CAREER changes can be daunting at the best of times but imagine packing in a well paid job as managing director of a London car leasing company to set up a business providing people with the ultimate holiday experience, far off the beaten track. That’s exactly what Steve McCullagh did when he swapped the refinement of his company Porsche for the rough and tumble of a Morris Oxford, and he hasn’t looked back.
Steve, who lives in Keinton Mandeville, openly admits that he pretty much had it all when he worked in London – the flash car, the big salary and a fast-paced lifestyle. But, after 25 years, Steve lost the zest for his high-flying career, and it certainly didn’t satisfy his urge to travel – the weekly commute from the family home in Somerset to digs in London certainly didn’t qualify as stimulating travel.
Steve has always liked to combine his wanderlust with his love of classic cars, and a special holiday with friends last year convinced him that he’s not the only one. “I was so excited about a motorbike trip I had made to India that I had to tell all my friends. I ended up fighting them off with sticks,” he explained.
Steve ended up taking 60 friends on the holiday of a lifetime to Southern India. If that sounds impressive, picture them all driving 1950s Morris Oxfords. These much-loved little cars are still made in India – taxi drivers love them – and Steve kitted his friends out with a 30-strong fleet for the adventure. Steve revels in playing the host, and likes nothing better than giving people an experience to savour – and to talk about. Using his intimate knowledge of the country, and by taking advantage of his trusted local contacts, he treated his guests to ten lavish days in India. Stopping off in palaces, five-star hotels, remote beaches, tea plantations and jungle, the scenery and experiences encountered along the way were stirring to say the least.
Steve explained that the banter was amazing when the party met up at their luxury accommodation at the end of each day’s driving. Most of the travellers came out in goosepimples when recollecting their adventures and several had tears in their eyes – see the testimonies on his website if you want to see the effect it had on them.
“I want to take people to places where they won’t bump into another Englishman. This is a raw India experience right off the beaten track,” Steve explained.
“It is about challenging people. There was an 8,000-foot climb where the cars literally had to be nursed up the track. A lot of people doubted whether they could do it but they were so satisfied when they did. Person after person said it was the best adventure they ever had.”
The response Steve received from his companions convinced him to bite the bullet and change the path of his career. Classic Car Journey was established earlier this year, the company’s 2007 Classic Europe sets off in a few days, the next Indian adventure is due to hit the road in late October, Classic Himalayas will see really adventurous drivers climbing to 17,000 feet behind the wheel of a Mahindra Jeep next year and bookings are already being taken for Classic Vietnam.
There are still a few places left for the 2007 Classic India, which sets off this October so get in touch with Steve if you are interested.
The trip costs just £1,750 per person – you’ll need to book as a pair because you’ll be sharing a car – and that includes flights, amazing accommodation and everything else except fuel.
Steve travels to India the week before the trip – to make final arrangements and check that the roads are still there – and greets his guests at the airport. Everyone is whisked back to a hotel for a welcome meal and a full briefing on the adventure that lies ahead. The cars are lined-up in the hotel car park and it’s simply a case of drawing for keys to see which of the little diesel chariots is yours for the trip. The first day is a gentle one, there’s full back-up throughout, two spare cars, and an engineer at the front and back of the pack. It isn’t a convoy; cars set off at one minute intervals and that gap can stretch to two hours by the time you all meet up to share your experiences at the end of the day.
Steve explained: “We stay at maharajas’ palaces and in tiger country where you can literally hear tigers when you wake up in the morning. Whatever happens, everyone is always buzzing when they get back from the drive.”
Steve is present all the way and provides full route details before each day’s driving. The 12-day itinerary includes eight days driving and plenty of time to take in the sights, city shopping and a trip to the beach – andCAREER changes can be daunting at the best of times but imagine packing in a well paid job as managing director of a London car leasing company to set up a business providing people with the ultimate holiday experience, far off the beaten track. That’s exactly what Steve McCullagh did when he swapped the refinement of his company Porsche for the rough and tumble of a Morris Oxford, and he hasn’t looked back.
Steve, who lives in Keinton Mandeville, openly admits that he pretty much had it all when he worked in London – the flash car, the big salary and a fast-paced lifestyle. But, after 25 years, Steve lost the zest for his high-flying career, and it certainly didn’t satisfy his urge to travel – the weekly commute from the family home in Somerset to digs in London certainly didn’t qualify as stimulating travel.
Steve has always liked to combine his wanderlust with his love of classic cars, and a special holiday with friends last year convinced him that he’s not the only one.
“I was so excited about a motorbike trip I had made to India that I had to tell all my friends. I ended up fighting them off with sticks,” he explained.
Steve ended up taking 60 friends on the holiday of a lifetime to Southern India. If that sounds impressive, picture them all driving 1950s Morris Oxfords. These much-loved little cars are still made in India – taxi drivers love them – and Steve kitted his friends out with a 30-strong fleet for the adventure.
Steve revels in playing the host, and likes nothing better than giving people an experience to savour – and to talk about. Using his intimate knowledge of the country, and by taking advantage of his trusted local contacts, he treated his guests to ten lavish days in India. Stopping off in palaces, five-star hotels, remote beaches, tea plantations and jungle, the scenery and experiences encountered along the way were stirring to say the least.
Steve explained that the banter was amazing when the party met up at their luxury accommodation at the end of each day’s driving. Most of the travellers came out in goosepimples when recollecting their adventures and several had tears in their eyes – see the testimonies on his website if you want to see the effect it had on them.
“I want to take people to places where they won’t bump into another Englishman. This is a raw India experience right off the beaten track,” Steve explained.
“It is about challenging people. There was an 8,000-foot climb where the cars literally had to be nursed up the track. A lot of people doubted whether they could so it but they were so satisfied when they did. Person after person said it was the best adventure they ever had.”
The response Steve received from his companions convinced him to bite the bullet and change the path of his career. Classic Car Journey was established earlier this year, the company’s 2007 Classic Europe sets off in a few days, the next Indian adventure is due to hit the road in late October, Classic Himalayas will see really adventurous drivers climbing to 17,000 feet behind the wheel of a Mahindra Jeep next year and bookings are already being taken for Classic Vietnam.
There are still a few places left for the 2007 Classic India, which sets off this October so get in touch with Steve if you are interested.
The trip costs just £1,750 per person – you’ll need to book as a pair because you’ll be sharing a car – and that includes flights, amazing accommodation and everything else except fuel. Steve travels to India the week before the trip – to make final arrangements and check that the roads are still there – and greets his guests at the airport. Everyone is whisked back to a hotel for a welcome meal and a full briefing on the adventure that lies ahead. The cars are lined-up in the hotel car park and it’s simply a case of drawing for keys to see which of the little diesel chariots is yours for the trip. The first day is a gentle one, there’s full back-up throughout, two spare cars, and an engineer at the front and back of the pack. It isn’t a convoy; cars set off at one minute intervals and that gap can stretch to two hours by the time you all meet up to share your experiences at the end of the day.
Steve explained: “We stay at maharajas’ palaces and in tiger country where you can literally hear tigers when you wake up in the morning. Whatever happens, everyone is always buzzing when they get back from the drive.”
Steve is present all the way and provides full route details before each day’s driving. The 12-day itinerary includes eight days driving and plenty of time to take in the sights, city shopping and a trip to the beach – and lots of pomp and ceremony.
Commenting on his ambitious, and very brave, change of career, Steve concluded: “I was terrified – it’s not easy to give up all that comfort and security after so long. But on the other hand, it was a no-brainer. Why travel to London every week when you can do something you really enjoy and live in the Somerset countryside?
“Organising these holidays to some of the most beautiful countries in the world is fantastically rewarding. Of course there are challenging times but, ultimately, it is about having fun and giving people great pleasure by experiencing something truly unique.”
To find out more about Classic Car Journeys, call Steve on 01458 224109 or 07831 477746 or visit www.classiccarjourneys.co.uk
