The 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K is an icon of both speed and luxury among classic automobiles. This luxury classic car was recently relocated from a residential area in Roanoke, Indiana, to its new home in New York, Pennsylvania. Moving this classic car, worth millions, required the expertise of highly skilled people who know how to handle these classic Mercedes and other classic vehicles with care.
The Challenge: Transporting Priceless History
Moving a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K is not like moving just a car. It’s a classic, so it demands extra care.
Old and delicate: At 89 years old, every component of this car, including the seats, paint, and engine, is fragile.
One wrong step during loading or if the weather isn’t right, and you could damage the vehicle.
Parts you can’t just buy: You can’t just order parts for these classic cars. If something breaks, you have to find someone who can repair it by hand, which costs a fortune, if you can find one. A new windshield could cost between $15,000 and $25,000, and body damage might not be fixable.
Low to the ground: These classic cars sit close to the ground. Loading them onto a truck can be tricky because things like the exhaust or running boards can get scraped. You need a special ramp that lifts the car gently.
Sensitive to weather: The paint, leather, and wood can get ruined if it’s too hot, cold, or humid. Keeping it in a climate-controlled truck isn’t just a fancy extra; it’s a must.
Might not even run: Some of these cars are being restored or are so perfect they’re barely driven. That means they might not start. The transport truck needs to be able to handle cars that can’t drive onto it themselves.
Worth a Fortune: These cars are worth millions, so regular car insurance won’t cover it. You need special insurance that covers the full value of the car.
Why classic cars require special care
Today’s cars can withstand a lot of punishment. Modern cars can withstand extreme temperatures and various environmental conditions. Classic cars from the 1930s simply weren’t designed to handle this type of punishment.
The 500K’s build definitely poses serious transport problems. This vehicle would not be able to clear the ground thoroughly. The loading ramps would rub against the exhaust system or running boards. The original leather seats would decompose quickly in temperature variations or humid atmospheres. The wood and lacquer finish would follow suit. The rubbers would become brittle with age and could not withstand pressure.
These cars may not operate effectively after sitting in holding units for many decades. The engine may function, but not stay in operation. The brakes may function intermittently. The wheels may bind. This is why the needs of the carriers include equipment that loads non-operational units without forcing the units onto trailers through operation. The insurance industry further complicates matters. The standard auto transport insurance coverage caps out well short of the worth of million-dollar collector cars. This additional insurance coverage comes with additional premiums and strict bonding requirements.
The route: Roanoke, IN to New York, PA
Shipping this 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K between collectors really shows how the professionals handle super valuable classic cars.
Booking and Go-Time (November 28th): We booked the transport on November 28th, and the carrier got right on it the same day.
To make that happen fast, the broker had to:
- Check the driver’s and the truck’s availability
- Make sure they have a closed trailer with climate control ready
- Get the right carrier with good insurance for a really pricey car
- Get in touch with both the pickup and drop-off people
- Figure out the best way to go, watching out for bad roads, weather, and timing
Communication before pickup (Nov 28th-29th): Good classic car shipping starts with good communication.
After the assignment, we stayed in touch with the customer, doing these things:
- Sent a booking confirmation right away with all the details.
- Sent the driver’s information and trailer details, plus GPS tracking, when they locked those in.
- Gave three hours’ heads-up before showing up at the seller’s place in Roanoke, Indiana, on November 29th.
This allowed the customer:
1. Get the car ready and clear some space
2. Grab the car’s papers (title, bill of sale, etc.)
3. Stick around for a good look at the car before it is loaded
4. Snap some pictures of the car
This kind of communication makes shipping a super valuable car way less stressful.
Pickup day: Top-notch service (November 29th) On November 29th, the carrier showed up at the collection in Roanoke, Indiana, with a fancy enclosed trailer made just for classic cars.
Looking it over first: Before loading, they conducted a super detailed inspection of the 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K, checking:
1. How it looked outside: body, chrome, glass, lights, wheels
2. How it looked inside: seats, dash, trim, gauges
3. Anything broken, fluid levels, tire pressure
4. Took pictures from everywhere
5. Made a video going all around the car with the time and location tagged
Right Loading Gear: The carrier used a lift gate, which is a must for old cars. It goes down to the ground, so the 500K could roll right on without messing with ramps that could hurt low-hanging parts.
Securing Like a Museum: They secured the Mercedes-Benz with:
- Soft straps (no metal chains that could scratch the vehicle)
- Attached the straps to the frame (not the body of the vehicle)
- Used wheel chocks made specifically for old wheels
- Tightened everything just right to keep it from moving, but not stressing it
Climate Control On: Once it was secure, they turned on the trailer’s climate control to keep the temperature steady at 68-72°F, protecting the old leather, wood, rubber, and paint.
On the Road: Taking Care While Moving (November 29th-30th)
The trip from Roanoke, Indiana, to New York, Pennsylvania (approximately 600 miles) involved traversing through different states, dealing with various roads, and keeping a close eye on the cargo at all times.
Picking the Route: The carrier chose roads based on:
- Smooth, good highways (less shaking and potential damage)
- Staying away from construction and bad roads
- Checking the weather
- Planned stops for the driver to rest and check the vehicle
Keeping in Touch: They kept their promise, staying in touch during the whole trip with updates on where they were, how things were going, and when they’d arrive.
Checking Along the Way: At stops, the driver checked the 500K to ensure:
- The straps were still tight
- The car hadn’t moved
- The climate control was still working
- There were no surprises
Delivery: Perfect Arrival (November 30th)
On November 30th, the 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K got to its new home in New York, Pennsylvania, which demonstrates how good planning and service pay off.
Heads-Up: Like at pickup, the carrier gave three hours’ notice before showing up, so the delivery person could:
- Be there for delivery
- Get a good spot ready for unloading
- Have the car’s papers ready
- Take pictures and videos of the delivery
Delivery Inspection: The delivery person looked the car over with the driver, making sure it was the same as before shipping. The Mercedes-Benz 500K was perfect, just like when it was loaded; no damage, nothing wrong, and everything kept in great shape during the whole trip.
Bill of Lending Signature: Both parties signed the delivery papers, which stated:
- The car was delivered in good condition and in the same shape
- The buyer was satisfied
- Final mileage
- Everything was completed
Following Up: Even after delivery, the carrier followed up to ensure the customer was happy and answered any questions they may have had.
Customer Satisfaction: The Ultimate Measure of Success
The true achievement of any brokerage company is its customers’ feedback. In this case, here is the voice script for customer feedback:
This voice script is from a customer who has transported multiple vehicles over the years. Experienced customers know the difference between good service and truly exceptional care, and they recognize professionalism when they experience it.
Transport Summary
Vehicle: 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K
Route: Roanoke, IN, 46783 – New York, PA, 17404 (553 miles)
I-469 / I-69 S – US-30 E – I-76 E – I-83 S
Service: 2 car hauler hard-side enclosed trailer
Cost: $1235 ($2.23 per mile)
Season: Autumn
