Custom vehicle titles

[srh3trinity]

I have been going through the process of trying to get a title for my car. Alabama doesn't title anything older than a 1975 model year. I can register it/tag it without a problem. Down the road, if I want to sell it, I realize our market is pretty small and I would have to advertise widely for a pro-touring build. I don't know the rules for other states, but certainly, many states require a title. I was looking into a custom vehicle title since Alabama won't title the car as it is older than a '75. It will have an aftermarket subframe, aftermarket engine, trans, rear end, etc which meets the criteria. Anybody else go this path? Upsides/downsides?

[Ron Sutton]

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[andrewb70]

Stephen,

Every state I have ever lived in required a title.

Where did you car come from? Why was there no title to begin with?

Andrew

[jy211]

did you ever have a title for the car to begin with when you bought the car?

[srh3trinity]

Came out of Georgia, they don't title cars back past 1986 currently. I picked it up for next to nothing, of course the guy said he would mail the title, never did. I have tried to get back in touch with him and can't. I called GA DMV and they said that since the chain of ownership has been broken, they can't give me a title, the previous owner would have to request and transfer. They wouldn't give me any updated contact info on him. I thought about cutting my losses and selling it locally, but since I want a 74, I will have the same problem getting a title on any car I find locally. I found one the other day and the guy has all of the paperwork, but no title. I have been back and forth with the Alabama DMV people and they tell me they can get it registered, but they won't title it. I just got off the phone with them again and they said even if I get it registered as a custom vehicle, they don't title anything past 1975. If I sell it out of state, they will send a certified letter stating they don't title anything past a certain year. I have even spoken to a few title companies that guarantee titles and they can't offer much help. I have been sitting on the car for a few years and accumulating parts, and I wanted to sort this out before I send it to paint and body. I know we all say we build 'em to keep, but I can't help but think one of these days I will want to build something different and move this one down the road to somebody new.

[andrewb70]

Sounds like if future sale is a concern, you might want to sell this shell locally and find another one with a title.

Andrew

[srh3trinity]

Sounds like if future sale is a concern, you might want to sell this shell locally and find another one with a title.

Andrew

I plan to look around. Again, I would have to find a state that titles these things in the first place since here locally, a 74 wouldn't have a title to start with. I don't have high hopes of being able to sale a 1974 Firebird down the road anyway, especially not with an aftermarket sub, stroked LS, PT build as there are only a SELECT few people that like the 74-76 in the first place. Limiting it to states without titles would make it even more problematic.
While I was waiting to hear back from the DMV I was just curious if anybody had had any success with a Custom Vehicle Title. It is similar to a kit car title. You get a secondary VIN assigned. Now I know that it won't help me anyway.

[SSLance]

To my knowledge...every car manufactured and sold in the US came with either a title or a MSO...so your pre-74 cars all USED to have a title with them. Sometimes the paperwork is lost on old dilapidated cars, true...but there are PLENTY of old cars out there that do have proper titles with them.

Now...there are ways to get titles for older vehicles where the original titles have been lost...but they aren't free and there is a little bit of risk involved in the process. It can be done though.

[srh3trinity]

To my knowledge...every car manufactured and sold in the US came with either a title or a MSO...so your pre-74 cars all USED to have a title with them. Sometimes the paperwork is lost on old dilapidated cars, true...but there are PLENTY of old cars out there that do have proper titles with them.

Now...there are ways to get titles for older vehicles where the original titles have been lost...but they aren't free and there is a little bit of risk involved in the process. It can be done though.

I have been back and forth with several different county DMV's to see if I was told the same thing consistently and they continue to tell me they won't title anything pre-1975. I called a local title service that will process the paperwork to get a title and the lady there told me that AL wouldn't title it. I told her why it mattered and she laughed and said, "just sale it locally when you get ready to sale." I believe it was titled in Georgia, but I haven't made any progress with the previous owner. I haven't talked with any of the national title agencies. I have heard mixed reviews on them. I may put it on hold (again) and start looking for a titled car.

[MidnightSpecial]

I had the same issue with a 1981 xs650 I bought out of a barn in Georgia. They didnt require a title for it in georgia but Mississippi required one. Look into bonded titles.

I had to get a written letter from Georgia's office stating the title policy, they had to run a search of the vin to make sure there are no liens and its not hot. It was a bitch to say the least

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

Now from what I thought about Alabama, don't all older vehicles not have titles at all?

My knowledge in this matter goes as far as a company called Broadway Title (http://www.broadwaytitle.com/) is concerned. I've had vehicles here in AZ that were abandoned for years upon years with no title or ownership history, and Broadway title has been able to get through these hoops. How it works is that you give them the vehicle information and pay their fee, then they provide you with what I believe was a bill of sale through Alabama (It's been about 10 years since I last did one). But I've done a couple vehicles, and I take the bill of sale to the DMV and then they provide me with an Arizona title, no issues. So I guess in an indirect way of answering your question, there should not be an issue with just having a bill of sale for a car (at least with my experiences here in Arizona).

[srh3trinity]

Now from what I thought about Alabama, don't all older vehicles not have titles at all?

My knowledge in this matter goes as far as a company called Broadway Title (http://www.broadwaytitle.com/) is concerned. I've had vehicles here in AZ that were abandoned for years upon years with no title or ownership history, and Broadway title has been able to get through these hoops. How it works is that you give them the vehicle information and pay their fee, then they provide you with what I believe was a bill of sale through Alabama (It's been about 10 years since I last did one). But I've done a couple vehicles, and I take the bill of sale to the DMV and then they provide me with an Arizona title, no issues. So I guess in an indirect way of answering your question, there should not be an issue with just having a bill of sale for a car (at least with my experiences here in Arizona).

I called one of these national title services today. She told me that when I sale it, Alabama would provide a certified letter stating they dont title older cars. She said they comes up all the time and she hasn't seen any problems. She said she could do a bonded title from Georgia, but it would be expensive and overkill given Alabama's policy since they won't even title it due to it's age with a title from GA. ALL dmv confirmed that they regularly provide certified letters about their title policy.

[dobie6982]

I have never had a title for my 1968. Keep the bill of sell from GA and have it registered. It will only be an issue if you sell it, and people in Alabama sell old cars everyday. If you ever need advice, there is a classic car dealership in Arab, AL that should be able to help.

[CornHusker4Life]

I currently have an issue with the title to my 55 Bel air. I have the title BUT in 1955 Texas put the motor number instead of the vin number on the title. The original motor is long gone and so is the owner. It is a 1968 title (owner is dead, family sold the car). My DMV will NOT give me a Nebraska title because the vin on the title does not match the existing motor or the vin. Any suggestions???

[Mudmony]

My experience in California, provide bill of sale, vin # verification,buy plates and registration sticker corresponding with year of manufacturer, take to registration service,not DMV, if all clear,.receive title

[srh3trinity]

I currently have an issue with the title to my 55 Bel air. I have the title BUT in 1955 Texas put the motor number instead of the vin number on the title. The original motor is long gone and so is the owner. It is a 1968 title (owner is dead, family sold the car). My DMV will NOT give me a Nebraska title because the vin on the title does not match the existing motor or the vin. Any suggestions???

You can call one of the national title companies. Broadway title had more positive review than any other I saw. I think they charge upwards of 900 for their services. If you have put any money into your build, it might be worth it.

[DButler]

Alabama does not require title. I have never had a tie with my 67 camaro. There have to be ways to make this work because I knew a guy personally who sold classic cars for a living. He passed away few years ago but he sold cars all over the country. I never plan to sell my car but if I did who word I contact to make sure vin is good? I have had it registered for 9-10 years word it have came up when I registered it if there was a lien or something? Just curious.

[srh3trinity]

If I had to guess, liens were not near as common with these cars as they are now. You never know though. I am glad I am not the only one who has been down this path. Looks like I will get it registered and move forward.

[BMR Sales]

To my knowledge...every car manufactured and sold in the US came with either a title or a MSO...so your pre-74 cars all USED to have a title with them. Sometimes the paperwork is lost on old dilapidated cars, true...but there are PLENTY of old cars out there that do have proper titles with them.

Now...there are ways to get titles for older vehicles where the original titles have been lost...but they aren't free and there is a little bit of risk involved in the process. It can be done though.

Not in Alabama or Georgia! That's why a lot of people "Wash" Cars through AL. One of my Ex-Wife's other Ex-Husbands was in the FBI and he Busted one of the Largest Stolen Car Rings that was based in Alabama because they washed all the Cars through there on Bill of Sales!

[jy211]

what about just requesting a duplicate title? I know down here, if you know someone in a tag agency, they can request a duplicate title in the former owner's name, but you have it sent to your address.....