Classic & Luxury Car Shipping

We touched on some of this right up at the top, so let’s get into a little deeper detail. 

Antiques from the 20s, 30s and 40s are problematic to drive on today’s highways for a number of reasons. Many of them would struggle to keep up with the pace of traffic, and higher speeds for long periods would put a lot of stress on engines and drivetrains. While period-correct tires with modern radial designs are available, things like brakes, suspensions and steering are a lot more iffy on antiques, making them a real handful to drive at highway speed. Of course, there are no features like ABS brakes, seatbelts, airbags, crumple zones, padded dashboards or collapsible steering columns on antiques, so there are safety risks as well. 

If you’ve got a classic or antique, preserving the vehicle’s value should be a big concern, and that means not putting a lot of unnecessary mileage on the odometer and wear and tear on the drivetrain. There’s also the issue of reliability and what would happen if you had a breakdown - imagine trying to find parts and service for an antique Packard, Studebaker, Hudson or even a Buick if it broke down on the interstate in a remote area. 

Finally, there’s the question of fuel costs - something like a 60s muscle car or an antique Cadillac or Lincoln might only get 10-14 mpg on the highway, which adds up pretty fast in terms of cost of operation. While it can be fun to take your antique or classic out for a Sunday afternoon spin, taking it on a road trip of several hundred miles is a different matter completely. 

• Peace of mind that comes with knowing your car is in good hands
• No mileage and wear and tear being incurred on the vehicle
• Your car is safe from vandals, thieves, passersby and onlookers
• Punctual and efficient performance and service 
  
   

How Enclosed Auto Transport Protects High-Value Vehicles

As mentioned, enclosed transport keeps your car safe from prying eyes and curious onlookers, as well as making sure it’s protected from weather, road grit and possible collisions with other vehicles. 

 

Why Collectors and Auction Houses Trust Enclosed Carriers

Collectors and auction houses know the importance of proper handling and security for antique vehicles and classics that are being transported, and they know the importance of keeping a vehicle safe, secure (and well-insured) while it’s en route. 

 

Reputation and Trust in Classic Car Shipping

The Role of Trusted Carriers in the Collector Community

Word gets around in the car collector and enthusiast community, and people do know the transport companies that meet customer expectations and that can be trusted – as well as the ones that don’t clear that admittedly-high bar. 
 

How to Document Your Car’s Condition Before Shipping

It’s a good idea to wash your car, then take multiple pictures from different angles before shipping so that you can have an accurate record of the kind of condition it’s in. 

 

Checking Fluids, Tires, and Battery Before Transport

Please check for fluid leaks, including motor oil and coolant, transmission, brake or power steering fluid - transport drivers might refuse to load a vehicle with fluid leaks. Tires should be fully inflated, all lights should work and the battery should have a full charge. 

 

Securing Loose Parts and Accessories

Please remove any detachable external parts or accessories like light bars, bike racks, antennas, cargo carriers or rooftop boxes, and please remove any toll tags or parking tags before shipping. 

 

Disabling Car Alarms Before Shipping

Disabling the car alarm can save the transport driver a lot of potential headaches en route. 

What to Do If Your Classic Car Doesn’t Run

You’ll be asked about your car’s running condition in the Quote Calculator. We can and do ship vehicles that can’t start, run, steer and stop on their own power, but it requires special equipment and procedures and we’ll need to know in advance so we can connect you with the right transport driver and truck. 

 

Special Considerations in Classic Car Transport

Climate-Controlled Carriers for Sensitive Vehicles

Humidity, extreme heat and extreme cold can be hard on vehicle interiors and systems, and climate controlled transport is available with monitored temperature and humidity levels.

 

Air-Ride Suspension and Lift Gates: Why They Matter

Liftgates can make loading and unloading a delicate vehicle a lot easier, and an air ride suspension can help keep a rare and valuable car from being jostled too much during transit. Both of these features are available on select equipment. 

 

Non-Running Luxury Vehicle Transport: Extra Costs and Planning

Shipping an inoperable vehicle will come at a premium rate, since this is a special service.