Classic car shipping
Classic Car Shipping
With a classic, the paint is not cosmetic. Original finish is part of what the car is worth, and no amount of careful respraying puts that back.
Why enclosed is the default here
On a modern car, a stone chip is an annoyance. On a numbers-matching classic with original paint, it is a permanent reduction in value that cannot be undone.
That asymmetry is the whole argument. Enclosed transport removes road debris, weather and salt spray entirely, and it removes the vehicle from public view at every fuel stop. For a car whose value depends on originality, that is not a premium service, it is the appropriate one.
When open is genuinely fine. A driver-quality classic that already has a repaint, gets used regularly and is not being valued on originality can travel in the open perfectly well. We will say so rather than sell you a trailer you do not need.
How classics are handled differently
- Soft nylon straps over the tyres — never chassis chains, which mark suspension components and stress mounting points
- Lift gate or very low-angle ramps — for low clearance and long front overhangs common on older cars
- Fewer vehicles per load — less shuffling on the deck and a more direct route
- Photographic condition record — documented at both ends, because "it was like that" is not a defence anyone accepts on a classic
- Drivers used to these cars — who know that older brakes, clutches and steering behave nothing like a modern vehicle at walking pace
Cars that do not run, or barely do
A large share of classic transport involves vehicles that have not moved in years. That is entirely normal and we handle it routinely, provided we know in advance.
What matters is whether it rolls, steers and brakes. If it does, a winch-equipped carrier can load it. If the wheels do not turn or the steering is seized, that is a different job requiring different equipment, and telling us at quote stage prevents a failed collection.
Preparing a classic
- Photograph everything in daylight. Every panel, chrome, glass, interior, engine bay and underside if you can. This is your record.
- Note the quirks. A hidden battery cut-off, an ignition sequence, a temperamental starter. Write it down for the driver.
- Secure loose trim. Older cars shed things that modern ones do not. Anything that rattles should be removed or secured.
- Quarter tank at most. Older fuel systems are more prone to leaks and vapour, and a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
- Check for fluid leaks. Declare them. A leaking car on an enclosed deck affects everything below it.
Shows, auctions and deadlines
If the car is going to an event, tell us the date it must be on site, not the date you would like it collected. We schedule backwards and hold a buffer, because a classic that arrives the morning after judging is worth the same as one that never left.
Book earlier for these. Enclosed capacity is thinner than open to begin with, and concours and auction season pulls specialist trailers toward specific cities.
Classic car questions
Is enclosed transport necessary for every classic?
No. A driver-quality car with a repaint that gets used regularly is fine in the open. Enclosed matters where originality affects value, the paint is original or fresh, or ground clearance is low.
Can you ship a car that has not run in years?
Yes, provided it rolls, steers and brakes. Tell us at quote stage so a winch-equipped carrier is assigned. A vehicle whose wheels will not turn needs different equipment again.
How is the car secured inside the trailer?
Soft nylon straps over the tyres, not chains on the chassis. Chassis chains can mark suspension components and stress mounting points on older vehicles.
How much clearance is too low for standard ramps?
Below roughly four inches we use a lift gate. Long front overhangs on older cars reduce the effective clearance well below what the figure suggests.
How far ahead should I book for a show?
Three to four weeks where possible, and earlier during concours and auction season. Give us the date it must be on site and we will schedule backwards with a buffer.
Moving a classic?
Tell us the year, model and whether it runs. We will confirm the right equipment before quoting a number.