Moving to Devon

Self Drive Classics Ltd is moving its car hire operation from its original base at Hamstall Ridware near Lichfield to Ivybridge in south Devon. Self Drive classics was established in 2004 and has been successfully hiring classic cars to customers from all over the UK for the past 11 years. The move to Devon is largely for personal reasons but it does give us the opportunity to refresh the business and a great excuse to go out and buy some more cars. 

The theme has been expanded to now include more modern sports car and a few 'fun' cars to make the holiday even more special. We have added a Porsche Boxster and an Alfa Romeo GTV spider for those who want style and performance and a little more comfort than you get in a 60's MG. For the surfer dudes and fun lovers we have a great Jeep Wrangler with a fully removable roof and sides so you can make the most of the Devon sunshine with the security of a full roll cage (also useful for attaching the surfboards). 

The classic fleet is getting refreshed too we expect to add a few more popular classics so watch this space.

As well as classic and sports car hire we have set up www.devonclassicweddingcars.co.uk offering a 1965 Zodiac, a 1968 Mercedes 250se and a Morris Minor convertible as chauffeur driven wedding cars in the south Devon area. Perfect for those who want to do things a little different to the usual wedding. 

The wedding cars and web site are all up and running and we expect to have the hire business established by next spring. 

We want to thank all of those wonderful people who have supported us over the years, spares suppliers, mechanics, specialists and, of course, the hundreds of happy customers who have experienced our classic cars over the past 11 years. So if any of you find your self in Devon then please pop in and say hello!

Classic Car MOT exemption

Last year the government - as instructed by the European Union - made cars build prior to 1960 exempt from the annual MOT. This was met with considerable opposition from the classic car community who could see where this action would ultimately lead. Now it seems the same European law makers are insisting that we extend the MOT exemption to vehicles over 30 years old. This means thousands of old cars would no longer be required by law to be subjected to an annual road worthiness test checking lights, brakes indicators and tyres. For the classic car hire hire industry this is a non starter. At the very minimum we would continue to have hire cars MOT'd annually as well as the usual maintenance older cars require. If you are hiring a classic car you should insist on checking that the car carries a current MOT as well as being satisfied that the car is being regularly maintained. There can be no guarantee of safety especially with older cars when mechanical components may fail despite the strictest maintenance regime. However, to remove one of the most basic safety checks seems insane and, frankly, dangerous. It is my belief that the ultimate goal is to see older cars removed from our roads and this will be facilitated by older cars causing more accidents and being labelled as dangerous and lacking in modern safety features. lets face it, the very powerful motoring lobby would rather we all bought brand new Euroboxes than kept out old classics on the road. I sincerely hope this is one of those daft European directives we will have the guts to ignore but I expect we will end up with this potentially fatal (in many ways) legislation on the books.

Steve's Zodiac

Well the 1965 Zodiac Mk3 is almost there. As usual it is the last little bits that are a problem such as door seals, wing mirror and bonnet rubbers. None of these items are available in the UK although I am told you can still obtain older Ford parts in Australia and New Zealand. Having owned a Mk2 Zodiac and now a Mk3 it does seem a shame that old ford are not catered for, certainly when compared to old Triumphs, MG's or Jaguars. Hopefully the Zodiac will soon be on www.selfdriveclassics.co.uk in the classic wedding car section. 

Classic Wedding Cars

You may have noticed a little frustration with the car hire business in my posts from earlier this year. This is a result of 10 years experience so it should be no surprise that I will not be offering much in the way of self drive hire next year. Instead I will be focusing on classic wedding cars and classic car restoration projects. I am in the process of restoring a very nice 1965 Ford Zodiac MK3 (left). This is finsihed in white with lashings of gleaming chrome this will make a superb wedding carage. I also have a 1968 Mercedes 250SE (the one with the stacked headlight) also finished in white very mush the top of the range 'diplomat' transport. details of these car are on www.selfdriveclassics.co.uk as well as some additional 3rd party wedding cars and an few sporty numbers for the groom - its his special day too!

The Retro Gift Shop

If you are looking for a special gift for the man who already has most things then take a look at our new website www.theretrogiftshop.co.uk this is a collection of retro ideas from a more analogue time that will bring back memories as well as being fun and sometimes even useful. This is a new venture so we are looking for retro gift ideas so take a look at www.theretrogiftshop.co.uk and let us know what stimulates your analogue memories.

The Excitement Of The Classic Car Hire Experience

At Self Drive Classics we pride ourselves on making classic car hire as simple as possible so that you can enjoy your classic car experience as much as possible. We are proud to say that we are as passionate about our classic cars as our customers and offer a personal and personable service. As we are so enthusiastic about our hire fleet of classic cars, we not only keep our vehicles in excellent condition, but also offer an exciting range of classic car gifts and accessories so that our customers can get maximum enjoyment from our services.

From our base on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border, just a few miles north of Birmingham, Self Drive Classics are at the perfect location for any number of days out or weekends away. Nearby are numerous easily accessible attractions, such as Cannock Chase, the Peak District, Chatsworth House, Bakewell and Matlock. Our Lichfield base is in easy reach of Shakespeare country and Shropshire towns such as Telford and Ironbridge that we once at the heart of the industrial revolution. By hiring a classic car, you can explore the historic Midlands in style, and experience the freedom and excitement of the motoring of the past.

For those wanting to attract attention to one of our beautiful fleet of vintage cars, Self Drive Classics is within easy reach of motorways, and by taking the M42, you can be in Oxfordshire and the picturesque Cotswolds in under an hours drive. Drive in freedom as other motorists admire your striking vehicle. By hiring a ‘frogeye’ Sprite, or Triumph Vitesse, you are sure to catch many an eye.

As well as escaping to the countryside, our collection of classic cars are ideal for weddings and other special events. We offer a fleet of more unusual, attention-grabbing chauffer driven classic wedding cars so that brides and grooms can arrive at their wedding in a memorable way. However, to arrive in the ultimate style, the bride or groom can even drive themselves with our self drive classic wedding cars.

Whatever the occasion for classic car hire from Self Drive Classics, you can be sure to feel a real mechanical connection with the vehicle and get away from the technological distractions of modern motoring.

If you would like to find out more about classic car hire, feel free to visit www.selfdriveclassics.co.uk.

Why Classic Car Hire Is So Popular For Fans Of The Austin Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite

When the Austin Healey ‘frogeye’ Sprite was introduced in 1958, a brand new trend was started when sports car driving became available to the masses. This 2-seater sports car was designed by Donald Healey, with the purpose of being an affordable model “a chap could keep in his bike shed”. Its reasonable price combined the huge grin created by its ‘frogeye’ headlights and grille made sure it was an immediate hit in the motoring world.

Over 50 years later and 42 years since production of the ‘frogeye’ Sprite ceased, this small, quirky British classic continues to capture the hearts of many. Though the Austin Healey Sprite as well as the MG Midget range continued to develop, whilst keeping the original idea alive, it is the ‘frogeye’ Sprite that remains the most loved due to its ‘fun’ appeal and appearance. Due to the continued enthusiasm all over the world, more and more drivers consider classic car hire to fulfil their dream of experiencing the legendary little car.

For those fans not lucky enough to be members of the ‘frogeye’ owners club, classic car hire is an exciting opportunity. By hiring a car, fans are able to enjoy everything that they love about the ‘frogeye’ Sprite, for a reasonable and affordable price, just like it was originally meant to be. For motorists, there is nothing better than journeying through the quiet British roads for a day, or even a weekend in the legendary Sprite, greeting other cars with a friendly smile.

Hiring a ‘frogeye’ Sprite, or another popular British classic car allows people to truly enjoy driving, and experience the freedom of motorists of the past. Alongside the popularity of ‘frogeye’ hire, more and more people are also looking to enjoy another British favourite, the MorrisMinor. One of the longest running British production cars, built from 1948 to 1971, the ‘Magic Moggie’ as it is known as by diehard fans, can also be enjoyed for a reasonable price for those craving a true British motoring experience.

If you would like to learn more about hiring a classic car, feel free to visit www.selfdriveclassics.co.uk 

  

Now Is The Time To Relive Those Motoring Memories

It may seem strange to say but the best time to get out there and hire a classic is Spring or Autumn and for me Autumn is just about perfect. Many times I have had customers return from a summer hire lobster red from a days open top motoring in the summer heat! There is nothing quite like the cooler autumn air, the classics love it and they let you know just in the way they run so much more sweetly. The roads a quiet compared to summer and the Derbyshire and Staffordshire countryside is just stunning. We always seem to have good weather in September and October - often better than July and August! So now is the time to really enjoy that classic car day out. There are plenty of places to visit and most are not quite as busy as the school holiday months. So if you are thinking 'perhaps I have left it too late' then think again as now is the best time the hire a classic car. Give us a call on 07918715039 or 01889504040 and see what we have to offer.