Most enthusiasts agree that collector cars should still be driven from time to time in order to prevent mechanical degradation from creeping in. The buyers themselves have many reasons for investing in these cars, from nostalgia to hobbies. Some seek a particular driving experience that can only be provided by those cars, while others view the vehicles as a kind of tangible asset or alternative investment. However, when it comes to transporting or having these cars delivered things get a little more complicated.
Finding the right service
If you’ve already begun doing your research about the services offering vehicle transportation you’ve probably come across Ship That Car already. If a company says that they can handle shipping options for high-value cars it means that they can ensure the right transport methods too. The premium enclosed transport is the most common option for luxury vehicles, starting from $625 and using fully enclosed trailers to shield valuable cars from all kinds of road conditions, from downpours or snow to road debris and dust.
Other options exist as well but the enclosed transport is recommended for collectors who want to ensure that their car arrives in perfect condition. The amount of time it can take for your vehicle to arrive varies depending on the distance between the destinations. When you book a car shipment, you’re not booking a time slot. You’re booking a window of days during which a carrier will arrive. Many people also assume the estimated delivery window is a firm date, when it is really a projection that depends on everything that happens between pickup and drop-off.
That’s because most shipments require a 3-day window during which your car is assessed so that it can be provided with the perfect carrier. The route will also be determined during this stage. Exceptions do exist, such as the car being picked up within 1 day because the route is simpler or within a short distance. Long-distance shipments can be picked up within a 24-hour window too, but that might incur an expedited rate too. However, being guaranteed an exact delivery time is pretty much impossible even in the case of rare, luxury cars because the carriers are always hauling several vehicles for many customers.
Traffic and road conditions, including accidents, detours, and construction, are some of the main unforeseen circumstances that can occur when it comes to delays. Previous pickups or deliveries on the route can cause delays too, with one customer being enough to change the schedule for everyone else. Weather conditions, hours-of-service rules (which limits how long a driver can be on the road), access issues like narrow streets, and mechanical issues and extra inspections are included too.
The transport methods
The enclosed trailers are the most classic and low-clearance option since they provide full protection. Specialized equipment like hydraulic lifts and soft-tie downs can also be used in order to guarantee safe loading in the case of fragile, low-riding cars. Open carriers can be used sometimes as well, especially for sturdy or project cars, but they are less common in the case of high-value collectibles that have maintained their original condition.
Insurance and protection are offered too, with transporters generally including transit insurance that is mapped to the vehicle’s declared or appraised value. This way, you know that your car is protected even if something were to happen to it during its journey. Apart from knowing that you can rely on the insurance for potential repairs there’s also the fact that many providers offer GPS tracking as well as email and SMS updates. These features let you monitor the progress of your car throughout the transit and allow you to stay in contact with your driver throughout the entire process.
You can also be certain that your transports remain fully confidential too. White-glove transport is typically considered to be necessary in the case of collector cars and is generally offered. This refers to premium, end-to-end logistics and delivery services that can provide maximum care and fully specialized handling. Since these cars can be considered sensitive items, it makes sense for them to receive this treatment. Some of the additional services include things such as climate control so that temperatures and humidity levels remain stable. This prevents damage to the leather, seals, paints, and vintage rubber.
Specialized coverage extending past the standard auto-policy limits can be included, as well as detailed documentation of the condition of the car through multi-angle photo logs and inspections.
The bottom line
Collector cars are a hobby for many people. Some view them as an investment as well, knowing that their value is high and can only increase. Whichever group you’re part of, it’s a given that you’ll want to protect your car too. While this is pretty easy to do when the vehicles are in your own storage, moving them is an entirely different matter. For cases such as these you’ll need the help and assistance of a professional service that can handle things for you.
Make sure to work with a service that can provide you with the features your car needs to remain perfectly safe and secure throughout its journey. Provide all the necessary details and stay in touch with the carriers to keep up with the procedures. Being careful and paying attention to the details is what will ensure that your car gets to you in perfect shape.
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