Covered car transport: The best option if you want to attend a classic car show

There’s nothing quite like the thrill and excitement of showing off your classic car at a show. Every year, there are literally hundreds of car shows held across the country, with thousands of people attending. 

In this article, we’re going to look at the best way to get your precious Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 911, Ford Model T, Volkswagen Beetle, Citroen DS, or Mini Cooper to the next show on your list. Not only that. We’ll also share some top tips and give you the lowdown on 5 classic car shows you don’t want to miss.

What is covered car transportation?

Also known as enclosed car transport, this is an auto transport service that provides maximum protection for your vehicle, when you need to transport it from A to B. Enclosed auto transport can be booked by anyone who needs a vehicle moved from one place to another. It also happens to be the auto transport service of choice for owners of classic cars. 

A company offering enclosed auto transport uses trailers that have a roof and four sides. When a car is enclosed in this way it provides the safest and most secure environment for transporting a car. 

A covered car trailer is usually the same size as an open car trailer, although there are covered car transportation companies that use smaller trailers. One or two-car trailers are available, and these are often used when a rare, antique, or expensive car is being shipped. 

While a covered car transport trailer might be the same size as an open car transport trailer, it carries fewer vehicles because of the enclosing walls. The number of vehicles transported is generally no more than 8. An open trailer, on the other hand, can carry as many as 12 standard cars.

Covered car transport trailers are both soft and hard-sided, depending on the carrier you choose. Hard-sided trailers are constructed using fiberglass, aluminum, or tin. As such, they provide the best possible protection for the vehicle inside. Covered vehicle transport trailers that are soft-sided have sides made from canvas. This type of covering provides slightly less protection, but they are used because they offer better fuel economy, weigh less, and take up less space.    

7 Reasons why you should choose covered car transport

There are many reasons why you should choose covered car shipping when you want to take your classic car to a show. 

1) Special loading and unloading

If your classic car has been modified in any way or the ground clearance is particularly low, choosing covered car shipping means your car can be loaded and unloaded using extended racing ramps or hydraulic lift gates. 

2) Safety and security

Classic cars are typically worth a lot of money, and even if they’re not, they’re your pride and joy. Obviously you want to provide it with the best possible safety and security. Enclosed car transport ticks both boxes because your classic car is securely locked inside the covered car trailer, safe from prying eyes. 

3) Guaranteed protection

It’s not unusual for classic cars to be very fragile. They’re not always driven on the highway and often stay locked inside the owners garage. When they’re brought out to be shown off at a classic car show, you want it to be protected as much as possible. 

Rain, hailstones, snow, and traffic debris could damage your car. Choose enclosed auto transport and it’ll be completely protected from the elements, dust, and debris. 

Clean and polish it before it gets picked up by the covered car transportation company and it’ll be delivered just as clean and shiny as when it was picked up. 

4) Increased insurance coverage

Carriers that offer covered car transport also have increased insurance coverage. This is because the cargo they generally transport is worth more than the standard car. 

5) Multiple vehicle shipping

If you’re the proud owner of not just one, but two, maybe three or four classic cars, you can take them all to the next classic car show because multiple vehicle shipping is generally an option. 

6) Door-to-door car transport

Choose enclosed auto transport and your car can be picked up and delivered to a location of your choice. It can be picked up from your home or the storage facility where it’s safely stored and delivered to the classic car show, as long as it’s safe and legal to do so. 

7) Experienced auto carriers

Companies that offer covered car transportation need to possess specialist knowledge and experience. The carriers that we use have met our very strict safety standards and are all well trained and experienced in providing covered car transport. 

The cost of covered vehicle transport

The cost of covered car shipping is a little more than open car transport, usually around 30%-40% extra. The reason for the higher charge is there is a higher demand for covered vehicle transport as fewer carriers offer such a service. The fact that fewer cars can be transported on a trailer also affects the overall cost. One other determining factor is the reduced fuel efficiency. 

If you want to know how much it costs to transport your classic vehicle to an upcoming show and then back home again, use our instant online quote calculator. We also have a team of shipping advisors you can speak to. Call (864) 546-5038 or use Live Chat. 

Tips for getting your classic car noticed at the next show

Classic car shows are a fun experience for all the family but if you’re one of the exhibitors, things get a little more serious. The way you show your car is pretty important, and if you want to win a trophy or impress the passing audience, you want to show you classic car off as best you can. 

Here are some tips to help you make the best impression, whether it’s the judges or hoards of classic car enthusiasts you want to impress. 

• The devil’s in the detail: Aside from a regular wax and wash make sure you pay attention to the nitty-gritty details. Let’s give you a few examples: use Q-Tips to clean the air vents, toothpicks to get the crumbs out of the dashboard, clean stains off the ceiling fabric, and don’t forget to clean the wheel wells. 
• Take some basic cleaning supplies with you: Bring some microfiber towels, polish, and Windex, just in case you notice any smudges.
• Shine the tires: Bring a bottle of tire shine with you. There’s nothing like a set of clean and shiny tires to impress the judges. 
• Park under the shade: Try to find a spot that’s in the shade as it’ll keep you and your beloved car out of the sun. Get there early enough and you can almost guarantee a good spot. 
• Bring a canopy tent: These are easy to set up and can provide lots of needed shade for you and your car. It might also entice more people to stop by and take a closer look if they can do it without fear of getting sunburnt. 
• Bring a folding chair: it’s going to be a long day if you plan to stand next to your car throughout the duration of the show. Sitting in a chair next to your car is also more inviting for lots of people. 
• Bring a cooler and drinks: It’s important to stay hydrated during the day. You’ll also save money if you bring your own refreshments rather than paying the vendors hiked up prices. It’s also nice for fellow enthusiasts to be able to share a drink with you. 
• Open windows: If you open the car windows, it allows judges and spectators to look inside at the interior. 
• Display what’s under the hood: Don’t forget to show off the heart and soul of your classic car. Judges and people in general like to see what’s going on underneath the bonnet. 

Before we finish up, here are the details of 5 not to miss classic car shows that take place every year. 

5 classic car shows you don’t want to miss

1. Iola Classic Car Show: Features 4,200 swap spaces, 2,500 show cars, and more than one thousand ‘For Sale’ car corrals. There’s free admission and free show entry for pre-1942 vehicles. 
2. Charlotte Auto Fair: Held every two years in the heart of the Carolinas, this is a world-renowned event. It’s been held for more than 35 years and upward of 150,000 people attend. 
3. Syracuse Nationals Classic Car Show: Held in Central New York, this classic car show has been held for more than 20 years. 90,000 people attend, 8,000 cars and trucks are on display. This show also has an enviable reputation for raising money for charities. Let’s not forget the Rockabilly Roundup that features more than 400 cars in non-restored condition.
4. Cruisin the Coast: This is an iconic celebration of all things 4-wheeled. It started in 1996 with just 374 vehicles. Fast forward to today and now more than 8,000 vehicles arrive together with their owners. They come from 4 different countries and 40 states to take part in the 30-mile coastal cruise. 
5. Hershey Classic Car Show: The highlight of this elegant classic car show is the Grand Ascent. Drivers of some of the worlds most well-known cars take part in a two-day trek up a back road to the Hotel Hershey. It’s a high end show that includes high-end mid-century race and collectors cars from around the world.

If you’re planning on taking your classic car to a show and want to know more about our enclosed car transport service don’t hesitate to get in touch, We’ve an instant online quote calculator if you want to know the cost of our covered car transportation service. Call (864) 546-5038 or use our Live Chat.