Archive for the ‘Classic Cars’ Category

1977 AMC Gremlin – Some Backstory on This Overlooked Classic

Sunday, March 20th, 2011

When the Gremlin was introduced by the American Motors Corporation in 1970, they could not imagine the impact it would have on the motor industry. This car was considered the first sub-compact vehicle made in the United States. The AMC Gremlin came out in April, 6 months ahead of Ford and Chevy’s own attempt at a smaller car. It became a top-selling response to America’s need for a more economical mode of transportation.

This car was considered a good buy for the price. It managed to stay at a low cost while still offering great performance. It had better fuel economy than the popular muscle cars that ran the road at that time. The long body and Kamm-back, which juts off abruptly, made it a distinctive vehicle indeed.

AMC was able to cut manufacturing costs by shaping the Gremlin from a Hornet platform already in use. They also manipulated the same platform for several other cars in different lengths. The company stopped making the Gremlin in 1978. But they continued to use a similar format for the Spirit and Eagle through 1983.

The Gremlin was made in a 2 passenger model for the first few years. But the 4 passenger hatchback was what the company produced the longest. It featured a roomy front seat and smaller back seat. Folding the rear seats could triple the luggage space. The car evolved over the years to increase safety and add to its outward looks and inward comfort.

Its age and lack of availability now make this vehicle an interesting item to collect. The most popular models wanted are the ones produced with a larger V-8 engine and an “X-package”, which includes extras such as side stripes and bucket seats. Since parts are scant now, particularly for the interior, it makes restoring this car a difficult task. But there are some die hard followers that will try.

The AMC Gremlin was an important part of American vehicle history. It went up against several foreign imports boasting a more petite way to get around. It was a family car, and a good first for someone just learning to drive. Many will look back and think fondly about this slightly odd looking and strangely named automobile.

This car is without doubt a classic. Find one here – Restored 1976 AMC Gremlin For Sale.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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How to Price Auto Transport: More or Less

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

The cheapest way to get that classic car or family sedan transported over many miles is by auto carrier.  Auto shipping offer a safe and inexpensive way to get your car to its new location.  You know the cost of fuel today as well as the possible cost of car maintenance and repair of driving your car yourself long distances.

For those in the know, and there are more and more of those all the time, the auto shipping industry is a first choice for vehicle transportation.  The customer nonetheless assumes some risk when hiring even the most reliable and most experienced auto carriers.  One must be cautious and diligent in their search.  You must review insurance policies and past experience and performance with shipping similar vehicles, especially if yours is exotic.  Hauling an expensive, custom, or vintage car requires different safeguards than that Ford Taurus.  The pricing aspects of such vehicles will also differ substantially.

Pricing is determined by the manufacturer and model of the vehicle, the distance to be transported, the drop-off and pick-up sites and your required time-frame.

If you require remote sites for drop-off and pick-up that may require special services and absolute locales, this rather than distance may become the most important pricing factor, as it becomes mandatory for the provider of transport to know about special conditions that may be encountered along the way.  The reliable company will be able to inform you of various road and weather conditions that your vehicle will be facing and the harm that they may cause.  They will also know exactly how to carry your car to its destination without suffering injury and should inform you of these technicalities as well.

If your vehicle takes up more space that a normal one, that will cost you because it reduces the number of paying customers’ vehicles  that the company can handle on a single carrier.  The expensive vintage or classic cars that are usually a collectors’ pride and joy have odd dimensions that will not fit normally on a carrier and will also demand more loving care in transport, even if of standard dimensions.

The amount of insurance necessary to cover your vehicle in transport is also a consideration.  Your regular policy may not cover the odd conditions that the car might meet in transit.  The auto shipping company will have its own insurance carrier and you need to research the policies offered to pick the one most pertinent to your vehicle.  It is undoubtedly not the cheapest option that will meet your needs, especially on the vintage model.

If your car is not drivable, then preparations must be made to have a truck pick it up from a location you state rather than the standard terminal, and shove it or tow it to its location on the carrier.  Same service is in effect when it reaches its destination.  These circumstance requires a separate truck and separate service from the norm.

A fully operable vehicle is, of course, the preferred one to transport.  No matter, you need to hire the auto shipping company as early as you can before the shipping date, and try for off-season if possible.  The longer you hold off on deciding on a transport company, the costlier it will be for you.  I’m talking here well over a month in advance.  If your car’s prior condition results in damage while in transit, besides the inconvenience of waiting for the car to be repaired, the final price could spiral out of sight.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Special Car for Shipping Classic and Custom Cars

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

After quite a bit of work and a lot of heard earned cash, you finally have your classic ride tricked out and ready for the road.  Whether it’s a classic Bentley or a vintage Silver Shadow, you want to make sure that it is looked after.  Unfortunately you have to have your new toy shipped and aren’t sure exactly how to get started.  You probably don’t want to put hundreds, or even thousands, of miles on your classic hot rod so getting it shipped is probably the only realistic option.

Fortunately for you there are plenty of auto shipping companies ready and waiting to pick up you gem and ship it off to wherever it needs to go.  Your car that you love so much will be guaranteed to show up at its new home in one piece and as beautiful as the day it left your driveway.

The first thing that you should do is find the carrier that you plan to use.  Make sure that you seek out a carrier that has real experience.  Most of us have never been in a situation where we need to ship our car so it is often difficult to know who the best auto carriers are.  If you find yourself in this situation, hiring a good auto shipping broker may be the best option for you.

Like anything else, it’s best to shop around to find the best deal.  You also need to make sure that you fully understand all of the terms and conditions that the carrier works under.  Make sure that they understand that your automobile is not just a run of the mill car off of the lot.  It’s important that the shipping company knows that your car is a custom one of a kind car and that they can cover it under their insurance.

If you choose to go with an open carrier to ship your car, make sure that you are guaranteed a top spot on the truck.  Cars on the bottom are more susceptible to the top cars dripping fluid on them, rocks, vandals, and other hazards.  The down side is that the top cars will be more exposed to harsh weather such as hale.

Ideally you want to probably go with a closed carrier.  This means that your car will be in an enclosed trailer from start to finish and will not be exposed to the outside world in any way.  This will cost more money.  Its up to you how much you want to spend depending how comfortable you are with your car shipping in an open carrier.

Once you decide on your choice of trailer options you should begin to remove any external customizations that are not bolted down.  This will help the auto shipping company move your vehicle from place to place without the extra worry of breaking or losing any aftermarket products.

You should also make sure that your fuel tank is not topped off.  You want to have enough fuel to get the car on and off the carrier, but much more than that is unnecessary.  Its best to cut any excess weight and extra gas is just that.

Before you finally hand the keys over to the auto shippers, make sure to note any damage that already exists to the car and get everything in writing.  Accidents can happen and it is always best to make sure that you’re covered if such a thing were to occur.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Classic Cars, Enclosed Auto Shipping, Enclosed Car Carriers, Open Auto Shipping, Open Car Carriers | No Comments »

Shipping Your Classic Car Safely and with Class

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

At great expense you have finally customized that Classic Bentley and have taken it gingerly on the road to show it off to all the world.  Or perhaps it’s that vintage Silver Shadow.  But now you have to ship that precious and unique classic auto, and you have no idea how to go about it.  You certainly don’t want to drive that rolling money pit thousands of miles away yourself, and teleporting isn’t here yet.

Though not supernatural, auto shipping companies are there to perform just the service you need, and they will do so in a safe and reliable manner.  Your gorgeous investment in love and money is guaranteed to arrive at its new home in one piece and as lovely as the day you took it to the carrier.

You want to find a carrier with experience.  It is not likely that you have been in this situation before, so you and even your acquaintances won’t immediately know of any reliable shipping companies.  You need to either go online or locate a professional broker.  Most companies will have a website, whether old and established or new and vigorous.

Just like buying any other service, you need to shop around.  Make sure you understand their terms and all the services they provide.  Make sure they understand the quality and type of car you are asking them to ship for you.  You want a company with experience in shipping expensive one-of-kind vehicles.  Pore over the carriers insurance coverage and policies so you are confident your baby will be thoroughly protected.

If you opt for an open carrier, make sure they understand your car must be on the top tier, to keep it safer from possible vandalism or theft.  On the down side, the upper deck is more prone to exposure to harsh weather, vermin, and any road debris that may be flying high along open roads.

Ideally, you will choose a carrier with a closed trailer and one who is able to ship it immediately to its destination with no layovers in either their garage or some other company’s.  This may cost  you because you are asking that the carrier leave immediately without waiting for its usual minimal load before it takes off.  If you don’t do this however, the company will take your car to a storage lot to await more traveling companions, thus increasing the odds of theft and bodily harm.

You will of course not add to the shipment any of your personal belongs for transport.  It is a good idea to remove all customizations that can be taken off the vehicle and those that cannot should be thoroughly documented.

The fuel tank should only be holding the minimum to get it to the carrier and then off the carrier to its journey’s end.  You don’t want any excess weight.  That will up the price.  Before you and your car part company,  go over it with a fine tooth comb and note in writing even the smallest of dings, if any.  And of course, after washing the beauty, on a clear day, take pictures from all angles with a digital camera and date them.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Classic Shipping for Classic Cars

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

You’ve bought a Blower Bentley and lovingly customized it a la California Kid: it is a customized vintage sports car and you are weaving in and out of traffic like a comet between common stars. Or you have already acquired the unique recent Marussia. The point is, nobody has a car like yours and now you have to ship it and you are not sure how to. You are reluctant to drive that mint-new beauty all those miles and it seems that for a magical car like yours only magic would do to teleport it to the destination.

But though they have been somewhat neglected by mystically inclined authors from Kafka to King and it is difficult to imagine anything sinisterly supernatural about them, auto shipping companies provide precisely the service you need, guaranteeing that your monetary and emotional investment will not be lost or so much as scratched.

Locate an experienced carrier. The average person does not require shipping services that often and it is unlikely that you are familiar with a reliable company by word of mouth. The best way to find what you need is either through a professional broker or through the internet. Numerous companies have websites nowadays, but that includes the old and established shippers who keep up with the world and who would be just right for you.

Compare a number of companies to make sure their terms make sense and that the companies have experience shipping your type of car. Contact them to carefully review their insurance policies and make sure that you precious property is fully covered.

Choosing an open trailer, insist and make sure that the vehicle is loaded onto the upper deck, where it is more difficult to reach and is thus safer from theft and vandalism. However, on the upper deck of the open carrier your car will still be exposed, especially so to inclement weather, birds, bugs, and any detritus that may be carried by gusty winds along stretches of interstate roads.

It is far better to book your car for a closed carrier and have it shipped immediately to the destination. In some cases this may only be possibly if you pay for the truck to leave at once without waiting for its standard minimal load. Otherwise, the company will take the car to a storage facility for an indefinite amount of time, which additional manipulation and waiting time at a general garage increases the risk of theft or damage.

Leave no personal belongings in the car and remove any easily removable “upgrades,” lest they be stolen or broken. Clearly document any removable upgrades which you may chose to leave.

Unnecessary fuel is a hazard: leave only enough fuel to get the car to the carrier and off it at destination. Before handing the car over to the company, inspect it and document the smallest prior damage, if such exists. I am sure the owner of a Bentley or a Marussia need not be reminded, but just in case, make sure you wash the car before you take dated digital pictures of it in clear daylight light from all sides and angles, so that no significant nuance or scratch remain undocumented.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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