If you’re a lover of classic cars, owning your dream vehicle could well mean buying it online or from an auction out of state. Either way, you will probably require professional classic cars auto transport to bring it to you. The last thing you want is to add more unnecessary miles onto an older car. That's why experienced exotic car owners trust reliable classic car transportation services to bring their babies home.
What is a Classic Car?
State departments of motor vehicles, insurance companies and car clubs may all assign a different definition on what a classic car is. You can contact the Classic Car Club of America to find out if your car meets their regulations. Typically, the CCCA deems cars manufactured between 1925 to 1948 as classics, but when you look at their list, you will see that there are many variables.
Insurance companies usually consider cars aged 15-20 years old or more that are stored in a garage when they are not in use, or that are driven less than 2,500 - 5,000 miles per year. Additionally, insurance companies usually require that you have at least one other vehicle for regular use.
Another strong factor to bear in mind when it comes to insuring your classic car, is the value of the car. It almost goes without saying, but your car is worth much more than the blue book value. Your insurer should be willing to appraise your vehicle and come to an agreed value to put on your classic car insurance policy.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) definitions differ from one state to another, but typically:
- a vehicle older than 15 years will be considered classic
- a vehicle older than 25 years is considered antique
Many vehicle shipping companies offer classic cars auto transport, but it is important to choose one with a strong track record in delivering smooth, safe auto transportation. Once you’ve made the decision to purchase that exclusive vehicle, you will have to do your research to find the most suitable company to bring your classic car home.
Nationwide Auto Transportation has the largest carrier network that covers the entire U.S. We pride ourselves on a track record of quality and an exemplary safety record, which you can view on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. Whether you have a single car or a fleet of vehicles, we take a custom approach from providing you with the best possible classic cars auto transport quote to in-house customer service, real-time tracking of your vehicle, and auto shipping insurance.
At Nationwide Auto Transportation, we understand that a classic car is an investment. That’s why we look after your car as though it were our very own. We’re committed to ensuring it arrives back to you in the same condition in which we received it.
Successful classic car auto shipping starts with proper equipment to handle the low clearance and elements that cater to the specific shipping requirements of a vintage car. Most often, classic cars are shipped using enclosed transport.
Why Would You Need Classic Cars Auto Transport?
At Nationwide Auto Transportation, we serve many different people. One of our biggest groups of clients, is classic car clubs and organizations. We also serve vintage car dealers and individual collectors.
At NAT, we understand - and we're passionate about - classic cars. We understand that some of these vehicles are rare, fragile, and many still have their original paint. For most classic car owners, their vehicles are priceless and sentimental. You don't want your car damaged and that's why we make it our business to transport your classic vehicle in the safest way possible. Like you, we put that extra little bit of thought into safeguarding your classic car to ensure it reaches its destination in the same condition in which it left.
Whether you call us to ship a number of vehicles from your dealership or club to another, or whether you’re an individual who wants to have your vintage car shipped from your home to a specialist repair shop, we can help. We also ship classic cars from private collectors to museums and from exhibitions to clients’ homes or shops.
There are numerous benefits to shipping classic cars including the fact that there’s no wear and tear on your vehicle, and a much lower risk of accidents. Since your insurance premium and status can change depending on the number of miles you drive in your classic car, it's never a good idea to drive it across the country or more than say 200 miles.
For a comprehensive understanding of door-to-door auto transport services, including benefits, costs, and expert tips, check out our detailed guide on Door-to-Door Auto Transport.
Open or Enclosed Classic car Shipping?
Are you wondering what are the main differences between open and enclosed car shipping? Essentially, both are a means to transport your car via truck, train or plane. For the purposes of Nationwide Auto Transportation, we'll discuss classic car transport via truck.
When transporting your car by truck, you can choose between open transport or enclosed transport.
Open auto transportation involves shipping your car on a long truck with two racks - one at trailer level and one above. These trucks can carry up to 11 cars at a time, which makes it an affordable choice for most classic car owners. Each car that takes up a space on the truck between two destinations in the same direction, pays only for that particular spot on a one-way trip. There are three different types of open car carriers to choose from, including:
- two-level, multi-car carriers
- single-level, multi-car carrier
- dully truck with single-level tow trailer
Enclosed auto transportation is when your classic car is moved from one place to another inside a truck that can carry 2-4 vehicles at a time insdie an enclosed truck. Enclosed car carriers may have hard or soft sides on the outside, and racks inside on which the cars are secured. Enclosed auto transportation is slightly more expensive than open auto transport, due to the fact that fewer cars share a truck on a point to point route.
Enclosed carriers come in different configurations, too. There are soft and hard-sided carriers, in the following options:
- one- or two-car trailers
- multi-car enclosed trailers
Although open auto transportation is a completely safe choice for most cars that need to be transported, classic car owners tend to prefer investing money into enclosed auto transport rather than risking having their paint chipped by flying road debris. If you do opt to ship your classic car on an open trailer, request a "top load". That means that your car will be loaded onto the upper deck of the two-tier carrier, which provides added protection from road debris. Also, your vehicle will not be exposed to potential leaks coming from vehicles above, as your car will be on the top rack.
Benefits of Enclosed Transport for Classic Cars
Drivers of open and enclosed auto transportation carriers are usually highly experienced on the road. They are well trained on the risks along their routes, and they have much experience in safely loading and unloading all kinds of vehicles.
Both enclosed and open auto carriers feature world-class safety and security equipment to safeguard your car against theft or freak accidents. In addition to the safety straps and clamps, enclosed auto transport carriers also have protective sides to provide your car with extra protection against dirt, bad weather, or small rocks and road debris that can be dislodged, causing chips, cracks and scratches.
Nationwide Auto Transprotation works with a large nationwide network of enclosed auto carriers who are highly experienced in the ins and outs of caring for high-end vehicles. Our white glove transport option means that the driver only deals with a small number of vehicles at a time, ensuring the highest level of personal attention to each vehicle. We can also arrange a premium one-car trailer shipping service for your classic car, upon request.
The one drawback with enclosed carriers is that the driver has less opportunity to do routine inspections on the classic cars they are carrying than would be possible in an open carrier.
How much does it cost to ship a classic car?
While shipping costs are important, it’s only one factor of the equation. There are several other issues to take into consideration. Many companies are focused on shipping as many cars as possible, and only a few specialize in shipping classic cars, muscle car transport, and classic car delivery.
Enclosed carriers can only transport a small amount of cars at a time on a single route. With fewer people to share the cost of shipping, each pays a larger portion than with open car transport. Likewise, enclosed carriers have a higher GVWM, which means it uses more fuel, which increases the costs of fuel. The truck itself often costs more to purchase and to maintain. These are just some of the reasons why enclosed transport tends to be more pricey. However, if you would do anything to protect your classic car, it is a small price to pay for door-to-door transport.
Car Shipping Calculator
Our car shipping calculator makes it easy to find out exactly what vintage or exotic car transport cost. There are no hidden fees, as everything is included in the quote for our standard car shipping package. If you have any special requests or requirements, do get in touch with our team. Additional fees will be charged if:
- your fuel tanks need to be emptied
- your battery requires charging
- your car in inoperable
- special equipment is needed to load or offload your car
- we cannot collect from or deliver to the addresses specified and you're unable to meet us at the nearest public parking area
- the delivery fails and storage is required
To avoid incurring any additional costs, please speak to our team upfront our your exact needs and the specifics of your muscle car transport requirements.
Classic Car Delivery from Nationwide Auto Transportation
When choosing a professional classic car shipping service, it is important to ensure that the company you choose meets all the regulations, such as:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- “MC Docket” number - a six-digit number issued by the Department of Transport
- USDOT - a seven-digit number
When interviewing potential auto transport carriers about shipping your classic car, be sure to request these numbers from the company and be sure to check that they are valid by searching the USDOT website.
It's always a good idea to choose an established auto shipping company to ship your classic car, because they are more likely to use expert drivers and to know what they are doing. Established companies have all the experience and the equipment required to strap your car onto its rack and ensure that it is as safe as possible.
When you work with Nationwide Auto Transportation, you can rest assured that only the most modern enclosed carriers will be used (if you choose enclosed transport) to ship your classic car. Our reliable matrix of delivery carriers operate across forty-eight states, delivering professional experience and care. Here’s what you can expect from your experience with Nationwide Auto Transportation:
- NAT is a trusted auto shipping broker with more than 15 years of experience in the field and many satisfied customers.
- Our fleet includes fully enclosed transport options for older model cars, muscle cars, classic cars or antiques.
- Your car will be shipped in a shift-resistant carrier with air-cushioned suspension.
- Each door-to-door classic cars auto transport order will receive excellent customer service, insurance coverage, and GPS tracking.
We are committed to providing reliable classic car transport on which our clients can always rely.
Contact Nationwide Auto Transportation today to book your classic cars auto transport.
