Hiring Classic Cars for Film, TV and Photoshoots

A picture car can make or break a period scene. Get the era, the colour, and the condition right and the whole frame sings; get it wrong and even a casual viewer feels something is off. Sourcing the right classic for a shoot is part research, part planning. Here's how to do both.

Nail the period and the look

Start with the year your production is set, then work back to the models that were actually on the road then. Our classic car model guides describe each car's era, character, and presence on camera, which makes it far easier to brief a director or art department. Browse by make and model in search to see what's available near your location.

Condition depends on the role

• Hero cars: immaculate, concours-condition examples for close-ups and key scenes.
• Background cars: tidy, period-correct cars that fill a street without stealing focus.
• Character cars: patina and wear can be exactly right for a lived-in look.

Plan the shoot day with the owner

Classics on set need a little more care than a modern car. Talk the owner through the day early: how long the car will be on location, whether it needs to be driven or only positioned, and who handles it. Most owners are happy to act as the car's minder, and often know its quirks better than anyone.

• Agree call times, location, and how long the car is needed.
• Confirm whether the car is driven on camera or static.
• Discuss any styling (ribbons, props, or set dressing) before the day, as some materials mark delicate paint.
• Build in buffer time; classics prefer an unhurried schedule.

The booking itself

Send a request with the dates and a clear note on what the shoot involves; owners respond best to specifics. Many film and photo bookings are effectively chauffeured, with the owner present; see self-drive vs chauffeured if you need the car driven by your own team instead.

Find a period-accurate picture car for your production and send a detailed request.