Do what Dave says. If you dont have a title, you may as well but a
tin bucket in the yard and drop money into it.....same thing except that you
can take the bucket back to the house and dump the money out.
Old cars take money. You say you have a tight budget. If so, either practice
your bondo work on it or buy a brick of .22 shells and use it for a target. Limit yourself to $100 total before you have a title IN HAND.
Dont shoot at the tires with a .22
Someone already had the bright idea to shoot it, but it's not a .22. They shot it with what looks like a 9mm. I think they shot it like 10 times. Like you were saying I mainly want to practice body work on it. Beating out dents, bondo, welding, etc. Just curious. What would happen if I shot the tire with a .22?
Zak
How do I go about getting a title for the car?
Get the vin number off the car, contact the Tx. DOT and or the Vehicle Registration folks at your courthouse and see what the procedure is to obtain a title for an abandoned vehicle. They should be able to tell you the procedure and documentation required to obtain a title. Now you're thinking, get the title in hand before you spend a dime on the car.
I went through that titling exercise several years ago on a derelict '65 Corvair Monza that I pumped entirely too much money into. It can be done in Texas, Zak, but get ready for a hassle. My situation was complicated by the fact that I bought the car in Iowa and dragged it to Texas to restore it.
I'm sure requirements (and procedures) have changed since I butted heads with the law, but, as I said, It can be done.
I think I mentioned this in an old posting, but do you know what engine the 1953 and 1954 Corvettes had in them? A 235 six cylinder. Respects to our friend Dave Severson, but I LIKE 'EM!
Jim
About the title.
How much did it cost you to get a title for your car?
I'm 15, can I get a title put in my name, or do I have to put it in my parent's name?
I was looking on TXDOT and I am going to send the title office an E-mail. What should I tell them? Do I need to tell them the whole story about it being on my Grandpa's land when he bought it?
Zak
If the 235 & the 216 are so close why does it matter which one I put in the car?
Zak
I honestly don't remember what it cost, Zak. I remember that it seemed like I was handing, or sending, ten bucks or twenty bucks or more to a different office (or person) in two states every few days.......and that has been a few years ago. Be optimistic! Things may be easier now. Oh, sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Corvette85
I also don't know whether there's a minimum age for obtaining a car title.
As Dave advised, get the numbers off the car and send, or carry, the information to the Texas Department of Transportation. On the VERY remote chance that there is an old license plate on the car, send them that number, too. Couldn't hurt.
There is a local (for you) phone number for the Texas Department of Transportation, "Vehicle Titles and Registration - Lost Titles". If I recall, it's in Arlington. Try (817) 649-5938. If they can't help you maybe they can point you in the right direction.
If you write, I suggest that you keep it brief, simple, and businesslike. If they need to know more, they'll ask you. Tell them that you are inquiring about procedures for obtaining title to an antique automobile that was abandoned on a relative's property (however many) years ago, as you are considering restoring the car. If you want to, you can give them the make and model and the numbers you have, but they probably don't give a hoot at this point.. Then thank them in advance for any information they can give you.
I'd let the matter of you age slide for the time being.
Jim
if that was true my nova would be running 22's in the 1/4 mile:LOL:Quote:
Originally Posted by Corvette85
:LOL: yeah we all know how that goes:LOL:Quote:
Originally Posted by robot
Big Tracks-Thanks for all of your help. I'll try to contact them today by E-mail. The only bad thing is that my Grandpa lives near Paris, Texas and I won't be able to get the numbers for at least a week. I'm going to spend a couple of weeks with him at the first of July. Should I go ahead and contact them, or should I wait to get the numbers? Hopefully it won't cost much.
Zak
Here's what I said, "I am inquiring about procedures for obtaining a title to an antique automobile that was abandoned on my relative's property over 30 years ago. I am looking to restore the car. The car is a 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster. Thank you for your time, Zak". Does this sound good? I hope you don't mind I used what you said. Maybe I'll get a response soon.
Zak
Sounds okay to me, Zak, and I'd go ahead and contact them and get things in motion.
Even though it will be an e-mail try to make it look as much like a regular business letter as you can, like using "Dear Sir" or "Gentlemen" for a salutation, and close it with "Sincerely" or just "Thank you". (In any case, don't sign off "Love, Zak"!)
Sorry 'bout that. Sometimes a guy can't help being a wise-ass ......
If you wish, you could add something like "The former owners of the car, a 1948 Chevrolet, are unknown. I would appreciate any information you can give me as to how I should proceed". As I said, I don't think whoever reads your letter will be a bit interested in what kind of a car it is, but adding something like that at least would keep the letter from looking quite as skimpy.
Sign off with your full name. Under that put your regular home address, and under that put your e-mail address even though it should appear on there automatically. You can put your phone number on there too if you just want to, but they won't use it.
Good luck, and let me know what kind of a response you get.
Jim
Thanks, I'll do that as soon as I have a chance.
Zak
Should I wait to get the plates and #'s?