Suggestions for getting art car to BRC from East Coast

Major Mallet · Post by **Major Mallet** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:38 pm

Hello all!

I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on getting an art car (actually art pick-up truck) to BRC from the NYC area. The car can not be driven on public roads and I can not personally tow it as I plan on flying out to the 2007 event.

Thanks!

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:06 pm

Rail fraight? That would be the first way I would try. That would get it as far as Reno. Getting someone to haul it up to the event might not be so difficult in the week prior to the event. Many people working there make "reno runs" during the week and could possibly take a trailer with them and tow it up.

I am not sure if you could get a delivery directly to the playa but in the week before the event there are many tractor-trailers bringing in art/supplies.

You might look around your region and see if you have a neighbor with a commercial truckers license. You could pitch in with others and rent a rig to take the art car and maybe a short shipping container with stuff from your region.

phil · Post by **phil** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:02 pm

Check the NYC Burner group - I recall that they've rented 18-wheelers for past events. My car was moved from Philly to SF in a moving van with our furniture, so I'm assuming your art car can be put in an enclosed tractor/trailer, subject to some limitations on gasoline in the tank.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:23 pm

Why can't it be driven on public roads? I'm not sure about other states, but in California there are very few rules when it comes to body modifications. As long as the driver has good visiblility, isn't over a certain size, and still has a windshield/lights/bumpers it's still legal. My car has made it 3 trips back and forth from San Francisco so far.

It might be cheaper to make it legal again and find someone to drive it than to have it shipped.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:32 pm

Our art car isn't street legal either. No rear lights or reflectors, no seatbelts, driver seat probably doesn't meet safety standards, no windshield nor is there a place to mount one (this vehicle is so modified that the DMV asked us "what was this vehicle originally?" which is a GREAT compliment coming from the DMV). I saw a lot of cars out there this year that would never be street legal.

Might want to check into how people get parade floats across country. If I were in such a situation, I might look at sites having to do with the Rose parade in Pasedena or the Thanksgiving parade in NYC. I would guess they face many of the same problems too.

Major Mallet · Post by **Major Mallet** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:36 pm

Thanks everyone for the input so far. I appreciate your taking the time to reply.

Geekster - I never thought of rail or considered contacting the parade organizers. I will take a look into both of those.

Phil - Another great idea.

Dork - It can not be driven because it will be missing both doors, the windshield and roof. Even if I could legally drive it, taking the roof off weakens the structural integrity of the vehicle. I would not want to drive it anywhere near highway speed because of safety concerns.