So thought i would maybe ask someone here but long story short is there was a 79 bronco in the weeds on my landlords property that an old friend left there like 5 years ago. It didnt run, tires were done but body is awesome so i talked to him and fixed it up and its running and driveable but i/we cannot get a hold of the original owner for me to get the title or anything so i can drive it and insure it and whatnot. There was some documents in it, looks like an old title from when they bought it but dont think i could use that to transfer. Just wonder what if anything i can do so i can drive it legally and not worry about getting in trouble??!!

 

You have spent money on it. Do a Mechanics Lien Sale to yourself and forget the old paperwork. Just say the guy dropped if a few years ago for repair and never came and got it. A few parts receipts and you are good. Will have to follow the local DMV regs, but it's doable almost anywhere

 

Oh yeah I have all the receipts for everything I have done.. So i just go to the dmv and ask about a mechanics lein then? That is basically a title?

 

The lien sale will be basically a public proclamation that says if the previous owner/owners want the vehicle back, they can claim it (for the value of the vehicle, plus any storage fees or what WOULD be a fair storage fee over 5 years, plus any work you have put into it, plus fair fees for your time all to you, and fees to the dmv) the result is even if the original owner did want it back they would never claim it with all those fees. So after the allocated amount of time has passed that gives the PO a fair amount of time to respond (i think it is like 30 days), the title passes to whoever started the lien sale process (you) and you pay the dmv fees and get your pink slip.
Or at least that is how it worked for me in El-Dorado County Ca.