Complicated vehicle purchase: advice needed.

[Shortsguy1]

I am always on the hunt for ways to make my deceased dad's old 220d a bit nicer. I have a friend with a similar w114, but his interior is awesome. I would like to buy the car for its interior and tranny, but honestly not much else. His ca registration is overdue and he owes $300 in overdue fees. Does anyone know if there is a legal way to buy the car but not pay his late reg fees? If I buy it, I would remove the parts I want and try to scrap the rest. So I never really want to drive the car. Is anyone familiar with declaring a vehicle unrepairable? I just feel there must be a way to take ownership without ever wanting the car to be road legal again? Any thoughts?

And one final complication... they don't even have a title. Just a signed letter saying they are the new owner. Would a salvage yard ever accept a stripped chassis without a proper title? I don't want to take "ownership" of the car if the will be no way to get rid of the leftovers. This is all in Calif, but I would appreciate anyone's advice or experiences. Thanks.