A classic car is not just another vehicle on the trailer. It might be a numbers-matching muscle car, a pre-war sedan, a freshly finished frame-off restoration, or a barn find on its way to the shop. Sahara Auto Transport offers classic car transport built around that difference. We match vintage vehicles with carriers who have the equipment and patience for low clearance, fragile trim, and older mechanicals, and we recommend enclosed transport for most collector cars so they stay out of the weather and away from road debris.
Collectors ship for all kinds of reasons: buying from a seller across the country, heading to a concours or regional show, sending a car to a specialist restorer, or moving a collection to a new home. Each one comes with its own timing. Show dates are fixed, restoration shops have intake schedules, and sellers want the car off their property. We plan pickup and delivery around those constraints and keep you informed along the way.
Documentation is everything with a valuable car. Take your own detailed photos before pickup, then walk the car with the driver as its condition is recorded on the Bill of Lading. That record, along with your photos, gives you a clear baseline for the delivery inspection. Share any history that matters, such as fresh paint that is still curing or original trim that cannot be replaced, so the driver knows where to take extra care.
Who ships classic cars with us
- Collectors buying or selling a vintage car out of state
- Owners heading to car shows, concours events, or rallies
- Restoration shops and their customers moving project cars
- Families moving an inherited classic to a new home
- Owners of non-running barn finds and long-term projects
What you get
Why customers choose Sahara for this
Enclosed trailer protection
Hard-sided and soft-sided enclosed trailers shield paint, chrome, and convertible tops from rain, sun, and rock chips.
Low-clearance loading
Liftgates or extended ramps help cars with low ground clearance or long overhangs load without scraping.
Gentle securement
Carriers use wheel straps or soft ties rather than chains on the frame, which protects older suspension and undercarriage components.
Project cars welcome
Not running? Missing an interior? We match the car with a winch-equipped carrier and plan the loading ahead of time.
Event-date planning
Shipping to a show or a sale? Give us the date and we schedule pickup with a buffer so the car arrives on time.
Step by step
How Classic & Vintage Car Transport works
Mile 01
Tell us about the car
Share the year, make, model, running condition, ground clearance, and any modifications. We quote enclosed and open options at no cost.
Mile 02
Prep and document
Photograph every panel, note any leaks, secure loose trim, and disable any alarm. Leave a small amount of fuel and keep the battery charged.
Mile 03
Careful loading
The driver inspects the car with you, records its condition on the Bill of Lading, and loads it with the right ramps or liftgate before strapping it down.
Mile 04
Careful delivery
The carrier calls ahead and unloads with the same care. You inspect the car against the pickup report and your own photos before signing.
Pricing
What shapes your price
- 01Enclosed versus open transport
- 02Running condition, since inoperable cars need a winch
- 03Ground clearance and the need for a liftgate
- 04Vehicle length, weight, and value
- 05Distance plus pickup and delivery access
- 06Fixed event dates that limit scheduling flexibility
How to prepare a vintage car for shipping
Older cars can have quirks the driver needs to know about: a fussy choke, a hidden kill switch, a parking brake that does not hold, or a slow fluid seep. Write these down and leave a note on the dash. Check that the battery is charged, the tires hold air, and the car starts and stops reliably if it runs. If it does not run, make sure the wheels roll and the steering turns.
Remove loose items such as car covers, show signs, and spare parts, or pack them securely in the trunk only if the carrier approves. Fold mirrors where possible, lower antennas, and make sure convertible tops are fully latched. The carriers we work with carry cargo insurance, and it is also smart to ask your collector car insurer how your own policy treats a car while it is in transport.