Abstract: Disclosed is a preform carrier for carrying a preform used to blow mold plastic bottles and the like. The preform is cylindrical and has an open end defining a neck. The preform carrier includes a base and retaining means for retaining the preform carrier to a pallet used for transporting preforms from one location to another location, such as from a heating station to the blow mold. The preform carrier also has a plurality of resilient gripping fingers extending from the base and adapted to be received through the open end of the perform and to extend into the neck of the perform. The gripping fingers securely and releasably carry the preform from one location to the other location.