Car Transport in the 1970’s
Prior to the 1970’s, car transport was a rather primitive industry compared to today’s standards. Car carriers were mostly used to deliver cars to dealers and the movement of exotic and luxury cars was a major risk for the owner.
There are several reasons why the car transport industry began to bloom in the 1970’s. One of the major reasons was gasoline prices and gasoline shortages. It was during this period that the first signs of the future gas crisis were being seen. Another factor was the wide spread use of the Interstate highway system. Although it became easier for individual drivers to cross the country, it also opened up the possibilities for transport companies to operate at a reasonable cost.
One of the major problems prior to the 1970’s was the time involved in long distance hauling. The longer a trip took, the more expensive it was. The long lead time for pick up and delivery discouraged most customers. It was easier to drive the vehicle and there were some companies that provided drivers to transport cars in the same way that the carriers do it today.
The biggest change in the industry during this period was to come in the area of exotic car transport. A man named Robert Pass had much to do with the revolution. Pass was the owner of a MG sports car and was devoted to it. He realized that transporting his “dream” car was almost impossible given the risky nature of auto transport at the time. It was in 1970 that Pass had the idea to create a company solely devoted to the transport of exotic cars. He came up with an idea that virtually revolutionized the transport industry.
Pass began with converted furniture vans that were altered to carry two vehicles. This was the beginning of enclosed car carriers. Over the next couple of decades, the enclosed car carrier was improved. When Pass found that no specialized enclosed auto carriers were on the market, he arranged to design and build his own. Pass’s company, Passport Transport, became the first fully equipped enclosed carrier fleet specializing in exotic car transport.
The history of the auto transport industry could really be traced back to the time of the very first automobile, but for all practical purposes it really began in the 1970’s. In just under 40 years, the industry has grown considerably. Auto transport across the country, railroad transport, enclosed carriers, and inexpensive overseas transport have all been the innovations that have made transport a desirable and affordable alternative to a long tiring cross country drive.