Buddy has a 68 chevelle in his feld, that he is giving me. Pretty solid body, minus the right rear quarter, and every thing else is gone.

Long story as to why he is giving it away, but some of the details are that he could not obtain a title. It was left at one of his rental properties, and after a notice the guy left it lay. After some searching, we believe that it has a lein on it. We are not sure, but deffinatly do not want to stir the pot blindly, but will with some ammo.

Does anyone know how a outside party in possesion of the vehichle would be able to get a lost title, or legally become the owner in a situation like this? My initial thought was to offer to pay the lein. The shape the car is in it technically could not be worth much. We did snoop a little, and fear if we go much further they will reclaim and sell to another party, or auction.

Again, I do not want this to be illeagal at all, but dont want to be chasing the bank and the car if it is avoidable.

Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Look into the Status of Limitations for your area. A vehicle can be considered a Lost and Found Item under the Law. After a period of time - say 3 or 5 years - it can be re-registered. Stolen vehicles often fall victim to this. Why not do a search on the title which will reveal liens and discuss the matter with a Lawyer about re-registering it.

If the car has a lien on it you will NEVER be able to get a clear title, I use to work in the banking world.

first step: find out who has the outstanding loan on it and the amount

2Nd step: Find out if they still hold the title, if has been a while they may have written it off. By most state laws they have to get bids. Normally on vehicles that need major work very few people will bid on it.

If the car has a lien on it you will NEVER be able to get a clear title, I use to work in the banking world.

first step: find out who has the outstanding loan on it and the amount

2Nd step: Find out if they still hold the title, if has been a while they may have written it off. By most state laws they have to get bids. Normally on vehicles that need major work very few people will bid on it.

Your post seems contradictory. You say that a clear title can't be had. Then step one and two appears to be a legal method of getting a lein release.


I do agree that finding the lein holder and the amount of the lein is the first step. There is a slight possibility that the lein had been settled but the paper work not sent into the state. The lending institute might be easy to deal with if it is a very old lein.

If the car has a lien on it you will NEVER be able to get a clear title, I use to work in the banking world.

first step: find out who has the outstanding loan on it and the amount

2Nd step: Find out if they still hold the title, if has been a while they may have written it off. By most state laws they have to get bids. Normally on vehicles that need major work very few people will bid on it.

The state (DMV) should have a record of the leinholder.
Then go to the bank and make an offer on it.

I did this when I was 17---------bought a 10yo Chrysler 300 for $100.
Absolutely perfect car that only needed an ammeter.

I think I'd have your buddy put a mechanic's lein for storage fees on the car for the exact amount owed the original creditor. This way if they tried to steal it out from under you, they'd have a piper to pay as well.

I think I'd have your buddy put a mechanic's lein for storage fees on the car for the exact amount owed the original creditor. This way if they tried to steal it out from under you, they'd have a piper to pay as well. :yes:

cut it up for parts

Each state is different and your should check with the DMV. The North carolina DMV will not release the lien holders info unless you are the name on the title or registration. You could possibly bond the vehicle and request a new title but again your DMV will be able to give you specifics. You might be able to obtain a bond through your insurance company. hope this helps Andy

The times that I payed off auto loans the bank would send the lien release to ME, not the State. Its up to the owner to have the title changed to show the release. "Normally" the owner would just keep the release and the "new" owner's title would clear it up with his transaction. Or possibly his title would show yet "another" lien for his loan.

In SC, you go to the magistrates court, file a lien, say for storage fees or other value that you have in it. You have to send a registered letter to the last known owner, stating the amount you have in the vehicle for storage, work, etc. It is then posted for aution at the courthouse. At the end of the public notice period, the judge comes to your house and holds the auction. If no one shows, he issues you a document that allows you to get a magistrates title.

Most states should have a similar process. You may need to apply some judgement as to the amount that you state you must receive for the vehicle, as in the case of a Chevelle it may get some interest.

My brother bought a car that had a lien listed on the title. The Credit Union was no longer in business but the state said they could not transfer the title without a release or permission fron the lien holder.
He went through some place in Nevada that gets titles for old cars. He ended up with a New Jersey title in his name which he took to the Sec.of State office and changed over to an Il. title and registration with no problems at all.
It is all supposed to be legit. You give them all the information, then They said they run them through to make sure they are not on any hot lists and if they come back clean they get the title for you.

Each state varies. I bought a 68 Chevelle SS without a title. I paid the DMV $4 for an info sheet. It showed last registered owner and a lein holder. Last owner was killed in Viet Nam and the finance company was no longer in business. Filled out request for new title and sent registerd mail to previous owner's address and finance company. Published announcement in newspaper in legal section. Had to wait 10 days for responce if any. Two days later had registration, 15days after, new title in possesion. This was in Texas 2004. I don't think it has changed any.

if the car is on your friends property, you could have him apply for a abandoned title. trick is you cant move the car, you have to have the DMV come out and do a inspect the car where it sits. jim

since your in wa. contact the DOL, try a application for lost title. you'll need the lic. plate #. i do like the mechanics lein! last i heard wa. st. patrol wont even inspect a rig that doesnt have a 17 dig. vin. to old-no records.

Thanks a bunch. My next question would be how do I put a lien on the vehicle? And what kind. I personaly have not done anywork to it (dont know if buddy has), but it has been sitting in his field for years (storage?). I have heard of this before, and basically the guy got the creditor to sign the car away to him to avoid paying. If this is legit, it is a route i will take. The only other question would be how soon does the lien need to be applied? The car has been sitting in the same spot for yrs. I wonder if it is too late?
Thanks in advance for any opinions/ideas/and information.

What is the VIN? I'll tell you if it is stolen.

i have already consulted the Sherrif, local cops, and the DOL as to the record. Its clean aside from the obvious.

What is the VIN?

More bad news. According to the DOL, the creditor went out of buisness 4-6 yrs ago. WOW! What a mess huh? They are trying to work it and see what one would do to fix this, but it dont look pretty. Also they said it has shown no activity on the states records for over 8 yrs (no renewals of anykind) and has somehow avoided the "Dead File" as they call it (whatever that means).
On a side note, the actual year of the car is 1969 according to the DMV and the original color was yellow, and it has a 12 bolt posi. Would this be to early and to little to maybe think SS? (remember no motor & tranny). I did not notice any badges last time i looked at it, and could not tell you (other than what the SS synopsis reads) what a actual SS looks like aside from the badges that read so. (trim tab not available right now).
Anyrate fell free to tell me how hopeless this may be. But dog gone if I dont giver #ell!

136379k392574

You need to do the same thing anyone does who needs to file for a lost title....
You collect the car- take it to a state patrol office where they will inspect it, run the VIN number to make sure it isn't stolen, and then they have a process they run over the course of 3 years advertising for the last owner of record.

if they don't make contact during the 3 years, they will issue you a new title.

Pretty simple, but there is risk involved- because if a previous owner is found, they can claim the car.

If the car has been abandoned in a field for years and years, you are probably fine to go claim it and go through the process with the DMV- just don't tell them you got it out of a field- have your friend who owns the porperty write you a bill of sale, and you tell the DMV you need to file for a LOST title.

Sucks, because you basically can't do anything to in during the 3 years, because if someone claims the car- you'd lose out on whatever you've invested in it.

SHouldn't matter that there is any kind of lein on it- the lost title thing should work the same. If the leinholder comes forward, the car is theirs- if not it gets retitled in your name

If i cannot tell them I got it out of a field, where did I get it?. If someone is to write a bill of sale, shouldnt they own the vehicle? i could see how this may work, but also how it could fail, more importantly, would it ever come back on my credit? (sorry if that is a dumb question)
Before I clued the DMV in on the lein, they had said to send out a certified letter to the last known registered owner. (He is MIA, NO ONE can get ahold of this guy, he was evidently a methhead) Upon return of the letter, have a trooper inspect, and then register it for three years. Rules apply like RAMBO said. Since I found out about the company going under, the DMV/DOL is clueless.