ClassicCar

Snailslayer

I had an idea for an activity/ small fund raiser at car shows. I was curious to know if its ever been done (successfully or not) and what your thoughts are on it.

My thoughts were to get maybe 4-6 different makes/ models of vintage cars that were good driver material, and give like 5-7 minute rides in them for either a nominal fee/ charity donation or free.

I'd pick a designated time frame in which this would happen. Also it should be a closed to the public traffic loop to minimize potential accidents and insurance hazards. something you can maybe get up to 45mph on one stretch of road.

I thought this activity would be successful in building enthusiam in younger car show attendees (any maybe wives too) towards the old car hobby. Also, it would be neat to see the cars actually cruise around instead of being parked. The cars giving rides would only have to be driver condition as many kids dont care if its really nice, just cool.

The idea spawned from my father and fellow bass club members giving rides in their bass boats to youth once a year as a volunteer service. the kids really seem to enjoy it and it helps keep interest in the Hobby. Besides, many people never get to ride in $30k bass boats that'll do 65mph+

Ive also seen a local Destruction Derby which had School Bus races. before the show, the School buses gave free rides to kids around teh race track for a couple laps of fun. it worked so well, they were loading and unloading -going nonstop for 45min+ and hauled over 250 kids

So has any show ever done this? Would you be willing to give rides in a vehicle of yours for free?

I would be willing pay a couple bucks a ride, then or now to ride in some cool cars i would never otherwise get to do. Heck, it would help keep me enthused to work on my own projects in the shed.

Any thoughts or comments welcome.

Brad in WI

hudsonsplasher1

Hi Brad.

I can relate to you one my experiences with giving rides. Our local non Hudson car club was raising money for the club by hiring out for weddings and other events. On one occasion, one of our members passed away while driving some high school grads to a party. No one was hirt, but it did give cause to check our insurance coverage. We couldn't get the club insurance we needed to continue with these events. So, long story short. Be sure your personel insurance co. is aware of your activity, and you are covered. When you start to charge for rides, it's a whole new ball game. I like your idea on getting the kids interested in the hobby. Good luck. Just my two cents worth.

Gene.

Browniepetersen

I belonged to a car club some time ago that would go to the old folks home and give residents rides. Never charged, and it was not a fund raiser but it used to be a lot of fun. I had a early 30's rumble seat coupe and a 90+ year young lady pushed her walker out to my car, left it by the curb and stepped right up into the rumble seat (something that was beyond young beauty queens at the local parade. One of the best smiles I can remember--she had a blast!! No idea why we quit doing it?

terraplane8

Great idea. My young sons got a lap around our local recetrack at the big annual classic race meeting for a $10 charity fee each, one in a TVR sports car and one in a '66 Mustang. Sadly they missed out on the gleaming red Ferrari!! You queued up and just hopped in whatever car rolled up that was taking part over the lunch break. They really loved it especially when the loud pedal was pressed and it certainly beats looking at parked cars!!

66patrick66

Charging for rides requires, depending on the State. a chauffeur's permit, taxi or bus license, or other livery license to do legally and for insurance purposes. I wouldn't do it. All it takes is a minor accident and a sue-happy "victim" and you can say "bye-bye" to your car and lots of your $$$.

Freebies might be a different issue, but I'd have passengers sign a waiver form, just like you do at the drag strip, just the same.

ESSX28-1 · ESSX28-1 January 2010 Posts: 1,005Platinum Member

We have a primary school (5 to 12 year olds) accross the road from our home. I went there 60 years ago & our 3 kids also. When the school has it's annual fundraising fair on a weekend I give rides in my '28 Essex RS Coupe. The fair committee do all the organising & charging the kids (& mums & dads) & I provide the car, gas & my time. I have lots of fun, the kids get a real buzz from riding in an 81 year old rumble seat & the school makes money. The kids who come back for more ( & more & more) rides are our future car enthusiasts. I've had kids who have graduated from school come back to the fair especially to have rides. I'm usually the last activity to stop at fair's end!!!

Sorry about being so long winded but I geat a real buzz from doing this & because I'm not directly charging for the rides, insurance & license hassles don't happen.

ernie28

Last year our Vintage Car Club went to a local old folks home and gave rides to the residents. About a dozen cars of various makes. Some of the old girls (ladies, not cars) had had a wine or two before hand which loosened them up, and some of their comments re being whisked away by some "young" man did make you smile. It must have really brought back some past memories for them. :o

Good also that they regarded us a young!

Alistair

NZ

Uncle Josh

If you're parked tight in a street at a show, rides aren't practical, but just to invite them to sit in it, and take pics is lots of fun. They can't believe you're letting them touch it, let alone sit in it.

Where you've got more room, I've given rides sometimes, but I agree than when ya charge a fee, you're in the livery arena.

Makes a nice gift to the wedding couple to offer the car for a ride from the church to the reception.

The grandkids like it too.

Lee ODell

I heard that among the cars giving rides at last years HET National, the 1909 Hudson put on over 300 miles giving rides that week. NO CHARGE.

Giving rides is a great way to bring interest to older cars. However, by chargeing a fee, the cost of insurance to cover liability may exceed the income received from the riders.

Snailslayer

it seems that because of insurance companies, charging any fee is not worth the effort, even if all proceeds went to a qualifing charity. But free is just as sweet.

I didnt even think about letting people just sit in the car for fun, but that is a terrific idea also. Ive seen a guy bring an original Bat Mobile (Adam West era) and let people sit and take pics in it (but he charged).

Are there any car makes, models or styles and are more popular or prefered among riders? Some mentioned Rumble seats (very cool), and the Gangster Era cars. Anything else that stands out or does it even matter?

thanks for the great replies thus far

Brad

MikeWA

My dad had a stagecoach and team of draft horses about 30 years ago, wanted to go to the local fair and give little kids rides for free around the grounds, just for fun. Said he felt sorry for the ones that didn't have any money for the carny rides, they should get to have some fun too.

Well, the fair board was having none of that! He had to charge same as the carney rides; couldn't go around the grounds, but had to rent a space and go around in circles there; and had to have a $1M liability insurance. Of course, that was the end of that.

As I recall, he found an outfit that would write liability insurance by the day- and I think it was over $100 a day, even back then.

Uncle Josh

Are these complete strangers having fun at this car show just sitting in a Hornet?

ESSX28-1 · ESSX28-1 February 2010 Posts: 1,005Platinum Member

1918 Dodge Fire Engine ( & newer brother) at a recent community picnic. Usually I take the 28 E Coupe but this has room for more kids & makes much more exciting sounds!!

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