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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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

Meet our new road tester

We love classic cars. Through our website and everything else we do we try to express that passion - and we want to pass it on to our customers to help them get the most of their experience. So we've appointed our first official Great Escape road tester. Matt Nichols loves cars as much as us and has been writing about them for several years. Now on the Great Escape website he passes on his honest views on each of our cars. You can find a link to his review on most car pages - or click here. Matt is probably one of the best people to judge our cars. He started out as a Great Escape customer, so he has stood in our customers' shoes and is objective. We just let him loose in our cars and allow him to write what he thinks. He has owned several high performance cars and competes regularly in sprints and track events. His current daily driver is a Renault Megane Renaultsport Cup. Matt typically spends 24 hours in each of our cars - similar to the experience of most customers - and provides an opinion on driving and living with each classic. So whether you are looking to drive one of our cars for a day or considering buying one like it, Matt's articles should be useful. Great Escape Classic Car Hire operates the largest fleet of classic rental vehicles for self drive hire in the UK. We operate from locations in Worcestershire, Suffolk, Yorkshire, Shropshire and Lincolnshire. For more details visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/ or call 01527 893733.

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.