Including a new chance for youngsters to learn how to drive a classic car.
Three classic cars are added to the modern Vauxhall Corsa fleet for young learner drivers
For the first time, teens can now drive classic cars with ADI instructors thanks to the UK’s largest pre-17 driving school, Young Driver. The school, which usually offers lessons in brand new Vauxhall Corsa SE Premiums, has added three British classics to its fleet so that youngsters aged from 10 to 17 will be able to sample the driving dynamics of a Vauxhall VX490, a Morris Minor or an Austin 7. Adults keen to reminisce are also welcome!
Working with the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Young Driver will be running events at the museum once or twice a month, with more venues planned. To date they have delivered over 800,000 lessons, and now will be offering 15-minute driving experiences in the three classic cars, accompanied by fully qualified instructors.
Young Driver reported that the 1963 VX490 HB is one of only 10 currently registered with the DVLA. With just 21,000 miles recorded, it is a remarkably well-preserved example of Vauxhall’s top sporting saloon of the 1960s complete with wood dash, sports gearbox and six ancillary gauges. The 1934 Austin 7 Ulster Replica is cute, lively and amazingly fun to drive with its cycle wings, fish tail exhaust, fold down windscreen and boat tail alloy body. Just like the real thing, it is deceptively brisk and guaranteed to make any driver – young or old – beam with delight. The 1959 Morris Minor convertible is a classic British icon that radiates fun, charm and 1950s period loveliness. Finished in Old English White with red trim and hood, it is easy to drive with light controls and a sweet gearbox.
Sue Waterfield, head of marketing at Young Driver, said: ' We’ve been looking for the right classic cars to join our fleet for some time. Although the majority of our lessons are given in our Vauxhall Corsas, we have been offering lessons in Bentley Flying Spurs for a few years, which is very popular and gives a taste of a different driving experience. These three ‘new’ cars will give a completely different experience again, and we are sure there will be lots of parents and grandparents looking at them nostalgically and remembering their own learning-to- drive journey and the cars of their childhood.'
Jeff Coope, Managing Director at the
British Motor Museum, said: ' We are delighted that Young Driver have chosen the British Motor Museum as the venue for its new classic experiences. The mission of the museum as an educational charity is to inform and inspire future generations, and the addition of these experiences helps to bring the history we share to life. Anyone who books with Young Driver gets discounted admission to the museum on the day of their experience and can see for themselves how the car they were driving fits into the history of British motoring.'
Car expert and enthusiast Quentin Willson, who is a patron of Young Driver, added: 'Kids driving classics isn’t just fun, it will teach young drivers special skills. Being extra delicate with steering, clutch and brakes, listening to the rise and fall of the engine and getting used to large turning circles will all help to make them more patient and mechanically sympathetic. I think it’s a great idea.'
Young Driver was established in 2009 with the aim of revolutionising the learning to drive journey, helping to reduce the high accident rate for newly qualified drivers by extending the learning period. Research shows that early driver tuition can halve the likelihood of an accident in those dangerous first six months after passing their test. Driving experiences in Young Driver’s classic car range cost £25. For more information or to book a lesson, visit
www.youngdriver.com or call them on 0333 577 9010.