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Old 04-20-2019, 11:38 AM   #1
NoahVail
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Default Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

I'm looking for some general advice on rolling and transporting a 1961 Galaxie 3-spd, that's been parked for 5 years.

The main details are that I'm arranging a commercial transport to p/u car in MD and deliver it to FL (backstory at end of post).

I don't know if the car was left in gear.
I don't know if the emergency brake has been on.
Brake lines look good and tires hold air.

Family will visit the farm next week to untarp the car and make sure it rolls/steers/brakes for transport. They know to not try to start it.

1st advice I seek:
What are likely problems that the family could face, while trying to make sure the car rolls/brakes/steers?

2nd advice:
I've never used a commercial hauler. What should I know?

Your advice is appreciated.


BackStory: Genealogy led me to a new sister. I visited her at her MD farm and found a 1961 Galaxie. The car was brought to the farm 5 years ago and tightly tarp'd (outdoors). Prior to that it was meticulously maintained by the original owner (aunt).

I only had a few minutes w/ the car. Got some underside pics but the tarps were too fragile to unwrap. I forced my phone under the tarp for a few blurry interior shots. I saw enough to (eventually) convince the family to sell the car to me.
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Old 04-20-2019, 12:39 PM   #2
56sedandelivery
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

Only experience I had was with a mustang I had that had been sitting for 5/6 years. It was a manual and left in gear. When it came time to sell the brakes had locked up from sitting.
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Old 04-20-2019, 01:02 PM   #3
Bill's Auto Works
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

The fact that the tires hold air is a plus. Hopefully nobody set the emergency brake as that will more than likely be a problem. There is a good chance it may be stuck. Check the release! The brakes themselves might be stuck as well from sitting. The only way to tell is too hook a strap to another vehicle & give it a gentle pull. Sometimes even if it they are stuck, they will break loose will a jerk.

As far as finding a transporter, check their background & try not to deal with a broker. Try to deal with the actual transporter. Stay away from Uship as they are mostly brokers & will hound you for months after you get it home.

I cannot help you as except for two coming back from the west coast for May, I am completely booked until late June. If you would like to P.M. I can help you by answering any more question & maybe recommend a couple of other QUALITY transporters to try!

God Bless & Happy Easter
Bill Squires(owner)
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Old 04-21-2019, 08:44 AM   #4
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

Last weekend I sold a race car that had been sitting for over 10 years in the AZ sun. The tires were flat (race tires generally don't hold for long), but to both of our surprises 3 of the 4 aired up without problem. Once we swapped out the 4th tire the car rolled very easily - the rear brakes did not bind.

If the e brake was not set on yours you should be OK. Good luck.
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Old 04-21-2019, 10:09 PM   #5
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

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Originally Posted by L5wolvesf View Post
If the e brake was not set on yours you should be OK. Good luck.
I like your optimism. I should know if she rolls in 3 or 4 days.


I appreciate everyone's replies
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Old 04-21-2019, 10:20 PM   #6
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

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Originally Posted by Bill's Auto Works View Post
As far as finding a transporter, check their background & try not to deal with a broker. Try to deal with the actual transporter.

I don't mean to push back on your experience but directly locating a transporter who can do this run on our timetable and budget seems like a long-shot. I'm researching a broker headquarter'd near me. I realize that isn't the same as researching the transporter but it may be the best I can do.


Regardless, I appreciate your insights.
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Old 04-22-2019, 08:03 AM   #7
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

I understand completely Noah,

In the end, getting the car home within your budget & timeline is what it is all about. Brokers do have their place in the industry. Multiple car transporters are cheaper

Personalized single car service is of course higher priced & getting a spot on a schedule like mine in a moments notice is almost impossible.

The fact the broker you are looking at is local to you is to your advantage. One last bit of advise if ANYONE is stuck using Uship...Do NOT post your phone number, only your email address. I have had several customers report to me calls up to 4 months after they had already got their car home. All were from brokers & some were in the middle of the night claiming they had a truck close to the vehicles location!

God Bless
Bill
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Old 04-22-2019, 09:16 PM   #8
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

Oh boy. The owner just thought to mention it's a convertible. I literally had no idea.



I feel like I did when my wife told me it's twins.
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Old 04-23-2019, 12:18 AM   #9
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Question Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

So - what do you value this at - exactly ?



Unless you want roll the dice - transport it in an enclosed trailer
direct from pickup to drop off.


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Old 04-23-2019, 06:54 AM   #10
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

Quote:
Originally Posted by NoahVail View Post
Oh boy. The owner just thought to mention it's a convertible. I literally had no idea.



I feel like I did when my wife told me it's twins.
You don't want that car Noah, I will do you a favor & take it off your hands! LOL

Seriously that is amazing news! Enjoy the build.

God Bless
Bill
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1955 Chevy Altered W.B. Gasser
1955 Nash Amb. Cust. Lemans
1957 Pontiac Chieftain 2 DR HT
1964 Pontiac Grand Prix 2 DR HT
1966 Pontiac Catalina Conv
1966 AMC Ambassador DPL 2 DR HT
1966 AMC Ambassador Cust 2DR HT
1967 AMC Marlin
1967 Toronado
1973 Chevy Nova Full Chassis Car
1992 Jag XJS Conv
1992 Jag XJS 2 DR Coupe
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Old 04-23-2019, 09:46 AM   #11
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

Quote:
Originally Posted by trulyvintage View Post
So - what do you value this at - exactly ?
Unless you want roll the dice - transport it in an enclosed trailer
direct from pickup to drop off.

Unfortunately, I have to agree. I don't what route a transporter will take & what they'll run into along the way.
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Old 04-23-2019, 09:59 AM   #12
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Lightbulb Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

Impatience is your worst enemy.

Store the car with family or friends until you can arrange direct enclosed transport with someone you can talk to on the phone who actually drives the truck pulling the trailer your vehicle will be in.

You might have to wait several weeks or even a couple months but it will be worth it.


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Old 04-23-2019, 10:12 AM   #13
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

I forgot to answer this Q earlier.
Quote:
Originally Posted by trulyvintage View Post
So - what do you value this at - exactly ?
When I thought it was a 2-Dr Sedan I had put it's current value at $5k-$8k. But now? I can't begin to say.

I know (at least) once, a storm blew the tarps off. They may have been off for a while. As a sedan, it didn't bother me if the car spent some months w/o tarping.

But it's value as a convertible w/ a top in unknown condition? Everything is up in the air now. My sister who owns the farm believes water got in while the tarps were off. In my sedan-mindset, I kind of blew off her concern because she's not anal on cars like all of us here. Now I see that I didn't put enough stock in it.
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Old 04-23-2019, 10:46 AM   #14
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

Quote:
Originally Posted by trulyvintage View Post
Impatience is your worst enemy.
Store the car with family or friends until you can arrange direct enclosed transport with someone you can talk to on the phone who actually drives the truck pulling the trailer your vehicle will be in.
You might have to wait several weeks or even a couple months but it will be worth it.
My sons and I gambled that we could go 3 months w/o a financial calamity. The money we could save during that time is the amount we offered for the car (minus open transport cost).

It was a super difficult process for the owner's family to part with their car. They only did so because they're struggling to properly care for it. They accepted our lowball offer because we're family-ish and we agreed to restore the car and not flip it.
They're already talking about family vacations to visit their old Galaxie (in FL of course).

Now - transport and restoration costs could be far beyond what we projected. It's giving me some new doubt on our ability to keep our commitment. Just getting it here seems like a new project.

I have some thinking to do this week.
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Old 04-23-2019, 11:04 AM   #15
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

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Originally Posted by Bill's Auto Works View Post
You don't want that car Noah, I will do you a favor & take it off your hands! LOL
Ha. Don't be too quick to laugh.

If I decide I'm not the right owner for this car, the family will probably put it on the market.
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Old 04-23-2019, 12:42 PM   #16
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

P.M. Sent


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Old 04-23-2019, 07:22 PM   #17
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

Is there any way you could haul it yourself by renting a truck and trailer combo from some place like U-Haul? You could then use a portable winch to pull it up onto the trailer. The winches at most big box stores are not that expensive and they hook to the battery. I have a small winch I have used in the past and it rolled a heavy 56 Ford wagon onto the U-Haul trailer with no trouble. Used it for a 55 Convertible too several years back.

Just a thought.
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Old 04-23-2019, 07:34 PM   #18
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

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Is there any way you could haul it yourself by renting a truck and trailer combo from some place like U-Haul?
I appreciate your suggestion. I looked into that early and sadly it's more expensive to rent a truck and trailer than it is to use a commercial transport.

The price of renting just a truck and open flatbed trailer is about the same as using a covered transport service and that's before adding in fuel, etc. An open transport is about a third less.

As an aside, I find transport prices to be quite reasonable. I just didn't originally budget for covered transport and that's got me stymied - for now.
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Old 04-23-2019, 08:18 PM   #19
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

I'd like to say I hope I'm not coming across as being spoiled or ungrateful.
I realize that for almost anyone else, getting a free upgrade to a convertible would mean Best Day Ever.

Part of my "Convertible Hesitation" is that I'm Florida and the sun here is loaded with cancer and heatstroke. Our roads are all strip malls and traffic lights timed to make sure you hit every one. Besides all that, every parking lot has 100 feral cats and 5 homeless guys just looking for an open window.

This makes a hard top my dear, dear friend and I never want to leave home w/o one.

However, fate isn't interested in what I want. The question going forward is can I be a good steward to this Sunliner that I now own.

I have about a week to figure that out.
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Old 04-23-2019, 08:36 PM   #20
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Default Re: Roll and Transport - Car's 1st move in years

Just a thought here . . . there are a lot of open trailers just sitting around most weekends. Many belong to racers. I have occasionally used mine to move someone's car/project. I would imagine Fla and the east coast aren't much different than here.
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