Quick answer: To ship a classic, vintage or collector car, book enclosed transport with soft tie-downs and, if the car sits low, a lift gate. Declare the car’s value so the carrier’s insurance covers it, and prepare it like any old car: a charged battery, aired-up tires, no leaks and about a quarter tank of fuel. The car does not have to run. ABC Auto Shipping’s classic car shipping service matches collector cars with enclosed carriers that have the right equipment.
Car collector transport is different from moving a daily driver. Old paint chips easily, chrome and trim are hard to replace, many classics sit low, and some have not been driven in years. The value of the car also means the insurance question matters more than usual. This guide covers open vs enclosed transport, whether the car needs to run, agreed-value insurance, how to prepare an old car, loading, cost, timing and what to ask a carrier before you book.
Open or Enclosed Transport for a Classic Car
| Open carrier | Enclosed, shared trailer | Single-car enclosed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection | Exposed to weather and road debris | Covered from rain, sun, dust and stone chips | Covered, and no other cars loaded around yours |
| Cars on the trailer | Up to 9 | 3 to 6 | 1 |
| Loading | Ramps | Ramps, or a lift gate for low cars | Ramps, or a lift gate for low cars |
| Cost | Lowest | Usually 40 to 60% more than open | More than a shared enclosed trailer; quoted on request |
| Best for | Hardy, lower-value classics on short trips | Most classics, restorations and show cars | One-off builds, high-value auction wins and fresh restorations |
Our rule of thumb: if you would not drive the car through heavy rain, it belongs in an enclosed trailer. We recommend enclosed for any car worth $50,000 or more. Enclosed trailers come soft-sided (heavy fabric walls on a steel frame) or hard-sided (solid metal), and hard-sided gives the most protection from impact. Climate control is available for concours-level cars with original leather and wood on long routes through very hot or cold weather. Our guide to the benefits of enclosed transport covers the trade-offs in more detail.
Do Classic Cars Need to Run to Be Shipped?
No. Barn finds, project cars and classics waiting for restoration ship all the time. What matters is that you tell the company when you book, because a car that will not drive on needs a carrier with a winch.
The carrier will ask three questions: does it roll, does it steer, and does it brake? A car that rolls and steers can be winched onto the trailer. One with seized wheels or no steering may need a forklift or a flatbed, which has to be arranged in advance. Many enclosed trailers have lift gates, which also help with a car that cannot drive up a ramp. Hand over every key, so the driver can unlock the steering and put the car in neutral, and pump up the tires if you can. A non-running car costs more to ship than a running one, and the extra is shown on your quote. See how to ship a non-running car for the full process.
Insurance for a Collector Car: Agreed Value Explained
Two kinds of cover are involved, and it helps to keep them apart.
The carrier’s cargo insurance pays for damage the carrier causes while your car is in its care. What matters for a collector car is the per-vehicle limit, not the total for the whole load. Every enclosed carrier in ABC’s network carries cargo and liability insurance, with limits scaled to high-value vehicles, and we provide the documentation on request.
Agreed value is the safeguard for a valuable car. For a very valuable or rare classic, you can declare an agreed value when you book, and we match you with a carrier whose policy covers that figure. That way a claim is based on the value you declared rather than a depreciated value.
Agreed value is also a feature of collector car insurance. According to Hagerty, you and the insurer settle on the car’s value up front, using appraisals or photos, and in a covered total loss the insurer pays that amount, less any deductible. A standard auto policy usually pays actual cash value, which is replacement cost minus depreciation. A “stated value” policy can pay the lower of the stated value or the actual cash value, so read the wording. Before the car ships, ask your collector insurer whether your policy applies while the car is on a carrier’s truck and how a claim would work alongside the carrier’s.
For more on what carrier insurance does and does not cover, see our car shipping insurance guide.
How to Prepare a Classic Car for Shipping
Old cars need a little more attention than modern ones, especially if they have been sitting.
- Leave the fluids in. You do not need to drain anything. Keep normal fluid levels and about a quarter tank of fuel.
- Charge the battery. The car has to drive on and off the trailer. If the battery is weak, charge it or tell your coordinator.
- Set the tire pressure. Tires lose air when a car sits for months.
- Check the brakes and parking brake. The driver relies on them on the ramp or lift gate. If they do not work, the car counts as non-running for shipping.
- Fix or report leaks. A leak can drip onto a car loaded below yours, so tell the company about any you cannot fix.
- Secure loose parts. Fold in or remove antennas, and check that mirrors, trim and spoilers are tight.
- Close and latch a convertible top. Our guide to preparing a convertible has the details.
- Turn off the alarm and remove toll tags.
- Take out valuables and spare parts. ABC allows up to 100 pounds of personal items as a courtesy, but they are not insured.
- Let fresh paint cure. New paint is fragile. Ask your paint shop how long your finish needs before the car travels.
- Photograph everything. Take dated photos of every side, the interior, the undercarriage and close-ups of chrome and any existing marks.
- Give your coordinator the details. Ground clearance and any modifications, such as lowered suspension or custom bodywork, decide which trailer is sent.
How a Low or Delicate Car Is Loaded
- Lift gate. A hydraulic lift gate raises the car from the ground into the trailer with no ramp angle, so front spoilers, exhausts and undercarriages do not scrape. It is standard for low exotics and recommended for lowered classics. For more, see how to transport lowered or custom cars.
- Soft tie-downs. Padded straps loop around the tires instead of hooking onto the frame, so nothing pulls on painted chassis parts or old suspension. They are standard on every collector car load ABC coordinates.
- Inspection first. The driver completes a detailed bill of lading with photos before loading. You, or an adult of 18 or over you name, must be there to sign it. For a high-value classic, we recommend the owner attends if at all possible.
What Does It Cost to Ship a Classic Car?
Typical prices for a running car with flexible pickup dates:
| Distance | Open carrier | Enclosed (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $400 to $700 | $560 to $1,120 |
| 1,000 to 1,500 miles | $700 to $1,100 | $980 to $1,760 |
| 2,000 miles and up | $1,000 to $1,700 | $1,400 to $2,720 |
On a $1,200 cross-country open move, enclosed usually adds about $500 to $700. The price also depends on:
- Options you choose: single-car enclosed, hard-sided trailer, lift gate or climate control
- Condition: a car that does not run costs more to load
- Season: summer and the October to November snowbird season can add 10 to 20%, and enclosed carriers are also busy around the big collector auctions in January, March and August
- Location: rural pickups and deliveries can cost more than major routes
ABC quotes the options you ask for up front, so the price you accept is the price you pay. For more distances, see our car shipping cost guide.
How Long Does Classic Car Shipping Take?
Book 7 to 30 days ahead. ABC asks for a 4 to 5 day pickup window (minimum 3 to 4 days), which narrows to 1 to 2 days once a carrier is secured. Once loaded, a cross-country enclosed shipment usually takes 7 to 10 days, and regional routes 1 to 4 days. Single-car enclosed and expedited service can shorten this, at a higher price. Enclosed trucks are fewer than open ones, so book early for summer, auction weeks and event dates.
Shipping a Classic to a Car Show, Auction or Restoration Shop
- Car shows and concours. Give us the event date and the time the car must arrive, and we coordinate arrival timing with the carrier. See how to ship a car to a car show, including multi-day events.
- Auction purchases. Won a car at Mecum, Barrett-Jackson, RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams or on Bring a Trailer? We arrange enclosed pickup and document the car’s condition before it is loaded.
- Restoration and paint shops. We schedule pickup around shop hours and the key handoff, and the car ships with soft tie-downs and a lift gate when needed.
- Several cars at once. Collectors moving two or more cars on the same route can share an enclosed trailer, which costs less per car. See how to ship multiple vehicles.
Questions to Ask a Collector Car Transport Company
- Are you licensed? Check the company’s USDOT and MC numbers on FMCSA’s SAFER site. ABC’s are USDOT 2340626 and MC-797279.
- Will my car ride enclosed, and is the trailer soft-sided or hard-sided?
- How many other cars will be on the trailer?
- Do you use soft tie-downs around the tires, not hooks or chains on the frame?
- Will a lift gate be used for my car’s ground clearance?
- What is the per-vehicle cargo limit, and can I declare an agreed value? Ask for the certificate before pickup.
- Has the driver hauled cars like mine, such as lowered muscle cars or cars with fresh paint?
- Is the price fixed, and what is included?
- What happens if pickup slips before an event date?
For more, see our list of questions to ask before booking.
Mistakes to Avoid When Shipping a Collector Car
- Choosing open transport to save money on a car you would not drive in the rain
- Assuming the carrier’s insurance covers the car’s full value without declaring it
- Shipping straight out of the paint booth before the finish has cured
- Not mentioning low ground clearance, modifications or a car that does not run
- Leaving spare parts or valuables loose inside the car
- Signing a clean delivery report before inspecting the car; at ABC, claims are not honored if damage is not noted at delivery and acknowledged by the driver
Our guide to inspecting your car at pickup and delivery shows what to check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do classic cars need to run to be shipped?
No. Tell the company when you book, so they send a carrier with a winch. A car that rolls, steers and brakes is winched on; one that cannot roll may need a forklift or flatbed. Non-running cars cost more to ship.
Is enclosed transport required for a vintage car?
It is not required, but it is recommended for most vintage and classic cars, and for any car worth $50,000 or more. Open transport can suit a hardy, lower-value classic on a short trip.
What is agreed-value insurance for a classic car?
It is cover based on a value you and the insurer agree on up front. In a covered total loss, the insurer pays that amount, less any deductible, instead of a depreciated cash value. When shipping with ABC, you can also declare an agreed value and we match you with a carrier whose policy covers it.
How much does it cost to ship a classic car?
Enclosed transport usually runs about $560 to $1,120 for under 500 miles, $980 to $1,760 for 1,000 to 1,500 miles and $1,400 to $2,720 for 2,000 miles and up. Single-car enclosed, a lift gate, climate control or a non-running car add to the price.
How long does classic car shipping take?
Allow a 4 to 5 day pickup window, then usually 7 to 10 days in transit coast to coast or 1 to 4 days on regional routes.
Should I drain the fluids before shipping a classic car?
No. Leave normal fluid levels and about a quarter tank of fuel. Fix or report any leaks before pickup.
Can I ship a collectible car to a car show?
Yes. Give the company the event date and the arrival time you need, and book early, because enclosed trucks fill up around big shows and auctions.
Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?
You, or an adult of 18 or over you authorize, must be there to inspect the car and sign the bill of lading. For a high-value classic, it is best if the owner attends.
Ship Your Classic Car With ABC Auto Shipping
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed auto transport broker (USDOT 2340626, MC-797279) with over 20 years of experience and an A+ rating as a BBB Accredited Business. We match collector cars with vetted enclosed carriers that use soft tie-downs and lift gates. There is no deposit, and you pay only once your carrier is secured. Get a free quote or call 877-686-5611.
