Thread: How do you go about getting.......

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a title for a car when no one has any idea what it is? I have no idea what the body is, my dad doesn't know neither does my great uncle, however he does remember seeing the cars on the farm before my family bought it in 1940s. The problem is I have posted the pictures on numerous sites and no one knows what it is as I do not have the grille.
My great uncle remembers seeing a couple of Willys Overland Phaetons on the farm and I have 2 phaeton bodies. One at home the other still on the farm. I am doing one along with the 49. doing it during the done time waiting on parts and all that.
I have looked through 8000+ registry entries and the DMV for the previous farm owner to no avail. Is there a way to register is as just a 1926 Custom Phaeton? Or is there a place I can send photos of the dash and the body to have it identified?
Its a 4 door, with rear suicide doors, wood framing, and on the door panels there is a moulding in the panels that follows the shape of the doors.
No handles on the door, the locking system was the latch on top to open the door. The manufacturer of the latch was Sears.
I know I have posted here trying to id it, now just need to find out how to get a title for it so when the body is finished I can try to sell it to finance the plymouth. This body will be done alot sooner.

Ok the door and latch look somewhat like this
http://bis.midco.net/skarhotrod/touring.JPG

Why can't you just go to the DMV and apply for a lost title. I have done this many times buying cars / trucks with out titles. I have done this in IL IN and MI Never had a problem. You will have to sign an affidavit but if all is lagit whats the problem??

Joker51

I'am relatively new here and have never seen a pix of your mystery car. Can you tell me where I can go to see one. Got a huge book of American made tin at home, might be able to find it. Worth a shot even if not.

Bob

Can you find a VIN on the car? If so, you can probably use this form:

http://www.state.nd.us/dot/docs/moto...e/sfn02903.pdf

All states are different. If I were in your shoes, I'd call the DMV, tell them the story (anonymously, of course) and ask them what to do. If you get a clerk that doesn't know what's going on, ask for a supervisor.

Once they tell you what to do, get a name of the person on the phone.

Cffisher, Problem with lost title is without knowing year make or model they won't give me on.
Mopar, I will see if I can find some pics of it when it was together when I first started on it.
Henry Rifle This car has no VIN, I believe the VIN in the 20s was on the frame or engine, both of which I do not have.

Mopar34, here is a link to a few of the pictures I just took as I can't find the others when it was together. I will try to get some pics of the doors and a few more of it "put" together.
http://bis.midco.net/skarhotrod/touring/

Not the greatest pieced together picture of the car, but best I could do right now. Its still missing the piece between the front and rear doors.
http://bis.midco.net/skarhotrod/touring/
There are new pics up there, not the greatest, but the close ups of the individual parts will make up for the blurry pics.

joker51- try telling dmv you built it from scratch,then register it under a specialty built --- Larry

Thanks Larry, hopefully we are not like Cali and have to register it as year built.

I wouldn't worry about the title at this point ( ). You can't get a title with out numbers or an identity. Getting the title once you've done your homework will be easy. But you have to do your homework.

This is something that auto restoration guys really get into because it's almost as much fun digging up history as building the car (it has in my cases too).

As your car can be considered a 'derelict' car anyway, and it is on your family property, I'd drag it home and careful disassemble it and look for clues. Check for stampings, small ID plates, etc. I'd also look at the many automotive libraries scattered around the country. Two that come to mind is at the former Harrah's Collection in Reno (I can't think of the current name), and the Detroit Historical Automotive Collection at the Detroit Public Library.

While a newer car (if you can call 1964 newer), I have been able to track down the original order form for my car indicating equipment, color, trim, etc. I know the car was shipped to North Sacramento, CA. I know the build date, options and colors originally available, and the two previous owners before me. I know the car spent the majority of it's life in the L.A. area, and transported some lucky college kid to San Jose State University (sticker in the back window).

Many (not all) manufacturers have detailed records of production, and this includes defunct companies (such as Studebaker). While not turning a wrench, this can provide you with a lot of technical data to help build the car, including what it actually is.

Tom. Car is already home. No ID plates, no markings on the car body, And no grille to ID it from. I have been searching for 4 years now, The only thing I have come up with close is the Willys Overland, That is from distant photos that look close to mine and my great uncle recalling seeing 2 on the farm back in the 30s. I will go back up this summer and dig up the second body and dig deeper where I found the first to see if I can find the running boards frame or grille or something else to help. But as of right now there are no markings.