Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Vintage Wedding Car Hire in Chipping Sodbury
Ken's Kars is a family-run vintage wedding car company serving Bristol, Bath, and surrounding areas. Established in 1983 by Ken Harmer, our business has grown from a passion for restoring and operating historic vehicles. Today, we operate six meticulously maintained 1920s and 1930s vintage cars, including both traditional English Austins and American 'gangster' style models. Our team, led by Wayne Smith (Ken's grandson), brings decades of hands-on experience in preserving these automotive treasures while providing reliable transportation for special occasions.We pride ourselves on offering personalized service that complements wedding themes and ensures memorable arrivals. With a service radius of 25 miles from Chipping Sodbury, we cater to diverse venues across the region. Our commitment to quality and authenticity has made us the longest-established vintage wedding car provider in the area.
Services
Vintage Wedding Cars
Austin 18hp Hire
Studebaker Hire
Oldsmobile Hire
Film Production Vehicles
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- Family-run business with 40+ years' experience in vintage car preservation
- Operate six authentic 1920s-1930s wedding vehicles with varied colour options
- Cover 25-mile radius including Bristol, Bath and surrounding countryside
- Offer both traditional English and American 'gangster' style wedding cars
- Provide seating for up to six passengers in select vehicles
Services
Vintage Wedding Cars
Our vintage wedding cars offer authentic transportation for special occasions. Available in ivory, burgundy, blue, silver, and beige combinations, these 1920s-1930s vehicles include both English Austin models and American Studebakers. Each car accommodates 4-6 passengers with professional chauffeur service, ensuring timely arrivals at wedding venues across Bristol and Bath.
Austin 18hp Hire
The Austin 18hp series provides traditional British elegance for wedding transportation. These 1930s models feature spacious interiors and classic coachwork in ivory, royal blue, or burgundy combinations. Available with seating for up to six passengers, these vehicles combine historical authenticity with modern reliability for your special day.
Studebaker Hire
Our Studebaker models deliver authentic 1920s American 'gangster' style for wedding events. Available in burgundy/black or silver/red combinations with original velour interiors, these eye-catching vehicles offer distinctive photo opportunities. These four-passenger cars feature period-accurate details including white wall tyres and hickory spoked wheels.
Oldsmobile Hire
The 1932 Oldsmobile Patrician offers striking two-tone beige and burgundy styling with dual side mounts. Imported from Pennsylvania in 1987, this American classic provides distinctive wedding transportation with its rear-mounted trunk and period-accurate detailing for memorable arrivals.
Film Production Vehicles
We supply authentic vintage vehicles for film and photography productions. Our fleet has featured in projects with celebrities including Anthony Hopkins and Sir Richard Attenborough. Available with period-accurate vehicles from the 1920s-1940s, we support both American and English classic car requirements for authentic on-set transportation.
People
Ken Harmer
Founder
Ken Harmer established Ken's Kars in 1983 following decades of vintage car restoration. With experience from running Chipping Sodbury's 24hr taxi service in the 1950s, he built the business from two Austin 18s to a fleet of nine vintage vehicles before retiring.
Wayne Smith
Director
Wayne Smith, Ken Harmer's grandson, has operated Ken's Kars since 2005. With hands-on experience gained from childhood, he maintains the fleet of six vintage cars and manages day-to-day operations while preserving the company's heritage.
Sarah
Operations Manager
Sarah assists with daily operations at Ken's Kars, supporting vehicle maintenance and customer service. Working alongside Wayne Smith, she ensures smooth coordination of wedding transportation logistics across the service area.
Questions
What vintage cars do you offer for wedding hire?
We offer six authentic 1920s-1930s vehicles including Austin 18hps, Studebakers, and an Oldsmobile with seating for 4-6 passengers.
Do you provide wedding cars outside Bristol and Bath?
Yes, we cover a 25-mile radius from Chipping Sodbury including surrounding towns and countryside locations.
Can I view the cars before booking?
Yes, visit our website to view detailed photos and descriptions of each vehicle in our fleet.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 6-12 months ahead for popular wedding dates, though we accommodate last-minute requests when possible.
Are your drivers experienced with wedding schedules?
Our drivers are professional chauffeurs familiar with local venues and wedding day timelines.
Can your cars be used for film/photo shoots?
Yes, we regularly supply vintage vehicles for film and photography productions across the region.
Reviews (3)
Hayley King
Oct 23, 2020
Report
We got married two years ago (September 2018) and have finally got round to doing our Google review. Many apologies Wayne, but better late than never! We would like to say a huge thank you for being part of our wedding day and making it so special. We could not have wished for a better wedding car and professional driver for our wedding transport. Your professionalism, attention to detail and making our vision a reality was flawless. There are not enough superlatives to describe our joy and appreciation for the service you provided on our wedding day and would highly recommend yourself to future
Christy Axe
Jun 10, 2020
Report
(19/12/20) We cannot thank you enough for the lovely car we hired on our wedding day. The car was amazing, and fit our colour scheme so well. We really enjoyed the experience of having Wayne drive us for a few wedding photos outside the Royal Crescent in Bath. Wayne dressed so smartly, and our journey was Covid secure. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend you! These cars are clearly looked after and are absolutely beautiful! Photo Credit: Photography by Liza Widdowson
Redmaple
May 17, 2017
Report
Wayne Smith and his drivers are nothing short of professional. The cars were beautiful and even the drivers were dressed smart. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who wants a true vintage experience for their event. Thank you
