Classic Car Shipping
All across the nation, you see flyers for car shows. These shows typically showcase vehicles that are older and are not often seen as a daily driver. Older cars are usually sorted out within the categories of classic, antique, and vintage.
What is a Classic Car?
To be defined as a classic car, the age of the vehicle is typically over 20 years from manufacture. There is a lot of controversy in the motor world when it comes to the true definition of a classic car versus an antique car. An antique and vintage car can be considered a classic car because they are over 20 years old. That does not mean that all classic cars can be regarded as antique or vintage.
Classic cars are over 20 years old based on manufacture date, but they do not exceed the 45-year mark. Antique vehicles are considered vehicles that are over 45 years old, which encompasses the classic car category. Vintage cars are singled to manufacture dates that fall between 1919 and 1930, still embracing the age of antique and classic.
Why is Classic, Antique, and Vintage Important?
The older the car, the more valuable it is. The value of the vehicle that you need to ship can often determine the method you use when shipping. For any vehicle that has had extensive rebuilds done or custom paint jobs, you will probably opt for an enclosed shipping method. Considering that a car manufactured in the year 2000 is now considered a classic, you may still be using it as your daily driver. If you are moving and just need this car shipped, you may decide that an open transport will fit your needs just fine.
Open Transport and Enclosed Transport
There are two popular options when it comes to shipping a vehicle. These options are open transport and enclosed transport. Exotic Car Transport knows that having options is important to you, especially when you are shipping a vehicle that means a lot to you.
Open Transport
Using an open transport trailer is the cheaper option between trailer services. Most of the open transport trailers are used to move multiple vehicles at one time. Think of the trucks you see making deliveries to the car lots. Those are open transport trailers. They do not offer the same kind of protection that an enclosed transport trailer provides.
Enclosed Transport
The popular option for vehicles, regardless of the vehicle’s value, is an enclosed shipping trailer. This type of trailer is a more expensive option, but offers the most protection.
- The sides of enclosed trailers have hard or soft sides that protect vehicles from the outside elements. This can be anything from weather to debris in the road. Classic cars, depending on age and restoration, can often have expensive paint jobs. Extra protection is needed for features like this.
- Enclosed trailers use drop decks that can accommodate more than one vehicle in the trailer or adjust for vehicles of various sizes and styles.
- Over-the-tire soft-tie downs are used to keep the vehicle in place. This allows the vehicles natural suspension to move with the trailer.
- Liftgates that accommodate various profiles allow for a smooth transition into the trailer.
Enclosed trailers also have a higher level of insurance coverage on them due to their high-value and high-end transports. This covers your vehicle better than open transport.
Preparing Your Classic Car For Shipping
Before you have your car loaded for shipping, make sure that you are preparing it for the shipping process. Exotic Car Transport will make sure that you are aware of all the requirements that are specific to your circumstance before your shipping date.
- Make sure you clean wash your vehicle, especially the undercarriage. If you are shipping across the border, there may be a requirement that the vehicle be free of foreign soil and debris.
- Reduce the amount of fuel in your vehicle to under a quarter of a tank. Make sure your maintenance is up to date. Have all the systems checked before travel. Leaks can lead to potentially dangerous situations.
- Remove any non-essential components from the vehicle, especially if they are protruding from the vehicle. These can end up damaged in transport.
- Have all of your paperwork ready to go at the time of shipping. Make sure that you keep your license plate on the vehicle and insurance information inside. If you are going across a border, make sure you have all the Customs documents and fees ready for the driver.
Exotic Car Transport won’t make you figure it out on your own. We will make sure you understand the process and are a part of the shipment every step of the way. We even offer GPS tracking on our trucks, and this lets you know where your vehicle is at any given moment.
Additional Information for Border Crossing
If you are shipping your classic car to Canada, you need to make sure that it is an allowable vehicle. Canada has strict guidelines when it comes to bringing a car from the United States into the Canadian country. Canada also requires that the title be sent to the appropriate border crossing point 72 hours before crossing.
On the other side of this, if you are bringing a vehicle into the country from Canada, the United States requires certain documentation ahead of time. Their time frame is generally two weeks before the car will be crossing into the country.
Shipping your vehicle to a different country can seem intimidating and overwhelming. Our team will make this an easier process for you. We will make sure that you have the correct border information before the shipment, and it will allow you more than enough time to get the proper documentation where it needs to go.
Classic Car Transport Experience
Exotic Car Transport offers experience on various vehicle types. We want to make sure that your classic car is safe at all times during transport, no matter the method you choose. Safety and satisfaction are synonymous when you choose us for your shipping needs.