Roadster Shipping

[Pjackb]

Hey guys still doing my due diligence and looking at cost of transportation from Southeast or Southwest USA
Having never shipped a car before and looking at options there is a huge difference between Open vs Closed transport around $750 to $1000 USD more

So my big question is it really worth it? and can I get them to put a Car cover on the open transport

Thanks

[dynaguy]

I would be concerned about the wind whipping a cover and causing paint and or other damage. Maybe a shrink wrap like a lot of the new cars are shipped. FWIW, these cars are meant to be exposed to the elements, if the one you would ship is reasonably tight, it should not be a huge worry. Pat

[C.Costine]

Hey guys still doing my due diligence and looking at cost of transportation from Southeast or Southwest USA
Having never shipped a car before and looking at options there is a huge difference between Open vs Closed transport around $750 to $1000 USD more

So my big question is it really worth it? and can I get them to put a Car cover on the open transport

Thanks

The value of enclosed transport depends on the value of the car, in particular the exterior. I saw once on Velocity where the roof of a car was damaged by the hefty sized truck driver pulling himself out the window when he didn't have room to open the door. Certainly not a problem with a roadster, but an enclosed trailer isn't going to protect the car from all damage.

[Pjackb]

I would be concerned about the wind whipping a cover and causing paint and or other damage. Maybe a shrink wrap like a lot of the new cars are shipped. FWIW, these cars are meant to be exposed to the elements, if the one you would ship is reasonably tight, it should not be a huge worry. Pat

I did not think about that , what you say make sense in a sense it's like driving the car it would be exposed to the same conditions , unless i'm forgetting something

[Pjackb]

Also I've never shipped a car and I got quoted the following
Do they make sense?
West Coast (CA,Or,WA) - to Montreal, Quebec
Enclosed: $2895.00
Open: $1695.00

South East (GA,FL) to Montreal, Quebec
Enclosed: $2195.00
Open: waiting for quote but expecting ~$1200

as you can see huge difference open to close and obviously where the car come from

[ppeters914]

IIRC, Dave Kaplan and Andy Conner shipped their roadsters cross-country; one bubble-wrapped, the other shrink-wrapped. Did a search, but no pics. Also appears Andy's wonderful website no longer exists, at least not in the Inspirational Links section.

FWIW, my '66 came up from CA to WA on an open trailer. The wind ripped the grommets out of the soft top, ruining it beyond repair. Luckily, soft top wasn't in the greatest condition to begin with. Didn't harm the paint.

Maybe you should buy a running 1600. Drive it home and around for a bit whilst you collect the engine swap pieces.

[Pjackb]

Shrink wrap is a cool idea , not really practical when you think the car has to be driven on and off the transport but there might be some covers or shipping wrap available , worth investigating anyways .

Diving cross country with Hotels, gas and meals would most likely cost almost as much if not more

[Jdflyer]

I was looking at shipping mine from Montana to Arizona earlier this year. I decided to fly up, rent a uhual and trailer and drive it down instead. The quote from the shippers was about $1400. I paid $700 for the rental, 4 tanks of gas ~$250, fixed flat tire on trailer $35, 2 hotel rooms ~$240. So I saved about $200 but got to see some amazing sights on the way down. One of my job benifits is significantly discounted flights so that was covered. If I had to pay out of my pocket for the flight, it would have been cheaper to pay someone else.

I did toy with the idea of buying a used truck in Montana and only renting the trailer with the intention of selling the truck as soon as I got to phoenix. That could have saved a bunch of money but also brought its own set of risks and issues.

[Jack Maskell]

Beware the brokers. they will promise you everything but keep you hanging for weeks. Next time I ship I will deal with 1 company only.
Even after my car was on the road it was nothing but lies about current location. Trying to coordinate a meeting time and place was a nightmare also.

[dynaguy]

I've had two experiences shipping Roadsters. My first one I had shipped from Denver to Northern Idaho in 2004. My brother-in-law lived near Denver and picked up from the seller and was available to assist loading on open transport. Seller was unwilling to help. A good friend of mine was available to be around when car was delivered to my home in Idaho, as I was away traveling for work at the time. As I recall the cost of transport was between $500-600 at that time, plus some adult beverages for my helpers.

Second time I shipped from Idaho to Florida in 2008. Buyer wanted an enclosed trailer as the car was freshly restored. The shipping company picked up at my home with an open flatbed and drove 90 miles to Spokane, WA and put in enclosed trailer at that time. Buyer was unhappy with this as he had paid for fully enclosed all the way. Cost was about $2100, as I recall.

Both times cars arrived unscathed.

FWIW,

Pat

[notoptoy]

I moved from Wisconsin to NC in 2006 via van lines. They packed my house, and the Roadster went in the bottom in the back. They put a shelf over it, and loaded more furnishings and household crap. I drove the car in at Wisconsin, and I drove the car out in NC. It with plenty of room to spare (with hardtop on). And arrived completely unscathed.
As part of the move, and covered by work at the time, I think the whole thing was $2200.

[exit64]

Check out Uship. Works like eBay. Guys bid on the job. Can get cheaper rates if they are looking at a return deadhead trip. You get what you pay for though. Kiwi Carriers put mine on the bottom under an air cooled VW that dripped oil all over the car for 3 days. And the driver buggered up the front sway bar mounts by using them as a tow point.

[Pjackb]

Thanks guys , all good things to think about but have to say JDFlyer got my attention and if I end up with the southeast car there's a good chance I would rent a pickup truck (or use a friends) and closed car hauler from a local company

[cktrap]

Please buy the car in Alabama. The price keeps dropping and I really don't need a divorce. If it gets much lower I'm in trouble and possible alone.
Keith

[Pjackb]

Please buy the car in Alabama. The price keeps dropping and I really don't need a divorce. If it gets much lower I'm in trouble and possible alone.
Keith

But look at the brigh side ,
you'll have 3 roadsters and a parts car to keep you company and can stay in the garage as long as you want