How to Ship a Classic Car When Relocating

As a classic car owner you most likely know that hiring a professional car shipping company is very important when you need to move and take your classic dream car with you. A reputable company is going to be a vital instrument in getting the car moved from one are to another safely in order to maintain the overall value and beauty of the car that you own.

Those that love classic cars are well aware of the fact that a classic is not simply a car at all. Instead, it is a valuable investment into your future or the future of your heirs. Classic car owners have the chance to own a little piece of history and when you are able to do that, it is a dream come true and something that you want to protect at all costs.

Which Carrier Should You Use?

A very important aspect of car shipping when it comes to moving as classic car is going to be making a decision on the type of carrier that it used during shipment. While some people may choose to haul a classic on a trailer behind their own truck, this is really not a very safe option and can cause damage to the truck as well as be very expensive due to cost of maintenance that will need to be taken care of on the truck and also fuel cost that will increase due to hauling a heavy car. Be sure to ask the transport agent if any seasonal discounts or other discounts may be available that could save a little money on shipping your car.

The safest ways to move a car are with the following carriers:

• Open Carrier: An open carrier is generally safe to use with all types of motor vehicles, even classic and collectible cars and trucks. It is the least expensive option and is simple to use because cars are driven onto the carrier, or lifted if they are inoperable, and then secured in place and relocated. Some open carriers can only carry one or two vehicles at a time while others are multi-carriers and can haul many cars at once. Auto dealerships and manufacturers use these carriers to move shipments to sale and it is a safe mode of transport. Although safe, one thing about open transport is the fact that the cars on board are exposed to the elements including weather and road debris and can become damaged if anything flies into them. If you decide to use an open carrier to move your classic, it is wise to request to have the car top-loaded so it will avoid as much contact as possible with other cars on the truck.

• Enclosed Carrier: When you opt to use an enclosed carrier, you should know that this is the most secure way to move a classic or collectible car to or from any location and any distance. All sides of an enclosed carrier are sealed and will not allow any chance of road debris or inclement weather to come into contact with the car inside. This means that the car is nestled safe and sound inside during shipment. Enclosed transport is generally going to cost more than open transport but when it comes to safe shipping for a valuable car, it just does not get better than enclosed.

Getting the Car Ready

You most likely already have plenty of pictures of your classic car, but before it is loaded for shipment to during the move, it is very important that detailed pictures be taken of all surface areas. You will want to file the pictures away and hold onto them until the car has been delivered.

You will also need to get the car physically ready by taking care of the following:

• The car should be clean and all personal items need to be removed. You can leave a spare tire and tools to change the tire in the truck. While this may not be an issue with most classic cars, it is something that needs to be mentioned as it is very important during professional auto transport because the company is only allowed to haul the car and not personal items per DOT regulations.

• The company insurance needs to be verified to ensure that it is valid as well as enough to cover the value of the car. When dealing with a classic, you will also want to make sure your own private insurance policy will be in effect during the journey.

• There should only be enough fuel in the car for the driver to be able to load and unload during transport. Usually, a quarter tank will suffice.

• Get a hard copy of all paperwork and documentation of the transport before the car is loaded. Check the Bill of Lading carefully and sign it only if you agree with everything on it when the driver has it filled out.

• If the car is inoperable you must discuss this with the company agent before the truck is sent to pick it up. A carrier with a winch must be dispatched in order to lift the car on and off of the truck and if this is not discussed ahead of time, it can delay your transport when they have to reschedule a new carrier.

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Classic Rides for New Drivers

You don’t need to be middle aged or older to know the joy of owning, and driving a classic car. For many younger drivers, having an opportunity to own a classic as their first ride is something that they may dream about for several years before they ever own a car and they often know exactly what they want before they can even purchase a car legally. For new drivers, there may be limits on what they can afford or how far they can travel to buy a car but they will do what they can to own the car of their dreams even if it means working every day of the week and looking in cities and states far from home to find that special vehicle for a price they can work with. If it is time for you to begin shopping for your first car, you may want to consider one of these classic rides that are not only affordable, but also pack in the power and are well-known as dependable cars that have really shown their power throughout the years.

The 1964 ½ -1969 Ford Mustang

Ford introduced the Mustang as a convertible as well as a notchback coupe in April of 1964 and this car has become an icon in the classic car world. The first Mustang was the 1964 ½ and it was one of the sleekest cars manufactured in its time. Parts were made to be low cost for consumers and this car actually used the same engineering as the Ford Falcon, a compact car made by Ford. The first Mustang was fast and had a look that really made people want to buy them. After the first Mustang was introduced to the public in 1964, the next year, 1965, was an incredible year for Ford when they introduced the 1965 Mustang to the world. The 1965 had a 2+2 fastback body, optional GT equipment and power front disc brakes. Nearly 600,000 Mustangs were sold in 1965. By 1967, Ford redesigned the Mustang with a larger body which made a more stable ride for drivers. Even the seats were roomier and made for a very comfortable ride. In 1969, Mustang was changed to include a sharper nose and large scoops on the fastback. In 1969, Ford offered a coupe for those that wanted a “family mobile” while also offering a Mach 1 version for those that wanted speed and plenty of power. By 1970 Ford had dropped the scoops on the side of the car, lowered the front lights to two from four and changed the location of the manufacture from Cleveland to Canada which in part, caused sales to drop significantly. Today, Ford Mustangs are still as high in demand as they were from the middle of 1964 through the end of the 1960’s and they are not only fun cars to drive but also safe as a first car for new drivers. This is a car that you can feel really cool when driving and gain lots of attention if you decide to take it to the local car shows to show off publicly.

The 1990’s Honda Civic

Some people may not see the true value of a 1990’s Honda Civic, but it is one of the most affordable cars on the market and has long been one of the most dependable cars ever created. These cars were built to last and over the years they have shown time and time again how resilient they are when it comes to life expectancy for a motor vehicle. It is not unusual to see a Honda on the road today with far more than 300,000 miles and still running just as great as it did when it came off the assembly line. In 1990, Honda manufactured both a hatchback wagon as well as a sedan and they ranged from a standard model with vinyl seats in a hatchback style to a more wagon with Four Wheel Drive and realTime4WD which was great for customers that lived in mountainous or snowy areas of the country. While some models had standard manual windows, Honda also introduced models with power window and locks as well as electric mirrors and clocks. Most Civics came with standard manual transmissions while there were optional 4-speed automatics as well. If you choose to own a 1990’s model Honda Civic you should be prepared to pay less for oil changes and other repairs as parts are not very expensive at all for this car.

The 1975 BMW 3 Series

The 3 Series was originally introduced in 1972 as a show car for VIP’s at the US Olympics and it was a fully electric prototype that was never largely manufactured. By 1975, BMW introduced a compact executive car that was available as a 2 door coupe only. Over time, the company manufactured the car with a 4 door option as well and over time, it has been one of the highest selling BMW cars ever made. As a matter of fact, the 3 Series has brought in nearly 30% of all sales for the company and has been an award winning car since the beginning. While a new BMW may not be an option for a first time driver, or for many other drivers, the 1975 BMW 3 Series is an affordable option to be an owner of one of the finest cars on the planet and this car is one that is fun to drive on top of being able to own a luxury car.

No matter what car you choose as first car you will ever own, or as the car you just want to own now after driving for many years, it is always best to have it thoroughly checked before making any agreements on the purchase. There may come a time that the car of your dreams is hundreds of miles away and if this happens, be sure to hire a pro that offers reliable auto transport to have the car delivered to you safely and without racking up unwanted mileage. If the car is local to you, never buy until you have checked it out personally by driving it as well as having a certified mechanic check under the hood for issues. It is wise to keep your income and overall budget in mind and be sure to check parts pricing on common parts such as oil filters and air filters as well as battery, brakes, alternator and starter before you buy a car so you will know ahead of time how costly parts will be for regular maintenance and common repairs. The most important aspect of buying a car, whether it is a new car or a classic, is to make sure it is one that you can really enjoy while at the same time will be affordable to buy as well as keep maintained over the years.

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