Shipping a 1989 Jaguar XJS from Eureka, MO to Missoula, MT

An automobile such as a Jaguar XJS made in 1989 should not be simply loaded on any trailer that happens to be handy without careful planning.

Such vehicles represent significant value in the collectors’ market, hence the choice of transportation will determine whether the item reaches its destination in its original state.

In the case at hand, a client of the Tempus Logix firm required a vehicle to be transported from Eureka, Missouri to Missoula, Montana. Finding the right carrier came first and was critical since speed of delivery was not the main consideration.

Shipping a 1989 Jaguar XJS across state lines

Table of Contents

What it costs to ship a vintage car from Eureka, MO to Missoula, MT

Eureka, MO, 63025 to Missoula, MT, 59808

The rate for this shipping process would be $2,450 through the enclosed trucking. This amounts to about $1.52 per mile; this is reasonable when compared to the standard range charged for the services offered by enclosed trucks. The average for such open shipping services on the same shipping distance would be between $950 to $1,200. The difference is notable, and yet there are some considerations here.

This particular vintage car of 1989 model year and Jaguar XJS model is a valuable collectible that could increase its value through time. Any cosmetic damage is more difficult to repair on a 37-year-old vehicle, especially painting of the car. Even if a small paint chip results from debris along the way, the price would go beyond hundreds of dollars. The price may change according to availability of the carrier, fuel prices, and other factors like the season and area.

Vintage car vs. standard car shipping: is there a price difference?

Yes, and that all depends on the type of carrier. Standard cars get transported using open carriers, but when you’re dealing with vintage automobiles, you opt for enclosed ones. This right there changes the dynamics of pricing from the outset.

Enclosed transporters account for about 10% of the vehicles that move around in the transportation industry, and this is reflected in the higher prices charged and the window period needed. It makes sense to do this, especially with a car as delicate as the 1989 Jaguar XJS. You also need to consider the loading process since enclosed transporters are used to transporting low-profile vehicles such as the Jaguar.

What enclosed carrier transport actually means for a vintage car

1989 Jaguar XJS with an enclosed trailer

Enclosed trucking involves complete enclosures for trailers to provide total coverage for the entire journey, thereby protecting your car from dust, stones, hail, and even the elements like rain or sunshine. An enclosed carrier is much more essential when transporting a classic car than a new one; it’s going to be a lot more expensive to fix a 1989 Jaguar because it will be extremely hard to get the paintwork right on such an old car.

Using an open carrier would mean the Jaguar was left out for about five or six days traveling from point to point, exposed to the elements in all these states including rocks from Montana highways, rain in South Dakota, and varying temperatures in Wyoming. Using an open carrier would mean no damage to the vehicle since they provide a good degree of protection but it is not acceptable for such a vehicle.