Buying Clean West Coast Cars Is Cheaper Than Fixing Rust! How To Ship A Car across Country!

Whenever we sell a car the phrase we get more than any other is “oh wish I was closer!” People don’t understand that shipping really isn’t that hard. Is it worth it to fix a super rusty rust belt car or pay not that much for shipping and start with a MUCH better car? I know what my answer would be. If you are in the rust belt looking for clean Mopars hit us up.
This 1967 Dodge Coronet 500 came into the shop as a project. The customer wanted us to get it running which we did but once I told him how much it would be to get it safely back on the road he decided to sell it to us. My friend Rooster in Minnesota heard about it and he really likes 67 Coronet's and he decided to buy it. Since we hear so many times people are intimidated by shipping I decided to do a video about it. Hope everything learns something from this one!
‪@Roosters_Restos‬

[@stage0garage]

Thanks for the vid! I went through the same process when I bought Jamie’s stepside. Was $1300 to WI but of course it was cancelled day of and shocker, the next price was $500 more. Seemed scammy so I flew over and drove it back.

[@rocketresto]

That was a great adventure!

[@Amoparman408]

Very timely video for me. Hope to see you at MCACN in November as well. I have a 66 Coronet 500 I will be bringing. Might be sitting right next to yours in the BF&G area. Hoping to haul it myself, but don't have the equipment or experience. but "ain't skeered". I'll rent stuff. Thx for the vid Tom.

[@rocketresto]

Hoping to make it to MCACN this year but might be a challenge. Just super busy that time of year around then. Hope to see it!

[@jamesblair9614]

Ok, I learned something today about shipping, and money spent to avoid rust repair is well spent, I’ve never heard of anybody regretting the extra effort and money to start off with a quality body as the basis for a build.

[@rocketresto]

Always...and I mean always...better to start with a better car.

[@sandwichrob2852]

I wish I came across deals like that 😣 great video 👍

[@rocketresto]

They find you when you’re in this business.

[@clevelandmaker386]

Ok ..all im hearing is alot of money.... Cause any mopar from 53-77 now is expensive....and forward look...only if you're last name is gates, musk, or Zuckerberg

[@rocketresto]

$1300 is a lot cheaper than paying a body guy $10k to fix all the rust on a crappy rust belt car.

[@clevelandmaker386]

@@rocketresto true....but the INITIAL INVESTMENT is the big thing here

[@klwthe3rd]

Yeah but are you getting that $1,300 deal because the shipping as you mentioned is just looking to have SOMETHING to haul on his trip home??? Would that still be price if the carrier, Alan, chose for you wasn't in that same senerio??? Seems cheap to go over 1,700 miles to Minnesota. Just want to make sure this isn't some "sweetheart deal"

[@rocketresto]

That is what we have been trying to say, that ISN'T a sweetheart deal, that is what it costs to ship open. When we first got a quote a couple months ago it was $1250 but diesel has gone up a bit. Last car we shipped to the east coast (New York) was $1600 open. In fact we are shipping a truck for a friend from Washington to Illinois and we are charging way more to ship it (is enclosed but still). Don't tell Rooster but if I hauled it out it would have been more, hahaha.

[@brianseeley7376]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here. First off, please don't take any of this as a dig or anything. I truly like what you guys do and love your channel(s). Just wanted to throw my worthless 2 cents in. I agree about having a solid car shipped. Not as much rust work. I did it myself once years ago and would love to do it again someday. Now, when I shipped my non-running (no engine) car from CA to MA probably 20 years ago, it cost $1400, but the car was very solid. How much would it cost today to ship a car that far? It's not going not be $1400. I'd say at least double that if not more. (Oh, by the way, Tom, MN isn't "back east". Try MA, NH, ME, VT, even NY. ;) ) How much does it cost to the far east coast? If the car you're looking at doesn't run, it either costs way more or some places don't want to even touch it. Same if there's extra parts with it a lot of times. And it's not just the shipping. Let's also look at the fact that you have to; trust who you're getting it from and buy it sight unseen, hire someone to check it out for you which most likely isn't free or fly out and check it out in person, which again costs more money, and then have it shipped. Lastly, what about the people that actually like taking a POS and bringing it back to life? I've bought a bunch that need rust work, but that's fine (not great, but fine). When you live out here, you get used to it and deal with it. Sure it sucks, but if you tackle it yourself, it's not as expensive. You also get the satisfaction of an accomplished job and bringing another class back to life. Again, I agree that a solid car from the west coast or from down south is a cleaner start and if you can swing it, go for it. But It's not always that easy or cheap. Oh, the car I had shipped. When I got it home from picking it up, it looked like they had hooked the chains onto the back bumper as there were matching marks on each side of the bumper. Didn't notice it when I picked it up, unfortunately. :( Keep up the excellent work!!!

[@klwthe3rd]

This comment is spot on. These carriers these days want a ton of money to ship anything anymore. Most cars cost $4,000 to $6,000 to ship from California to North Carolina. Christ for that money, i could get some jerkyboy to rent a uhaul trailer and drive it right to my house for $1,500. I hate getting ripped off and you're exactly right about all the other factors that bring the cost way up.

[@rocketresto]

Last car we shipped to the east coast (New York) was $1600 open. Also keep in mind this was a runner, non-runners usually cost $200-300 more. Everything east of the Dakota's is back east for us west coasters :) Completely understand this thinking, don't like buying cars unseen, but I've done this long enough to smell a turd and have never been burned by a long distance transaction. Other option is to find somebody to look at it for you.

[@noberet]

Thank you Tom!

[@rocketresto]

This is today's public service announcement.

[@kellismith4329]

Years ago I bought an older truck from Texas (not old enough that it could cross the border scott free), I had it shipped up to me in Alberta, Canada - it was a rare truck (for here at least) and the shipping wasn’t terribly expensive. Plenty of hoops to jump through regarding customs and satisfying our gov’t. All in all was not bad, even got a title certificate for the truck they don’t do that here. Everyone was super jealous of my old rust free truck lol - I kept it for many years just sold it again last year, nice long story to add to it for it’s new owner.

[@rocketresto]

Border does add some complication to this but bet you were glad to get that clean truck.

[@bill90405]

Having spent now 20 years and way too much $ restoring a rusty CT ‘67 $@ttelite convertible i can believe the value of a clean west coast builder.

[@rocketresto]

Tru dat

[@georgewetzel4380]

LOVE the 67 Coronet!

[@auteurfiddler8706]

I don't know about Allen... if you found an honest broker let me know. I don't think you can ship for less than $1.25 a mile. A "not running" car, open trailer. I'm talking about not running cars because it would be cheaper to drive a running car. Or, if it isn't running, to have a new engine put in then drive it. Or for you to drive 3000 miles with your own truck and trailer and take it home yourself. Also, there are many examples of cars getting heavy damage and the drivers and brokers won't pay for it and say it was like that before.. There are loads of stories about brokers and drivers promising a price then cancelling and asking for hundreds more to re book. Also living in So cal, there are very few cars for sale and the prices are double what they are in the rest of the country. And they are not always rust free. Some are refugees from the midwest and others are from salt air areas of California.

[@rocketresto]

This transport was closer to $0.72 a mile. I usually charge $1.00 a mile for towing.

[@peacemaker6156]

Hey im looking for a 323 rear end for a 69 dodge coronet. If you have one to sell ? How much to ship it to west tn ? Or send it with jamey when he comes to race utg ?

[@rocketresto]

I do have a couple but Jamie left today so a little late. I HATE shipping pumpkins but can look into shipping. Going to Mopars at the Park and left today so won't be back for a week.

[@tonyb3864]

Thats a nice car. I wouldnt even paint it. So when I want a car I drive my truck there to go look at it and if I like it I rent a uhaul trailer and haul it myself. If I dont like the car I turn around and drive home. I never buy cars if I don't actually see them in person. I know some people do but not me.

[@rocketresto]

Completely understand this thinking, don't like buying cars unseen, but I've done this long enough to smell a turd and have never been burned by a long distance transaction. Other option is to find somebody to look at it for you.

[@apocolypse11]

So is cheaper just to swap a modern rt or srt motor on a clasdic car. Ok got it lol. Lots of crash rt,v6,srt in junkyards across america.

[@rocketresto]

Becoming more plentiful every day. Friend runs a yard in Utah and crazy how cheap they are getting wrecked 392's.

[@kennethvandiver7468]

People spend money on classic cars. Some old cars are destined for scrap or to be returned to the field to rot away.

[@rocketresto]

All the more reason to find clean West coast cars so you don't have to have that dilema.

[@OdySlim]

About brake power boosters, do you rebuild them there?

[@rocketresto]

No we send them out to Booster Dewey.

[@marc11467]

What's the average cost to ship a car to let's say Ohio....

[@rocketresto]

For a runner? $1500ish, non running a bit more. Depends where you are as well, if near a major interstate it’s less.

[@traviscue2101]

I bought my '67 Rogue out of Portland 4 yrs ago. Had it shipped open to KC, MO. Kinda rough, but running. $1200 for shipping, but i have zero rust to deal with. I couldn't find one in the Midwest that didn't need sheet metal body parts that are unobtainable. Money well spent, as far as I'm concerned

[@rocketresto]

Absolutely money well spent!

[@traviscue2101]

$3100, plus shipping. Dead battery was another $100. 5k in the car

[@rocketresto]

@@traviscue2101 For a car worth almost double that in the Midwest.

[@BigBoxDodge2020]

Hopefully Rooster will keep that car away from the salt.

[@rocketresto]

Don't think he will let this thing even smell salt.

[@BigBoxDodge2020]

@@rocketresto Cool, keep them nice.

[@olikat8]

Only Texas & Washington State...I've lived in the rust belt & mid- Atlantic, as a teen I knew better than to buy those rot box cars- the absolute hackery that a lot was downright dangerous

[@rocketresto]

Yep yep yep

[@idaholineman5788]

Not bad at all for shipping that far! We’re so spoiled here in the northwest with clean cars. The rust they see in the Midwest would be daunting to try and fix.

[@rocketresto]

Very spoiled.

[@bbb462cid]

I visited San Diego in 2003. Walked around the Golden Hill area. Found a 1968 Charger, 440 four speed for sale. Interior wiped out. paint wiped out. No rust anywhere, just sun baked for a couple decades. Talked to the owner. Five grand. I had the money but did not have the spare cash to ship it home. I am still kicking myself that I didn't beg somebody to lend me that shipping money, I would have doubled my money within a month when I got it back to Massachusetts just by writing "4 SALE" on the windshield, and waiting.

[@rocketresto]

Dude....

[@bbb462cid]

@@rocketresto I know

[@robertspence831]

Sweet old Coronet right there. Wish it was coming to me.

[@rocketresto]

I've never known Rooster to turn down money if you are interested :)

[@beljames1563]

These are great cars. Glad this one is going to be saved.

[@rocketresto]

Rooster will get done what needs to get done on it. Being delivered to his place in like 30 minutes.