If you’re new to the process, shipping a classic car feels a lot like sending your child off to college. You know that you’ll be reunited, but you have no control over what will happen to your beloved between now and then. However, there are some important steps you can take beforehand to protect your car during the shipping process.
Document, Document, Document
It’s impossible to overstate how important it is to document the condition of your classic car before shipping it. First, clean and detail your car inside and out to ensure that dirt and grime aren’t hiding any damage. Then videotape or photograph your car in detail using a camera or recorder that attaches the date to your images. If your car does sustain any damage along the way, your dated video or pictures are the only proof of the damage you have.
Get Things Running Smoothly
Transporting a car that can run and drive under its own power makes the task of loading and unloading your car easier for the shipper. A dead battery or flat tire can add time and cost to your shipment, so try to avoid these issues. It’s equally important to repair fuel leaks, loose trim pieces and other issues that could damage either your vehicle or someone else’s during shipping.
Ship Covered and Chain-Free
Do your homework before choosing a carrier to ship your car. You want a company that will transport your classic car in a completely enclosed container to avoid stone chips and other road damage. It’s also paramount that the shipper secure your car with wheel nets and nylon straps. One troglodyte securing your car with chains can ruin a paint job in a matter of seconds.
Remove Everything
Before shipping your car, remove all of your personal items from it. This serves two purposes. The first is that no one can steal something that isn’t there. Although it’s rare, valuable personal items have been known to disappear from cars during transport. Removing personal items can also prevent damage to the car. A heavy toolbox, for example, could shift in the trunk during transport and cause dents or paint chips inside the trunk.
Following these steps greatly increase the odds that your classic beauty will reach her destination in perfect condition.