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The Historic & Classic-car Hirers Guild (HCHG) is formed in the UK

Four of the UK's leading classic car hire companies have combined forces to create the Historic & Classic-car Hirers Guild (HCHG). This groundbreaking initiative is set to change the face of one of Britain's burgeoning industries by creating a nationwide network of approved hire outlets all which are dedicated to providing the highest standards of quality and service.

HCHG's four founding members are The Grand Touring Club (Bury St. Edmunds), Cornwall Classic Car Hire (Bodmin), Rambling Roadsters (Colchester – offering escorted tours across the UK) and The Open Road (Warwick). Approval of a further two members - Caledonian Classic Car Hire (Perth) and Classic Touring (Tunbridge Wells) - is currently in progress. Other companies will be added in the coming months.

Before admission to the HCHG, hire companies have to pass a rigorous inspection by the committee. Once appointed, they are bound by a stringent quality charter: part of a code of business practice that covers everything from marketing to vehicle maintenance.

The HCHG’s website, www.hchg.co.uk, features a member location map, a page for each company with links to their websites and a database of available vehicles that allows them to be sorted by year, make, model, body type, colour, number of seats, transmission or rental company.

The HCHG also has an affiliate member programme for organisations that provide services to its member companies. The inaugural affiliate membership has been awarded to the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warks, home of the largest collection of classic, vintage and veteran British cars in the world.

Between them, HCHG members already offer a unrivalled line-up of popular classics, including: an Alfa Romeo Spider; various Aston Martin DBs; a Bentley Continental Coupe; a Ferrari Dino 246GT; several E-Types and Mark II Jaguars; a host of MGs (TC to RV8 inclusive); a Morgan Plus 4; Porsche 911T; Triumph Stags, TRs and Spitfires. As a rule HCHG hire cars have to be a minimum of 25 years old, though exceptions will be made by general agreement.

Said Nick Brimblecombe, Chairman of the HCHG, "The hire of classic cars is an increasingly popular pastime and companies have sprung up all over the UK to service the demand. We decided it was time to form a regulatory body that would ensure consistently high standards across the industry and provide hirers with the peace of mind they deserve. Renting from an HCHG member will be a guarantee of quality, reliability and value for money."

For more information about the HCHG and its members, visit www.hchg.co.uk,
e-mail [email protected], or call 01989 769200.