I know its not a car but a few years ago I bought an old RV camper that didn't have a title. the local DMV told me that they can do a search but if the RV came from out of state that they might not find anything. so I decided to restore the RV , then I went back to the DMV and told them that I built it . I had to file a vin request form. cost me $40. after a few weeks I received in the mail a vin plate and instructions as to where it should be mounted on the RV and how it should be mounted. I then called the DMV and told them I received the vin plate and asked what to do next and they told my to bring it to them ( the RV must be drivable and pass inspection) and the inspection was $20. I then register it and they gave me a license plate to put on the rear bumper another $40 .
so before you do anything look up in your local phone book and call the DMV and ask questions as to what your local and state laws are, and call local salvage yards they can help point you in the right direction , most all salvage yards have sold totaled and junked cars and know how to get a title for a car.
before you start spending time and money. make sure the car isn't stolen. most states will have a list of stolen cars check it out . but dont call the state police just yet. because weather its stolen or not they will in-pound any abandoned car, and if you find that its a free and clear junked car. you will then have to pay the in-pound fee the police will charge you.
the reason I'm telling you this is because 4 yrs ago. I was driving for USA trucking and while I was passing through a very small town in northern Texas I saw an abandoned salvage yard on a back country road. the entrance the the salvage yard had grown up with grass. you cant even tell there is a junk yard there at all. but what caught my eye was while passing through the sun light was sparkling off the chrome or glass that seemed to be coming from a field behind some trees. I drove on about a mile down the road when it dawned on my what I had seen. but it was just my luck no place to turn a freightliner with a 52 foot trailer around. so I just kept on trucking until i got to my drop off. and I made a few calls, to try to find out if I could buy the cars. there must have been around 200+ cars in that field. but I couldn't get any info. but my next load going out was at night and I was pushing for time. I had to be in north dakota by 6am the next morning .
I cant remember the name of the town, but I remember it was near Dallas and the name of the town Begins with a "B".
if anyone from around the south western part of Dallas, knows of the abandoned salvage yard? please let me know. I sure would make the trip. never know could be a few imperials out there.
pnkmoore@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Every state has titling procedures. The long and short is: if you make enough calls, fill out enough forms and spend enough money, you can move mountains, much less title a '50 Imperial. There are even companies that do this for you (check Hemmings), though you might end up with a title from another state from your own (depending on which state has the most lenient transfer regulation for your particular situation) leaving you with the relatively simple task of localizing the title when you register.
Perhaps a few more details, like what state/country the car is in, may help.
Patrick
'58 Southampton
Southeast Louisiana
Sad to have missed the Chattanooga meet this weekend.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2005 8:39 PM
Subject: IML: rescuing car from woods
I recently found a 50's imp in the woods, cannot determine original owner. Is there any way to get such a car out of the woods and obtain legal ownership of it? charlie 38 imperial bs cp
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