I don't know about anywhere else, but I think Mississippi must be the easiest place to get a clean title for an abandoned or lost-title/questionable-title vehicle. I have had 2 cars that had missing titles and convoluted histories. All you have to do is buy a title bond, take that bond with a bill of sale to the tax collector and they will issue a clean, pristine title easy as you please. The bond protects you from possible attempts by relatives or creditors from coming after YOUR car (bought in good faith, of course). I did that with my 67 Sedan De Ville and my 79 New Yorker with no problems. Cost is about $75.00 for the smallest bond available. Best case scenario, the tax commission would like for you to make a good faith effort in contacting the previous owner with a certified letter. Of course, if they have pasted on to the Church Triumphant, they can't very well respond, can they? An estate administrator would be the next logical person to sign a bill of sale. My Cadillac was from a private person and my New Yorker was through a storage facility so I have seen it work with both situations. Someone needs to grab that 82. If it weren't so far away, I would be on it like white on rice. Bobby 64 Crown 65 New Yorker 67 Sedan De Ville 79 New Yorker 80 242