Transporting a schwimmwagen to US

XRCD011

XRCD011

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I fully understand that this is for Milsurp firearms but in the past have seen all manner of threads on Half tracks, M38s, Iltis so if the Mods allow here goes. A fellow in Alberta that I know is trying to move his unrestored, non running VW Schwmmwagen from Calgary AB to central Michigan for a full restoration. The owner is seeking a carrier that could transport it and has contacted CBSA and the US CBP to get all his paperwork in order and has a good handle on that aspect. Is there anyone in Alberta that is traveling (with trailer) to that part of the US over the coming months that may be able to drop this car off? Any insight or advice is most welcome.
 
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From what I know, as long as you have all of your registration you shouldn't face any hassles because a schwimmwagen isn't armoured and isn't under and weight restrictions. I will check into it for you. In the meantime, consider a membership to the site willysmjeeps as they have a forum dedicated to vehicle transportation. It is a great site with a heck of a large knowledge base. Although most of the technical knowledge is about M-style jeeps, I'm sure that you can find some help over there.
 
Thanks Shadowhawk I think I will check that out plus G503 to see what "doable. The owner is an older gentleman but I am thinking he arranges to run it across the border out his way, attend to the paperwork himself at the border for crossing. and then do a hand off to a US side trucker/shipper. Only five of these cars that I am aware of in Canada.
 
Given the collector value of the vehicle involved, it would probably pay to have a specialist firm ship the vehicle. Once restored, a Schwimmer is worth an obscene amount of money, there aren't many more than five in the US either. I had a customer get a RS 2 (Porsche) shipped from Chicago to Blaine, Wa for about $1500.
 
vinver said:
Have you SEEN the idiots on the show Storage Wars? I don't think I'd trust them to ship a granite boulder let alone something valuable. But I'm sure they can't ALL be that stupid.
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You don't seriously believe any of those so-called "reality shows" are in fact based on reality?
 
The problem is transport/truck companies are not interested in the job as CBP has told the owner it should go down to the US as Temporary in Bond for the time its there being worked on. Once they hear that they do not want to have the job "on the books" till it returns to Canada. One transport company questioned whether it could be brought into the US and wanted a $1000 to "check" into that which was just a load of BS and a cash grab. Anyways the catching point is getting it across the border to which I have told the owner he should trailer it across, attend to the paperwork himself at the border then hand it off to a company that will do the delevary to Michigan.
 
I think thats answered by his age and available time, if it was my schwimmer I would have run it down there myself but then again I am closer then he is.
 
Try the fellows at Maple Leaf Up. Its a vehicle website and they should know all the ins and outs of shipping stuff. Best of luck.
 
AK said:
You don't seriously believe any of those so-called "reality shows" are in fact based on reality?
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Probably not too much "Reality" but I meant to say Shipping Wars. OOPS! At any rate, I've been the victim of some pretty stupid shippers in the past, who really don't give a ratsass about the rarity, value (whether real , sentimental, or historical) or significance of their cargo. It's all just product to most of these companies. That alone leads me to belive that the reality shows aren't too far off the mark in behind the scenes authenticity.
Back to the original post, the OP was asking this forum for advice, and since we all care and know the true value(s) of such a vehicle, hopefully somebody who understands the dilemma will be able to help. Good luck!
 
Update, the schwimmer owner in Alberta has the transport well in hand. The car will do a cross U.S. trip to the west coast then proceed to Michigan which will make it a well traveled 166 by the time it arrives in Michigan for the start of its restoration. Turns out the owner has a spare schwimmwagen front end sitting in Uxbridge ON that has to get to the meet up with the car at some point soon. The front end consists of a VW beam, front brakes complete, tie rods, and front diff. Its heavy but two guys can lift it. So the next question is, anyone traveling to central Michigan over the next couple months willing to cart it down there?? You would get to see some cool stuff down there.
 
XRCD011 said:
Update, the schwimmer owner in Alberta has the transport well in hand. The car will do a cross U.S. trip to the west coast then proceed to Michigan which will make it a well traveled 166 by the time it arrives in Michigan for the start of its restoration. Turns out the owner has a spare schwimmwagen front end sitting in Uxbridge ON that has to get to the meet up with the car at some point soon. The front end consists of a VW beam, front brakes complete, tie rods, and front diff. Its heavy but two guys can lift it. So the next question is, anyone traveling to central Michigan over the next couple months willing to cart it down there?? You would get to see some cool stuff down there.
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Gord is he willing to pay our gas money and hotel bill? would make a good road trip.
 
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