Shipping a Classic Car

If you are shipping any type of classic car, you should not use an open-air car carrier these carriers can hold up to a dozen cars at once, and they do not provide any protection from the elements or road debris. They are MUCH cheaper to transport but the old say is true … “you get what you pay for” sped the extra money when shipping your car.

Yes it is more expensive to choose an enclosed auto transport provider but the cost is well worth protecting your classic.  The enclosed transport will proctect your car from debris on the road , weather and well people.

This is can be one of the most important things you can do when shipping a classic car around the corner or across the globe.

Your first step should be to completely clean and detail both the exterior and the interior. This will ensure that dirt, grime and road debris don’t obscure any existing scratches or damage.  You as the seller need to make sure you document its condition before you ship it incase there are any issues once the vehicle arrives to its new owner or shop. Once you have completely cleaned and detailed your car, take detailed photos of the entire vehicle, including the interior, exterior, the engine compartment, the wheel wells, undercarriage,  and anywhere else that damage could happen during the vehicles journey.

This is an extremely important step because if there is damage during the cars trip , you will need to be able to prove that the damages not a pre-existing issue prior to transport. If you have taken the extra steps to take extensive photos and even video documentation of your car’s condition, you can easily prove that the damage occurred after the vehicle left you. This will assist you in getting compensation from the shipping company in the rare event that there is an issue while transporting your car.

This is a subject that is mostly personal preference … nylon car straps, wheel nets and other non-marring straps are strong enough to hold your car in place during shipping. There is no need to use metal chains , metal chain binders – furthermore, these can damage the chassis or body of your car during shipping, and scrape the wonderful finish off of what ever they were wrapped around. Look for a car shipping company that uses nylon straps, other non-marring straps , wheel nets, and applies them properly to prevent damage to your vehicle. I personally prefer this method of securing the vehicle , but I have in the past have had multiple cars delivered by transport companies who use chains , that being said the driver used protective covers on all the |touch” points to ensure that nothing was damaged.

It is always a GREAT practice to take a look at your shipment contract and review it before you sign it and commit to the service. When review the contract, make sure you look for things like guaranteed delivery dates, hidden fees and clauses for vehicle storage fees or inoperable vehicles, and other “fine print” that can lead to an unpleasant shipping experience.

Check the contract to make sure that the shipper has the proper insurance coverage to transport your vehicle, there are way to many shippers that have the most basic coverage that can simply not cover the items they carry if there is a catastrophic incident especially if you are shipping an expensive vehicle.

It is a good idea to remove all personal items and valuables from your vehicle before shipping it , including things in the glove box or trunk you may hove forgotten where even there.  Check the trunk for heavy items like tools that could bang around during transport and cause damage. Ensure the spare tire and jack are secured to the vehicle as well.