Getting a title for a car that does not have one.

[HoosierDaddy]

I inherited a yellow 1949 Buick convertible (like in Rainman but 3 portholes instead of 4). My father bought it at a classic car auction in Las Vegas in early '89. Apparently, he never titled it and stuck it in his garage with the exception of taking it to a few local car shows where it won first prize.

All I have is the car and the purchase invoice/bill of sale.

Somebody told me I have to take it to Arizona DMV and they will do a national title search. If they find a previous owner. I have to assume they can get the name and address of the previous owner from the Texas plates or VIN. I can't make out the seller's signature (no printed/typed) on the bill of sale. Then I have to send a registered letter to the previous owner's address provided by my DMV. Not sure what the letter is supposed to say. If it comes back undelivered (which I would expect after 33+ years), I take it unopened to DMV along with the car again and they appraise the value. Then I have to get a bond for that amount and show the DMV and they will issue a title in my name in a month or so.

I did VIN title search in AZ in case he titled but never put on AZ plates but no hit. I tried some on-line searches for Texas titles with this VIN or plates but the Texas VIN search required a modern VIN. The title search got no match which I have to assume means Texas doesn't maintain those records as long as Arizona because I also inherited a 1956 Continental he bought around the same time at another auction and he did title it in Arizona. The plate on it was from the same time period and Arizona searches on plate found it. As his personal representative, I got a new title in my name for $12.

Justy posting in case somebody has gone thru something like this and knows a way that won't take months and cost a fortune. Hate to even think about if the previous owner is still alive and claims he never sold it.

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[Inthehighdesert]

NM has a completely different process then AZ. Here there are several different paths to obtaining a title for a vehicle. Any chance you can actually get a receipt or copy of the actual transaction funds?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

NM has a completely different process then AZ. Here there are several different paths to obtaining a title for a vehicle. Any chance you can actually get a receipt or copy of the actual transaction funds?

Don't know why I didn't see your post 'till now.

If by transaction funds you mean canceled check or bank statement, no. The purchase was 33 years ago. I do have the bill of sale from the auction (see below).

Not that it matters, I'm pretty sure my father never applied for an AZ title because the plates on the car when he bought it were good for 4 more years. An AZ title would only cost him $12 but he would have to register it and get insurance. So, on principles, he never bothered and figured he would never get caught only driving in his gated community (which was several miles across) or to and from a couple of car shows. I suspect he did have the old title but I couldn't find it.

I just heard about the Vermont loop hole. Anyone on the forums ever used it? Apparently Vermont will issue registrations for cars older than 15 years that are recognized as proof of ownership recognized in all other states when a car is sold. They don't require Vermont residency or confirmation of VIN. You just apply and pay a tax of 6% of NADA value. They just check a stolen car database and send you your plates and registration. Totally a VT state govt scam to collect 6% from anyone not wanting to jump thru all the hoops other states require.

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