our headquarters in Worcestershire to help us further improve the reliability of our classic car hire fleet.
We have invested several thousand pounds in the on-site facility, which is managed by an experienced classic car mechanic and features a state of the art ramp. Great Escape Classic Car Hire is now able to manage the maintenance, servicing and repair of its fleet of 50 cars using its own dedicated in-house resource. This speeds up the turnaround time on repairs and also means we can achieve higher standards of quality across our fleet.
Since we set up the new facility at the beginning of March we have been working on our white Morris Minor in the Cotswolds, which has needed significant chassis repairs, rebuilding our new Alfa Romeo Spider in the Cotswolds and undertaking service work across several other vehicles.
For customers the result will be a more reliable fleet with fewer breakdowns and higher standards of vehicles to enjoy.
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Beat the price rise

Great Escape Classic Car Hire has delayed the VAT increase by a further month but our prices must go up on 5th March. By announcing the date when we'll be raising prices we hope it gives our customers the chance to buy at 2010 rates.

Our prices for classic car hire are fully inclusive and therefore amongst the best value on offer. They include a full 24 hours use for every day you hire, unlimited mileage, full and genuine national AA breakdown cover and comprehensive insurance. Many of our cars have stared in film, TV, video and advertising.

Great Escape Classic Car Hire has the larges fleet of classic cars for hire in the UK. We have 50 vintage and sports cars ranging from the 1950s to 2000s available to hire from six UK locations. Each location is run independently by classic car enthusiasts working to systems and procedures set by Great Escape. So you have the best of both worlds - dealing with a small local company with personal service and the security of buying from the UK's largest classic car hire company.

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

The Jensen Interceptor is back (just ours that is)

Last autumn the Great Escape Classic Car Hire Cotswold site's Jensen Interceptor came a cropper on some armco, thanks to a wet road and powerful rear wheel drive. We got the car over to Cropredy Bridge Garage near Banbury, who specialise in Jensens. Now the car is back after major surgery.

There are plenty of Jensen Interceptors out there and the relatively low purchase prices that this sustains tends to mask the fact that this is a genuinely hand built bespoke car. Consequently, repairing the bodywork on a Jensen is a major task. The car also falls into the rare category of being a high volume handbuilt car, built by a company with constant cashflow problems. This means that build quality varies car to car and despite a programme of continuous cosmetic development by Jensen, the fundamental weaknesses of the car (which would have been expensive to rectify) remained, such as dodgy wiring (usually caused by heat soak) and poor quality ancillary components.

So when we knew that our Jensen Interceptor in the Cotswolds was going in for lengthy repair work we decided to invest in other improvements. The insurance work involved rebuilding the front suspension, respraying over half the car and rectifying various dents inflicted during the accident. In addition we had the rot fixed elsewhere on the car and fettled the engine and electrics. This work, which took several months to complete, cost in excess of £16,000.

Sure, we could have bought another Interceptor for that kind of money. But we need a reliable, high quality hire vehicle. This car has been on hire for two years, we know it inside out and we have continuously improved it. A new car would start without any track record - and no doubt would also need work in a year or two.

This experience, plus running Jensen Interceptor hire cars for 5 years and 60,000 miles, has taught us a few lessons, not just about these cars but hand built cars in general. Here goes.

1. Always use specialists - whatever the workshop manual says, these are handbuilt cars and every one is different. Specialists like Cropredy Bridge have seen most of the variations before

2. Pre-empt maintenance, don't react. We need reliable cars so we check and recheck and replace before failure. But it also saves us money by avoiding knock-on deterioration and damage

3. Buy a handbuilt car first and foremost on bodywork - it will always cost more to fix than anything else

4. Use good quality lubricants

5. Buy a carcoon - or use a dry and watertight storage unit (to protect the bodywork)

6. Agree a price for any major repair work before work starts - and regularly check up on it

7. Use it - Jensens hate lack of use

Perhaps these lessons are obvious, in which case they bear repeating. The Jensen is a very good classic car to own. But anyone buying one because they're cheap will get burned. Like the Porsche 928 (which we have also owned), the Jensen is a bargain, but only compared to an Iso or AC or Aston Martin. You can buy a Jensen for a fraction of the cost of one of those and get a car that is just as good if not better. But you need pockets just as deep as the Aston, AC and Iso owner.

For more information on hiring the Great Escape Jensen Interceptor cars based in Yorkshire and Cotswolds call 01527 893733 or visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/

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.