The unique nature of classic vehicles innately means their owners would want to fully protect them at all times. Because of this, you will often hear that you should not even consider open car transport. But should you?
The truth is that it works just fine. Many customers prefer open auto transport due to its lower price, but also because it still provides safe shipping. That being said, collectors do prefer to ship classic automobiles in enclosed trailers. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference. And as you will now see, using open transport to ship a classic works without issues!
How to ship a 1941 Lincoln Continental?
Take a look at how this 1941 Lincoln Continental was loaded onto an open trailer and transported across the country from California to Chicago. Our customer had no complaints and the transport went smooth.
This model makes the perfect example of a pre-war car that has been maintained very well. Unfortunately, we don’t know much about its story. We only know its “last miles”. The new owner bought the vehicle from a dealership in San Francisco. From there we transported it via an open trailer, and the car arrived without a single scratch.
Initially, soft car top concerned us and the windows looked a little wobbly. However, we secured everything as much as possible and the truck driver confirmed its safety. No issue arose during transport either.
What is the history of the first Lincoln Continental?
Originally, Continental was built as a personal car for Edsel Ford for use at his summer home in Hobe Sound, Florida. Edsel wanted a European style ride, something less boxy than the cars his father’s company was producing at that time. Clean lines, elegant style, a touch of art deco – E.T Gregorie’s concept brought to life in the form of Lincoln Continental.
The custom car for the boss received an immediate recognition. Ford’s friends and acquaintances adored the new design. Edsel Ford didn’t hesitate and put the new personal luxury car for wealthy Americans in production. The cars were extensively hand-built.
The model followed a clear philosophy – not just a luxury vehicle, but one with a message. What did it tell? That whoever had it, could enjoy both comfort and power. The first-gen Lincoln Continental could give you one of the most distinct driving experiences. It stated its presence beautifully. Big, yet elegant. Luxurious, yet without excess.
This Lincoln was one of only 400 built in 1941, and it is a great example of a timeless classic car model. The Classic Car Club of America considers the ’39 -’48 model a “full classic”.
How to ship a classic car?
Now that we have told you a bit about the model, we should also explore another topic. What is really the best way to ship a classic?
In all honesty, enclosed auto transport does protect better from weather and road elements. That being said, in our experience both types of transport have been proven safe and secure. Many classic car owners would not opt for the open trailer for their precious automobiles, but again this is a personal choice on how you want to ship your classic car.
However, before you even get to shipping it, you have to find a company to do it. That means you need to learn how to do that as well. After all, your vintage car is literally irreplaceable. You cannot just go and buy it all over again. Maybe it is even a family heirloom, and you are attached to it. That makes it even more important to hire the right company.
In the auto transport business, some shippers are more reputable than others. In your search you will come across the following entities:
- Broker/Carrier Companies
- Car Shipping Lead Generator Websites
- Auction Websites
As a general rule of thumb, stay away from the last two. You can always ask around for first-hand recommendations, but if that yields no result, turn to Google for help. Searching for auto transport companies will return plenty of hits. Make sure to go through their reviews to check the company’s reputation.
Even pick up the phone and call the companies. Test their patience – ask questions. Any good company will be transparent about the entire process as that business is built on trust. If they refuse to answer, regard that as a huge red flag.
How much does classic car shipping cost?
That ranks among the most frequently asked questions. Yet, it is also difficult to answer. Reputable companies can never give you a flat rate straight away. Furthermore, the car shipping business is competitive, so you will get widely varying quotes. Some try to win you over with a much lower price, but be wary. With very few exceptions, the lowest price means a long wait, or even no shipping at all (they will just drop you eventually).
In general, a car shipping quote depends on a few factors. Here are some of them:
- Distance
- Pick up and delivery locations
- Vehicle make and model
- Vehicle operability
- Supply/demand fluctuations
- Type of service: open or enclosed carrier
If you need more information on shipping your classic car, you can contact us freely. Our logistics experts are always ready to help and explain the process of shipping a classic car. Thank you.
