Tips for Shipping an Exotic Car

Tips for Shipping an Exotic Car

In 40+ years of auto transport, we’ve learned a lot about shipping exotic vehicles. When shipping an exotic vehicle, like a Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, or other high-end automobile, there are special considerations owners should make, and questions they should ask about the transporter they’ve selected. Will the vehicle be properly protected throughout shipment? Will the interior and exterior be kept in pristine condition? Will the vehicle be protected from adverse weather and environmental conditions? In this blog, we’ll discuss these topics and more, so you’ll feel more informed when shipping your exotic car with a company near you.

Keeping your Exotic Vehicle’s Exterior Protected During Shipping

Keeping your exotic vehicle protected is essential during transportation. Open car carriers expose vehicles to adverse weather conditions, dirt, and debris on the road that could damage a vehicle. Enclosed shipping eliminates these potential damage sources by keeping the vehicle protected inside the trailer. Not only are exotic vehicles in enclosed transport protected from outside sources, but additional protection is added for exotic vehicles in transit by covering the car with cloth covers, and an additional plastic covering over that.

Enclosed Auto Shipping Protects Vehicles from:

  • Adverse weather conditions
  • Dirt and debris
  • Additional protection offered by cloth and plastic covering in the trailer

Benefits of a Hydraulic Liftgate

There are two ways to load cars: Using ramps and driving the vehicle onto the truck or using a hydraulic liftgate. At Intercity Lines, Inc., all our trailers are equipped with liftgates. There are two reasons that hydraulic liftgates are paramount when transporting your exotic vehicle. First, many exotic vehicles have low ground clearance; if a liftgate isn’t used, the vehicle’s undercarriage—especially the front bumper—may scrape while loading and unloading. Using a hydraulic liftgate ensures the front bumper and undercarriage of the vehicle remain undamaged.

The second benefit of using hydraulic liftgates during transport? Preventing wear to the vehicle’s clutch. If ramps are used to load the vehicle AND the driver is inexperienced, unnecessary wear to the clutch can occur, as the driver must work the clutch to get the vehicle up the ramps. Using a hydraulic liftgate eliminates unnecessary wear to the vehicle’s clutch.

Shipping an exotic car

Intercity Lines will ensure shipping your exotic car is seamless. Trusted by exotic car manufacturers, The Porsche Club of America, and countless others our team will treat your car with white-glove care during transport. For more information, or to request a car shipping quote, give us a call. Our experienced team will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have regarding the transport of your exotic vehicle.

Shipping Steve McQueens Porsche

Shipping Steve McQueen’s Porsche 911 Turbo & a rare 356 from The Petersen Museum

At Intercity Lines, we are proud to be a trusted auto transport company specializing in nationwide enclosed transport. Recently, we had the honor of shipping Steve McQueen’s Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera and a one-of-a-kind Porsche 356 America Roadster from the renowned Petersen Automotive Museum. We take pride in having our professional vehicle transport services trusted to ship these iconic Porsches from The Petersen Museum.

Watch us Ship Steve McQueen’s 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera & a 1/1 Porsche 356 America Roadster

See how we carefully transported Steve McQueen’s beloved Porsche 911 Turbo and the only steel-bodied 356 America Roadster. Our video shows the care and precision involved in handling vehicles of such historical significance.

The Legacy of Steve McQueen’s Last New Car Purchased

This Porsche 930 Turbo isn’t just any car; it’s a piece of automotive and cinematic history. It was the last new car purchased by the famous actor and racing enthusiast Steve McQueen.

Steve-McQueens-1976-Porsche-911-Turbo.png

Steve McQueen’s Porsche 911 Turbo features:

  • Rare Early Model: A non-intercooled early production model with a 3.0-liter engine and special fuel injection.
  • Dashboard Kill Switch: Allowed Steve McQueen to turn off the tail and brake lights—a unique touch reflecting McQueen’s adventurous spirit.
  • Steve’s last new car: This 911 was the last new car purchased by Mr. Mcqueen.

Our Role in Preserving History

We take great pride in shipping a piece of McQueen history. Our drivers use the highest standards of care when shipping every car. Whether a museum car or your favorite car, we treat them all with white-glove care. From inspection to delivery, every step was handled with precision to ensure the safe car shipping of these rare Porsches.

porsche 356 america roadster steel body

The only Steel-Bodied Porsche 356 America Roadster

The Porsche 356 America Roadster we proudly transported is the only steel-bodied America Roadster.

Key Highlights of The Porsche 356:

  • Last America Roadster by Gläser-Heuer: This was the final 356 America Roadster made by this renowned coachbuilder.
  • Only Steel-Bodied Model: Unlike the other America Roadsters, which are made of aluminum, this is the only 356 America Roadster crafted from steel.
  • Heuer Build Number K9/1: This Porsche features an integrated windshield designed by Erwin Komenda, highlighting its elegant lines.

Ensuring Safe Transport

We are known for handling rare vehicles like this Porsche 356 America Roadster. Our drivers use top-of-the-line car shipping equipment and follow a strict procedure. Our drivers and process ensure that rare vintage vehicles arrive safe and sound when we ship them. We are also the official transporter of Luftgekuhlt and a preferred shipper of the Porsche Club of America. We know how to ship classic Porsches nationwide safely.

Petersen Museum Auto Transport

Proud Partner of the Petersen Automotive Museum

Our collaboration with the Petersen Automotive Museum is a cornerstone of our dedication to the automotive community.

The foundation of our Partnership with The Petersen Museum:

  • Shared Values: We both play a crucial role in safely handling historic vehicles and take great pride in helping preserve these iconic cars.
  • Professional Excellence: We provide professional vehicle transport services that meet the museum’s high standards.
  • Trusted Handling: The museum trusts us with some of the world’s most valuable classic cars, and we take this responsibility seriously.

Being the museum’s official transport partner reinforces our reputation as a leading classic car transportation company.

Why Choose Intercity Lines for Classic Car Enclosed Transport

Transporting classic, exotic, and luxury cars requires special care and equipment. Here’s why Intercity Lines is the right choice:

Enclosed Auto Transport:

  • Maximum Protection: Our enclosed auto transport trailers provide maximum protection for your car during transit.
  • Advanced Equipment: Our carriers have hydraulic lift gates and air-ride suspension for smooth loading and transport.

Insurance Coverage:

  • Cargo insurance: We have $2 million in cargo insurance.

Expert Drivers:

  • Skilled Car Haulers: Our drivers are skilled in shipping collector cars, vintage vehicles, and luxury cars in our enclosed car carriers.
  • Professionalism: Our drivers focus on safety and efficiency, ensuring timely deliveries without compromising care. Our team will work with them to ensure you’re up to date throughout the car shipping process. We understand the importance of privacy, and our team will keep all move information private.

Exceptional Customer Service:

  • Personalized Support: From the first car shipping quote to final delivery, we provide dedicated assistance and communication to ensure a smooth car shipment.
  • Timely Communication: Our drivers and car transport team keep you informed at every stage of the transport process.

Nationwide Luxury Car Shipping Services

No matter where you are in the United States, Intercity Lines offers nationwide luxury car shipping services to meet your needs.

  • Nationwide Service: We offer nationwide enclosed auto transport.
  • Carrier, not a broker: We are a carrier and never broker your order to 3rd parties.
  • Transparent Pricing: Our car shipping quotes are all-inclusive, with no hidden fees. Fees are typically for nonrunning vehicles, delayed pick-ups, and deliveries, or overpacked vehicles (over 100 lbs.).
  • Value for Service: We provide high-quality service at competitive rates.

Experience Unmatched Vehicle Transport Services

For over 40 years, Intercity Lines has shipped the world’s rarest cars and motorcycles. We are a trusted auto transport company. Whether we’re shipping Steve McQueen’s Porsche or your dream car, we treat every car with the same level of white-glove care. Trust the best in enclosed auto transport—trust Intercity Lines!


Intercity Lines 2024 EPA SmartWay High Performer in Auto Transport

Intercity Lines Named 2024 EPA SmartWay High Performer in Auto Transport

We proudly announce that Intercity Lines has been recognized as a 2024 SmartWay High Performer by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This prestigious award highlights our commitment to sustainable vehicle transport and positions us among the top-performing freight companies in the country in terms of environmental performance.

What is the SmartWay High Performer Award?

The EPA SmartWay Program annually recognizes top-performing shippers, carriers, and logistics companies for their excellence in clean freight transportation. SmartWay High Performers are identified out of thousands of participating companies based on crucial freight activity data—such as miles traveled, fuel use, and loads carried. This data is voluntarily provided to the EPA, which then evaluates and ranks companies in different performance ranges. Those in the top-ranked categories are celebrated as SmartWay High Performers.

For 2024, Intercity Lines is proud to join this elite group, demonstrating our leadership in reducing emissions, optimizing fuel efficiency, and supporting a greener future for freight transportation.

Our Path to Sustainability

At Intercity Lines, we’ve always believed in operating at the highest standards, and this recognition reflects our ongoing efforts to reduce our environmental footprint while shipping the world’s rarest exotic and classic cars. Here’s how we’ve achieved SmartWay High Performer status:

  • Investment in Modern Emission Technology: Our fleet has cutting-edge, low-emission trucks that meet and exceed the latest environmental standards. These vehicles reduce harmful emissions and improve fuel efficiency, keeping our carbon footprint as low as possible.
  • Strategic Loading and Route Planning: By carefully optimizing our routes and loads, we reduce the number of trips and miles traveled, lowering overall fuel consumption while delivering the best service to our customers.
  • Commitment to Clean Freight Movement: We are committed to continually improving our operational efficiency, ensuring that we transport vehicles across the country in the most environmentally responsible way.

Why This Matters

Earning a place on the SmartWay High Performer list is not just about recognition—it’s a testament to our dedication to our customers and the environment. By choosing Intercity Lines, our customers know they’re working with a company that prioritizes sustainability and is actively reducing the environmental impact of vehicle transportation. This award reaffirms our leadership in eco-friendly auto transport, and we will continue to push for greater innovation and efficiency in the years to come.

What’s Next for Intercity Lines?

While we’re honored to receive the 2024 SmartWay High Performer Award, we’re not stopping here. We continuously explore new technologies and strategies to make our operations more efficient and sustainable. We aim to remain at the forefront of the green transport movement, offering top-tier service while protecting the planet for future generations.

Learn More About SmartWay High Performers

Visit the EPA SmartWay High Performers page to learn more about their clean freight initiatives and see the full list of companies recognized for their efforts in sustainable freight transportation.


Partner with an Industry Leader in Sustainable Auto Transport

When you choose Intercity Lines for your vehicle transport needs, you’re not just selecting a carrier—you’re choosing a partner dedicated to reducing emissions and supporting a sustainable future. Learn more about our auto transport solutions and how we’re working to create a greener tomorrow, one trip at a time.