im looking at a 55 panel truck but right now i dont know if it has a title
if it doesnt is ther any way i can get it if the owner doesnt have it either
i live in oregon

 

First suggestion is that you check with the appropriate state office. They most likely have a website.

It may be easiest if the current owner gets a title, or at least the evidence the state requires to have a valid sale before you buy the truck.

 

This is a subject that has been beaten to death on here. You will get everything from support to people telling you you can't do it. As suggested. it would be a good idea to look up the laws and regulations in the state you are in as well as the state the truck is in if it is in some other state. Most states have all their stuff online now. Start with you state's division in charge of motor vehicle titles and registration.

Some states, like Georgia for instance, did not have titles for vehicles for a long time. In Georgia they didn't start issuing titles until '63 and anything prior to that only had a bill of sale. I bought two older vehicles from there and my state of Ohio is aware of the situation in Georgia so they will issue a title with a notorized bill of sale and a VIN inspection by law enforcement or a licensed car dealer. I am sure there are a lot of variations of this situation between different states.

Some people are convinced that states issue titles for protection of ownership rights. Nothing could be further from the truth. They do it for taxes and other revenues in the form of fees, and second as a tool for law enforcement. Third, lending institutions lobbyed for state issuded titles as a better way of securing their collateral for loans.

When and if you persue this you will probably find that there will be people working in the offices that issue titles that have no idea what the laws are and will probably discourage you. If nesessary, call your states agency that is in charge of these things. Most states have a DMV or a BMV which is a department or bureau of motor vehicles. Sometimes law enforcement can be of help. Another good source of help and information is car or truck clubs which usually have members that have found and fixed up old vehicles. Most likely they will have someone who has been through this in your local and knows what to do.

If your find is worth the effort, don't be discouraged. In most cases the process is a pain but it will be worth it for the right vehicle. In my opinion there should be some kind of universal regulations regarding these things but states tend to foolishly cling to their old antiquated ways by claiming State's Rights. We are loosing a vast treasure of old vehicles to the crushers simply because it is too difficult to get titles. This is a shame because in almost every case there is a way so long as you are willing to play their silly games.

If the truck is worth it, don't give up because there is a way to get a title. I am surprised there is not a sticky with information regarding the laws and regs in all 50 states.

Good Luck...

 

As Dave pointed out it's not that tough, but there is the amount of traditional beaurocracy.

Oregon Isn't that bad, and right now if you've got money, California will give you a title for Arnolds Hummer. All stated have provisions for issuing duplicate titles for those that were lost.

Make sure when you buy the truck, that you have called the DMV first and gotten the appropriate forms for the current owner to sign and fill out. It might even be worth a trip down there - ask the person you talk to if you can return the completed forms to them on another day and do the processing for the title. A lot of times the level of "Drama" you have with this depends on the person you get at the DMV and how little they know as compared to the next person you get.

Tell the current owner that you need to see the serial number that is stamped on the frame. You will have to have that checked to get a title. Let him find it and scrape all the junk off it. If thetruck is not driveable, you might want to consider picking it up one day when the DMV is open and swinging by there for the VIN check on the way home. That way you only have to trailer it once.

Be sure to take the DMV forms with you and have the seller fill out the forms when you transfer the vehicle. If the DMV doesn't have a "Bill of Sale" form type one up and have the seller sign it.

If you do that, I don't see that you will have any problems.

 

To expand and reiterate previous info in other posts: In a lot of states the sattelite DMV offices are contracted out to private managment companies. They hire the cheapest people they can find and turn them into trained monkeys who only can/want to do the most basic procedures. If you cannot find someone locally that is knowlegable enough to be able to walk you thru the process or gives you it can't be done answer, Contact (or better yet go in person) to your state capitol government DMV office and go up the chain of command (be polite and patient!) until you find someone who can help you. Every state has a process, but sometimes the specifics are burried in regulations and have to be ferreted out. The state REALLY DOES want your money, they just don't want to have to work very hard for it.

 

As usual AX, well said...

I still think we need a sticky for this that gives a general basic overview of all r50 states and there regs.

Later Man...

 

Don't forget you local State Congressmen they can help if the State DMV are clueless.

 

[quote=Julies Cool F1;7566612]California will give you a title for Arnolds Hummer. Tell the current owner that you need to see the serial number that is stamped on the frame. You will have to have that checked to get a title. Let him find it and scrape all the junk off it. If thetruck is not driveable, you might want to consider picking it up one day when the DMV is open and swinging by there for the VIN check on the way home. That way you only have to trailer it once.

Be sure to take the DMV forms with you and have the seller fill out the forms when you transfer the vehicle. If the DMV doesn't have a "Bill of Sale" form type one up and have the seller sign it.quote]

In California.......

Ok Ok I've already seen the jokes about the blanket before....... This is my Truck at the California DMV. The Blanket was placed there to allow the well protected (impossible to fire) employee access to my frame number which I scrubbed and and filled in with white paint. She would not inspect the truck because it was not functional. After some drama her Boss directed her to inspect the vehicle.

In California you must have a certificate of the vehicles weight because they classify as a commercial vehicle. A trip to the re-cycling yard cost me 20 bones or something to get a weight ticket.

Lastly, being with Auto Club makes it so much easier. As a paying customer they will hang in there with you until you have a nice legal Pink Slip. They made several real-time calls to the DMV while I waited to get everything squared away.

 

eman: well how many trucks did it take to build yours?

 

It's a mystery..... I don't think any two parts are from the same truck. My good friend Darrel found the pieces and cobbed it together so we could trailer it to San Diego. The fenders needed patch panels but the Cab, Frame and Box are rust-free. One of the rear fenders is a later model and the top lip was cut away to fit the 49 box. The frame number said it was a six but the radiator support is in the V8 position.

Who knows ? It's a pretty solid platform now. I should have it back on 4 wheels soon but you gotta admit, that's a nice truck to drag through the DMV Inspection.......

 

oh yeah its nice, wish mine was half that solid!!!!!

 

Yes....The $45 to join AAA (the Auto Club) is well worth it. It will save you hours at the DMV. Like I said earlier and most of the folks have eluded to: find a reliable person, go back to that person, and talk to a supervisor if necessary - but be nice.

 

Did the blanket come off from the seat ?