No Title - Title Company or Part out?

Ganio · Post by **Ganio** » 02 Jan 2016, 14:48

Recently I picked up a pair of '96 850R wagons, one black with white interior the other white with grey interior. I picked them up as a pair for cheap. The white was one sold as a parts car and I was really only interested in the black one, so I don't feel that I was swindled. Now that I have the black one mostly up to snuff, I have been looking in to what to do with the white one. It does not have a valid title and I am having trouble tracking down the last registered owner of it to get a replacement title. Other than the title it is in very good shape.

Has anyone had any luck with any title companies? Are there any legalities that I should keep an eye open for? Or is it more worth my time to sell it or part it out?

stinger04038 · Post by **stinger04038** » 02 Jan 2016, 15:03

You can check with the State offices you live in, but usually they can't do much. They have confidentiality laws and probably can't provide you with the previous owner. Did you search through the glove box etc. for anything with a mane on it? You're best option is probably going to be selling it as a parts car with all the time and money involved. One other thought, some states after a car is x number of years old do not require title to transfer, good luck.

Post by **E Showell** » 02 Jan 2016, 15:04

Depending on your state of residence, you may be able to get a title on your own with a bit of effort and expense. I've heard about the title replacement companies, but believe most are fairly sketchy (but that's only after reading some of their stuff).

In N.J., with no prior owner in sight, you'd have to actually commence a lawsuit to quiet title -- that's about a $270 filing fee right there. You could probably figure out how to draft a form complaint, or you'd have to hire an attorney to do it for you = $$$ even for something that simple. Then you have to give notice to the world by repeated newspaper publication of a legal notice in a qualifying paper of record = more $$$. Unless the car has sentimental or collector value, it probably isn't worth it from a purely financial standpoint to try to obtain a replacement title. In my best Mr. Rogers voice: Can you say "parts car?"

Though somewhat unrelated, I ended up obtaining an International 470 (Olympic class 16' racing sailboat) from a friend -- he gave it to me. The boat was from Pa. and had no title. Pa. was a no title state for boats in 1975 (when the boat dates from). I had contact will all prior owners in the chain of ownership -- 3 including my friend. I obtained affidavits from all of them attesting to their ownership and the transfers along the chain of title. About $90 and four -- yes I said four -- separate trips to the NJ DMV (Dante's got nothin' on them), and a State Police Inspection and stolen vehicle run down, I had clear title to the boat. Took about four to six months as I recall. A car would be a similar procedure, although more complex if no continuity of prior owners. In that case, you'd have to go the lawsuit to quiet title route in NJ.

Ganio · Post by **Ganio** » 02 Jan 2016, 15:10

Thanks for the reply's. I was figuring as much. Since I picked up the pair for $1500 it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to spend $500 to title it and then sell it. I was toying with the idea because my sister needs a vehicle and I would to get her in to a Volvo. I guess I need to find a barn to keep it in while I get all of the parts I want out of it.
I am thinking of swapping the interiors, as the grey interior is in great shape. That being said, anyone need anything from a 96 855R? I have EVERYTHING.

Post by **E Showell** » 02 Jan 2016, 15:15

I'm assuming the 12472 is your zipcode -- Hudson Valley? You might check on the NY DMV procedures for obtaining a title where it has been lost (and you are not the prior owner who lost it). Might be less complex than N.J. Alternatively, scope out the cost and see if your sister might go in on it with you. Problem is, you won't be able to insure it (and she won't be able to drive it legally) until the process plays out so if she needs a car right away, it is a non-starter.

Ganio · Post by **Ganio** » 02 Jan 2016, 15:29

She has a truck to use in the interim, but if the process took more than a few months it wouldn't be helpful for her. I think for her the best thing to do it put the 854 Turbo back together and give it to her, then part out the white 855R and build up the black 855R

Post by **E Showell** » 02 Jan 2016, 15:41

What do you have to lose by contacting a title replacement company and listening to their pitch?

Post by **j-dawg** » 02 Jan 2016, 15:45

I paid $100 to get a bonded title for my first car - I actually had the title, but someone had marked it up and the DMV wouldn't accept it. Pretty painless process. I think the company was Ameribonds.

Post by **abscate** » 02 Jan 2016, 18:34

The most forgiving state to get a title to drive, but not establish ownership, is VERMONT.

Given the Hudson Valley is a couple hour drive to the Green Mountain State, that's your best bet to get paperwork to get it on the road for a relative.