Blog Post

Shipping your classic car can seem daunting, akin to a leap of faith. After investing significant time, energy, and money into your vehicle, entrusting it to an auto shipping company might appear as a gamble. However, situations such as moving or purchasing a classic car located far from your home may necessitate shipping.

When the need arises to transport your classic car, it’s crucial to know how to ensure its safe and secure arrival at your new destination. Selecting the right shipping company and opting for a shipping process tailored for classic cars are paramount steps. Unlike everyday vehicles, classic cars require a specialized approach to shipping, emphasizing the importance of a meticulously chosen shipping contract to meet your unique needs.

For those poised to navigate the complexities of shipping a classic car, the following insights will guide you through the essential steps to safeguard your treasured vehicle during transit.

How to Transport a Classic Car. Steps

Classic cars, painted with hard-to-find products and composed of rare or difficult-to-source parts, require careful handling, especially during shipping. To ensure your classic car arrives without damage, partnering with a skilled and experienced classic car shipping company is crucial. After investing significant amounts into restoration and maintenance, it’s paramount to ensure your vehicle is shipped in a manner that preserves its safety and avoids the need for costly repairs. Diligent preparation for the shipping process is essential to protect your cherished investment, keeping it secure and maintaining its condition.

Preparing Your Classic Car for Transport

To safeguard your classic car during shipping, consider removing items prone to damage that can be easily transported with you. Alternatively, take the time to securely wrap and store smaller, removable pieces in a safe spot within the trunk or on the floor of the vehicle. Protecting your car’s paint and delicate surfaces with painter’s tape can prevent dings and scuffs during transit.

Many classic car enthusiasts also choose to cover the seats to prevent any potential damage or staining while the vehicle is out of their hands. It’s crucial to ensure that all delicate or fragile parts of your vehicle are securely stowed before entrusting it to a shipping company. Taking these precautions guarantees the safety of your classic car, ensuring it arrives at your new location without sustaining any damage during its journey on a trailer.

Conduct Thorough Research

Embarking on the journey of selecting a classic car shipping company necessitates comprehensive research. It’s crucial to understand that not all shippers are equipped to provide the meticulous care required by vintage or delicate vehicles. Ensuring you’re entrusting your cherished vehicle to a team of shipping professionals with expertise in handling classic cars is paramount. Delving into reviews can offer valuable insights into a company’s reputation and assist in narrowing down your options for obtaining quotes.

As you gather quotes, it’s vital to inquire about any additional fees for special handling and services. Verify whether the company provides fully enclosed trailers as opposed to only offering open trailers. Such specifics are critical for meeting the unique needs of your vehicle, and it’s advisable to address these questions early on to avoid entering into a shipping agreement that fails to offer the optimal care for your car.

Avoid making the assumption that every company will treat your classic car with the level of care and attention you expect. It’s important to thoroughly consider the services you require from your shipping provider.

Lastly, a key step in your research should be to request proof of insurance and licensing from the companies you’re considering. Protecting yourself from potential shipping scams is essential, and verifying these credentials can confirm the legitimacy of a company. Should a company be unable or unwilling to provide this documentation, it’s prudent to discontinue discussions with them and explore other options.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can make an informed decision in selecting a classic car shipping company that meets your specific needs and expectations.

Selecting the Right Trailer for Transporting a Vintage Vehicle

Opting for an enclosed car trailer, despite the added cost, is crucial for the transport of vintage or classic cars. Such a trailer shields the vehicle from potential paint damage and safeguards it against all weather conditions during transit. Moreover, it enhances security, concealing the car’s rarity or uniqueness and thus reducing theft risk.

Conversely, while open trailers are a more economical choice, they expose your vehicle to weather elements, road grime, and the risk of rock chips. Transporting classic cars on open trailers is generally inadvisable due to the probable need for post-transport repairs, a serious concern that should raise alarms when selecting a car shipping company.

Reputable companies specializing in classic or vintage car transport typically maintain a balanced fleet of both enclosed and open trailers, ensuring they can accommodate your vehicle’s needs seamlessly. Difficulty in arranging for an enclosed trailer transport with a particular company may indicate a lack of experience with vintage vehicles and should prompt you to consider alternative providers. Although the necessity of an enclosed trailer might not be your primary concern, a company’s limited availability of such options could be indicative of their inexperience in handling such precious cargo.

Choosing the Best Option for Car Shipping Pickup and Delivery

When entering into a car shipping agreement, you’re typically faced with two options regarding pickup and delivery. You can opt for a door-to-door service, where the company collects your car from your current address and delivers it directly to your new location upon completion of the contract. Alternatively, you could choose terminal-to-terminal shipping, which involves you taking your car to a designated terminal for loading onto a trailer, and then collecting it from another terminal at the journey’s end.

While the terminal-to-terminal option can be more economical, it may pose logistical challenges. This method might not be suitable if your classic car is not operational, or if you’re uncomfortable with the process of loading and unloading the vehicle onto a trailer yourself at different locations.

Most classic car owners prefer the convenience of door-to-door service. This approach minimizes the risk of damage since the vehicle is only loaded once and it simplifies the process if the car isn’t drivable. This is particularly advantageous during restoration projects when the vehicle may not be in a condition to be driven. Choosing door-to-door shipping ensures a smoother, hassle-free experience, safeguarding your precious vehicle throughout its relocation.

Anticipate Delivery Challenges

Should your new location lack the capacity for a large car trailer to maneuver easily, you may need to arrange for the shipping company to meet you at an alternative spot, such as a few blocks away or a nearby school or public area. This strategy simplifies the delivery process and minimizes the risk of damage to your vehicle under less-than-optimal unloading conditions.

This scenario is particularly common in rural settings, where roads may not accommodate large trucks and trailers. It’s crucial to address this potential complication before finalizing your shipping agreement. Such issues can significantly disrupt your pickup or delivery plans, so ensuring clear communication and agreement with the shipping company beforehand is imperative.

The details of the delivery and pickup locations should be explicitly stated in your contract. If arrangements for an alternative pickup or delivery site are necessary, these should be clarified and agreed upon in advance, allowing both you and the shipping company to formally acknowledge this aspect of the agreement. Given that a classic car represents a significant investment, safeguarding it against preventable damage due to oversight is essential.

Does Shipping a Classic Car Cost More?

The primary factor affecting the cost of shipping your car is distance. Some companies offer flat rates for specific distances, while others calculate the cost based on miles traveled, regardless of the pick-up and drop-off locations’ proximity. Additionally, the time of year plays a significant role in pricing. Shipping rates fluctuate between high and low seasons, with costs peaking during the busiest times and dipping during slower periods, such as winter.

Shipping a classic car often incurs higher fees due to the necessity of using an enclosed trailer to protect the vehicle during transit. Furthermore, specialized services may be added to the shipping agreement to ensure the car’s safety, typically increasing the price slightly per mile. However, the final cost is influenced by various factors, making it crucial for car owners to thoroughly examine their quotes.

When evaluating shipping quotes for your classic car, approach exceptionally low or high bids with caution. A median-priced quote generally represents the best value, balancing cost with service quality, unless a company offers additional benefits, such as enhanced insurance for your classic vehicle, justifying a higher price.

Be wary of significantly low quotes, as they could indicate potential scams or a lack of business, suggesting inexperience. The price often reflects the shipping company’s overall experience and reliability, so conducting research and selecting a service based on a reasonable, mid-range quote is advisable.

Ultimately, while mileage and seasonal timing are the main cost determinants for shipping your classic car, avoid accepting quotes that significantly exceed standard rates without offering additional value, particularly for the unique needs of shipping a classic as opposed to a regular vehicle.

Easily Navigate the Classic Car Shipping Process

Concerned about relocating your classic car smoothly or daunted by the prospect of moving it yourself? This guide is designed to help you effortlessly find the ideal shipping company tailored to your needs.

By conducting thorough research and inquiring about trailer options and the costs of various delivery methods, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of the service quality and offerings from potential shipping companies.

There’s no need to compromise on a shipping provider lacking expertise. Ensuring that you choose a company with extensive experience in shipping classic cars is crucial. Working with the right company means your prized possession will arrive at your new location undamaged and on schedule.

With this guide, discovering a shipping company that meets your requirements becomes straightforward. You can trust that your classic car will be secure on its journey to your new home, giving you peace of mind.