Title Help?
 

I was just given an '83 VW Rabbit Diesel w/o a title. It was given to a friend of mine as a parts/demo car but he never had the heart to tear it apart as it was in nice shape. The person who gave it to him is MIA right now. I know everyone involved and know the car is clean.
Anyone have any connections for getting titles? It hasn't been registered for probably 5 years; is there a statute of limitations on car titles?
I found a title service for $200, but I'd like to do it cheaper if possible. It's just a beater after all.
Thanks!
-Matt-

I think in most states you don't need a title for a car that's older than 10 years. Try calling the local DMV.

Nope. That date is 1973 & older. Registration only before that; need a title after that. :(

D'oh!

Wish I could say something more helpful...

It will take a little work, but...
 

most states have provisions for titling "abandoned" vehicles. It's how towing and storage companies are able to sell vehicles for storage after a given time. You'll have to claim the PO abandoned the car on your property, and has failed to pay you any storage fees as he had agreed to do. You mentioned that you know the PO, so you can call DMV, give them the individual's name, the VIN, and make and model. You will probably have to fill out a few forms, and an afidavit; they can do the rest -- for a reasonable fee.

Or if you know someone at a Junkyard or some one who knows someone you could get a lien title pretty easy from them. That is as long as they trust you.
Just did that on a car I had a title problem with. Of course I actually bought the car from them to begin with they just gave me the wrong one first.

It all depends on the state, best bet is talk to the DMV & ask a few different workers at a few different DMV's (the first one you talk to might say you cant do it because they dont know or dont care to tell you)

If you want to do it with less hastle but more risk. Go find another person with a junk VW rabbit that has a title & just switch that title along with the vin plates. I would never recommend this if you ever decided you might want to sell the car again. I would only do this as a last resort & you would also want to make damn sure you did a good job of affixing the vin plates.

The other trick would be finding a friend who has a friend thats a cop & ask them to run the plates or the VIN & try to find the old owner.

Some states require a sherrifs sale to do it the correct way & placing ads in the paper along with sending out certified letters to the last titled owner. I did this to get my first car (which just happened to be a 81 VW Jetta Diesel) this guy owned a repair shop & the owner never paid the bill & left the car. So we placed did everything I mentioned plus had a copy of the repair bill.

You can file for lost titles here in Texas at the DMV...