In our local paper (San Jose Mercury News) there was an article that a new kind of car club is forming. Members pay $2K / year to time-share vintage and exotic cars (about 10 days of driving, depending on the car). It said the average age of the members is 54, so they are going after the "vintage" members who have the means and the time to cruise in a Triumph TR6 instead of racing a Ferrari 308 down the highway.

The link to the article is: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews...al/10804880.htm

The link to the car club is: http://www.clubsportiva.com/

 

Personally, I can't see doing something like that, but I think it's a nifty idea. If, for example, I had work or vacation each year out in SJ, it might be cool to try to arrange something like that than to rent the normal POS from the rental companies.

 

I read an article in the Providence Journal about a co. that does this in England and they want to expand to america hitting the east and west coast markets. It's a bit diffrent than this club but the same general idea however it is more expensive at $5000 but you get more seat time.
It would be enjoyable to drive diffrent cars every weekend but for me ownership is a big part of my car hobby being able to spend time polishing and doing maintenance and just tinkering with my own car would be something I would miss with these programs.

 

The New York Times had a story about this a few weeks ago. It seems that in exchange for you membership dues you get a certain amount of points. The points used to "borrow" the car depends upon which car you borrow, and when. So borrowing a Ferrari will cost you more points than a Mini, and the Ferrari will be more points in the peak season than in the off season.

It is an interesting concept, but I don't think I'd participate.

 

I was watching the Speed Channel last night. They were showing the Monterey Historic Races from Laguna Seca, and the featured marque was Ferrari.

There were a number of recent Ferrari F1 cars raced, being driven by privateers. The commentary was that this sort of car would not be supportable by most vintage race car owners, as just to start the car required two enginners and a laptop computer, not to mention the team of mechanics and equipment needed behind the scenes.

However, with enough $$$ you can drive any of these cars at vintage events like the one held at Laguna Seca. Ferrari has a program where you rent the car along with all of the support, obviously after proving you are qualified.

The price of entry?

It starts at one million dollars, and goes up rapidly from there.

 

*Collision damage waiver $10.85 per day, $12.95 in Hawaii and Puerto Rico