Help and Advice Needed

[LA989]

Hi everyone,

I know this is a long shot but I want to try. My husband-to-be has always wanted a Dodge Viper and although I cannot get him one I would love to surprise him on our wedding day by having a Viper as his groom car. I have searched everywhere and I'm having real difficultly finding any that are available for hire.

The wedding is in Kettering, Northamptonshire on 01/09/2017, if you have any advice or if you know of anyone who might be able help it would be greatly appreciated. I have put the full details below of the pick up postcode, destination, timings etc. :)

If anyone could help me I would be so grateful. This would be a dream for him and I really would like to make this surprise happen.

Thank you so much

L-A :)



Wedding date: 01/09/2017
Pick up address: Kettering, NN15 6FY
Groomsman pick up time: 12:40 (4 miles - direct journey via A14 to ceremony address)
Best man pick up time: 12:55 (4 miles - direct journey via A14 to ceremony address)
Groom pick up time: 13:10 (12 miles - double route: through town centre then onto A14 Junction 9, up to Junction 8 then back down the A14 and off at Junction 9 and to the destination address, to allow Groom to have extra time in vehicle)
Destination address: Kettering Park Hotel, Kettering Parkway, NN15 6XT
Ceremony time: 14:00
Opportunity for photographs before and after ceremony (if possible)

There are speed humps between the pick up address and the A14, if required there is a point where they could meet the driver to prevent the vehicle having to go over the speed humps. Three trips: 1 for the groomsman, 1 for the best man and 1 for the groom (if this isn't possible I can source a separate vehicle for the groomsman and best man) :)

[G37Sam]

That's very nice of you! Lucky husband you got however.. Is this guy your husband?
http://driveviper.com/forums/threads/9634-Small-request-for-a-UK-owner

[Fatboy 18]

Insurance is the biggest killer for these sort of events, that is why so many wedding car services are so expensive! Its the little clause that says not to be used for private Hire or Reward :(

Lets look honestly at a couple of options here. If the Groom were to get in the car and god forbid something happened, the last thing you would want is to find out the car driver was not insured on his policy. You would say, you paid the driver for his services if there were any Police involved. British Police have been clamping down on people using Supercars for School Proms nights for this very reason. It only takes one small incident for something bad to happen. I have done 2 weddings in the past but these were for friends and friends of friends. Not Hire or Reward. Its the same when we do charity track days with the cars, we sign a disclaimer that that we are not using the car for "Hire or reward" The passenger also signs a disclaimer form at the time of buying a ride.

Now saying all this, we may have people in the Club who have different wording on their insurance policies and might be able to help you out, So its not all doom and gloom yet. There may be cars available and well done to you for planing things so well in advance, but you may be on thin ground expecting someone to commit to your day so far in advance of the year!
What sort of Dodge Viper were you looking for? A Gen 1 or 2 RT/10 convertible? A Gen II GTS Coupe? Gen 3 SRT/10 Convertible? Gen IV Coupe? A Viper with Racing stickers?

Things like this can help us narrow it down to who might be near your area?

[LA989]

Hi,

Coincidence but no he's not :)

[LA989]

Hi Fatboy_18

I completely understand, I know it won't be easy finding the someone who has the right insurance policy for this. I was hoping at least if I started looking now I might be able to find someone, but I know the date may be difficult to commit to for a lot of owners.

Gen 3 SRT-10, 4 SRT-10, 5 SRT-10, Gen 2 SR, GTS or RT-10 would be preferable. No preference or issue with racing stickers.

Thank you

L-A :)

[G37Sam]

Hey if you'll pay for shipping the car I'll gladly do this :D

[LA989]

Really wish I could but shipping from Dubai really would be blowing the budget :)

[Viper Girl]

I have no clue about insurance policies in the UK. Just curious if it's possible to purchase a umbrella policy to make sure the required coverage is in place?

[G37Sam]

Really wish I could but shipping from Dubai really would be blowing the budget :)

Damn it! Driving on some UK roads was on my bucket list haha.

[LA989]

I have no clue about insurance policies in the UK. Just curious if it's possible to purchase a umbrella policy to make sure the required coverage is in place?

Hi Viper Girl,

To be honest I'm not sure, I know you can get additional one day policy covers. I have done a quick search and cannot find anything for 1 day wedding car cover.

L-A

[Fatboy 18]

Friend of mine DID use to do wedding car services in his Viper and had the correct insurance but it was a Business insurance. That car is now off the road in storage and I believe he has closed the business.

However I will ask him which broker he used.

[LA989]

Thank you, I really think I'm really going to struggle to find someone who will be able to do this

[Vprbite]

In the United states and definitely my state, I would be covered just fine if I did it out of the kindness of my heart. If I charge a rate, that's when things change. Now, my passenger can donate gas money and that would be ok too because I'm still not renting (or as you guys say over there, hiring) the car

Also, my insurance and I would assume most people's Viper insurance covers the car no matter who is driving it. I know mine does, just how I am covered if I drive someone else's car if by some chance they didn't have insurance. Loaning your Viper to someone often times ends badly though. Especially on an excited day like that. I'm not sure that's the first day to drive a viper.

Could you offer the owner/driver of the Viper(s) an invitation to the wedding as compensation? That would avoid insurance issues of "hiring" the car officially and you might make a new friend out of it.

I would gladly do it. I have spent a lot of time in the UK but me and my Viper would are in Arizona. Fatboy 18 is the real mover and shaker on that side of the Atlantic it would seem. He can probably get this to happen for you.

And for the record I think this is really nice of you to try and get this for your future husband. These days it seems like popular culture tells us that the wedding is the bride's day and not the groom's. I think it's so cool of you to try and do something special like this. I really hope it works out for you.

[LA989]

Hi Vprbite,

Thank you for your message. Just want clarify my partner wouldn't be driving, even he would say that with the nerves this wouldn't be a good idea :)

I would be more than happy to invite the owner to the wedding (wedding breakfast and reception), and also if 'handing over' money was an issue I could make a donation to a charity of their choice.

Shame your in Arizona but thank you so much for your message and advice :) I completely agree with you though, I find it so weird that so popular culture, wedding companies and businesses solely focuses on the bride

Thanks again for your help :)

L-A

[sonicbloo]

I wish I was close enough to do this. I did maybe 10 weddings in my Mustang before I sold it to get the Viper. My insurance cost me about £100 extra per year with an unlimited number of weddings. I thoroughly enjoyed every one, and mostly got lucky with the weather. I always took a bucket and cleaning equipment just in case (it is the UK after all!)

A few of my photos

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/sonicbloo/weddingapril26th2014018_zps873d97c4.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/sonicbloo/media/weddingapril26th2014018_zps873d97c4.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/sonicbloo/weddingjune13th2014081_zps205a0b7b.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/sonicbloo/media/weddingjune13th2014081_zps205a0b7b.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/sonicbloo/julies50th025_zpse62cd762.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/sonicbloo/media/julies50th025_zpse62cd762.jpg.html)

I do know of a Viper owner near Northampton, so I'll email and point him in your direction - good luck!

[sonicbloo]

Hi, I've sent you a PM, 2017 is a long way off but I've been in touch with the Viper owner near you and he's hopefully going to help out.

message me back, and I'll put you in touch directly.

As I said in my PM, if my son is still working in Oxford in 2 years time, I could bring mine down too and make a weekend of it.

[LA989]

Thank you Sonicbloo :)

[Vprbite]

I would honestly do it. But the cost of shipping the car over there might make it a bit tricky.

Plus, there are a few really nice Vipers over there already. I really hope this works out for you.

[LA989]

Yeah it would be way too expensive but thank you :)

[Fatboy 18]

Yea, who would want a Viper for a wedding!

16096

16097

16098

[LA989]

Wow :)

[Fatboy 18]

Like Vprbite Said, there are ways around the insurance :) As long as you are not asking for Hire or Reward its possible ;)

[sonicbloo]

L-A, I've sent you an email, hopefully you should get the car you want! Maybe even 2!

good luck.

[Fatboy 18]

Friend of mine used to run a wedding car business but its currently in a dormant state.
he used to use these two Vipers
http://www.vintagedreams.co.uk/misc/large/39.jpg

The Silver car is since sold, the Red race viper I am restoring with the help of UK Club members. :)

Nearly finished :)

[LA989]

Thank you so much Sonicbloo for all of your help, i'll keep my fingers crossed now :)

[LA989]

Friend of mine used to run a wedding car business but its currently in a dormant state.
he used to use these two Vipers
http://www.vintagedreams.co.uk/misc/large/39.jpg

The Silver car is since sold, the Red race viper I am restoring with the help of UK Club members. :)

Nearly finished :)

Beautiful cars :)

[Vprbite]

So, it has been brought to my attention that some of you Viper owners are a few hours away from these lovely people's wedding. I would LOVE to do this if I wasn't across the ocean. I used to spend a great deal of time in England, Scotland, and Whales and my Ex Girlfriend is from Amersham and we still are in contact and England will always have a special place in my heart.

So, since I can't do it myself, I will pledge one tank of Petrol to whomever does end up helping these nice people out. I will PayPal you the money when it is time. But that is my contribution. The Viper and this club has been such a special and positive part of my life (those of you who read my story in the magazine I am sure understand why) so I want to do what I can to share that specialness of these cars with this couple as they begin their life together.

So keep in touch with me about it, and whoever does it or whomever has to drive further to do it if there are more than one of you, can count on one tank of fuel on me.

Let's show these people what the Viper club is really made of. Amazing cars and more amazing people.

[LA989]

So, it has been brought to my attention that some of you Viper owners are a few hours away from these lovely people's wedding. I would LOVE to do this if I wasn't across the ocean. I used to spend a great deal of time in England, Scotland, and Whales and my Ex Girlfriend is from Amersham and we still are in contact and England will always have a special place in my heart.

So, since I can't do it myself, I will pledge one tank of Petrol to whomever does end up helping these nice people out. I will PayPal you the money when it is time. But that is my contribution. The Viper and this club has been such a special and positive part of my life (those of you who read my story in the magazine I am sure understand why) so I want to do what I can to share that specialness of these cars with this couple as they begin their life together.

So keep in touch with me about it, and whoever does it or whomever has to drive further to do it if there are more than one of you, can count on one tank of fuel on me.

Let's show these people what the Viper club is really made of. Amazing cars and more amazing people.

Hi Vprbite,

I just read your message and instantly teared up, that is such a kind, amazing and generous offer.

This is just amazing and all the messages and support I've received from everyone has been overwhelming.

Thank you so much :)

[Vprbite]

That makes me happy that my offer touched you so much. Really though, it's just me wanting to help a little bit even though I am so far away. This club is full of great people. I just wanted to make it a little easier for my UK Viper brethren to make your wedding day special.

Thank you for giving lots of lead time for peope to try and get this lined up for you. I think it will end up working out for you both. I'm glad to help in any way I can.

[LA989]

Everyone really has been so amazing and kind. :) thank you