Most cars depreciate in value over time, but classic and luxury vehicles are a different breed with their ability to act as an investment and/or maintain sentimental worth in an owner’s eyes.
Understanding the ins and outs of shipping a classic or luxury car helps preserve its value during transport, as you’ll know what standards a carrier should meet to successfully complete the job.
Common reasons for shipping classic or luxury vehicles include a move, featuring at a car show, or selling to a new owner. No matter your reason for shipping, it’s common to experience some anxiety when approaching the transport process.
Our guide below covers the following topics to help you ship a classic or luxury car with more peace of mind:
Choosing the right shipping method
Vetting transport companies
Preparing your vehicle for shipping
Steps to take when receiving your vehicle
Communicating with a hauler during transport
—and more.
Keep reading for more details on mastering this shipping task.
Understanding Classic or Luxury Car Shipping Options
There isn’t one way to ship a vehicle; some methods are more conducive to transporting a classic or luxury car than others. Shipping methods offering the most protection will naturally cost more money, but damage incurred during transport can cost far more than the most expensive services.
Open Carrier Transport
Open carrier shipping is the most common and affordable way to transport a vehicle. However, drivers moving classic or luxury cars are more likely to choose an enclosed transport option with its additional protection. Open carrier shipping exposes your vehicle to outdoor elements during transit. Outdoor elements that could negatively impact your car’s condition include but aren’t limited to, salt corrosion from snow-treated roads and debris like small rocks.
Enclosed Carrier Transport
Enclosed auto transport costs more since it offers higher protection than its open carrier counterpart. During enclosed transport, you can also choose whether to ship a classic or luxury car alone, known as single-carrier transport, or with other vehicles. Single-carrier enclosed transport is often used for classic or luxury cars since it’s one of the most expensive shipping options, but delivers a high level of personalized care.
Air Freight Shipping
Air freight shipping, which people typically utilize for international or urgent shipments, is the priciest form of auto transport.
Door-To-Door vs. Terminal-To-Terminal Shipping
Classic or luxury vehicle owners can choose between door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal delivery.
Door-to-door shipping involves selecting a specific address or location for drop-off and pickup. In contrast, an auto hauler will designate drop-off and pickup locations for a terminal-to-terminal service. These locations tend to include small storage lots or large depots.
Drivers shipping classic or high-value cars tend to select door-to-door transport since the vehicle is handled less during.
Tips for Choosing the Right Car Shipping Company
It’s vital to research and vet potential carriers to optimize a classic or luxury car’s chances of arriving safely.
First, read reviews and seek word-of-mouth references. When evaluating reviews, look for companies with at least a 4.1-star rating and several documented reviews—not just a few.
After compiling a list of potential carriers to work with, verify that a company you’re considering provides the specific service you need. Smaller single owner-operator haulers are generally less likely to offer specialized services like single enclosed carrier transport.
You’ll also want to ensure that a service’s shipping timeline aligns with your needs, as factors like distance, pickup and delivery locations, and carrier availability affect how long you wait for pickup.
Verifying a hauler’s insurance and licensing is equally important to ensure your classic or luxury car has the necessary levels of damage protection while fulfilling legal standards for transit. Hiring a qualified auto transport broker streamlines your ability to choose the right shipping company and receive multiple quotes for comparison.
Preparing Your Classic or Luxury Car for Shipment
Preparing a classic or luxury vehicle for shipping should involve cleaning the exterior and interior, removing personal items and accessories, and securing or detaching loose parts.
Exterior items prone to loosening include:
Side mirrors
Grilles
Emblems
Aftermarket accessories
Examples of interior components with a higher likelihood of loosening are:
Non-standard stereo equipment
Customer gauges
Removable floor mats
Cleaning, removing personal items, and securing or removing loose parts helps you document a classic or luxury car’s condition more accurately and reduce the likelihood of hazards during transport.
You’ll also want to maintain tire pressure according to the manufacturer’s directions, address any mechanical issues, and communicate any special handling instructions ahead of time to facilitate safe loading and unloading.
Loading and Unloading Procedures
A basic understanding of loading and unloading procedures for classic or luxury cars can help you verify that a carrier is properly caring for your vehicle.
The transporter should document your vehicle’s condition before loading to create a detailed inspection report. A professional carrier will use low-angle ramps or a hydraulic lift to prevent undercarriage scraping while loading your car. They’ll then secure the vehicle with soft tie-downs to avoid damaging the paint or bodywork and wheel straps to prevent excessive structure stress.
After using the same level of care for unloading, you and the carrier will inspect the car and sign a bill of lading documenting whether damage occurred during transit. If possible, take the vehicle for a quick test drive as a mechanical check. You should notify a carrier of any damage as soon as possible to request a damage claim form that’s submitted to the hauler or their insurance company.
En Route Communication
The high-value nature of many classic or luxury cars underscores the importance of maintaining open communication with a shipping company during the vehicle’s transit.
You can start establishing this communication by requesting contact information for a relevant representative. Customers may also want to order regular updates. Some carrier companies provide clients with vehicle tracking services.
The Key to Successfully Shipping a Classic or Luxury Car
The key ingredient to successfully shipping a classic or luxury car is thorough planning using the steps above. Utilizing these tips lowers the chances of your vehicle experiencing damage during loading, travel, or unloading—and if damage occurs, you’ll be in a better position to respond.
