Corvette Transport

[nwav8tor]

I have to get my '71 Corvette from New Hampshire (where it's been stored for 22 years) to Washington state in order to start the restoration. Is there anybody out there that has any experience with autotransport companies or rental trucks and/or auto-trailers who wants to share information/ideas on how best to accomplish the task?

Unfortunately, I do not have my own car-trailer and am not sure buying one (especially a new one) for a one time use is the way to go. As for a used one, I wouldn't even know what to look for when evaluating it's condition. Maybe I'll get lucky and find someone out here in the Pacific Northwest who will let me use theirs for a couple of weeks. Then all I'd need to do is find a truck capable of pulling it across the country.

Hoo Boy - such a daunting hurdle to get across before I can even start the project!

[IndyVette]

Oh yeah. Been there, done that.

I'd first check out some classic car transport companies...several good ones come up on the first Google search response page if you search for "classic car transport services". Even FedEx shows up! Imagine sending your car home by FedEx.

I'd do that because while they might charge you $1000 (or whatever), the car is shipped door to door, insured, and typically shipped in an enclosed trailer. It's well protected and moved by people who do this for a living. I've had one Corvette shipped to me this way, and it was a great experience. As always, do some homework, check references, and all of that kind of thing.

The other aspect is that if you move it yourself, you have to fly cross-country (always an adventure these days), or drive, rent a trailer, and drive it back. The time off of work, lost vacation, and rental expense might rival what it would cost to have it shipped.

However, I've moved two cars this way, and I can only say the experience is highly recommended. Seriously. I moved once from LA to Ohio (Air Force relocation) and towed my 1970 behind my rented UHaul, and I was grinning the whole way. It was an adventure, seeing the country (even if not from behind the Corvette's wheel), and I was surprisingly proud to have it with me. I got a lot of hand-waves and honks along the way.

I also recently towed a 1980 home, so the process is fresh in my mind. I'd sold my 1970 years ago (got married, had kids...you know the old story) but told my wife I needed another car to restore. I found this 1980 for cheap and hauled it home so I could do it single-handedly. I have to admit I saw that black nose filling the rearview mirror and I got a little emotional. So it was a cheap thrill that way too. Nice to have a C3 back in the garage (but I'll have another 1970 before it's all said and done!).

The place to go for a trailer is UHaul. Two reasons: 1) they have full-bodied trailers versus the front-wheel tow-bars. You drive it up (carefully!), secure it, and haul away. 2) UHaul still rents auto trailers, and there is no requirement for you to rent a UHaul truck in addition to the trailer, in case you drive your SUV East and tow with that. Many rental companies won't rent you a trailer without renting a truck as well due to their insurance costs.

And, with UHaul you can make a reservation and they'll have a trailer there waiting for you. Always make that reservation. It would be a (bad word here) to go that far only to find they rented the trailer a day ago and the nearest available one is New Jersey.

If you go the trailer route, I envy you the trip. It's a beautiful country we have, politics and current economy notwithstanding. Enjoy the scenery.

Some recommedations, though... Secure the car well, and double-check both the car and the hitch each time you stop for gas or lodging. I never once had a problem, but I'd want to know if there was one before the car slid off the back. I also covered the 1970 with a custom-fit car cover (Eckler's has them, as does everyone else). I wasn't so worried about road damage as I was keeping prying eyes away when I stopped overnight. In LA the car was hugely popular (once I secured a flag to the antenna mast on the Fourth, and the public response was amazing), but I found covering it helped keep it safer for some strange reason. At least it was never stolen, when several of my buddies had their cars stolen. I still parked truck and trailer under a light each night I stopped. And no, the cover never faltered, ballooned, or came off, even over a 2000 mile drive.

Best of luck!

[nwav8tor]

Thanks for your insights Kenn.

I have looked into regular commercial auto-transport companies, but hadn't thought of classic car outfits. Even though my '71 is rough, if the price isn't too steep, I'd rather have it handled by folks that know how to treat a classic instead of those that are just moving a generic vehicle.

If I rent a truck & trailer one-way, the flying wouldn't be a problem since I work for an airline. If I borrow my son's truck and drive X-country, I could just rent a 1-way trailer or borrow/rent a trailer from someone here in WA. With gas, meals and hotels on the round trip, it might not save much over a 1-way rental. Guess I'll have to sharpen a pencil and figure it all out.

I last drove my vette on a long X-C in 1984 from central CA to Dayton, OH (also a USAF transfer). That was fun and I can hardly wait until I can get her out on the open road again (even if it's only for the tow to her new home.) Under her own power after the restoration will be even better!!

[78anniversary]

I would second the advice on checking straps at each gas stop. I towed my 78 on a U-Haul trailer from FL to Indy and all went well but at one stop I checked the straps and found they were all loose; the only thing holding the car on the trailer was gravity and good manners.

[IndyVette]

So....nwav8tor... By any chance did you fly SR's out of Beale? Just curious... (I'm thinking more likely 141's out of Travis, but just a guess...) I was Space Division in LA but spent a ton of time at Sunnyvale/Onizuka. Did some launches at Vandenburg, but launched more from Canaveral. No wings, but I have 14 hours in a helo...! I did fly a thrust-vectored F-16 on the day I retired...nice being a lab rat at Wright-Patt at times. Shot up a couple of simulated MiG-29's with some slammers...was fun.

I'm completely stunned that both of you moved Vettes to this area at one time or another. How cool is that? If you see a crusty '80 or a nicer '04 drive by, give a wave.

[78anniversary]

I was Navy though...

[1970vette]

Still Navy here

[78anniversary]

I have a good friend who did two tours at Whidbey as an OTA; she loved it there

[nwav8tor]

So....nwav8tor... By any chance did you fly SR's out of Beale? Just curious... (I'm thinking more likely 141's out of Travis, but just a guess...) I was Space Division in LA but spent a ton of time at Sunnyvale/Onizuka. Did some launches at Vandenburg, but launched more from Canaveral. No wings, but I have 14 hours in a helo...! I did fly a thrust-vectored F-16 on the day I retired...nice being a lab rat at Wright-Patt at times. Shot up a couple of simulated MiG-29's with some slammers...was fun.

I'm completely stunned that both of you moved Vettes to this area at one time or another. How cool is that? If you see a crusty '80 or a nicer '04 drive by, give a wave.

No SRs... Flew -135s at Castle then went to fly R&D aircraft at the Test Wing in Wright-Patterson. After that was VIP flying in the Pacific based in Hawaii and ended up at Fairchild back in -135s (re-engined) again.

[75and78Vettes]

I did open transport on my 78 since the paint is junk anyways. I went through Reliable car transport but get quotes from several companies. I even looked at FedEx and they were really not that bad.
I thought about getting a uhaul but the expense of truck and trailer rental, plus gas was even more than enclosed shipment so I said forget it