Auction Vehicle Shipping - Direct Pickup from Major Auction Houses
We'll pick up your winning bid directly from Barrett-Jackson, Mecum, RM Sotheby's, and 500+ auction houses nationwide. Our team has been handling high-value auction pickups since 2015, with specialized equipment and insurance for your investment.
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How Does Auction Vehicle Shipping Work?
Auction vehicle shipping involves coordinating pickup directly from the auction facility within their required timeframe, typically 3-7 days post-sale. We work directly with auction house staff to handle paperwork, staging, and loading while you focus on your purchase. Our drivers are pre-approved at major venues like Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, Mecum Kissimmee, and RM Sotheby's Monterey.
Here's what most people don't know: auction houses charge storage fees starting day one after the sale ends. At Barrett-Jackson, that's $50 per day after the first 48 hours. We've seen buyers rack up $500+ in storage fees because their transport wasn't arranged in advance.
We handle the entire process from auction floor to your driveway. Our team knows each facility's pickup procedures, required documentation, and staging areas. Last month, we shipped a 1967 Shelby GT500 from Mecum Indianapolis to a collector in Charleston - the whole process took 6 days from hammer drop to delivery.
Why Choose Liberty for Your Auction Vehicle Transport?
We're one of only 47 transport companies pre-approved by Barrett-Jackson for direct facility pickup. That approval didn't come easy - it requires $1M+ in insurance, spotless DOT records, and proven experience handling high-value vehicles. Most brokers can't even get their drivers onto auction grounds.
Our drivers carry specialized equipment for low-clearance vehicles, wide-body cars, and non-running classics. We've got wheel dollies, winches, and soft straps specifically for auction pickups. The thing is, auction cars often haven't been started in months or have modifications that affect loading.
Real talk: we've been doing this since the auction boom started. Our team knows the difference between a concours restoration and a barn find, and we adjust our handling accordingly. We'll use open transport for driver-quality classics or enclosed carriers for museum pieces.
How Much Does Auction Vehicle Shipping Cost?
Auction vehicle shipping costs $600-$2,100 depending on distance, vehicle value, and transport type. Open carrier transport from Scottsdale to Los Angeles runs $650-$850, while enclosed transport for the same route costs $1,100-$1,400. Cross-country auction transport (Florida to California) ranges $1,200-$2,100 for enclosed service.
Here's the pricing breakdown: base transport rate plus auction pickup fee ($150-$300), expedited scheduling ($200-$500), and enclosed upgrade ($400-$800). High-value vehicles over $100K automatically require enclosed transport at most auction houses. We're talking about cars that just sold for serious money - protecting that investment is worth the extra cost.
Get this: many auction houses offer preferred pricing with approved transporters like us. Barrett-Jackson gives us priority staging, which can save 1-2 days on pickup timing. That's huge during their big Scottsdale event when 3,000+ cars need transport in one week.
What's the Timeline for Auction Vehicle Pickup and Delivery?
Auction pickup happens within 3-7 days of sale completion, depending on the auction house requirements and your transport choice. Standard delivery takes 3-10 days depending on distance, while expedited service delivers in 1-5 days for urgent situations. Most of our auction customers choose 5-7 day delivery to balance cost and speed.
Here's what affects timing: auction release procedures, transport type, and destination accessibility. Enclosed carriers have fewer trucks available, so they typically add 1-2 days to the timeline. But for a car you just spent six figures on, those extra days are worth the protection.
The wildcard is weather and seasonal demand. January through March is auction season - Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, Amelia Island, Mecum Kissimmee all happen within weeks of each other. We book transport slots 2-3 weeks in advance during this period because capacity gets tight fast.
Who Should Use Auction Vehicle Shipping Services?
Serious collectors, dealers, and investors who buy at major auction houses but can't personally handle pickup and transport. We're talking about people who just dropped $50K-$500K on a vehicle and need professional handling from auction floor to their garage. Classic car enthusiasts, muscle car collectors, and exotic car buyers make up 80% of our auction clients.
Remote bidders especially need our services - you can't exactly fly to Arizona, rent a trailer, and drive your 1969 Boss 429 home to Connecticut. Many of our clients bid on multiple vehicles across different auction weeks. Last year, one collector bought cars at four different Mecum events and had us coordinate all the pickups.
College students and first-time buyers occasionally use auction transport, usually for more affordable classics in the $15K-$30K range. But most auction transport is high-value stuff that requires enclosed carriers and white-glove service.
Insurance and Safety for High-Value Auction Vehicles
Every auction vehicle ships with up to $250,000 in cargo insurance, plus we require additional coverage for vehicles over $100K value. Our carriers maintain $1M+ liability policies and undergo quarterly DOT inspections. Barrett-Jackson and RM Sotheby's won't allow carriers on-site without this level of coverage - it's non-negotiable for auction transport.
Enclosed carriers provide complete protection from weather, road debris, and prying eyes during transport. These aren't regular car carriers - we're talking about climate-controlled trailers with hydraulic lift gates and padded tie-downs. Some of our enclosed units have individual vehicle compartments for ultra-high-value cars.
Here's something most people miss: auction documentation is critical for insurance claims. We photograph every vehicle at pickup, document any existing damage, and maintain chain of custody paperwork. If something goes wrong (rarely happens, but it's possible), that documentation protects both you and us. We've handled everything from $2M Ferraris to barn-find Mustangs, and our safety record speaks for itself.
How It Works
Book Before You Bid
Contact us with auction dates and vehicle details. We'll reserve transport capacity and provide pricing before the hammer drops. This prevents storage fees and ensures immediate pickup availability.
Win and Notify
Complete your purchase and immediately notify us with lot number, final sale price, and any special handling requirements. We'll coordinate with auction staff for pickup scheduling within their required timeframe.
Professional Pickup
Our pre-approved driver arrives at the auction facility, handles all paperwork and staging requirements, and carefully loads your vehicle using specialized equipment. Full documentation and photos are taken.
Secure Delivery
Your vehicle ships via open or enclosed carrier to your specified address. Real-time tracking keeps you updated, and we coordinate delivery timing to match your schedule. Final inspection and sign-off complete the process.
Open vs Enclosed Auction Transport Comparison
| Feature | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $600-$1,200 | $1,100-$2,100 |
| Weather Protection | Minimal | Complete |
| Security | Standard | Enhanced |
| Vehicle Visibility | Exposed | Concealed |
| Pickup Time | 1-3 days | 2-4 days |
| Insurance Coverage | Up to $250K | Up to $250K+ |
| Best For | Driver quality classics | Concours/investment grade |
Book your transport before you bid, not after you win. Auction houses release thousands of cars in a single week, and carrier capacity disappears fast. We hold slots for serious bidders, but last-minute bookings often mean 5-7 day delays and storage fees adding up daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Liberty Car Shipping services.