A classic car is not any car and shipping it is not any task either. There are more things you have to be aware of besides regular car shipping in order to have these pricey bomb shells be delivered properly. Follow our article so you are prepared when you need your classic car shipped a couple miles or cross country.
If you are a 70’s child like us, we bet more than once you dreamed with KIT the 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am from the 80’s hit series “The Knight Rider” with David Hassel off. We also bet you day dreamed a couple times you were riding Kit down the street racing through cars chasing the bad guys until either you got pulled over for speeding or suddenly realized you passed your exit on the highway. Maybe Kit wasn’t your style and wanted something more “classic” like James Bond 1964 Aston Martin DB5 from the movie “Goldfinger”. Regardless which classic car you go for, either will get a couple hundred looks while you cruise down the road, if not more.
How To Ship A Classic Car?
In order to have those couple hundred jaws pop open when you cruise by, your car must be on its best condition. One of the most important things in order to have your car in great conditions is how you handle its transportation. Classic cars are so unique and costly that you will not find them at your regular used car dealership; most of the time you will have to ship your car from another location. Classic car shipping is an expensive service; however if you know about the perks of classic car transportation you will be able to get advantage of every penny you pay.
Here are some things you have to keep on mind and put into consideration before shipping your classic car to its final destination.
Under cover? Under cover has always been a more attractive phrase that can be applied for almost anything in life, for your fortune it can also be applied to classic car transport. Enclosed classic car transport is the most common and recommended way to ship these types of cars. Enclosed carriers offer the best protection for classic cars from all weather and outside factors. However, not all classic cars can be shipped in enclosed carriers; therefore they need to be tied down in a special way. Make sure you tell your agent all the details about your car, this way he can help you find the best option for you. Enclosed carriers are more expensive than open, but don’t guide yourself by low prices, this can mean higher fixing costs later on, and these cars are not cheap to restore. Unless it is necessary for your car to be on an open carrier, always try to aim for enclosed transportation.
Prep it up. It is very important to prepare your car for transport in order to avoid any possible damage or loss done to your vehicle while in the move. It is recommended you wash your car and inspect it carefully to make sure you know what scratches are on it, (if unfortunately there should be any) or any other marks. Make sure you service your car before transport. Classic cars, although taken care of, have more probabilities for leaks and malfunctioning; make sure all this is taken care of before in order to avoid extra costs at pick up. Make sure you tie down any spoilers or added pieces to your car, if you unassembled them for the ride even better.
Location. Due to the fact that classic cars need to be ship in enclosed carriers, these type of carriers need open areas in order to load your car safely. It is not an obligation; however it is recommended you look for an area that is free of branches, low clearance light posts and cables, narrow streets, crowded with cars or other obstacles. This will avoid any problems while loading and properly secure your car onto the carrier.
Details. Every car is different and requires different handling. Some classic cars have unique models that require special accommodations in order to securely strap them down. The more details you provide the better service you will get. Not providing all details to driver or agent may end up in damages to your car that will not be driver’s responsibility. Avoid these mishaps and make sure you give as many details as possible.
In the end, make sure you provide as many details as you can when hiring a transport service. Shipping your classic car is not meant to be an impossible task that causes you headaches, unless done incorrectly. Demand what you pay for and enjoy your sweet – oh so sweet – ride.
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If you like to know how much does it cost to ship a classic car click here.
Enjoy Hollywood classic car show took place @ Hollywood, FL – Feb 5, 2012
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