Vintage Wedding Cars commenced operation in Manchester in 1987 following the purchase of 6 Vintage Rolls Royce Tourers with a larger funeral business in Preston. All the cars, which were finished in ivory with burgundy leather interiors, proved very popular.
When Ken Unsworth joined the company from Rolls Royce in 1996, a newly converted Daimler Landau was developed to match and complement the existing superb fleet of bridal cars. As the company moved toward the millennium, the market appeared to be changing drastically and the once popular Vintage cars started to appeal to a smaller more discerning market. Ken and his team over the next 2 years scoured the kit car builders for a suitable replica Vintage car with modern mechanics to replace his ageing fleet. The next 3 years were spent developing the Ford Model A Landau to its present specification, which has proved so popular in recent years.
Following the move to the high street showroom in 1999 the business escalated. The fleet size increased to such a level that at the start of 2004, Ken was able to offer almost 40 cars for hire in matched 2-car packages.
During the 1990's and early into the new millennium, Vintage were called on to undertake many wedding for Coronation Street, including Ashley and Maxine, Mike Baldwin and Linda and the "non-wedding" of Shelley and Charlie. There were very many others and of course, quite a few funerals as well! |
|
In 2005 Ken bought the company from United Co-Op in a management buy-out and retained the Salford Showroom where business has continued to escalate. Late 2005 saw the opening of the Preston branch on Aqueduct Street. In 2006, Flying Lady Wedding Cars was added to the company so that Vintage Wedding Cars now operate throughout the Northwest of England from Staffordshire in the south to Cumbria in the north and from Liverpool to Halifax west to east.
With 7 new cars added to the fleet for 2007 and the promise of more for 2008 - Vintage continues to expand!
In October 2007 Vintage opened its new Showpiece Showroom in Lytham St Annes to replace the dated Aqueduct Street Garage. The official opening was performed by Elvis (Pete Sands the Variety Club of Great Britain's official celebrity Elvis) on Sunday 21st October 2007 and a great day was had by all on a beautiful sunny Autumn day. The centrally heated Showroom is situated just half a mile from St Anne's Square, holds 6 stunning Wedding Cars with room for 4 larger Limousines on display outside. Ken hopes to service the whole of Lancashire and Cumbria from this brand new branch and it will be managed by his son Alex.
The final part of the expansion was completed in mid- November when the new 18 car Showroom was opened at Labtec Street, Swinton. Using the same format which has proved so popular and successful at Lytham, it is hoped that with the acquisition of the Swinton branch, Vintage can continue to move forward for the next 10 years. |
