Reputation

We started in 1982 with two cars and now have nine. With many thousands of weddings behind us we can justly claim to be experts. Lots of bookings come from recommendations.

Inspecting the Cars

Callers are always welcome but please telephone to arrange a mutually convenient time, when the exact date and time of the wedding is known. Saturdays should be avoided, but Sundays and evenings are alright and the barn in which the cars are kept has excellent lighting. It is in the grounds of a private house, please therefore, do not just "pop in".

Number of Cars required

Because we usually take the bridesmaids and the bride's mother to the church first, most people do not need to book a second car. They make arrangements for the bride's parents and bridesmaids to go to the reception in private cars, or hire a "taxi" for one run only. If, however, someone wants two or more of our cars, we are happy to oblige.

Booking

A deposit is required on booking for each car. Payment of the balance is due one week before the wedding, but we will accept payment on the day, preferably when the car arrives at the bride's house. All people are telephoned during the week of the wedding to confirm final details and arrange payment. Cheques should be made out to "Vintage Car Hire". All bookings are confirmed with a receipt showing all the details. Bookings by telephone are accepted subject to the receipt of a deposit within seven days, after which the car may be offered to someone else.

Chauffeurs and Decorations

The chauffeurs wear grey suits and caps. We put a white ribbon on the front of the car, and a white sheet on the back seat. Regrettably there is no suitable place for flowers to be arranged. Similarly we have found it impractical to offer champagne because there is no boot or locker in which to carry it. We have no objection if champagne is brought to the car when it has finally stopped at the church.

The Service

The price is fixed when the car is booked and there are no extra costs. The normal wedding will be two runs to the church with one car (Bridesmaids with mother first and then bride and father) and one run to the reception (Bride and Husband). We expect to be at the bride's house about half an hour before the service time and to arrive at the reception about two hours after the service time. This is based on experience and although not a set rule , is what we assume will be required unless advised otherwise. Other arrangements are possible and whatever we agree to do will be at no extra cost, provided it is reasonable. For example, we often start a little sooner to take the groom to the church first, or to do say three runs to the church if there are too many bridesmaids. After the service we may go to a park for photographs which always takes longer. Any of these is normally acceptable but we may not be able to do them all for one wedding. Please let us know what you require.
Very often a car has only one wedding on a day so that the exact timing is not important to us, but on a busy summer Saturday if a car has two weddings we have to be more accurate to ensure that a morning wedding does not over-run the time expected and that for the second one we are not required sooner than a half hour before. After all these years we know how much time to allow in between.

Civil Weddings & Hotel Weddings

Although it is important to take the bridal party to the wedding venue on time, the part where the car is most photographed and most catches the imagination is when the bride with her new husband drive away to the reception and enjoy a few minutes together in the special car. Church and Register Office Weddings include this. "Hotel" weddings do not. It costs us about the same to send a car out whatever it does and so we have to charge the same. Consequently the price for the hotel wedding includes the offer of taking the couple for, say, a 15 minute ride after the actual ceremony, with both the bride and the groom on the photographs with the car or to a park if required.

Description and Identification of the Cars

1 Rolls-Royce 20/25 open tourer (Convertible) of 1932. 3.5 litres. It usually goes to church with the roof up and to the reception with it down. (Blow the hair!) Seats 5 + driver.

2 Rolls-Royce 20/25 open tourer (Convertible) of 1934. 3.5 litres. Until 2004 this was a limousine (as illustrated). In 2004 the hard roof was replaced with a soft hood and it became a convertible. Seats 6+ driver.

3 Rolls-Royce Phantom limousine vintage 1929. 7.5 litres. One of the largest cars ever made. Absolutely magnificent. Seats 6 + driver.

4 Bentley 4.25. Manufactured by Rolls-Royce in 1937 and capable of 100 miles per hour. The doors open together (like a wardrobe) to assist access. Seats 3 + driver.

5 Lanchester 21 limousine vintage 1927. 3.5 litres. The oldest car with the greatest charm. Quite quaint. Seats 5 + driver.

6 and 8 Rolls-Royce 25/30 limousines both built in 1937. 4.25 litres. Similar to 2 and 9 but slightly more rounded in style.

7 Rolls-Royce 20/25 saloon. 1935. 3.5 litres. Like its sisters above but without the extra seats. Still plenty of room inside. Seats 4 + driver

9 Rolls-Royce 20/25 limousines of 1934. 3.5 litres. Elegance and comfort with plenty of room inside. Seats 6+ driver.

All our cars have been specially painted white to be suitable for weddings, but otherwise they are genuine and original and were made in the years stated. The Rolls-Royce cars (with the exception of 1 and 7) are limousines which means that they are very large cars with pull out seats in the back (facing forward) and a glass division. They will seat 5/6 adults plus the driver and have large doors hinged at the rear which enable you to step into and out of the car in a dignified way. This also applies to the Lanchester (5). These cars were the wedding cars of the 30's, 40's and 50's for those who could afford to hire them.

The Bentley (4) and Rolls-Royce (7) have no pull out seats or division and are saloon cars seating 3 / 4 plus the driver. The Rolls-Royce open tourers (1 & 2) are convertibles with extra seats in the back for 5/6 plus the driver.

All the cars are maintained to a high standard in all respects in our own workshop and enjoy excellent health. They can cruise at 40 to 50 miles per hour to keep up with the traffic and have proved to be very reliable. The Lanchester (5) is slightly slower but no less reliable