105-year-old Betsy travels around the world without a scratch

Betsy is an elegant and fragile beauty who is used to being waited on and cared for by her many admirers. Everywhere she goes, Betsy instantly becomes the center of attention. Strangers stop to gawk when they see her coming, and will often approach her gingerly and start asking questions – or tell their own personal stories – and sometimes they even dare to ask to touch her shiny skin with soft, loving strokes. And they always leave with a smile.

Betsy is a 1909 Buick, a rare horseless carriage with a two-cylinder engine, a tall stick-like steering wheel, brass kerosene headlamps, and a history that dates back to simpler times when taking a Sunday drive meant going to church in your best suit, fancy dress and parasol and then perhaps to the park for a family picnic.

Betsy has lived in many places across the U.S., from California to New Jersey to the shore of Lake Michigan. But now she is preparing to embark on her biggest voyage yet, a 10,000-mile adventure to the southern tip of Australia, where – if all goes as planned – she will arrive without a screw out of place or scratch to her pristine body.

West Coast Shipping was called, as they are experts in moving all sorts of vehicles and many other large items all around the world. They treat every client like the treasure that it is – regardless of age, price or current condition. And make sure that same treatment continues every step of the way throughout the process. Check out the instant calculator to receive an instant quote on collected the vehicle from the seller and shipping it in a container overseas.

On the other side of the water, there was someone anxiously awaiting Betsy’s arrival in Australia.

“I have always had a soft spot for early Buicks and these two-cylinder Buicks are extremely rare here in Australia,” says Ian. “There are only two others I know of here, although there are a number in the U.S. I am very particular about the level of information I get from a vendor and I spend a lot of time talking to them to develop and a good understanding and trust in both the vendor, and the service providers for the transport. Most of my vehicles have been purchased sight unseen and I have never been disappointed in either the vehicle or the shipping process.”

“My interest is in using my cars, they are not in museums,” Ian says. “The 1909 Buick is of particular interest as it is a two-cylinder car and quite powerful. In Australia, there are specialist rallies for one- and two-cylinder cars that are extremely popular. In fact next month there is one such rally in South Australia and there are 90 one- or two-cylinder cars entered that were all built prior to 1916. The attraction of these early cars is that they represent the very first cars ever made. They are simple, but interesting mechanically and are quite challenging to drive. The rallies are social affairs and great fun.”Thanks to the gentle loving care and respect taken by the team at West Coast Shipping, Betsy is beginning her second century in grand fashion – on her way to a new adventure in a far-away land. For Betsy, it appears that life truly begins at 100!

Other (pre-war) cars in the portfolio transported by West Coast Shipping include:

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