Anyone Know a Good Car Shipper?
#1
Anyone Know a Good Car Shipper?
All:
I want to thank everyone that has constructively helped me in looking for a SWC and especially the discussions that we had offline. There are a couple of forum members that offered me their cars and both of them look like outstanding examples. I went to Nebraska to look at this car on Tuesday and the seller and I reached an agreement on price yesterday evening. Over a 10 week search I personally looked at 9 cars and this one was the clear standout. If any of you are looking for a SWC feel free to PM me because I might have looked at a car that you are interested in.
From an NCRS perspective this car has some issues because it has both power steering and power front disc brakes from Paragon on the car. The paint is also way too good as the jambs and edges are all too shiny and the frame was powder coated and I will assume that is a "no no" in judging. The best news on this car is that it has all of its original sale paperwork, loads of service receipts and many other materials from its owners. Every original part that was replaced with reproduction was saved from the restoration including all of the interior, the original brake system, and all of the original front suspension.
The car was done to a high standard and it was good that everything in the car came from Paragon because they know these cars very well. The seller liked the real knock off wheels (something that I am really not a big fan of) and bought a set of 5 Kelsey Hayes Wheels from Renu A Vette for $13,500 that were fake ink stamped to 1963 -- wrong but cool. The original hubcaps and wheels come with the car so I might have a set of Kelsey Hayes Wheels for sale in the future.
Next I will need to get the car authenticated and I found the guy to pull that off for me. If anyone knows someone that does enclosed shipping that is reliable let me know. The car needs to get from Grand Island, Nebraska to Houston, Texas. Here are a few pictures and I will post some more pictures when the car gets in my hands.
I want to thank everyone that has constructively helped me in looking for a SWC and especially the discussions that we had offline. There are a couple of forum members that offered me their cars and both of them look like outstanding examples. I went to Nebraska to look at this car on Tuesday and the seller and I reached an agreement on price yesterday evening. Over a 10 week search I personally looked at 9 cars and this one was the clear standout. If any of you are looking for a SWC feel free to PM me because I might have looked at a car that you are interested in.
From an NCRS perspective this car has some issues because it has both power steering and power front disc brakes from Paragon on the car. The paint is also way too good as the jambs and edges are all too shiny and the frame was powder coated and I will assume that is a "no no" in judging. The best news on this car is that it has all of its original sale paperwork, loads of service receipts and many other materials from its owners. Every original part that was replaced with reproduction was saved from the restoration including all of the interior, the original brake system, and all of the original front suspension.
The car was done to a high standard and it was good that everything in the car came from Paragon because they know these cars very well. The seller liked the real knock off wheels (something that I am really not a big fan of) and bought a set of 5 Kelsey Hayes Wheels from Renu A Vette for $13,500 that were fake ink stamped to 1963 -- wrong but cool. The original hubcaps and wheels come with the car so I might have a set of Kelsey Hayes Wheels for sale in the future.
Next I will need to get the car authenticated and I found the guy to pull that off for me. If anyone knows someone that does enclosed shipping that is reliable let me know. The car needs to get from Grand Island, Nebraska to Houston, Texas. Here are a few pictures and I will post some more pictures when the car gets in my hands.
#3
Race Director
My one experience was with Intercity about 9 years ago. They did fine.
#4
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2018
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2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
Reliable, hands down. They shipped both of my vettes one from Oregon and one from Florida and we’re great to deal with.
#6
Le Mans Master
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2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
Here’s a story of what not to do. The guy who recently bought my 1988 Defender that I put an LS and 6 speed from a 2012 Camaro in last year, decided to use an open carrier via a broker. The broker, JS Transport, are actually great to work with if you specify how you want your car shipped. My Defender has a kill switch that shuts off switched power to the ecu. Clear instructions were provided on how to start and stop the engine. I made the driver who barely spoke English demonstrate how to do it. When the truck arrived in Florida, they couldn’t start it and apparently ran the battery down, hooked up a high power charger, overheated the starter and burned up some wiring. All because they didn’t speak English, didn’t read the clear description and didn’t speak to the driver.
Moral: never ship a nice vehicle open carrier and go with a shipper you can trust.
Here is the last time I saw my truck:
Moral: never ship a nice vehicle open carrier and go with a shipper you can trust.
Here is the last time I saw my truck:
#8
Le Mans Master
I would also recommend you avoid using these folks... GUSTO
#9
Drifting
Member Since: Mar 2018
Location: Oklahoma
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C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Use someone with enclosed trailer. No sense dinging up that beautiful paint and it isn't but a little bit more if anything. Most of the enclosed trailer guys that I found hauled two cars at once. They were hired by the bigger companies you reach out too.
BH
BH
#10
Team Owner
Intercity, Reliable, Exotic Auto Transport...all of them are good....
When I used Exotic for the 61 years ago, they shipped two boxes of original parts for free...
Looks like a nice car. Red/black base motor car ??
I see a few minor things I'd deal with but I won't nitpick...
When I used Exotic for the 61 years ago, they shipped two boxes of original parts for free...
Looks like a nice car. Red/black base motor car ??
I see a few minor things I'd deal with but I won't nitpick...
#11
Administrator
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: About 1100 miles from where I call home. Blue lives matter.
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I use Passport Transport.
#12
Melting Slicks
I think everyone mentioned so far in the thread are owner operators, which is what you want. Many companies "say" they own their own trucks and the price is cheap, but they are indeed brokers, so your haul goes up "the board" to be subcontracted out to an individual owner operator, and that's when the problems can start. You will pay more, but for such a nice car, its worth it.
#13
Le Mans Master
I used Angel's Moving Autos (broker) to move three classics (two mid-years) across country in enclosed trailer. Great price, Great service.
No adverse issues on any of the cars. Not everyone must use the major truck lines.
Also, please explain how you get a classic Corvette "authenticated"? None of mine have been "authenticated" to my knowledge, and I have enjoyed them without any issues for quite a few years. Maybe I have missed the boat on something here?
No adverse issues on any of the cars. Not everyone must use the major truck lines.
Also, please explain how you get a classic Corvette "authenticated"? None of mine have been "authenticated" to my knowledge, and I have enjoyed them without any issues for quite a few years. Maybe I have missed the boat on something here?
#14
Safety Car
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: PHOENIX AZ. WHAT A MAN WON"T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDE
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I have used Montway Auto Transport the last two times I shipped a Corvette in fact it's coming back Monday from getting painted in Ohio. They are very quick to pick up & deliver at competitive prices. I have used the big name shippers but some are so busy that it took a while to get them shipped. Do NOT use the flyby night cheap broker company's.
#15
Safety Car
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Cruise-In III Veteran
My experience. Took place in August of this year.
Although I was the seller in this, the buyer chose Thomas Sunday out of Pennsylvania. This was a very positive experience with this shipper on both ends. Our '65 Vette was picked up by a husband/wife driving team in an 85' bumper to tailgate enclosed trailer. Very professional couple who has been doing this for 5 years. The buyer was very satisfied in how his Vette was handled from loading to unloading. Trip was over 2,500 miles...Michigan to California. In addition buyer bought 2 crates of Vette parts which, as long as the crates had wheels, were loaded and tied down as well.
Couple of pics:
Regards,
Jim
In God We Trust!
Although I was the seller in this, the buyer chose Thomas Sunday out of Pennsylvania. This was a very positive experience with this shipper on both ends. Our '65 Vette was picked up by a husband/wife driving team in an 85' bumper to tailgate enclosed trailer. Very professional couple who has been doing this for 5 years. The buyer was very satisfied in how his Vette was handled from loading to unloading. Trip was over 2,500 miles...Michigan to California. In addition buyer bought 2 crates of Vette parts which, as long as the crates had wheels, were loaded and tied down as well.
Couple of pics:
Regards,
Jim
In God We Trust!
#16
Burning Brakes
Eric, wish you the best with your new car! Just curious as to why you decided to pass on the black one in LA. I love the red one but thought you were about to pull the trigger on the car at GMDownunder.
#18
Team Owner
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Congratulations on the purchase. Looks like a great car and the few incorrect items you mention actually make it a better driver and I know you intend to drive it.
I've used Reliable in the past and will do so again in the future. I was impressed with the care the driver took with my cars as well as the way they documented its condition when they picked it up. I also had great communication with the driver during the trip.
I've used Reliable in the past and will do so again in the future. I was impressed with the care the driver took with my cars as well as the way they documented its condition when they picked it up. I also had great communication with the driver during the trip.
#19
Thanks everyone. I made a few calls today and as it turns out my best solution is to have my local guy who moves my cars around in Houston drive up to Nebraska and get the car. The guy I am purchasing the car from is a Snowbird and ready to fly.
#20
Instructor
I use to use Passport until a customers car disappeared for 2.5 weeks and then resurfaced with issues it was not shipped with. No explanation from them
I booked a pick up with Intercity 6 weeks in advance. They jacked me around for 4 weeks after that. I canceled and called Reliable. They picked the car up in 2 days and delivered it 2 days later.
I booked a pick up with Intercity 6 weeks in advance. They jacked me around for 4 weeks after that. I canceled and called Reliable. They picked the car up in 2 days and delivered it 2 days later.