I have some shipping questions. A few of the carriers I have called said an Alfa might have to be shipped in a closed container, because there is not enough ground clearance to ship a car with less then a 6 inch clearance on an open bed.
Does anyone have experience or thoughts on this issue? What is the ground clearance on a series 3 spider? Any other shipping pointers or thoughts are much appreciated. Many thanks!
PS- posted this on the generel forum without much response. Hoping to get some thoughts on the spider forum.
I had mine shipped last summer from Mississippi to SoCal in a closed carrier, using an auto broker that is a friend of the family. They didn't give me a 'family' deal, but they made up for it with great service. (If you'd like, I'll give you name/number in a PM.)
Closed carrier is certainly the way to go, since there's no risk of weather-related or highway damage to the car. And those guys certainly know what they're doing. My guess is that most S3 Spiders, unlowered, ARE actually about 5-6 inches off the ground, so I'm not sure that's a real reason. But I'd suggest closed carrier is a better way to go, unless you're getting a fairly bruised car in the first place.
By the way, even FedEx will ship cars closed carrier these days...but for most any of the reputable carriers, it's still between around $1400-$2000 door-to-door coast-to-coast, less for shorter distances. That's substantially more than the open carriers.
Let me know if you need the additional info--I'll get it from home and PM you.
FWIT - I just shipped my Duetto (series 1) 250 miles on an open trailer. The driver waited for a day with a no-rain forecast. It was a one day trip. This trailer had a flat bottom, so there was no ground clearance at all, plus an air dam to deflect anything that might chip the paint.
When I sold my '87 Spider it was shipped from SLC to New Jersey on an open car carrier with no problem. Of course, I had the Quad hardtop installed so it was less of a concern than if it was a soft top only. IIRC shipping was only 6-700 that way.
had my duetto shipped from toronto to vancouver in an enclosed train car, ...received on this end perfect shape .......8 days later....and yes of course it was raining when i picked it up......but an hour later, clear skies, all the way to victoria, including the ferry.
When I sold my '87 Spider it was shipped from SLC to New Jersey on an open car carrier with no problem. Of course, I had the Quad hardtop installed so it was less of a concern than if it was a soft top only. IIRC shipping was only 6-700 that way.
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