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Whether you’re buying a new vehicle for your vintage car collection or looking to transport one that you already love, approaching classic car shipping in the right way is fundamental for safe delivery. Classic autos are, after all, precious cargo. As such, you likely have a strong desire for that car to arrive in the best possible condition.
Quality classic car shipping is essential. Classic cars are delicate and can be damaged during transport. When seeking classic car shipping for vintage autos, you need a logistics partner who can provide safe and smooth delivery of your precious cargo.
Too often, proud new owners of vintage autos discover scratches, dents, and other such unseemly issues on arrival. To avoid this eventuality, it’s vital to research the best transport option for your needs at all times. This includes everything from understanding the vehicle in question, to knowing precisely which transportation approach you should take. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you answer those questions and more so that you can transport even a Jaguar E-Type without pain.
Every source you turn to will likely have a different idea of what exactly classifies as a classic car. To keep things simple, however, the one determining factor for the “classic” definition is the age of any given vehicle. Still, by this logic, some might claim that a five-year-old Ford is a classic. Indeed, some sellers looking to make big bucks will do just that.
But, if age alone isn’t indicator enough of a classic status, then what is? According to the Antique Automobile Club of America, a classic automobile is officially any vehicle that’s older than 25 years. The Classic Car Club of America operates with much the same outlook, though with a little more finesse. Their official standpoint is that any ‘fine’ or ‘distinctive’ automobile built between 1925-1948 falls into the classic category.
That brings us nicely onto our next point – what exactly is the difference between a classic and an antique vehicle. From the outside, the two seem interchangeable. Yet, as any expert will tell you, that simply isn’t the case. What’s more, determining whether you’re dealing with a classic or an antique will impact everything from value to, you guessed it, your choice of vehicle transportation.
In most cases, an antique car is any vehicle over 50 years old. A classic car is any vehicle over 20 years old. Though not set in stone, these guidelines apply in most situations. For example, in Florida, you may register a car as antique and get a specialized license registration and license plate when it is 20 years or older.
Insurance companies also seem to operate from their own definitions here, with insurance company Hagerty going as far as to claim that any vehicle produced between 1900-1979 could be considered either antique or classic.
All this confusion isn’t exactly helpful, but determining a definitive difference between the two vehicle types is still possible. Some things that should ultimately factor into deciding whether your car is, indeed, classic or antique include:
If in doubt, it’s well worth contacting an expert for confirmation or merely doing a little research online. Unique definitions aside, it shouldn’t be long before you can find definitive proof of whether you’re dealing with an official classic or not.
Now that you know you have a genuine classic car on your hands, it’s time to consider the crux of the issue – why exactly do classic cars require special attention during shipping? After all, you would assume that auto transport companies would take care with vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Indeed, in most instances they do, but that doesn’t negate the fact that classic cars come complete with specific requirements for safe shipment.
Most pressingly, shipping classic cars means risking vehicles with extremely high value, either for the owner or the company attempting to ship. Pair this with a generally delicate make-up, and you could say that breakages are far more common with vehicles like these. Worse, the expense of classic parts alone could mean that even a slight dent sees repair costs escalating.
It’s therefore essential that anyone considering a car carrier for their classic vehicle looks for a company that can dedicate the necessary care and expertise to the task. This is something you can make sure of by researching ahead of time and taking the following precautions.
As with any shipping application, the cost of shipping a car either door to door or further can vary a great deal depending on a range of factors. Distance, timeframe, and your method of transportation will all play a significant part here. Even the amount of vehicles you’re transporting at any one time could see costs either soaring or saving.
With this in mind, the best way to get a clear picture of how much shipping classic cars will cost you is to seek quotes from the companies that most stand out during your research. Any reputable customer service team should be able to arrange for you to receive a custom quote that will point you in the right direction once and for all.
How long is a piece of string? As with the costing mentioned above, the timeframe of any collector car shipment is going to vary entirely on your needs/the distances you’re looking to cover. Variables, including traffic, detours, and a whole lot besides, will also play a significant part here. Even the season can impact how fast a vehicle is likely to arrive. And, that’s before we get onto pressing matters such as your mode of transportation.
With that in mind, it’s never worth cutting things too fine, or arranging for a classic vehicle to arrive the day a customer is set to collect. Your chosen shipment company should be able to give you estimates, but even these are rarely definite.
If all this uncertainty isn’t reassurance enough for you, consider that there are, again, some estimates based on mileage for you to work from. As an average, timings for cross-country shipments could look a little something like this.
Ultimately, deliberating with your chosen classic car shipping company is the best chance you have for ensuring your classic vehicle arrives at its destination in the shortest possible period. By planning and being aware of potential delay risks, you should find that you’re able to eliminate the worst setbacks for a speedy delivery that suits.
Ultimately, the success of your classic car shipment is going to come down to one thing and one thing only – the shipment partner you choose to take care of things for you. We’ve touched upon this briefly already concerning the special attention necessary and the need to plan around a halfway decent timeframe. But, let’s delve a little deeper into what exactly it takes to choose the ideal partner for your classic car shipping needs.
When it comes down to it, taking all of the above into consideration should lead you to at least a shortlist of the best contenders on the market right now. Equally, considering companies within the area in which your classic car is based can save you a great deal on costs due to reduced travel times.
Once you’ve considered those practicalities, though, choosing the right partner isn’t all that different from selecting any other company to work with. For one, you’ll want to look out for customized quotes that ensure you avoid any unexpected expenses along the way. Taking the time to ask a shipping company about their experience with classic cars ahead of time can also work wonders for letting you know whether they’re the best people to take care of things for you. And, of course, the insurance and equipment investigations mentioned above should always come into play before you seal the deal.
Once the practicalities are out of the way and you’ve found the ideal shipment company for you, it’s time to decide on the next crucial factor – how will you ship your classic car?
Most commonly, the chances are that you’ll find enclosed auto transport to be your best option here. We’re familiar with open-top vehicle trailers on our roads, but these pose several potential issues where classic cars are concerned, not least because your vehicle will be exposed to all the elements and at risk as a result. Open-air transportation could also lead to security setbacks, particularly with high-price cars.
By comparison, enclosed trailers offer added protection on the road, as well as ensuring that opportunistic thieves never get a glimpse of your pride and joy. These benefits and more make enclosed shipping the ideal classic car solution at any time of year.
Admittedly, you may face higher costs for enclosed options upfront, but trust us when we say that this is an expense typically worth weathering. After all, a little extra cost on your bill here will be nothing compared to the expense of a brand new wing mirror if an open trailer sees your classic car getting on the wrong side of a hedge during transit.
Irrelevant of how you intend to transport your vehicle, you’ll also need to consider preparation ahead of time. This is the case whether you’re shipping a personal vehicle or a business to business model, and can dramatically impact the chances of a safe return.
Given that’s a goal which, ultimately, lies at the heart of your efforts here, you should never embark on classic car shipment without considering the following preparation must-haves.
Even if you’re shipping a classic vehicle from another location, having someone take care of these preparation pointers for you is critical to safe transit. As well as ensuring that minimal damage occurs to your vehicle during the journey itself, simple things like charging your battery guarantee that you can avoid unexpected costs when your car won’t start on reaching its destination.
Whether you’re looking to move your classic car between states or small towns, you may well want to consider cross country classic car shipping. This is typically the most common option for nearby auto transportation and, you may be pleased to hear, it tends to be the cheapest offered by most shipment companies.
Despite popular belief, cross country services needn’t even limit your business or vehicle reach all that much. In reality, you can still take your classic cars pretty far this way, with the majority of auto trailers tending to travel anywhere from 500-700 miles a day. Whether you’ve got your eye on a classic vehicle across the country or are working with a US-wide customer base, cross country classic car shipping could, therefore, turn out to be the ideal way to make it happen.
Even with shorter distances in mind, you will, of course, still have some decisions to make about how best to go about this shipping option. As mentioned, even with road-based classic car shipping, making the right choice between open or enclosed trailers could prove key. Planning transportation during quiet periods could also see you cutting the costs and timings that often hold this method back.
To ensure your car’s cross-country trip runs smooth, you should first consider some essential factors including –
As much as you might assume that cross-country shipments are the stress-free alternatives to overseas options, it isn’t always the case. Keep your classic car and your calm in mind by always booking with such considerations in mind.
Speaking of shipping overseas, that’s our next crucial consideration. After all, classic and exotic cars like these can come from all over the world, and, given their scarcity, you may find that you have no option but to embark on overseas shipments.
Sadly, overseas options pose certain safety risks of their own, as well as typically costing a fair amount more. That said, many classic car owners and sellers manage to make this technique work for them, and you could do the same.
Some things to consider when thinking about overseas shipping options include –
However you choose to ship your classic car, one thing remains the same; you’ll need to get your paperwork in order ahead of time. After all, your vehicle is about to cross national borders. As such, you’ll never make this transportation method work for you unless you’re able to provide your shipment company with everything from your vehicle title to a bill of sale, and your US passport.
Even once you’ve settled on your ideal shipping solution, you’ll also want to think about your classic car’s final destination. Most commonly if you’re transporting a vehicle for personal use, you’ll want to consider door to door classic shipping here. Even car dealers looking to provide the best customer satisfaction possible could benefit from considering this transportation option.
As the name suggests, this service involves having a shipping company collect your vehicle from your door and dropping it precisely where it needs to be. Forget needing to arrange for collection or worrying about running vehicles fresh off a shipping container; your company of choice will load and unload for you to ensure a classic car journey that couldn’t be easier.
Do note, however, that not all shipping companies will offer this service as standard, so make sure to select your chosen provider carefully to guarantee this using the pointers mentioned. Remember, too, that specialized services like these typically cost more, meaning that you may find that transporting multiple vehicles at once is, again, the only way to make this solution pay for itself in the long-run.
If door to door solutions don’t suit your budget or priorities, then you should instead consider shipping your classic car from terminal to terminal. Typically, this method will involve an auto transport company taking your classic vehicle to the closest auto transport terminal within your chosen destination. You, or the car’s new owner, will then be responsible for moving that vehicle to its final destination.
On the surface, this can seem like a more hassle some solution, but there are significant benefits to this approach. Most notably, this is the most cost-effective method for transportation, as your classic vehicle will typically arrive with other cars in tow. Surprising as it may seem, this choice can also prove more convenient than door to door options, as it allows you to drop off and collect your classic car at times that suit you.
Of course, all that shines isn’t golden, and you’ll also want to consider the downsides of this option before making your choice. Potential issues include safety risks when your car arrives at unattended terminals, and also costs of getting your vehicle to and from its destination.
Weigh up the pros and cons of this option to decide whether it’s the right choice for your needs. Then, don’t hesitate to start making arrangements.
Playing by the rules at all times is always wise for a smooth journey that sees your classic car arriving in one piece. The last thing you want is unexpected delays, inspections, and other such issues that will leave your all-important vehicles at risk.
In truth, saying that there are ‘rules’ to classic car shipping would be overstating the point. Equally, your need to take due care here largely depends on where exactly you intend to ship the vehicle in question.
As a general rule, both cross-country and overseas shipments require you to hold the car title, as well as a US passport that you provide to the transportation company in question. That’s standard stuff, and you should find that you’ll need to provide these identifications before a reputable company even considers going ahead.
However, you also need to consider location-dependent rules that could impact your transportation rights. Within Australia, for example, personal imports from overseas are only possible for those with residency visas. Equally, all vehicle imports are subject to customs requirements.
The good news is that a high-quality shipping company should have prior knowledge of any specific rules you’ll need to adhere to. Simply let them know where your vehicle is headed far in advance and listen to their suggestions for staying on the right side of the law.
We’ve already touched on the importance of checking that any given shipping company holds adequate insurance, but you’ll also want to consider your coverage before letting any classic car loose. This is the case whether you’re selling the car, buying it, or simply moving an existing investment. Without insurance, you simply have no way of covering your back should anything go wrong along the way.
Of course, if you’ve taken the time to consider the safest options and the best company, you can negate a great deal of the risks inherent in a journey like this, but you can’t do away with them altogether. For that, you need to invest in international car shipping insurance.
As the name suggests, this ensures you’re able to protect your classic car against any setbacks it encounters along the way. You’ll thus be able to claim for any damages that aren’t already covered by any given company, as well as ensuring payment if your vehicle never reaches its final destination.
Unless you’re shipping large quantities of classic cars over extended periods, you may well find that options such as short-term touring coverage are your best choice here. When seeking a plan like this, make sure that it has everything you need, including considerations such as –
Make sure, too, that you budget for this requirement when considering shipping costs in the first place. If you’re already paying above the odds for overseas shipping or similar, then the extra expense of insurance could easily tip this undertaking way off the scales for profitability and more. By instead keeping this expense in mind from day one, you ensure you can weather those costs, and still have classic car shipment be worthwhile in the end.
As a world-class provider of domestic and international transportation services, we at R+L Global Logistics can take care of every aspect of your classic car shipping journey. Whether you’re looking to ship a car you’ve purchased, or are sending products overseas to keep your customers happy, our team has the commitment and vision necessary to make it happen with the utmost ease at all times.
From a domestic auto transport standpoint, we offer trucks, high beds, dry vans, and more, each complete with temperature control and expedited solutions should you need them.
Our experienced international auto transport professionals can also guide you through every stage of the overseas shipment process. From air freight to ocean and beyond, we’ll help you to settle on the ideal long-distance solutions for your classic vehicle without fail. We’ll even store your vehicle on arrival in one of our secure warehouse units if you aren’t able to arrange for immediate collection on the day.
Regardless of the auto transport service you choose, our online tracking systems make it easier for you to follow your classic car across the world. And, that’s not the only extra step we’ve taken to provide clients with peace of mind. We also have a wide range of certifications behind us that help us provide relentless customer satisfaction, including –
No matter why or how you need your classic car shipped, we can take all the pressure off your shoulders by making it happen the R+L Global Logistics way. All you need to do is call us on (866) 322-1381 today for a custom auto transport quote that proves why we’re the best company to take care of this for you.
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