Jennifer,

 

Reliable Carriers is our usual choice for interstate enclosed transport and we move a lot of cars. Call Steve Hamburg at 818/252-6400, [log in to unmask] Try Passport Transport (formerly with FedEx Custom Critical) and Intercity Lines, as well. These are the big three and are your best bet for safe transport. They don’t use terminals to shuttle vehicles on and off their trucks, like many companies, which usually result in damage (especially on a non-running car). They have the most modern equipment and usually the best drivers.

 

The best way to save money is by booking the transport on a space available basis, meaning, when a truck has an empty spot and is near your location, they’ll come and get your car. The only downside is that they can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to pickup the car. The upside is significant savings.

 

If it is a large car, you’ll want to talk to the company rep about a flat-floor household goods trailer with a lift-gate, so getting it on and off the truck will not involve any severe pushing or antics.

 

A company is only as good as its drivers, too, so make sure you observe him/her loading and talk to him/her about tie-down points. If you’re worried about it, ask him to explain his choices for anchors.

 

Also, the driver of a reputable company will do a condition report to supplement your condition report and ask you to sign off on it. Make sure it’s accurate before signing and make sure the person on the receiving end is as scrupulous about it as you were.

 

We suggest that you don’t use a cover, because any grit on the paint at load-in time gets ground in for the entire trip, but that’s just personal preference…

 

Good luck; let me know if I can be of further assistance.

 

Regards,

Tom.

 

Tom Kenney

Collections Manager/Registrar

Petersen Automotive Museum

323/964-6342 direct

 

 

 

Hi Jennifer,

I've moved quite a few cars and motorcycles across country, both working and non-working.

Here are a couple of transporters I've found to be very reliable and willing to work with museums.

Reliable Carriers - http://www.reliablecarriers.com
They specialize in rare and collectible vehicles and serve the Concours and Auction Industry extensively

TFX International - http://www.tfxinternational.com/
Very similar to Reliable and serving same customers.

DAS Transport aka Dependable Auto Shippers -  http://www.dasautoshippers.com/
These guys have also been competitive on pricing and good to work with on unusual consignments such as micro cars.

To get competitive quotes you'll want to talk directly with a representative of each company. I've been able to get better rates as a museum than they will publish. You will also need to have the precise dimensions of the car - this is very important for pricing purposes. If the car isn't running but it rolls, that will also be helpful to you. Make sure you've talked to your insurance carrier about what they will and will not cover when you have the car in transit. Then if you need to insure it further have your carrier provide you with a quote. You'll usually be able to insure the car at a better rate than if you buy insurance through the carrier. Of course you'll want to document the car with photographs taken a day or two before loading and then take a few pictures while it is loaded if you can. If you are concerned about the car's finish, get a cover for it or inquire with the shipper about having a cover put on it for you. A fabric cover will do wonders in preventing minor scratches and blemishes.

Best of luck to you on the move.

Larry Fisher
Museum Planner, Designer, Imagineer
Bristol, Rhode Island
p: (401) 253-5335
c: (401) 965-7756
e: [log in to unmask]

On 2/1/2011 4:00 PM, Jennifer L. Burns wrote:

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