Mechanics Hate Us

If you own or are buying a classic or vintage car you will know they need more attention than an everyday vehicle. The nature of classic/vintage cars often means driving to your chosen destination is simply not possible. This guide will walk you through all the steps necessary to transporting your car.

Service Type

When transporting a classic car, you have 3 types of courier services – each of which will be examined in more detail below.

1)    The car is driven to its destination on trade plates

2)    The car is transported on a single car trailer

3)    The car is transported on a multi-car trailer

Having the car transporter drive it to its destination on trade plates can be the cheapest option – but there are disadvantages. The chances of it being damaged are slightly higher (although nothing to worry about) as the car is being driven on the road, however a good car transporter will naturally be appropriately insured. In addition the mileage of the car will be used, which can be hefty when the trip is especially long.

Having the car delivered on a single car trailer is likely to be the most expensive option, as the cost is not split with other customers. This method of car transport is rarely overbooked like the multi-car transportation can be, meaning it is entirely possible to find a willing car transporter at short notice. Having your vehicle delivered on an enclosed is the safest albeit most costly option.

Using a multi-car trailer should be the cheapest option, as the cost can be divided between many customers. Cars are constantly being delivered across the UK and Europe in this fashion, making it a reassuring option for many. However, door to door delivery will be unlikely – with this method, the car transporter will generally deliver the car to a nearby hub, from where you can collect the car.

Preparation

Preparation is key when transporting your classic or vintage car – the better the preparation the better the chances of avoiding damage during transit. Always keep in contact with your transport provider so that you can finalise the details of the delivery. Your chosen car transporter should know everything about your car, from its make and model, to age and faults

Make sure the transporter is aware that the car is a classic, vintage or antique. Anything that makes them more careful when moving your car! It will be useful for the car transporter to be made aware of any existing damages and problems that may affect the transport and handling.

Remove any personal items from within your car as most transport provider’s insurance will not cover their loss or damage. If you have a moment, break out the sponge and chamois and give the car a good clean. Head lamps should be

Take dated photographs with a written record of any damage (and of course lack of damage) the car may have. If your car is not mot’d or particularly old it may be risky to have it towed.

For the lucky few who get to impress the ladies with their classic convertible, they will need to seal the roof properly to stop any debris and moisture from entering the car interior. If there are any breaks in the seal, use a tarp as cover or failing that, heavy duty tape.

Parts of the car that stick out such as the car aerial or wing mirror should be folded down and retracted if possible. As a rule, anything that is sticking out or is likely to wobble should be closed or taken off and transported separately.

If you make an inventory of the various parts of the car you will better equipped to realise when one goes missing or is damaged upon its arrival.

The transport

Before handing over your vehicle, ensure any damage is catalogued as described above. The car transport company will do the same, so make sure any damage is noted down and timestamped.

Check the mileage of your car to see if there has been any irregular changes, bearing in mind there may be slight changes accounting for loading and unloading.

Inspect your vehicle like a hawk when it arrives at the chosen destination. Never sign off a job completed without giving the car a once over. Check for any additional damage, and remember to make sure there is none on the roof or the bumpers. If there is, make sure the driver or company sign a document acknowledging the damage, or recourse will be much more difficult.

if you find any dents, bumps or scratches after the car has been delivered you need to contact your transport provider to try and work out a speedy resolution. Give your insurance company 24 hrs before you have the car moved.

Post Delivery

Damage to the car during transport is rare, but it is still essential to check the car on arrival. Before going down any legal routes or other methods of recourse, try to sort out any problems with the firm directly. Should the worst happen, agencies such as Trading Standards may be able to assist.

What might it be about classic cars that everyone just loves? It is true that certain buyers are actually investing with an eye to making future profits. Pertaining to investors this is a solid strategy, because of the prevalent global economic framework. However, many people buy classic cars for no other reason than that they love them and would like to drive them daily. If perhaps we distill it down to essentials, there are really two factors which pertain to owning a classic car. On one hand it gives immense pleasure deriving from the reason that it’s a classic, and on the other its inevitable age predisposes it to having problems. A great way to try out a classic car is to hire once from a specialist car hire firm. I did this on holiday a few years back when I hired one from Car Hire Italy.

If you own a classic automobile for your only vehicle and you drop your kids off and pick them up from school as well as do weekly shopping in it, it might create problems for you on the road because these vehicles were not made for such frequent use.  It isn’t surprising, then, that there is risk attached to getting a classic car, because the amount of care lavished on it is an unknown. If you acquired an automobile which was well cared for by its original owner, you’ve hit the jackpot and you can use it as you want, with proper maintenance of course. Listed here are a few tips which will help you to buy a good classic automobile.

Advertisements for vintage cars abound in the daily newspapers. Before making any determination, you have to consider it seriously. Don’t jump into a decision merely by looking at the photograph of a classic car in the newspaper. Check what you need against what you can afford and then come to a decision. Head out and view the car and then determine what condition it is in. Should it be well cared for and well maintained by its owner, you could think about buying it. The perfect classic car could provide as many years of enjoyable driving as a modern car.

It’s not only the buying price which is essential; the cost of keeping the car in good running order is just as significant. It usually is very attractive when a classic car is offered at what seems a cheap price; even so, you must try not to be blinded by this – spares are often quite costly and the car could have some faults which require major expenditure. This specific aspect is of primary importance if your intention is to use the car daily.

You would be well-advised to check out the availability of spares if your fancy has been caught by an imported car. With some older models it is usually the case that some parts are no longer obtainable new, or even second hand. It would be smart to do some advance investigation into potential issues that may arise with the car you’ve finally set your heart on. You can search any local market or web stores for this purpose. Online communities are usually very willing to offer advice. Many online message boards provide online assistance to determine potential problems in your vehicle.

These handful of facts and tips just might help you in making a good judgment  when purchasing a  classic car and keeping it  in  good  condition.

If you own or are buying a classic or vintage car you will know they need more attention than an everyday vehicle. Often classic and vintage cars in various states or repair (or disrepair!) and cannot be driven by the owner. Read this guide to get an understanding of all the different options available to you before rushing into hiring any one car transporter.

Service Type

When transporting a classic car, you have 3 types of delivery service – each of which will be examined in more detail below.

1)    The car is driven to its destination on trade plates

2)    The car is transported on a single car trailer

3)    The car is transported on a multi-car trailer

Having the car transport drive it to its destination on trade plates can be the cheapest option – but there are disadvantages. The chances of it being damaged are slightly higher (although nothing to worry about) as the car is being driven on the road, however a good car transporter will naturally be appropriately insured. In addition the mileage of the car will be used, which can be hefty when the trip is especially long.

Hiring a transporter who uses a single car trailer will be the more expensive of the options because the cost will not be shared amongst other customers. However, you will be more likely to find a car transporter on short notice, so this is the suitable option for urgent deliveries. If your vehicle is irreplaceable or particularly valuable, you may choose to have an enclosed trailer, but this option is more expensive.

Because the expense is shared amongst all the car owners using the service, a multi-car trailer will nine times out of ten be the cheapest option available. Cars are transported around the UK and Europe daily, making this a good option. However, door to door delivery will be unlikely – with this method, the car transporter will generally deliver the car to a nearby hub, from where you can collect the car.

Car transport, transport voiture, transporte de coches – it doesn’t matter what country your in, make sure you prepare properly!

Preparation

Preparation is key when transporting your classic or vintage car – the better the preparation the better the chances of avoiding damage during transit. You should ideally be in constant conversation with your transport provider to iron out the details of the transportation. Your chosen car transporter should know everything about your car, from its make and model, to age and faults

Make sure the transporter is aware that the car is a classic, vintage or antique. This gives the transporter a chance to acquire different equipment if they need and simply to take more care on the day! Leading up to its transportation, you should document all the existing damage and problems with the car that might affect its transport and handling.

The loss or damage of personal items within a car will rarely be covered by the transporter’s insurance so make sure you take them all out before handing the car over. If you have a moment, break out the sponge and chamois and give the car a good clean. Head lamps should be

Take dated photographs with a written record of any damage (and of course lack of damage) the car may have. If your car is a hunk of rust, old or not mot’s it will be dangerous to have it moved by having it towed.

If you are lucky enough to be transporting a convertible you should properly seal the roof to prevent debris and moisture entering the car interior. If there are any breaks in the seal, use a tarp as cover or failing that, heavy duty tape.

The antennae should be retracted and the mirrors should be folded back. If something that sticks out can be taken off, do so and transport it separately.

You should create an inventory of all the parts of the car, so that if any go missing or are damaged in transit you will know on its arrival.

What happens next

Before handing over your vehicle, ensure any damage is catalogued as described above. Any respectable car transporter will do likewise.

Check the mileage of your car to see if there has been any irregular changes, bearing in mind there may be slight changes accounting for loading and unloading.

Inspect your vintage car like a hawk when it arrives at the chosen destination. Always check the car for damages on arrival before signing the job off and letting the transporter go. Check for any additional damage, and remember to make sure there is none on the roof or the bumpers. Ensure that the driver or the transport company sign a document that acknowledges the damage, otherwise building a case in your favour will be a lot harder.

It is important to contact the transport provider immediately if you spot any damage that may have occurred during transit. If applicable, you must also inform your insurance company within 24 hours.

Post Delivery

Damage to the car during transport is rare, but it is still essential to check the car on arrival. Before going down any legal routes or other methods of recourse, try to sort out any problems with the firm directly. If worst does come worst then authoritative agencies such as the Trading standards will help you out.

Can anyone recommend a repair shop in New Mexico that does work on classic Fords? I have a 1963 Ford Falcon Futura with a broken left-rear axle. It’s currently in Gallup, NM. Thanks for the help!