Los Angeles-based classic car enthusiasts can enjoy all the benefits of driving a 1987 Ferrari or a 1981 DeLorean without the hassle of owning and maintaining the vehicles, as Redondo Beach-based Garage 77 brings the carsharing model to classic cars.
For $5,500 a month, members have the ability to check out eight classic vehicles: a 1959 Corvette, 1975 Ford Bronco, 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS, 1956 Porsche 356 Speedster Tribute, 1967 Chevy Camaro, 1961 Lincoln Continental, 1981 DMC Delorean, and 1977 Jeep CJ-5. When a member wants to take a vehicle, they simply select the car they want from Garage 77's mobile app; a rental agreement is then automotically generated and sent to Garage 77 management.
Located on California's Pacific Coast Highway, Garage 77 has been having a soft opening for the past year. Many members learned about the carsharing startup via word of mouth or by simply stopping at the garage just to look at the cars out front. Membership will be capped around 30 people, as Garage 77's owners want to ensure a high car-to-member ratio.
The idea for a classic carsharing service sprang from the owners love of the vehicles and the lack of available parking and storage spaces at their homes.
“We wanted to create a space where our members can experience the exhilaration and nostalgia of driving the most popular vehicles of decades past as if it were their own garage, without the huge cost of ownership or mechanical know-how,” Garage 77 cofounder Brian Waldman said in a statement. “We’re not your typical ‘car guys’ or gear heads that have the time or knowledge to work on these classic cars, but for a date night, important business meeting, picking your kids up from school, or a weekend road trip, we realized our unique shared model made the most sense for others with similarly busy and exciting lifestyles.”
Members can check out a car for a couple of hours to go to dinner in Beverly Hills, or a week when friends are in town to drive them around in style. There's no limit on how long members can have a car or how many times a month they take one. With 24/7 access to Garage 77, members can take advantage of the arcade — compete with a collection of vintage pinball machines — guitar parlor, and televisions.
“Beyond the thrill of the cars themselves we realized there were many others like us who wanted a fun, comfortable place to get away, hang out with friends and develop a larger network whether for fun or business throughout Los Angeles,” Garage 77 cofounder Stephanie Murg said in a statement. “We set out to build a space worthy of housing these pieces of automotive history and the garage is a distinctly casual atmosphere that will transport you back several decades with pinball machines, a guitar parlor, televisions, music, and great times.”
Currently, Garage 77 only operates as a carsharing and social hub, but the owners have plans to expand into nearby markets such as Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Car rallies are also being planned for the upcoming year.
Related: DriveShare Offers Peer-to-Peer Platform for Classic, Exotic Cars
