Need Classic Car Transport Suggestions

[Bill Podany #19567]

My I receive recommendations from CLC Members regarding the best quality enclosed transportation company to haul my award winning 100 point 41 Cadillac from Knoxville, TN to Green Bay, Wisconsin as soon as possible.  I will not us FedEx Passport Transport, as they seriously damaged my car in the past.  I would like to hear from fellow members on their experiencs and knowledge on this topic.  Many thanks.

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN

[Art Woody]

Bill, there is a genuine classic car guy about 65 mi. west of Knoxville (Crossville). He operates Astro Auto Transport, specializing in classic car transport (one car - open trailer, or one car - box trailer. His name is Dan 931-788-0405 or cell 931-248-1040. As close as he is to Knox. you could meet with him personally and inspect his rig and view his respect and appreciation of classic cars as an owner. Art Woody

[domer]

Bill,
I'm in the process of booking enclosed transport for a Caddy out in Michigan. I've heard very good things about Reliable Transport. Looks like I'll be using them.
Here is a link to their website               http://www.reliable-carriers.com/

[D.Yaros]

I used Stooney Auto Transport, out of NJ to deliver The Gray Lady[/color] to WI from NY.  It was the best possible experience.  You can check out both the equipment and service on my web site, at http://GrayLady.WebNG.com/debut.htm.  I highly recommend them witout reservation.  They may be reached at (908) 889-0294

[Jim Thompson]

I have always either done it myself or hired an individual I know who delivers it solo. Carriers cause too much damage.

[Misfit]

Single car transport is the way to go. Carriers also move the cars too many times up and down the ramps in order to get to cars they can deliver first.

Everytime it's moved there is a potential for damage. I found that out the hard way.
I had a move done and my car, along with a few others were damaged. Some more sever than others, and then the driver quit and left to loaded carrier in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Called his boss two days later and told him what he did.

The full owner-operator is the way to go, that specializes in Classic and Antiques. They have more to lose than a simple minded driver.

MisFit

[TJ Hopland]

Exotic car transport is the one I have heard good things about.  I assume they are not cheap but then again a 100 point show car is not cheap either.

[Bill Podany #19567]

Gentlemen,

I am following up on all of these suggestions in my thread.  I am interested in pursuing a single car transport company.  Any specific suggestions from members beyond what has been posted on this site.  Many thanks.

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN

[D.Yaros]

EVT = Exotic Vehicle Transport.  They do single cars.  Google 'em.

Gentlemen,

I am following up on all of these suggestions in my thread.  I am interested in pursuing a single car transport company.  Any specific suggestions from members beyond what has been posted on this site.  Many thanks.

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN

[domer]

Hello,
As I had mentioned earlier, I was also in the process of booking a carrier for a car that I just purchased.  I narrowed it down to either Horseless Carriage or Reliable. I initially decided to go with Horseless Carriage but  I decided to go with Reliable instead. My question is this, why is it that each time that I called Horseless Carriage or Reliable I was given a different price quote.  Get this. I called Horseless earlier during the week. The lady quoted me at $1,400.00. She said they were pretty backed up and the soonest they could get pick the car up would be in two weeks with another 7-10 days for delivery. $1,400.00 seemed pretty reasonable considering the drop off point is in Colorado. I told her I would think about it and call back in a few days. Well I called Horseless Carriage first thing this morning and this time the lady gave me a shipping price of $1,850.00 with the two weeks out for pickup and the 7-10 days for delivery.  I didn't say yes or no but decided that I would call back a few hours later and see what the new shipping price would be.  I just got off the phone with the same lady and this time she gave me a shipping quote of $2,300.00 with the same wait time. I was a bit annoyed and asked her why I had been given 3 different shipping quotes in less than a week. I told her the price started off at 1400.00 and is now up to 2,300.00. She put me on hold two or three times. She told me the reason was because the trip to from Michigan to Colorado is not an ordinary route for them hence the two weeks just to pick the car up.   She also stated that maybe some of their associates were not pricing it correctly but that she would honor the price of $1,800.00 I'm pretty sure I talked to the same lady the three times I called. Looks like I would be looking at close to a month total for pickup and delivery.
I called Reliable earlier during the week as well. The first price quote was at $1,200.00. I called them first thing this morning and was given a price of $1,360.00. I called back a few hours later and was given a price of 1,100.00.  What gives? I ended up booking with reliable with a max of  2 weeks total for pickup and delivery. Pickup is scheduled for Friday.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Otto Skorzeny]

So which of the three quotes are you paying reliable for? 11, 12 or 13?

I would suspect that the quotes are based on what they are able to book at the time of the call. Which truck will be in the area and what route will be traveled. As they get new reservations, the truck and route may change. They may also use some formula tied to the price of fuel at that particular moment.

Who knows? It does seem funny that the quotes would change within hours, though.

Anyway, they better take good care of that car. I don't want it all banged up when I buy it from you in a few years!

[domer]

I ended up booking with Realialbe at $1,100.00.  I was thinking about calling them one more time to verify the price of $1,100.00. I don't want any surprise fees added on at the last minute.

[Bill Podany #19567]

Domer,

I appreciate your feedback; your experience is enlightening, but not suprising to me.  It reveals the transport industry lacks fair standards of service in spite of their marketing and sales rhetoric.  I am cynical of all these haulers, frankly.  In twenty years, I have had four cars seriously damaged in transit.  And when a claim is put in, the transit company dissolves any association with you; they turn the claim over to an insurance company, and it goes down hill from there.  This includes, the supposedly, great customer oriented company FedEx Passport.  I have my own 30 foot enclosed trailer with the proper vehicle to haul my own autos, but at my age, loading, unloading, and properly securing the car, and then doing all the driving is a pain.  I may end up just hauling my 41 Cadillac from Knoxville to Wisconsin myself, and try to endure the pain.  Nonetheless, I am investigating all of these companies.  So far, none of them honor this requirement: "If you damage my car in transit and I file a damage claim, will you, at your cost, deliver the car to the restoration shop of my choice, and return it to my home at the completion of the repair, at your cost."   

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN

[domer]

Thanks for the insight.  I totally agree with your input.  If I had the equipment and the time to do it myself, I absolutely would. Being in the military, its just a little hard to get some time off just to pick up a car. I am sitting here every single minute just praying that my Cadillac arrives safe and sound. I didn't have any problems at all when I had my 52 Fleetwood(enclosed transport) and my 94 Fleetwood(open transport) shipped out to me but after reading many horror stories on vehicle transports, I am totally shaking in my boots.   I hope to get my Cadillac in a week or so. Ill keep everyone posted.

[Bill Podany #19567]

Thanks for the insight.  I totally agree with your input.  If I had the equipment and the time to do it myself, I absolutely would. Being in the military, its just a little hard to get some time off just to pick up a car. I am sitting here every single minute just praying that my Cadillac arrives safe and sound. I didn't have any problems at all when I had my 52 Fleetwood(enclosed transport) and my 94 Fleetwood(open transport) shipped out to me but after reading many horror stories on vehicle transports, I am totally shaking in my boots.   I hope to get my Cadillac in a week or so. Ill keep everyone posted.

I look forward to hearing from you on the arrival of your Cadillac.  And thank you for your service to our country; it is the service of men and women in the military who keep our nation free, not the unpatriotic and hypocritic politicians in Washington.  Where have all the statesmen gone?

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN 

[domer]

Bill,
Thanks to you and everyone else for the outstanding support.  It truly means the world to me and my brothers for all the support that is given to us. I am currently in Texas for a few days welcoming home my little brother from Iraq. He will be home for two weeks on his midtour and then will have to return to Iraq for a 6-7 more months. My older, whom is also in the military, is also home to welcome home my little brother from his deployment.
I hope to have my car delivered to me sometime during the coming week. I will post a couple of pics of the delivery process.
Thank you.

[Mark Rodgers #20778]

I'm in the Cleveland area and I have a small restoration shop. I haul one vehicle at a time when I get a job I like. I have a 32 ft enclosed Exiss gooseneck and an open deck H+H Speedloader EX 24 ft. power tilting gooseneck. Both trailers have winches. I am insured for on board vehicle coverage.
Mark
216 389 6184 cell

[danny 23484]

We have good luck moving big stuff like limo and hearses using Sancrest Transport out of Billings Mo.  417-744-2100

[Art Gardner]

My I receive recommendations from CLC Members regarding the best quality enclosed transportation company to haul my award winning 100 point 41 Cadillac from Knoxville, TN to Green Bay, Wisconsin as soon as possible.  I will not us FedEx Passport Transport, as they seriously damaged my car in the past.  I would like to hear from fellow members on their experiencs and knowledge on this topic.  Many thanks.

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN

I have had great experiences with Exotic Auto Transport out of Orlando, FL (they work everywhere, I think).  Outstanding service and care for your vehicle.


Art

[domer]

Hello Everyone,
I just received my car a few days ago with no problems at all. I tried to post a few pics of the delivery but had no luck.  If anyone would like some pics of the drop off shoot me an email.
Thanks