NC/Missouri Title Problem?

I am looking at a chopped 54 Chevy here in NC that I am considering taking a look at and MAYBE buy (slim chance) but I was talking to the owner of the car and he said that it has a Missouri title and I guess in someone else's name. He said that pretty much it's pointless to have it and does no good and that if I bought the car then in the state of North Carolina I can just apply for a NC title and that's it... For some reason that just doesn't seem right to me. Wouldn't I need an out of state title signed and possibly notarized (if Missouri requires notary) and then take it to the DMV to put a NC title into my name?

Any information or opinions on this? I am not sure if there is something I am missing. I do not like nor will not buy a car without a clear title just for the fact that I do not need the hassle of getting it straightened out and put into my name. Thanks a lot for any info!

For cars that old Missouri does not require a notary.

Now this is the important part. Look at the back of the title to see if the top block has been filled out with the buyer/seller information and if the date of the transaction has been filled in. If only the seller has signed and dated it without any buyer information written in leaving the buyer information blank, the only real problem is the penalty for the title not being transferred in the 30 day window. I believe that penalty maxes out at 250 dollars. If the purchaser information has been filled out, North Carolina will send the title to that person. Then that person would have to transfer it to you.

If you try to treat it as a lost title, All Missouri will do is mail a replacement title to who ever the Missouri resident is listed on the original title.

Thanks a lot for the info! I will contact the seller and see if the title has any signature or anything... If no then I guess I will skip at even looking at the car. I told him I was going to contact the DMV to see what I have to do and then asked him another question along with a request for some more photos and I stopped hearing from him. Either he got caught up and busy or the DMV comment scared him and something fishy is going on.

don't take a improperly titled car across a state line