If you are a classic car nut, you may have tried to rent a vintage Thunderbird or ’57 Corvette only to discover that the most popular option of DriveShare was only available to residents of the United States. How frustrating!
Good news! Changes in carshare laws in America now allow the company to rent out their rides to international guests. But the downside is that they still cannot collaborate with owners in Toronto, Quebec, or Montreal, so you have to make a trip to the south. Wait! Even better news is that new businesses are popping up across the country and are eager to match weekend Canadian drivers with lovingly restored rides owned by private parties.
Head Over the Border to Sign Up with DriveShare
If you are taking a trip to Philadelphia, Los Angeles, or Seattle, you can take advantage of DriveShare. Using your Canadian driver’s license, you can rent the make and model of your choosing. The classic cars are owned by private individuals and are put up for rent for a weekend, week, or an entire month. Just like an Airbnb, you get the benefit of cruising in a prime piece of automotive history without going through the headache of restoration and ownership.
Operated by Hagerty, DriveShare includes insurance for the vehicle with every rental, so as a driver you are never stuck with an exorbitant bill if something goes wrong.
BookAClassic Networks with Owners and Drivers Across Canada
So, you want to stay home in Ontario, but you still want an amazing 60s muscle car for your weekend getaway. BookAClassic works on a similar basis as DriveShare. Simply enter your location and date and scroll through the cars available for rental. You work with the owners to set up a place and time for pick up and drop off.
BookAClassic focuses on the wedding day/event type rentals, so you are more likely to find a vintage Rolls Royce, but you may also find a perfectly polished Dodge D100 ready to pose for pictures. They also provide rentals on an international basis, so if you fly to Europe, you can find yourself behind the wheel of a classic Ferrari or BMW.
The Bash Matches Up Your Occasion with the Right Ride
Are you celebrating an anniversary or promotion and want to include an epic drive with your party plans? The Bash is expanding their party planning services to include matching up drivers with classic cars and supersized limos. No matter if you are exploring New Brunswick or British Columbia, their growing network may have a match for you.
Go Exclusive and Become a Member of RClub
Perhaps you live and work in Toronto, but only have parking space for your super practical Toyota SUV. You can add another car to your virtual garage by becoming a member of RClub. This upscale car club works a bit like a diner’s club. Your membership pays for a collection of luxury collector cars, their upkeep, and access to the garage. You get the chance to drive the Mustang, NSX, BMW M, or Porsche when your name comes up on the club list. With a growing membership, they are always searching for the next ride to add to the RClub garage and work with certified mechanics to return the car to show condition.
Local Car Clubs Are an Affordable Option
If you love to visit the small shows put on by your local car clubs, that is a great way to connect with owners that may be open to renting out their ride. Car enthusiasts love nothing better than to share the excitement of a well-tuned V8. Ask! You have nothing to lose.
If I Rent a Classic Car, What Are My Responsibilities?
All of these classic car rental options do not operate like the airport rental lot. The owners are responsible for delivering to you a clean ride ready to roll for some fun. You must pay for the gas and return the car in the same condition that you received it. You are responsible for any tickets received while driving or parking the vehicle. While the DriveShare company may provide insurance for the vehicle, it will not cover your injuries if you are in an accident. It may not cover damage done to another vehicle. You should check with your auto insurance carrier before taking a classic car out for the afternoon.