fatto gatto racing

One of the most asked questions regarding the purchase of a vintage race car involves "how do I get it home?" Ideally, the car is located next door and you can push it from one driveway to another. Just as good, it is local and you simply take your trailer and get it (or talk the seller into delivering it.)

As most of us have discovered, this is rarely the situation. Normally long distances are involved. There are two sets of circumstances faced by those desiring to transport a race car. In considering both we will assume the car is of value and will, therefore, be treated with regard. We normally would not leave our toys out in the rain, wind, snow, and what-have-you, so we will make the assumption one would not choose open transport for the car (at least if any distances are involved.) In considering both sets of conditions we must acknowledge that the transport of the car is not simply a nuisance. It is an important part of the decision to purchase and can easily be the deal-breaker. Give careful consideration to this area when making the decision whether or not the car is worth pursuing.

In the first case we will consider the situation where the car will travel on one land mass, i.e. in North America. There are several options available. You can get on your horse and go get the car. You can negotiate with the seller for him to bring it to you. Or, you can arrange transport through a third party. When any major distances are involved this option is the one most chosen. Now you have to decide on whom to use. There is a plethora of companies who "specialize" in the transportation of race cars. These range from the totally professional outfit which specialize in this sort of trade, to the individual who has a trailer, doesn’t mind driving, and needs the cash.

Obviously, as with most things, you get what you pay for. In this case it is worth paying the extra and using a specialist. Not only are these firms much more capable of transporting the car safely and in a timely manner, their use greatly adds to the piece of mind while the car is enroute; (the individual may have insurance on his truck and trailer but it probably is invalid if they are used for business purposes.) Most take credit cards, are fully insured, and all arrangements are made via telephone and fax. They contact the shipper, arrange for pickup, and keep the receiver aware of the progress of the load. The prices are not cheap, but, again, you get what you pay for. Sometimes you can get a reduction in the cost by letting them know you are not on a tight schedule and are willing to wait until they have a truck headed your way with some room. Be up front with them as to the extras with the car. Their trucks are usually set up to maximize a load of automobiles, not for carrying spare parts and bodywork. There is usually room in the belly boxes or alongside a car for a moderate amount of extras, but if you have several sets of tires and great masses of bodywork, tell them. You may either have to pay for the extra space or arrange for those items to be shipped in a more conventional manner. In any event, be forthright about what you have. If not, you may find your car in the trailer and the rest still back at the seller’s. The trailers used are designed for ease of onload and offload of even the lowest formula car.

The second situation involves intercontinental shipping. This leads to a whole other set of considerations. First of all, it virtually requires the use of a firm specializing in the shipment of large items. Preferably you will use a firm who specializes in the international shipment of racing cars. These firms are fully aware of the customs and entry requirements, brokerage systems, and services available and necessary for the shipment. Even with their use it can be a frustrating and painful experience.

We are assuming you have made the purchase, completed the transfer of funds, and are ready to arrange the shipping. Most specialist firms have the facility of collecting a car within reason. Be aware, however, they may sub-contract this to someone else, so be thorough in asking the pertinent questions regarding who is actually carrying your car and their insurance coverage. It is normally preferable to have the car delivered to the shipper’s facility. Please make sure the car is ready for shipment. While there may be no formal requirement to drain the sumps and fuel cells, as well as the hydraulic lines, it is a good idea.

Your first decision is the method of transport. Air? Sea/Land (Rail)? Sea/Land (Truck)? This decision is determined by your schedule, cost, and convenience. Air freight is obviously the quickest method, and may be as economical, depending on the distances and details of the shipment and destination. While normally much more expensive, be sure to explore the possibility. Assuming you opt for ocean freight to this side of the water, you have to determine the size of container needed. Options are usually 20 foot or 40 foot. Cost and amount of items to be shipped are the determinants. (It is often possible to share these containers with others and thereby reduce your cost.) What about from the port to your door? Most specialists will advise against using the train to forward on the container. The containers on a train are subjected to an extreme amount of shaking, vibration, and cyclical motion which puts undue stress on a car as delicate as a race car. Forwarding the container via truck is the preferred method. Regardless of the method chosen, if you are utilizing a competent specialist they will make all the arrangements for you, and consolidate all costs into one invoice.

Ah, the costs? We have delivery costs (at that end), shipping costs, customs duties, brokerage and inspection fees, bonding fees, transfer fees, and (possibly) delivery/unloading costs at this end. It isn’t cheap.

Customs duties on a race car should be about 2.5% of the declared value, as stated in the bill of lading or declaration as prepared by the shipping firm. Duties on parts may be a bit more. They may be exorbitant, depending of the item. It is preferable to list the car and parts as one unit with a combined declared value. This avoids a lengthy and expensive delay while U.S. Customs has to look up each part and apply its own tariff. Some can truly be protectionist. (Gears, for example, have as much as a 50% tariff applied to them.)

Be aware of the geo-political considerations. Is the shipment coming from an area with Hoof and Mouth or Mad Cow Disease? Will it require a comprehensive inspection by U.S. Agriculture? This can take extra time and money.

As a general idea, a 20 foot trailer from the United Kingdom to the middle of the United States, utilizing sea freight to New Orleans and then truck to the central U.S. area should cost about $3000. This is for transportation costs, handling, and document preparation. Duties would be extra. For a 40 foot container the costs would be about $5000.

These costs usually include delivery of the container to your door, or wherever you specify, and you will normally have a 4 – 6 hour window to offload. Any longer and you will be paying a couple of hundred dollars a day to keep the trailer. You can arrange to keep it longer by getting the delivery on a Friday. Then you will normally have the container until Monday. Remember, you are responsible for the offload, not the trucker. He will merely drop the trailer and leave. Getting a race car out of a 5 foot high container is not easy. Ideally you have a friend who works somewhere with a loading dock and they will allow you to use it. However, you may have to rent a tilt-bed wrecker or a forklift to get the car(s) out. When you are finished unloading is the time you will appreciate the fact that the cars had no oil in them. You are also responsible for cleaning up any mess inside the trailer and removing any scaffolding or bracing that was installed.

Is it worth it? Only you can tell. Depending on the availability of the car and the price, your desire, and facilities, it may be the only choice. Each time you will find new frustrations and learn new lessons. The choice of shipper is probably the biggest question and the one that will determine the efficacy of opting for an international purchase.