Re: getting titles for non-titled cars

["Jay Mackro" <jmackro@domain.elided>]

David Nolen had written:

>Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 10:21:25 -0500 (CDT)
>From: "David Nolen" <dnolen@domain.elided>
>Subject: Titling Old Cars
>Unfortunatley, I bought this car from a "friend" who never produced a title
>for it.  Many excuses and years later, I'm wondering how I can get this
>thing legal for the road.  My "friend" is in another state and I've lost
>track of him.
>Any advice out there?

David:

I did it about 10 years ago for my '63 Giulia through the California DMV,
and it wasn't too hard (and, the DMV ain't exactly the model of
efficiency!).
They had a form that had to be filled out, and I needed to get a bond.  The
bond cost me about $100, and came from a State Farm Insurance agent
(I'm sure that lots of people issue these).  My understanding of the concept
behind the bond, was that if a "real" owner of the car came forward, and
sued the State of California for titling it to me, the bond served as
insurance to cover the State's liability.  Seemed kind of weird, but I knew
better than to argue with the DMV.

My sense is that DMV deals with these issues all the time, and is kind of
glad to have people who want to obtain a legitimate title, rather than just
drive their old cars with no registration or insurance.  Hey, it's another
customer for them.

Jay Mackro

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