Drive Classic Cars - Cambridge
Member of The Historic & Classic-car Hirers Guild.
January 2026
Just before Christmas we met up with Bobby from Bobby Talks Car for the filming of a review of our Mustang. The review went live on 12 January.
February 2026
Here is a quick update on our MGB GT. It had reached the stage where rust was bubbling up in all the usual MGB places, including front and rear wing seams and around the headlights. The car went into the bodyshop for a bit of a tidy up. This resulted in new metal being let in in various areas followed by painting.
The repairs were such that both front wings needed painting, as did both doors and both rear wings.
The point was reached where so little of the car had been untouched that it was more sensible to repaint everything and in doing so eliminate the patchwork of different shades of Teal Blue.
And so the mission creep began. Painting the entire shell made the bumpers look scruffy so new stainless steel ones have been acquired.
The opportunity has been taken to change the seats for better ones that are not damaged. This has shown up the carpet resulting in the purchase of a Newton Commercial, ultimate carpet set. Since this required removal of the seatbelts these will now be changed.
Oh dear. That makes the dashboard look like it is letting the side down. The answer is to replace the veneer with new in Burr Walnut.
When all this is finished the car is going to have been transformed.
22March 2026
The Sheene Mill Wedding Venue Open Day took place today. We had some games and golf holes outside, in the garden and cars out front. This resulted in a static display booking for our Armstrong Siddeley wedding car for one day this summer.
26 March 2026
After a short wait the MGF has arrived with us. It was up at the MG Owners Club workshop at Swavesey when we first viewed it, where it was being serviced and MOT'd. With the work done we met Gary, the seller, who was dropping off his other Trophy 160 for similar attention.
Having sorted the paperwork it was roof down for the trip back to base. Lovely.
1 April 2026
We took advantage of a dry and fine April Fools Day to give Idris his first decent run of the year. We stopped in Wroxham for a quick picture before swinging into the outskirts on Norwich to pick up a golf club for one of our garden games.
Idris had clocked up just over 175 miles by the time we arrived back at home. It was a very enjoyable way to spend the day, as well as a reassuring way to blow the winter cobwebs away before the hire season gets under way.
21 April 2026
We are very grateful to Sheene Mill in Melbourn for permitting us to photograph our MGF Trophy 160SE at the venue for our publicity pictures, as we launch the car for the 2026 hire season.
It was a beautiful day, if a little cool. Perfect for driving either with the roof up or down.
A glorious place to be for a perfect driving experience.
21 April 2026
A quick trip to base and we were back at Sheene Mill for round 2.
Our MGB GT returned to us 4 days earlier having spent time in the bodyshop, where it had received 120 hours worth of attention.
The car has had a full respray in its original colour of Teal Blue and was gleaming in the sunshine. There are new stainless steel bumpers and overriders at both ends, along with new sidelight/indicator clusters
However, perhaps the biggest transformation is on the inside. The rather tired blue seats have been replaced with these lovely deep red and black ones. Gone too is the light blue carpet, to be replaced with a fresh colour to match the seats.
The dashboard has had a facelift too and now sports burr walnut veneer panelling.
We are delighted with the transformation. The car has changed so much that a relaunch is called for as it returns to work in 2026.
Saturday 2 May 2026
We have taken the opportunity to give the GT a run this weekend to give it some exercise after spending 4 months in the bodyshop.
This picture is taken on the mountain road between Llangynog and Bala on the way to Porthmadog.
Just a bit of gentle exercise before settling into a summer of self drive hire.
Tuesday 5May 2026
We spent a glorious weekend in North Wales riding trains and climbing Cnicht.
Our, newly rejuvenated, MGB GT was the transport of choice. He clocked up 500 shakedown miles after a winter of rest in the paintshop for a full respray and interior change. The only issue being a floppy door mirror - fixed with the turn of a screwdriver. He is now ready and waiting for you to book for self drive hire this summer.
6 June 2026
This is a chauffeur drive booking rather than self drive hire but the pictures are so good that we could not resist sharing them.
Our High Country Special Mustang was the vehicle of choice to take Hannah and her father to St Mary's Potton, where she married Sam in a lovely service. Don't they look happy.
We then took the happy couple to the local pub before going on to Edworth Manor for the reception. What a stunning place this is. It even has its own church which is yards away from the reception Barn. We did not need to move the car to take the two pictures below.
Sunday 7 June 2026
Tim booked the roadster, Idris for his wife to drive. They began their day at Eversden’s “Cars on the Rec" which is a monthly classic car gathering.
"Hired an MG Roadster for the day, had such a fantastic time. Harvey was very relaxed, explained everything about the car that we needed to know and off we went! The whole process felt very easy going and Harvey genuinely just wanted us to have a great time and enjoy the car. We live in London but found driving to the location of the hire was perfect, as you have a wide range of country lanes and pretty sites to visit. We visited Cafe Amigo nearby which served fantastic food.
Would thoroughly recommend Drives of Yesteryear, especially if you're unsure or nervous about the process of hiring a classic car. We felt at ease straight away with Harvey and had a fantastic day." Tim
12-14 June 2026
David booked Idris one of our 48 hours over 3 days package, using the booking to take his son on a road trip tour of The Cotswolds
Friday 26 June 2026
For us this was Prom day with three cars out at three different Proms. Temperatures that only dropped to 34 degrees in the evening was not much fun though. The Mustang went to Bottisham.
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"Hi Harvey
We wanted to say a huge thank you for Friday. Elwood and yourself made the evening.
We have some lovely pictures - that you are welcome to use should you ever wish to promote your service.
Thank you and Elwood so much!"
Laurinda and Lylha
Meanwhile the MGF spent an hour queuing through the streets of Ely to reach its drop off point and The MGB GT had a similar experience in Linton.
July 2026
The problem with spending time and money on improving the look of your car is that, once done, the bits that were the best part of the vehicle become the worst.
Ten years ago the Moto-Lita steering wheel that came with the car (picture above on the left) looked lovely, if you gloss over that it is 13 inches wide and probably designed for a MG Midget rather than a B.
Having changed the carpets, seats and Burr Walnut dash the wheel was looking a touch unloved, so we replaced it with a new 14 inch Moto-Lita wheel (right). As is the way of things nothing is simple, as the bolt holes would not line up with the steering wheel boss, meaning that a new one was required. This in turn meant that the original MG wheel centre/horn push no longer fitted and had to be replaced.. We also changed the ashtray. This is what £500 worth of bling looks like.
11-12 July 2026
Filip took the MGF to the coast for some leisure motoring.
Classics on the Common
Wednesday 22 July 2026
We were delighted to have had a stand at Classics on the Common in Harpenden, Hertfordshire to promote the business. It is one of Britain’s biggest mid-week classic car shows and is ranked as one of the top events of the classics calendar. Up to 1,000 cars, other 4-wheel vehicles, motorcycles and scooters, filled Harpenden Common. We took along the Mustang and MGF to be displayed on the stand.
Rob booked the MGB GT to bring along to the show. He had a great day.
"Hi Harvey
Thanks for the hire of the MGB yesterday. Had a great day and really nice drive back following the car show.
Great chance to attend the show. Never been to classics on the common before and been meaning to go for years. " Rob
23 July 2026
After a busy day at Harpenden Common the sensible choice would be to have a day off. Instead I used the MGF to take my son on a day trip to Norfolk. Between the two outings the car clocked up 260 miles of glorious motoring in 36 hours without any complaint, and still had a quarter of a tank of juice left over on arriving home. I am so glad I made the decision to buy it this spring. Having so much fun that I forgot to take a picture of it though so here is another from Harpenden Common.
26 July 2026
Naomi booked the roadster as part of a surprise birthday present for her husband.
"Dear Harvey
I just wanted to email to say a HUGE thank you for all your help making yesterday so special for James - we had a brilliant day! The car was a dream to drive and behaved perfectly, receiving lots of admiring comments as we drove past. We had a great tour of the Whisky Distillery and James enjoyed the tasting - which meant I got to drive home!
Thanks again and best wishes from Naomi (and James)"
27 July 2026
Lewis booked the Mustang for a self drive hire experience using the vehicle as his wedding car at South Farm.
30 July 2026
Cheryl spent the day with her great grandson driving to The Wash for a lovely trip out making memories for a pair of car enthusiasts.