My brief CV!


After retiring from my ‘proper’ job ten years ago (I ran a large storage & distribution company for three decades) I took a couple of years out to play motorcars. I then decided to set up Country Lane Tours to provide good quality touring events for like-minded classic car enthusiasts, and thus enjoy a greater involvement with my long-term hobby. Rather than spend thousands on full-page colour advertisements in glossy ‘classic’ magazines, and then load the price to customers to compensate, I have a policy of keeping overheads to a bare minimum, building up a mailing base, asking car clubs to give me a mention in their newsletters, and relying on word-of-mouth recommendations, to enable me to provide high quality events at affordable rates. The two-week tour of Scandinavia in 2002, 2004 and 2006 were a great success (they tied in with British Car Week in Gothenburg & the Tjolöholm Classic Car show). The format was a hit with both drivers and passengers, and used on the Italian Grand Tours in 2005, 2007 & 2009, 2008 Croatian Crawl & Switzerland Raid in August 2005, which again proved holidaying with a classic car need not be stressful.

I have been a member of the Rover Sports Register for over thirty-five years, and for thirty-two of those years have arranged their annual Welsh weekend rally. In addition I have toured extensively in classic cars throughout Europe, possess a 1938 single seater-racing car, and also compete on historic rallies (Monte Carlo, Le Jog, Circuit of Ireland Retro, etc.). However, the aim of my touring events is to provide unusual and interesting leisurely sight-seeing holidays for people who enjoy using their pride and joy, but do not wish to stress machinery or passengers. There is absolutely no competition, apart from getting to the hotel bar first! 

All routes are personally reconnoitred by me, and hotels checked to ensure a high standard - it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it! Detailed, easy-to-read, road books are provided, and I’m always on hand to deal with any minor problems, should they occur.


The current 2011 itinerary consists of the Welsh Weekend over May Bank Holiday, the 5th Viking Tour at the end of  May, and the 2nd Unknown Italy Tour in September. If you are a club member I would be grateful if you could arrange for information on these events to be included in your newsletter and also pass on the details to any members you think might be interested. Of course I’m happy to deal with any queries via ’phone or email.

Ian Glass