OK I know this isn't the best place for this... I did a search for the thread covering lost title, abandoned cars, and so on that we had on here a while back. I didn't find the exact thread covering all the aspects that Number Dummy, myself, and a few others commented on.

Here's the skinny though. Father-in-law's aunt is giving my wife and I a 64 Fairlane that has been in her driveway for 8 years. All the original parts from the air cleaner to radio delete panel are with the car. It has been sunning in Desert Shores, CA for the last 15 years but doesn't show any major issues except resting with 1/2 of dust covering everything under the hood and 2000 black widows using it as a web design test area. I have the VIN #, Data Plate info, Black and Yellow Liscence Plates, and no title. The family lore on the car is that an old guy that was looked after by a long gone relative gave her the car in exchange for her loyalty. The house it is at burned down 7 years ago (the car was uneffected) possibly along with the title and keys. No one knows for sure since they didn't have any idea of all the things that were in there. But... I am trying to figure out the best way to acquire a title for it without going the lien sale route or towing it home to find out that I did it for nothing.

My thoughts are that I should go to the CA DMV requesting a copy of the title by the VIN and Plate #'s to try to locate the actual owner and go from there. I know that if a vehicle has not been registered for more then 4 years it drops out of the system, according to the DMV site. Does anyone have any experiance on how to go about getting this done?

For those of you who can decipher the data plate here it is. 54A Y 12 24K 70 1 4
I looked up the VIN and the car reflects all that info. I am curious to know more then the basics though.

Thanks to all you that reply in getting my wife's first project car going. I just hope the car bug bites her as much as it did me.

 

All you have to do is go to the DMV with a bill of sale and request a dupe title. If the car has sat unregestered for that long, it is out of the system.

 

Would that work as long as there is no lein?

 

No paperwork after 7 years...at least that what the old data said...call the DMV 800 number and request a VIN search...if nothing comes up...then there's several ways of getting a title.

 

Thanks Bill. I have to wait on calling the DMV until next year. I will be in TX until the 1st and I know the DMV will be closed. My wife is giddy to have a old car that she can drive. I just hope it all works out. I'll keep you guys posted once I find something out.

Bill do you have the info to decipher the data plate?

 

I sent you a P/M with the name of a DMV pal...when you own these old piles, you need all the help you can get!

 

Body Style: 54A = Fairlane 4 Door Sedan

Color: Y = Skylight (Light) Blue

Interior Trim: 12 = Light Blue Crinkle Vinyl & Medium Tartan Pattern Blue Cloth

Production Date: 24K = Assembled October 24, 1963

DSO: 70 = ? No Such DSO Code (71 = Los Angeles Ford District Sales Office / 72 = San Jose / 73 = SLC / 74 = Seattle / 75 = Phoenix / 76 = Denver)
Axle: 1 = Ford 8" Rear Axle / 3.00-1

Trans: 4 = C4 Cruise-O-Matic

 

Mark I Googled 64 Fairlane to get a visual upgrade and found this info page, just in case http://www.woodyg.com/fairlane/finfo/64finfo.htmlBill has limited car info.

I know you are a sucker for another project, hope you enjoy.


John

 

I had a similar experience years ago on a Buick convert I had...I got ahold of archives and gave them the plate and VIN to find out the name on it and so on...turned out to be an elderly lady with a caretaker...unable to sign and so on...we did a verbal over the phone and all was golden....took about 2 yrs to get it all done.
I also had a 65 ranger that was at one time a Ca truck...I was able to get the Wa. history as far as owners and so on...but I was told that for Ca info I had to get ahold of Ca DMV...my guess is that if you ask for archives or history of owners of the car it will get you the info you need when you are armed with the VIN,plate and so on...Do let us know how it turns out...you only need one good contact in the appropriate area that will make your hunt alot less stressful...My guess is w/o knowing the person or dept. Bill referred to that that is the area is his probably meaning...just my guess mind you...I just hope that Ca isnt stringent up the wazzu about releasing the info and all so you can find the last owner and so on...



I hope it turns out ok...those are fun lil cars to drive...

Merry Christmas, cs65

 

Well so far I have been able to find a bunch of places with info or parts. John the woodyg site was one of the first ones that popped up with google but thanks for posting it if I didn't find it. I found a full wiring schematic for it already as well. I am on the hunt for a complete set of locks and keys. If I don't see anything for complete sets, I'll look for ones that go to a Galaxie since it had 4 doors as well.

The better half of me is the driving force behind this project. She didn't want to say anything to hear family about the car over fear of starting a fight amongst them. I am glad it is working out the way it is though. When she saw it had a V-8 she started to jump and down. She's picked a new color for the car, bright green and wants to know if I can paint the engine pink. I suggested she take a few pictures of the car and play with photo shop to figure out what looks best before we spend a dime. LOL I do so love her to death.

 

Mustang ignition and door locks are the same as Fairlane in the 60's. You don't need four door keys as the back doors only lock and unlock from the inside or am I missing something?

 

Yeah that would be the way it is. I was having a brain fart on door lock #'s verse # of doors.

 

Wow man!!! Thats F'n A!! Congrads!!!! I have not had to do this with a car yet but with two boats/trailers out of the system for 15+ years...one a OR titled item. Here is my 2 coppers... if you can find the title all it needs is to be signed by the uhmmm owner uhmm and then a bill of sale from the uhmmm owner uhmmm and go to the DMV and keep your big mouth shut that easy lol The less you tell them the better.. So I'd avoid contacting them with the VIN data if possible as the do archive this info for review by different locations. I had a place in Costa Mesa re read the data from where I tried to settle up 1 year earlier at the office in Santa Monica and it caused some fuzzy crap but still gotter dun...Best of luck bud...and Merry Christmas...

 

If yer willing to pay a few bucks, you can join the Fairlane Club of America. They have bi-monthly publications with info, pics, classifieds, etc... Their website requires membership to be on thei rforums, but Bob Mannel and the guys most certainly know their fairlanes. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

 

Hey Mark nice score if you want to come to El Cajon DMV I can introduce you to my friend that works there. I've been through the no paper process with her a couple few times and it isn't difficult. You will have to take the car to DMV for VIN varification. It helps if you can locate a VIN other than the data plate. DMV will want a frame stamp or firewall stamp. I think the fairlanes stamp the engine tub in front of the drivers spring tower like on mustangs and falcons. Merry Christmas, Rich.