I live in Ky. so it.s pretty easy here but some of the guys on here have been through the process you need to go through. Someone will chime in and help you I'm sure on some do's and don'ts, Garry

 

Yeah, I have heard that some states are pretty quick and painless, while others put you through the ringer. The title service company wanted $500 for an operational vehicle and $400 more if it was not. I can't drop $900 on a title. Guess I'll figure my way out through this... The wife is heading to the DMV in about an hour to figure out where we need to start. Luckily I'm in no hurry. It would just be nice to know I have a free and clear title. Lol

 

OK, quick update on the title situation. The DMV said that their hands are tied and that there is nothing that they can do to help us. They said in this situation, we are going to have to go to the court and get them to issue us a letter of ownership. I'm sure we will have to track down the last titled owner, etc... So, next stop later this week will be the court house. Updates to follow...

 

A couple of things you can try is ask your local DMV for the last regester/owner... It may cost you $50 to $100 to find out.... or you can check on what it requires to apply for a Abandoned Title since your know it's sat for 20+ years

 

Thanks for your thoughts on that. The DMV can't find the last registered owner of the vehicle. They said that they were only able to look it up if it was last registered in this state. And California (which is where I believe it was last registered) can only go back 7 years. Apparently the court can access everything though and should be able to pull up the info. According to the DMV. If they cannot contact the previous owners, then they will provide me with a documentation of ownership due to it being an abandoned vehicle. They have to try to contact the previous owners twice by certified mail with a minimum of 15 days between notifications before they can move forward. Basically the DMV cannot help me until the court provides me with the correct documentation stating it is not stolen and that every necessary attempt was made to contact the previous registered owners. Just cutting through red tape. Trying to be as up and up as possible on this thing. I should have started this procedure 2 years ago when I picked the truck up. Just part of the process I suppose...

 

I am going through the same situation with a 54 that i bought in Kansas.
The dmv here told me that i would have to get a bonded title for it. It will take me about six months to get it all done. Lots of red tape like you said. I did get a title with the truck but the last people that owned it never took possesion of the truck.

 

Sorry to hear about you guys and the title troubles. Nothing can sour a build like the DMV. My buddy had to buy a shell of a truck just to get a good VIN and title for a rebuild he did (not that I recommend doing that, typically frowned upon by the states). Every week I come across vehicles for sale that have no titles. I tell the owner either to find the title, apply for a duplicate or it's a no sale. More and more it is unlikely a state will title a vehicle with just a bill of sale, even if its old. I use to buy all kinds of vehicles from Alabama and Kentucky with bills of sale. My state (Michigan) will no longer acknowledge anything other than a legal title. They could care less if I have a bill of sale (notarized or not). Many states are the same. I spent 4 years of headache trying to get a clean title on a Mustang back in 2001. After that if a seller doesn't have a title the vehicle isn't worth anything to me except parts. The DMV could care less what story you can give them. I caution any one nowadays from buying a vehicle without a title. I am not an attorney but remember, many states will not consider a vehicle "abandoned" for the purposes of retitling ownership if you bought it via a legal sale. A true abandonment is one were the previous owner left it on your property. Saying the wrong thing to the wrong official can turn the abandonment claim into a sale without title and therefore not good. I learned that the hard way.

I wish you both good luck and going with a bonded title maybe your only option if you can't get the courts to help.

 

Well, nothing like digging a thread (and build) back up from the depths. lol

Life as usual got in the way. Been through a lot over the last several years including kids requiring more finances, career changes, etc... Truck went on the back burner for many years. Changed homes a few times, but never let her go. About 3 months ago I decided it was time and have uncovered her from the piles I had her in. Time to get her going. I'm bringing this thread back to life and getting this truck on the road this year. Legally own her now and am ready to dump money and time into my baby. Pictures and more posts to follow soon. Glad to be back!!!

 

Looking forward to updates beings I am so close.

 

That’s cool, waiting to hear the rest of your title story.

 

Excellent .

 

In regards to the title, I ended up involving a title service... (which I wished I wouldn't have done.) You can register a vehicle through the state of Vermont if you have a bill of sale and pay their title fees. They are a no title state. (The only state left in the US that is a no title state.) Once registered through Vermont you then take your Vermont registration to your local DMV and they will issue you plates and a title in your current state. So I am legal now.

Been building the engine for her and should be dropping it in the frame tomorrow at some time. Pics to follow tomorrow.

 

Engine buttoned up and ready to drop in.

 

Tremec TKX 5-Speed in place.

 

Wow, ten year update! Mine has been sitting for about seven years and I am just now gathering parts, hope to do a Jag front suspension swap over the holidays.