From Investment to Arrival: The Practical Guide to Shipping Your Classic Car with Nexus Auto Transport

About 16% of the total automobiles owned around the United States are classic cars. That’s everything from a classic Chevrolet Corvette 1963 to a contemporary Ford Mustang muscle car. Collectors browse online listings and attend virtual auctions regularly to find these hidden gems, doing everything possible to double- and triple-check features. The only problem is getting those diamonds in the rough back home.

Long-distance buying is a fantastic way to find the car you’ve always wanted, but you need a car transport service to ensure it gets to your doorstep safely and on time. These logistics services arrange everything from pickup and delivery to shipping insurance and a single point of contact, streamlining the entire experience so you can get behind the wheel faster.

Here is a quick guide on shipping that classic car you should consider the next time you’re in the market.

The Journey Begins: Investing in Your Dream Classic Car

There are classic car garage finds you’ll come across a few times in your shopping life, but, in most cases, you’ll want to budget for the value of the classic car and a little buffer for shipping. However, before you get out the checkbook or initiate a Venmo payment, you’ll want to confirm you’re buying what you want to buy.

Unfortunately, classic car fraud and theft are on the rise. These vehicles hold their value so well that less reputable individuals are out to make a quick buck. Your job should be to verify authenticity to prevent fraud. Look for details like “matching number” in the engine, transmission, or major components with OEM parts. A quality classic car will often have an owner-maintained log, or a rundown of paint codes and body tags, should any restoration occur.

If you can, have a local mechanic give that car on auction or hold up in a Facebook Marketplace post a “once over.” You want them to look for any rust, underbody corrosion, or other issues common to a car 40+ years old. The condition of original chrome pieces and wood paneling can always be restored and repaired, but a busted engine is another story entirely.

The more unique the car, the more delicate the shipping process. Knowing what you’re dealing with helps you decide what transport carriers to trust with your prized find.

Protecting the Investment: Choosing the Right Car Transport Service for High-Value Vehicles

Choosing the best auto transport service is essential. It is a balance of budget and asset safety during transit. You are trying to minimize the risk to your classic car as it travels coast to coast. Why is this so important? Think about any time you’ve taken a long road trip. Weather, road debris, other drivers, and unwanted attention were all common. Now think about those factors when a Ferrari 250 GT with a racetrack stripe on its hood is moving on a truck down the highway.

Look for the best car shipping service that complies with interstate transport laws, has USDOT and FMCSA numbers, provides shipping insurance, and offers flexible delivery timeframes with both open and enclosed auto transport options. You want a team like Nexus Auto Transport with years of experience handling classic cars and positive online reviews to back up that knowledge.

Enclosed carriers are a must for classic cars. While you will pay a little more upfront, you’ll save from dripping fluids in stacked transport or road debris on long highways. More experienced providers also use specialty trucks for classic cars and employ unique loading procedures, such as soft straps, hydraulic liftgates, or low-angle ramps, to avoid additional damage. Once your classic vehicle is secured, the next logical step is figuring out how long delivery will take.

Fast, Insured, and Predictable: How Delivery Times Impact Busy Professionals

Nexus Auto Transport stands out among other domestic transport options because of its ability to work within tight schedules. The earlier you schedule a quote or estimate on shipping your classic car, the better, but having a team that can work around peak times and still get the job done is crucial to your peace of mind.

Delivery timeframes can shift based on weather, construction delays, and heavy traffic. A team with a national network of professional drivers ensures seasonal trends or popular events, such as massive auto auctions and car shows, won’t disrupt your delivery expectations.

That delivery reassurance should include predictable communication. Reliable car transport must include someone on the other end of the phone to provide updates in the event of an unforeseen delay or incident related to your classic car. Nexus always offers a phone number to the driver or the dispatch coordinator for that very reason. In many cases, you’ll even get real-time updates via GPS tracking.

Having timing and scheduling ironed out means you can focus more on arranging a mechanic to meet your car at your driveway for any confirmations you may want. All that remains now is to prepare the vehicle for departure.

Preparing Your Classic Car for a Safe, Damage-Free Delivery

Prepping the classic car requires communicating with the seller to avoid issues along the way. There are several essential steps you can take, and a good car transport service like Nexus Auto Transport will walk you through them. Some starting points to check off your list would be:

• Make sure the vehicle is thoroughly cleaned
• Note any dents, scratches, or chips
• Get all documentation or copies of deals before shipping
• Have timestamped photos and videos of your classic car before shipping
• Make sure no personal belongings are inside
• Keep about a quarter tank of fuel in the vehicle
• Verify tire pressure and battery health

You also want to remove or pad any delicate trim and chrome. If you do opt for open delivery, ask the driver to put drip pans or absorbent pans above or below you. Most classic cars won’t have aftermarket accessories like spoilers, but have those removed if present. Otherwise, you should be good to go for pickup.

From Dream Purchase to Protected Delivery

Getting the classic car you’ve always dreamed of owning is an incredibly satisfying achievement. Using a premium auto transport provider like Nexus ensures that dream becomes a reality without additional damage or slow delivery times.

Start by using the free car shipping cost calculator from Nexus Auto Transport to get a better idea of what to budget for beyond your vehicle’s cost. That way, when you’re hunting all the online listings, local auctions, or cross-country shows, you’ll have a better idea of your maximum bid price without chipping into your shipping buffer.

Collectors, busy professionals, and first-time classic buyers alike need help with long-distance car shipments. Working with verified and experienced providers ensures you get the car you want, when you want, delivered right to your doorstep. When transport is handled correctly, you are free to daydream about getting behind the wheel and enjoying the beauty, performance, and heritage of your newly discovered classic car.