What is classic car transport?
Classic car transport is a specialized service for transporting classic, antique, vintage, and collector vehicles from Point A to Point B. These services typically use enclosed trailers for added protection and include extra care in handling to ensure the car's preservation throughout its journey.
When do you need classic car transport?
You need classic car transport when moving a vintage, antique, collector, or classic car for events, auctions, or relocations. Specialized transport ensures added protection and careful handling to preserve the car’s condition, making it ideal for valuable or delicate vehicles that require extra care during transit.
What is the safest way to ship a classic car?
The safest way to ship a classic car is by using enclosed car transport. This method protects the vehicle from weather, road debris, and potential damage during transit. Also, choose a reputable classic car hauler with experience handling classic cars, ensuring the highest standards of care and professionalism.
If you want to ship a classic car, the other option is open car transport. It is safe, but your classic vehicle won’t be as protected because the carrier uses an open trailer. Open car transport is cheaper for several reasons, mainly because multiple vehicles can be shipped simultaneously, thereby sharing the cost.
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Why classic car owners prefer vintage car shipping:
Vehicles are shipped with care With vintage car shipping, we transport your investment with the utmost care and attention from the moment of collection to the final delivery. We’ll support you throughout the shipping process, and you can feel confident in your special vehicle arriving safely and on time.
Zero exposure to the elements While a road trip might sound exciting, door-to-door auto transport avoids long-distance driving and saves on expenses such as gas, accommodation, tolls, and other associated travel costs.
Regular status updates are available Shipping your classic car can be stressful, especially for the first time. We make the process easy by providing regular status updates and the contact information of the truck driver and our dispatch department.
Experienced classic car transport companies Shipping vehicles can be unpredictable, even at the best of times, but with our years of classic car experience, you know your precious vehicle is being taken good care of at all times.
Which auto transport service do classic, vintage, antique, and collector car owners prefer?
Enclosed car shipping
Classic car owners prefer enclosed car shipping because it’s the safest way to ship your car. Classic car transport companies can tailor the service to meet your unique needs. For example, if you need hydraulic gates to protect your low-ground clearance car, we can provide them with no problem. We can also pick up your latest dream car purchase from any auction and deliver it as close as legally and safely possible to your home.
Why choose WeShipCars?
Zero upfront payment
When choosing WeShipCars, you don’t need to worry about paying upfront. We only ask for payment when we’ve allocated a carrier to your shipment.
Free cancellation
We give you the freedom to cancel your booking at no cost because we know how unpredictable life can be.
Full insurance coverage
Ship your car confidently, knowing it’s fully covered during shipping. Comprehensive cover is included in the price, so you can have complete peace of mind throughout the classic car transportation process.
Fully vetted and insured car shipping carriers
The top priorities for WeShipCars are the safety of your vehicle and your complete satisfaction. To achieve this, we only work with thoroughly vetted and insured classic car transporters who meet our high standards of professionalism and care.
Customizable services and dedicated car shipping experts
Choose our classic car transport services, and you can tailor them to meet your needs. Our dedicated classic car transport experts are by your side throughout the process to ensure you have the best experience possible.
24/7 customer support
The WeShipCars customer support team is available 24/7, so don’t hesitate to contact them with any questions or concerns.
How does classic vehicle shipping work?
Classic car covered transport is a straightforward process. We ship your vehicle in three easy steps:
- Get a quote and book your order: Contact us to get your quote and start the ball rolling. Use our free, instant online quote calculator, and you’ll receive your quote in seconds. Alternatively, pick up the phone and dial (708) 300-0063 to speak directly with our car shipping experts. You can also use live chat.
- We pick up your car: We assign one of our fully vetted and insured carriers. The pick-up is as close as is safe and legal to your chosen location.
- We deliver your car: The carrier contacts you beforehand to inform you they’re almost at the destination. You inspect your vehicle to ensure everything is in order and sign to accept delivery of your car.
step 1
Get a free, instant quote and book your order
Begin your auto transport process by obtaining your classic car shipping quotes. You can use our free instant car shipping cost calculator or speak directly with our car shipping experts via phone or live chat for a more personalized experience.
Our free instant online quote calculator is the fastest and most straightforward way to start. Simply provide a few basic details, and you’ll receive your quote in seconds. Enter your pick-up and delivery city or ZIP code, the year, make, and model of your vehicle, its condition, the number of cars you wish to ship, and the type of transport you need.
We also need to know the date when your vehicle is ready for pick-up. This is known as the First Available Pick-Up Date in the industry.
We’ll also ask for your email address and telephone number. We use your email and phone number to send a copy of your quote and to verify your authenticity.
The quote you receive is all-inclusive, meaning there are no hidden charges. You are not obligated to complete the process or make your booking at this stage. Your quote is valid for 14 days, but if you decide to book later, we can recalculate the cost without needing you to input your details again. Our system securely records all your information.
If you’re unhappy with the price, take advantage of our price match promise. Contact us immediately; we’d appreciate the opportunity to match a direct competitor's price.
When you’re ready to book, use the link in your quote email to go directly to the booking page. Alternatively, you can secure your classic car transport services by calling (708) 300-0063 or using our live chat. At this point, we require no upfront payment.
We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your booking, let us know immediately. Cancellation is free before we schedule your shipment. If we’ve already assigned a carrier, we’ll retain any charged amount up to $199 and refund the difference.
We have an extensive network of fully insured and vetted carriers. We’ll find the best one to suit your needs. Once a carrier is assigned, we’ll contact you to explain the next steps and provide the carrier’s details.
After confirming all your shipment details, you can choose how to pay. We offer two options: cash on delivery (COD) or full payment via credit/debit card or Zelle at the time of booking.
Start your journey confidently and efficiently with our seamless, customer-focused classic car transport service!
step 2
We pick up your vehicle
Your carrier contacts you the day before your scheduled pick-up time and again a few hours before their arrival. This is more than just a courtesy call; confirming that someone is available to release the car is essential. If you're unavailable, you can nominate someone else, as long as they are 18 or older, to act on your behalf.
The carrier ensures the pick-up location is accessible for large trucks and trailers. If there are parking or access restrictions, low-hanging trees, or overhead powerlines, discuss a more suitable nearby location with the driver. You might meet the driver at a parking lot, workplace, or a wider street.
When the carrier arrives, you and the driver carefully inspect your vehicle. Any existing damage, such as dents, dings, scratches, or chips, is noted on the Bill of Lading (BOL), which may be a paper document or an app used by carriers.
Once you’ve completed all documentation, you must hand over the keys and bid farewell to your vehicle. Rest assured, you’ll be reunited with your car in just a few days.
For peace of mind, you can contact our car shipping experts, the carrier, or the driver for regular updates via phone, live chat, or email.
step 3
We deliver your vehicle
Before you know it, the carrier calls again to let you know they’ll arrive soon. Expect a call the day before and another a couple of hours before their arrival. They’ll check that you’re available to receive your vehicle and confirm that the delivery location is safe and legal.
If you cannot receive your vehicle, you can nominate someone to act on your behalf. You could choose a neighbor, relative, friend, or work colleague. We're happy with this arrangement as long as they are over 18.
When your vehicle arrives, inspect it closely with the driver and compare it with the original Bill of Lading (BOL). Once everything is in order, sign the Bill of Lading (BOL) to accept delivery and make the necessary payment.
Ready to ship?
Your journey starts here:
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of collector car transport depends on factors such as market demand, distance, type of vehicle, value and condition, time of year, fuel prices, pick-up and delivery locations, and any extra services you require.
Understanding the factors that impact antique car transport costs can help you make informed decisions.
- Market demand: Vintage car shipping prices fluctuate based on market demand, which can change cyclically (seasonally) or non-cyclically (due to mass relocations). Urban areas see price fluctuations based on demand, while rural areas generally have higher prices due to lower demand.
- Truck availability: Truck availability correlates with market demand, with fewer trucks leading to increased demand and higher prices.
- Distance: While distance is a pricing factor, market demand often dictates prices. Busy short routes may have high prices, while longer routes might have lower prices.
- Vehicle dimensions: Bulkier and heavier vehicles cost more to transport due to height and weight restrictions, optimizing truckload capacity.
- Vehicle value: Transporting expensive vehicles generally costs more, especially when using enclosed car shipping for added protection.
- Vehicle condition: Non-running vehicles require special equipment and more handling time, affecting shipping costs.
- Seasonality: Shipping during peak seasons like summer and holidays can result in higher costs, while off-peak times may offer savings.
- Fuel prices: Fuel costs influence shipping prices, with higher fuel prices increasing overall costs.
- Expedited/express transport: Priority pick-up and quicker delivery options are more expensive due to the increased service level and faster timelines.
- Guaranteed pick-up date: Ensures pick-up within a specified window, incurring additional costs for pre-allocated carriers.
- Transport type: Open car transport is more common and cost-effective, while enclosed car shipping offers added protection but is more expensive.
- Pick-up and delivery locations: Certain locations may incur extra costs due to accessibility issues or additional fees.
- Extra services: Additional services beyond standard shipping may come with extra charges.
- Discounts: Qualifying for military or student car shipping discounts can help reduce shipping costs.
The duration of vintage car shipping can vary based on several factors, including distance, the specific route, potential delays (weather or traffic), and a carrier’s schedule and policies.
Generally, shorter distances within the same region might take a few days, while longer distances, such as cross-country classic car shipping, could take 7-9 days.
While distance is the most obvious factor, others can affect the time it takes to ship your classic vehicle door-to-door:
- Pick-up and drop-off locations: Shipping from metropolitan areas tends to be faster due to better infrastructure and higher demand. In contrast, rural areas may experience longer transit times due to limited access and fewer service providers.
- Distance: Longer distances naturally take more time, with transit times ranging from 1-2 days for short distances to 7-9 days for cross-country shipments.
- Seasonal demand: Peak moving seasons (late spring to early fall) see higher demand and shorter transit times. At the same time, winter months may experience longer wait times due to reduced demand and holiday breaks for carriers.
- Weather conditions: Severe weather, such as snowstorms or heavy rain, can slow transport, as safety takes precedence. Poor driving conditions lead to slower driving speeds or temporary halts.
- Road conditions and traffic: Road construction, detours, and traffic congestion in urban areas can cause delays, while rural areas may have fewer alternative routes and slower responses to road issues.
- Driver regulations: Strict regulations limit driving hours for truck drivers, ensuring safety but potentially extending transit times.
- Vehicle type: Larger, heavier, or specialized vehicles may require more time for loading, handling, and finding suitable carriers.
- Vehicle condition: Operable vehicles can be shipped more quickly than inoperable ones, which require special handling and preparation.
- Transportation method: Open transport is faster due to higher availability and simultaneous shipment of multiple vehicles. In contrast, enclosed car shipping offers more excellent protection but may take longer due to fewer available carriers and more meticulous handling processes. For classic vehicle transport, enclosed car shipping is the method of choice for most owners because of its protection.
- Service level: Express/expedited services prioritize faster delivery but come at a higher cost, while terminal-to-terminal shipping may add time due to additional drop-off and pick-up requirements.
Enclosed car shipping is often considered the best way to ship a classic car due to its higher protection level. Here are the key reasons why enclosed transport is ideal for classic cars:
- Protection from the Elements: Enclosed trailers shield your classic car from weather conditions such as rain, snow, hail, and sun, which can cause damage over time.
- Security: With enclosed shipping, your vehicle is not visible to the public, reducing the risk of theft or vandalism during transit.
- Minimized Risk of Road Debris: Enclosed trailers protect your car from road debris, such as rocks, dirt, and other particles that could cause scratches or dents.
- Specialized Handling: Enclosed transport often includes services from carriers experienced with handling classic and luxury cars, ensuring careful loading, unloading, and securing of the vehicle.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing your classic car is being transported in a secure, protected environment can provide significant peace of mind, especially for valuable or rare vehicles.
While enclosed car shipping tends to be more expensive than open transport, its added protection and security make it the preferred choice for many classic car owners.
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Get a free, instant quote today and see how easy and affordable auto transport can be with WeShipCars.