The Classic Route is run by an Anglo-French couple, Chris and Laura Hatton.
We interviewed Chris Hatton to find out what drives The Classic Route.
Chris was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The son of a car collector, he studied Neuroscience at University, but never really had the chance to escape the car bug.
CH - “Some of my earliest memories are of barrelling down B-roads, grinning like an idiot in the passenger seat of one of my father’s sportscars. Looking back it was all terribly irresponsible, but great fun at the time. I suppose it was obvious that I’d end up working with cars sooner or later. I got involved in classic car clubs and motorsport at University. It was always classic cars that drew me, I don’t think I possessed a “normal” car until my daughter was born, and there’s still no question of my parting with my classic Alfa. Even after my studies when I was working at University College in London, I got myself a Saturday job at a classic car garage, just so that I could get my hands dirty.”
But what makes a research scientist want to quit it all and start his own business?
CH - “I have to admit that it might sound a little strange, but even neuroscience can become routine after a while, so I was looking for a new challenge. After our daughter was born, Laura and I discussed the possibility of moving down to Toulouse to be bit closer to her family. I saw this as the ideal opportunity for a radical change of direction. Toulouse is such an ideal base to visit so much of the South-West of France that the idea of organising tours and renting out interesting cars almost suggested itself.”
Laura is native to the South-West of France, born in Toulouse, she studied business at the prestigious Ecole Supérieur de Commerce in Paris and was until recently the Marketing Director of a well-known video game company.
CH - “Laura has been invaluable in getting the company up and running. Its one thing knowing about cars, but it’s another knowing about running a business. I’d like to think that I learn quickly, but it’s largely thanks to Laura that the company is up and running today. Needless to say, her knowledge of marketing and communication has been an enormous help.”
Has Laura also helped shape the offer of The Classic Route?
CH - “Of course, Laura has a very different set of interests to me. If I’m heavily focused on the motoring aspect of the business, Laura is more focused on the choice of sites to visit, and finding the best hotels and restaurants.
So is Laura actually interested in cars?
CH – “To be honest when we met, I don’t think Laura could have told you a Rolls-Royce from a Lada. It was just something that had never been important to her. That said, I think she’d now admit that classic cars have a special something about them. She might not like to admit it, but if we turn up somewhere in a classic, she tends to hold her head up a little higher than usual.”
Behind the scenes, Laura’s family has also been a great help on two fronts. We’ll let Chris enlighten us again.
CH - “My father-in law’s two brothers are classic car collectors. Both do classic car rallies in the region, and know it like the back of their hands. They’ve helped a lot finding those little hidden spots off the normal tourist trail and roads that are ideally suited to the temperament of the Morgans”.
So what is it that makes The Classic Route so special?
CH - “I think it is quite simple. The team that we’ve put together has in-depth knowledge of every aspect involved in our tours. We make a point of working up to a certain standard and not down to a certain price. We aim to provide the kind of service that we ourselves would like to find. I believe that our clients appreciate that. Also, because Laura and I have quite different ideas of what’s important in a holiday I think we provide something for everyone.”