Thread: Untitled Rods

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Friend of mine that is new to the Hot Rod scene, bought a 32' Ford Sedan off of ebay. The rod came from Florida. Ad stated, "Fly in and drive home". Well, he didn't look at the car or have it inspected. In his defense, the pictures looked real good.

The car arrived and it was undrivable. There were front brakes but the rears were capped off. Trans linkage was out of adjustment and the steering was loose. He fixed everything wrong with the car but it turns out, it was an estates sale. Because the owner had died, the attorney filled out the paperwork, which was incomplete. Florida also does not title cars that old.

Now, my friend can't register the car unless he does it illegally.

Every time I see him, he bends my ear about it. When he sold his last rod (it was a terrible looking kit car), I warned him to inspect/drive the car and to make sure it had a title. Now, I think he learned his lesson. If he can't get it titled, he will probably sell it.

The kit car he had was a Model A Roadster with parallel leaf springs front and rear. The front and rear splash aprons were extended to hide the leaf spring perches. Made the car look funny.

Hi Gasser. One word of advice for your buddy............GOLF. Poor guy doesn't seem to have much luck with hot rods.

One thing that confuses me is what you say about Florida not titling cars that old..........they sure do. My one car is titled as a 1915 and it has a Florida title. I think I would go back to ground zero and start with the ad on Ebay. Did it state it had a title? That is usually stated because people want to know. If it does say that I would go back to the seller and Attorney and demand some help.

Since I am down here I will do whatever I can for you. If you want me to call anyone or visit them I would be willing to do that for you. I know how frustrating it is to try to solve some problem when you are clear across the country, so just let me know and I'll do whatever leg work I can for you here. I don't want to get in over my head in this either, but will sure try to help you out.

I don't think it is as bad as it might seem. There is an Attorney involved and the car was sold in a very visible way. I know how tough your State is though and you need to do everything right.

Just let me know.

Don

how does that work anyways? i have a 1948 dodge pickup and i don't have a title. can't you just get one from the DMV? can they bond or something for a couple years like they do with motorcycles and sleds?

Originally Posted by speedy55779

how does that work anyways? i have a 1948 dodge pickup and i don't have a title. can't you just get one from the DMV? can they bond or something for a couple years like they do with motorcycles and sleds?

In Iowa you can just buy a "boned title".

Eric brings up an accurate point.........every State is different. In some States it is like going to the 7-11 and buying a Pepsi and in other States you want to hang yourself before it is all over. In some States you can use an old title you bought from another car and claim your car is that car. People are selling these at large car swap meets all the time. I've done this a few times, but even good old liberal Florida is cracking down. They now want the car checked by the DMV or a police officer to make sure the title and car have the same vin.

Things are getting tough all over for some reason. Maybe it is the high theft rate, or maybe the States realize they are missing out on some revenue via taxes or fees. Some people use one of the title specific companies like Broadway Title and claim they work well.

In any event, one word of advice (well several words actually ) DO NOT PUT ONE CENT INTO THE CAR UNTIL YOU HAVE A GOOD TITLE IN YOUR NAME FOR THE CAR. There have been documented cases where a person put lots of money in a project only to have the "real" owner show up with the Sheriff and a tow truck. Titling can be a real hassle but if you want to drive your car it has to be done properly or you can end up with some very expensive garage art.

Don

My bad Don. It was Georgia. I was gonna buy a 27' Ford from Georgia but it only had reg, so I passed.

Too bad Gasser, I would have liked to have been able to do some legwork for you down here if I could.

I would still go back to the seller/Attorney to make the title good. Was that a statement they made in the ad?

Don

Don't know. This guy was so excited about getting the sedan, I don't think he did any research. He put the vin number off the registration, onto a metal plate and screwed it on his firewall. He's gonna try to get it registered that way.

You said the sale said he could fly in and drive home.. Well since thats not the case the car wasnt in any condition to do so physically or legally then isnt that a misrepensintation? Why not opena a dispute with ebay first.. Try to refund the money lost and return the car.. Also contact a attorney about the matter.. Seems like more of a pin then what its worth for your friend any ways..

Good point. I'll tell him.

Originally Posted by speedy55779

how does that work anyways? i have a 1948 dodge pickup and i don't have a title. can't you just get one from the DMV? can they bond or something for a couple years like they do with motorcycles and sleds?

Speedy, I built a '37 Chevy truck, and sold it to my brother without a title in Mn. He sold it to a guy that won a 32 mil lotto and had the truck finished (painted), Then went to get a title, he did eveything they told him. In Mn there is 3 didfferent ways to get a new title. After they made him do it all 3 ways, still after a year he didn't have a title. I never did hear if he got one. He told my brother he was pi$$ off and my brother said I'll give you the money back, and you return the truck! have not heard from him since.

Pat