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Peter Zawadzki is as passionate about classic cars as any enthusiast. About four years ago, he had a keen idea to allow others to share his appreciation. He decided to rent out his 1958 MGA. A couple made it part of their wedding celebration.
Fast-forward and the success of the initial transaction is the Hagerty DriveShare Program. It’s the online marketplace for owners of classic vehicles to rent their wheels to other enthusiasts. It’s worked.
Getaway weekends, weddings, anniversaries and pending buyers who seek to test a comparable vehicle to a classic they’re considering purchasing, are among the reasons owners and renters meet on the website.
“At the time, there was really no product available that allowed you to do it, especially nothing that would handle the insurance,” said Zawadzki, our guest on Episode No. 40 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. “It’s really important especially if you’re lending your car out to someone you know or someone you don’t know, and you want to make sure that car is covered.”
Relying on a business model similar to Airbnb, the Hagerty DriveShare Program provides a platform for classic car owners to market their classic vehicles and for renters to find vehicles for special occasions. Zawadzki, a former Hagerty customer, presented the idea to the classic vehicle insurance company. He’s now the program’s director.
The site is loaded with vehicles available in nearly every state and with diverse price ranges. Details of how the program works are available on the website driveshare.com.
According to the website, “DriveShare is on a mission to keep car culture alive, making damn sure that people who love cars will always have the choice to go for a drive. This is where you come in: share your car and your passion with others – help grow the next generation of car people. The road awaits.”
“The response has been great,” said Zawadzki. “We have had a lot of people buy their first classic car after renting a car on the website.”
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Article Last Updated: June 6, 2018.