Hot Rods Best Michigan-Ontario border crossing advice needed

We cross the border frequently and prefer the Bluewater Bridge at Port Huron when going that direction. Have imported gym equipment there and had no real issues once we had our paperwork correct. Have never had an issue with a standard crossing. I also imported a truck into Canada earlier this year at the Queenston/Lewiston crossing and was 1/2 hour from the time we stopped on the US side until we pulled away after paying the taxes on the Canadian side. The big thing we have found is have your paperwork in order and answer the questions quickly and honestly. It works for us.

 

Like most have said, cross at Port Huron/Sarnia, Bluewater Bridge, less h***le and not as busy with truck traffic as Windsor/Detroit. Kitchener is a good 2 hours from Sarnia but a straight run, 402 to 401 east to Kitchener. Fill up before leaving Michigan, the price of gas is going up tonight and will keep going up until Christmas, about $4.20 Canadian for a US gallon now.

 

The good news is $4.20 Canadian is only about $3.10 US dollars- I am 45 mins east of Pt Huron at exit 69- if you have any problems - pm me


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Tell me about it, I just paid for a $450 order from Summit, $608 CDN.

 

Port Huron / Sarnia for sure. I work for a commercial trucking company and that is the border we ALWAYS utilize in that neck of the woods. Our commercial crossings average 45 minutes there. 4-6 hours at Detroit/Windsor

 

Back when I was smuggling Willys junk across the Canadian/U.S. border my secret weapon --- be polite! And have your paperwork in order. But you know that Bill. Have fun and be safe. You're making me a bit jealous, I love going on car adventures.

John

 

1.Avoid the Buffalo crossings. The Canadian and US border security are *****s
2. Whatever you do, do not lie about what you paid for the car.
3. Hwy 402 in Sarnia can be a ****** in the winter. Plus, it seems to never end. It's the most boring highway I've ever driven

 

avoid the Detroit -Windsor tunnel at all costs. Michigan guards are idiots. The Blue Water bridge connects port Huron to Sarnia. It is Ok except loaded semis can back up for hours moving auto parts into Michigan thru I-69 and onto I-75 and empties returning to Canada are not so long. What city in Michigan are you going to?

 

Things may have changed but apparently, if you have "an excess of cash" you fit the profile of a drug dealer. Do not p*** go.

 

You know Jim, don't you? I know that driveway.

 

Jeez Al- it's only 70 miles end to end


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That sounds like an interesting idea. Am I looking at the wrong ferry? It looks like the ferry service ended Oct 16th for the season.

 

I wouldn't waste my time this time of year going to the ferry- considering your ultimate destination is off the 401 and only two hrs from the bridge - traffic this time of year is much better than the summer time or long weekends-Sarnia- Pt Huron is no big deal- coming into Canada the trucks have their own area off to the right- drive up - pay your toll- cross the bridge- tell the nice man who you are and where your going- leave your guns at home - no problems


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This is a new one to me, related to this thread. My father just sold a '49 Plymouth and it's going to be headed to the US. The buyer arranged for a shipping company to come pick it up next week, they just contacted my father and asked for a "Cultural Property Export Form". Never heard of this one. At this stage it doesn't seem like it will be a big deal (the car was imported from the US not too many years ago), but just another bit of government red tape. Anyone know anything about this?

 

Well gearheadbill , another friend Rick, and I are back from the trip. Thanks for the input offered from everyone. It was a busy week this week, thanks to a deal I made with Rob (34FordConv) for this 34 Ford phaeton. We spent the week hauling this almost all the way across the country with a couple friends. We travelled 5100 miles in 5 days together and are still friends. It was a once in a lifetime trip , we all decided . We spent most of the time driving in snow or compact snow and ice. The temperature was single digits most of the time with windchill I care to never be in again. We had soda and water in an ice chest in the back of the truck with no ice in it and it froze inside the ice chest. It started snowing shortly after we loaded the truck and trailer and dumped 15-16" of snow and is still snowing there. As for the border crossings , it took us less than 8 minutes going both directions from the toll booth to driving down the hiway on the other side in the US and Canada.


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Cool pics. Glad you made it without any problems ( other than weather). Lived in Detroit 60+yrs and always used the Detroit/Windsor crossing but haven't been across since the late 90's. I live in Az. now because I can't stand the weather there. Quick story. Back in '68 as a 18yr old I bought a 56 Meteor CV from a guy at work who lived just outside Windsor. Coming back thru Customs I went inside to do the paperwork to get it across. After filling out the paperwork and talking to the agent I found out he lived just down the street from me. Got thru Customs without any problems.

 

Glad everything went well, looks like a cool (cold) trip. What's the plan for the phaeton?

 

Sarnia is a good crossing point, Windsor/Detroit is hard to navigate with a trailer if you have not done it before.

Bringing Cash? Over 10K make absolutely sure you declare it. It is not illegal to bring cash just illegal not to declare it.

Good luck. Quite the adventure.

 

Great looking car and wow what a trip. Would have been much tougher weather wise, had you waited much longer.
Bet it gave you an appreciation for over the road drivers.

 

THAT"S a cool project!
how's the floor?

 

Nice project. Well worth a drive across the country.

 

Where did you get it in Ontario? That's a lot of snow piled beside the shop, for early in season. Glad you made it home okay. Project looks good, is all the sheetmetal sound?

 

Went back to the first post, saw Kitchener, ON. Must be outside the city.

 

Keep it simple. Flathead with either a 39 or 40 trans and Columbia overdrive. Dropped axle and swap the mechanical for hydraulic brakes.
My original plan was leave the body as is and replace the wood, but it's banged up a little more than I thought.


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It started snowing after we left and dumped 15-16" of snow.


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Better than one would expect but pretty pitted with a few small holes


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Good going Dave, nice score! Looks to be a grand adventure with a wonderful prize at the end.

John

 

DON'T CALL THE BORDER POLICE A BUNCH OF "HOSERS", EH!!!!!!

 

That's going to be a great car!
-So much for adding the 'Never Seen Snow' line to your for sale ad!

 

John,
I may have to sneak by and "borrow " a few parts off of your Victoria to make it a really good car.[emoji6] it was a grand adventure for sure, and one all 3 of us hope to never do again that way. How's the willys project doing?
Dave


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