If you have an inoperable classic car on your property and you need to get it sent to a shop to sort out the issue, you may not be sure where to start. In this guide, we will take a look at some tips, tricks, and advice you should take into consideration when transporting your inoperable vehicle to the shop.
- Research Reputable Auto Shops That Work On Classic Cars
First and foremost, you’ll need to find a reputable auto shop that will work on your classic. Working on vintage cars is completely different compared to working on modern vehicles.
If you already have a preferred mechanic for your car, you should send it there. If not, do some research on auto shops near you that work on classic cars – and check out their reviews, reputation, and information to find a reputable partner to work on your classic.
- Find An Auto Transport Company That Will Move Inoperable Cars
You will need to work with an auto transport company that ships inoperable classic cars, such as
A1autotransport.com. It may surprise you, but lots of shipping companies won’t bother moving inoperable cars.
This is because some specialized equipment is required for the job. If your classic is working, it can simply be driven onto a flatbed or other type of trailer under its own power. Using a couple of ramps, your car can be loaded up and shipped with no issues.
The process is more complex if your car won’t run. Typically, a tool called a “winch” is used. The car is put in neutral, and then the winch uses a strong cable and an attachment to hook onto the frame of the car. Then, a powerful motor pulls the car up the ramps and onto a trailer. Then, it can be fixed in place and transported to the auto shop.
Not all auto transport services have vehicles equipped with winches, so some shipping providers may not be able to handle your job – so do a bit of research and find one that will!
- Shop Around & Get Quotes For Shipping Your Car
If you’re on a tight budget, you should contact a few different shipping companies before you commit to transporting your classic. You may be able to find a cheaper rate by shopping around, and it never hurts to do a little bit of research and make sure that you’re paying a reasonable rate for transporting an inoperable classic.
- Document The Condition Of Your Car Before It’s Transported
We recommend taking photos and video of the exterior and interior of the car. This ensures that, in the rare event that your car is damaged, you have documentation that shows what damage (if any) was pre-existing, and what was caused by the accident.
- Prepare Your Car For Shipping To Keep It Safe & Minimize Risk Of Damage
There are a few different steps you’ll need to take to prepare your classic for transport to the auto shop. First, you’ll definitely want to remove any unnecessary accessories or trim that may be damaged during the vehicle shipping transport process. Store these in a safe and secure area, or send them separately to the shop, if necessary.
You will also likely need to drain the tank of fuel, if there is any fuel remaining in the vehicle. This helps reduce vehicle shipping weight and also improves overall safety, since there will be no fuel that could ignite in the cause of an accident or fuel system leak during transport.
We also recommend that you remove all of your personal items from the car. These will likely just get in the way as your mechanic works on the car and restores it to operation, and there’s always a chance that personal valuables could be stolen during the transport or restoration process, so there’s no reason to risk it.
Follow This Guide To Ship Your Inoperable Classic Safely!
Shipping a car that doesn’t run is definitely a bit more complicated than shipping one that works. But sending your classic to a mechanic is worth it!
Whether it’s a passion project but you don’t have time to fix it on your own, or you’ve encountered a problem that you can’t diagnose or fix by yourself, working with an experienced classic car mechanic will help you assess the problem, resolve it, and get your classic back on the road once again. So follow the tips in this guide, and you’ll be up and running again in a hurry!