There are few things better suited to an autumn road trip than a proper classic car. The weather gets cooler, the countryside starts turning spectacular shades of red and gold, and suddenly driving somewhere for lunch becomes an event rather than simply a means of getting there.
This is where Road Tours Experiences come into their own. Instead of worrying about lap times and apexes, you can take an iconic car onto the open road and explore some of the UK's most picturesque countryside.
And these are not cars you simply point at and admire. You get to drive them. Properly. With a steering wheel, pedals and, in some cases, a gearbox that expects you to have a vague idea of what you are doing.
So, if you are planning an autumn road tour, which classic cars deserve your attention?
Jaguar E-Type
Let's start with the obvious one.
The Jaguar E-Type is almost offensively good looking. Long bonnet, elegant bodywork and plenty of chrome, it has the sort of presence that makes a modern car look like it has just arrived to deliver a parcel.
The Hire a Jaguar E-Type experience gives you a Claret Red example with a 4.2-litre straight-six engine and four-speed manual gearbox. It is a proper old-school driving experience, with a 20 to 30 minute introduction before you head out into the Surrey countryside.
You get nine hours with the car and up to 100 miles to enjoy it, with passengers welcome too. So there is plenty of time to find some good roads, stop for lunch and generally behave as though you have accidentally wandered onto the set of a very expensive period drama.
For autumn, it is hard to beat. The E-Type has the looks, the soundtrack and the character to make even a fairly ordinary country road feel rather special.
Aston Martin DB7
If the E-Type is the glamorous old-school hero, the Aston Martin DB7 is its slightly more sophisticated cousin who has arrived wearing a decent jacket.
The Hire an Aston Martin DB7 experience features a Grampian Green example with a two-tone green and cream leather interior. Underneath sits a 3.2-litre supercharged engine, while an automatic gearbox makes it a more relaxed proposition for a full day on the road.
You get nine hours with the car, including an introductory driving lesson, plus a 100-mile allowance around the Surrey countryside. Passengers can come along too, so this works nicely as a shared autumn adventure.
It is perhaps the car for anyone who wants the classic grand touring experience without having to wrestle with a manual gearbox every time the road points vaguely uphill.
And really, an Aston Martin in the Surrey countryside is exactly where it belongs. Add some autumn leaves and a decent lunch stop and you are dangerously close to having a very good day indeed.
Austin Healey 3000
The Austin Healey 3000 takes a slightly less polished approach to the business of going for a drive, which is precisely why it is so appealing.
This 1962 example has a 3.0-litre straight-six engine, four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive and four seats. It also has a hood, which is rather useful when your autumn road trip takes place in Britain, a country famous for producing both beautiful countryside and sideways rain.
The Hire an Austin Healey 3000 experience gives you nine hours with the car and up to 100 miles to explore the Surrey countryside. There is a short driving lesson before you set off, and passengers can join you for the day.
The Healey feels like a proper road trip car. It has the noise, the manual gearbox and the sense that you are actually participating in the journey rather than simply operating a vehicle.
It is not about getting anywhere quickly. It is about enjoying the drive, which is rather the point.
Alfa Romeo Spider 2000
Then we have the Alfa Romeo Spider 2000, which brings a little Italian drama to proceedings.
The 1976 example comes with a 2.0-litre engine, five-speed manual gearbox and 2+2 seating. It also has a black interior and the sort of styling that makes it look considerably happier parked beneath autumn trees than most modern machinery.
With the Hire an Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 experience, you get nine hours and up to 100 miles around the Surrey countryside, with passengers able to join you.
The five-speed manual gives you plenty to do, while the 2+2 arrangement means you do not necessarily have to enjoy the experience alone.
There is one small matter to consider: the British weather. The Spider can be driven in rain, but severe weather may mean the car is not considered suitable or safe to take out. So, as with all good autumn plans, it is worth checking the forecast.
Still, when the sun is out and the roads are dry, an Alfa Spider winding through the countryside is a difficult thing to argue with.
Mercedes 190 SL
The Mercedes 190 SL takes a rather more elegant approach to the classic roadster.
The 1960 example has a 1.9-litre engine, four-speed manual gearbox and two seats, with a red leather interior contrasting against the white or cream exterior. It also has a removable hardtop, giving you a little more flexibility when the weather decides to behave itself.
The Hire a Mercedes 190 SL experience lasts nine hours and includes up to 100 miles around the Surrey countryside. There is even training on removing the hardtop, which is a two-person job. Finally, something useful for the passenger to do.
This is less about outright performance and more about enjoying the occasion. The car's classic styling suits Surrey's villages and market towns beautifully, while the manual gearbox keeps you involved with the drive.
In other words, it is a car for taking the long way round.
Which Classic Car Should You Choose?
This really comes down to what sort of road trip you want.
The Jaguar E-Type is the glamorous choice, with its straight-six engine, manual gearbox and unmistakable shape. The Aston Martin DB7 is the relaxed grand tourer, offering a supercharged engine and automatic transmission.
The Austin Healey 3000 is the old-school adventurer, while the Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 brings Italian style and a five-speed manual gearbox. Then there is the Mercedes 190 SL, which is arguably the most elegant option of the lot.
There is no wrong answer here. Although there is probably a wrong answer if you spend nine hours sitting in the car park because you are too busy taking photographs of it.
Why Autumn Is So Good For A Classic Car Tour
The beauty of a road tour is that the destination does not have to be the main attraction.
Routes available include countryside and scenic areas such as the Cotswolds, Malvern Hills, Norfolk, Surrey and Scotland. There are also specific classic car tours through the Cotswolds, taking in places including Broadway, Chipping Campden, Snowshill and Stow on the Wold.
Autumn makes all of this even better. The scenery changes, the roads feel different and a classic car suddenly looks as though it belongs there.
The Malvern Hills offer another particularly appealing option, with classic Jaguar tours that can include driving an end-of-series E-Type followed by a Jaguar XJS.
This is the great thing about a classic road tour. You are not simply driving somewhere. The drive itself is the point.
What To Expect From The Experience
The Surrey classic car hires are designed to give you a proper day behind the wheel. The experiences run for nine hours, from 9am to 6pm, and include a short driving lesson before you set off.
Each car comes with a 100-mile allowance, with drivers asked not to travel more than 50 miles from the hire location. Passengers can come along, and additional drivers may also be possible if they meet the relevant requirements.
There are also some fairly important requirements to remember. Drivers must be aged between 25 and 75 and have held a full UK or EU clean driving licence for more than three years.
The weather is worth keeping an eye on too. These are classic cars, after all, rather than amphibious vehicles. Severe weather may mean a car is not considered suitable or safe to take out, with the final decision made by the hire team.
The Perfect Autumn Driving Day
Ultimately, the best classic car for an autumn road tour is the one that makes you want to keep driving after you have technically arrived.
Whether that is the dramatic Jaguar E-Type, sophisticated Aston Martin DB7, characterful Austin Healey 3000, stylish Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 or elegant Mercedes 190 SL, each offers a completely different way to enjoy the open road.
And that is what makes these experiences so appealing. You are not trying to get somewhere as quickly as possible. You are taking the scenic route, enjoying the car and making an entire day out of the journey.
Autumn supplies the scenery, the roads provide the adventure and the classic car provides the excuse. Just remember to check the forecast, pick a good route and leave enough time for lunch.
Because frankly, if you are going to spend a day driving a classic car through the British countryside, you might as well do it properly.
