Hot Rods To title or not to title

Hi all. It's been some time since I posted seeking advice but I've made significant head way on my 60 Starliner and it's almost ready to send off for blasting. Since I need to trailer it and move it some ways this got me thinking back to my title issues.
When I bought the car I got the title (from out of state) and a bill of sale. The state I currently live (Alabama) won't issue titles for cars > 35 years old (missed it by 21 years!). So option 1 is to go through of process of just registering the car here, or option 2 and wait and transfer the title when we move (hopefully to a new state next year). My issue right now is moving the car around with no plates or current title.
Thanks.

 

When it comes to selling time, titles are a huge asset.

 

I ALWAYS title...Here's why...A few years back I bought a car. I was thinking of flipping it to make some cash. With that in mind, I was considering leaving the title "open" (signed by previous owner, but not me). That way I could just sell the car and give the new owner the signed title and save me the cost of titling the car in my name. Well, I decided I might keep it so I titled it in my name. Good thing. About a month later , my house got burglarized, and the titles to all my vehicles were in the safe they took. Since the vehicles were in my name, I went down to DMV and got the replacements on the spot. Had I not titled that one car, I would have been in bad shape. I would have had to try to get the other guy to get a title (im sure he'd be all for that) or file for a bonded title. So, I get them titled in my name ASAP now. Even if it doesn't run, Texas will do a "title only" and not make you register it.

 

Register it. It is the ownership paper needed to title it in the next state. I understand it is easy to there.

 

Thanks for the advice but Alabama does NOT title cars over 35 years old. My options are to register now or title after I move to another state that does title them.

 

So other states would accept my AL registration? There is nothing that I can find that says I have to give up the title I have.

 

That's a tough one. I think I'd rather have a title in someone else's name than a registration in my own name, Wisconsin will not give a title for a car if all you have is a registration from another state, although some states might be different.

 

I have sold cars to people in title states and they only need a current Alabama registration in your name unless its some state that won't accept it and I don't know of one that does not. I sold a 55 Crown Vic to a man in Wisconsin with no title and he never let me know there was any problem with it.
Now in Alabama you have to show proof of insurance before you can get it registered and if is a car that comes from out of state, they have to inspect it before they issue a registration.
I have cars that I have registered and the title is just wasting away in a file cabinet. The state says its useless to them. Its only value is a paper trail.

 

call the dmv in the town your moving to. in washington state you can own a vehicle for say 20+ years and if you lose that paper title to get it tagged again even if you have have a registration in your name you have to pay $70 and it has to be all together and the state patrol will inspect it, and will give you a bonded title which means after 3 years they will issue a title given nobody has a lien against it.

 

If it will be on a trailer when you are moving it, you won't have to have it registered. Only if it is driven on a public roadway in Alabama will you have to have liability insurance and a license plate. I have bought several vehicles from out of state and never had to have them inspected to get a license plate, however, some counties may be different than the one I live in. Since you have a title from another state, I'd hang on to it. Although Alabama doesn't recognize titles or require titles on anything over 35 years old, it might be helpful if you do move to another state that requires a title.

Since it is also over 30 years old, you can get a "Vintage Vehicle" tag in Alabama, costs about $25, and never have to renew the registration again here. You can also run a year of manufacture plate, provided the number sequence is not already in use on another year plate. They will run it at the courthouse to make sure before they issue a registration on a YOM tag.

 

Problem is that I don't know where and when we would move. We will have to go where the jobs are and it's not job season yet for my line of work.

Up until now, I've not cared as the car has never left my garage. Now I need to trailer it and take it to the blaster, then from there it's going to another shop where they will work on the sheet metal repairs. Should I get pulled over at any point the concern is that I won't be able to show any proof of ownership. The title is not signed by me although the bill of sale has my name on it.

 

Thanks. I'm restoring the car, it does not run, so getting insurance might be an issue (?). I was told a few years ago when I talked to the DMV here in AL that I would need law enforcement to come to my house and verify the VIN etc. and sign off on some paperwork. It's been so long I don't remember if that was for registration or for insurance.

 

Thanks for this. This makes me feel a lot better. I'd rather just keep the title and not register it until I get to where ever we are going. I've no plans to have it road worthy before then, so I guess having plates is moot.

 

Personally, id register the car and get it in my name.
Here in NY they do not issue a title for vehicles older than i think 1970 (or there about) so we get a transferrable registration.
I've rarely registered a car i've been building until im well into assembly, but they never leave me and i have the old papers and bill of sale for it.
If i was taking it anywhere though i'd want proof of ownership in hand. If you move after at least its already in your name so transferring to a new state should be simple.

And you can get ins on the car through Hagerty even if it isnt registered, running or fully together providing its in a safe place and it is under restoration.
My 63 Impala is covered through them and its not registered yet, but i am currently restoring it.
Just my thoughts.

 

Whenever possible, register and title BEFORE the project even begins.

 

As far as one state to another, I have to believe that all states have reciprocity. with each other, as far as motor vehicle titles/registrations are concerned. This is assuming it is a straight transfer without a bunch of funny business

 

not all states , Illinois will not accept some registration only from certain states and you have to bond out the car . its a slight hassle , federal law should have dictated all states make a title as proof of ownership for all years so this problem wouldn't be so bad and also it will make it harder for a criminal to dispose of a vehicle . most states do the registration only thing because of the labor and money it took to keep track of the info , but with computers its stored and recalled lots easier , I can look up titles using the Illinois site that are current .

 

I had a similar, but different experience than dcs13. Same advise though. I bought an ot rig to use for the winter. Shortly after I got it home I realized that I would be selling it quickly so why put in my name? Well, here's a reason. A few weeks after I got it, a bail bondsman put a claim on it and got a new title issued in his name. I was screwed. The guy had jumped bond and my rig was now the bounty hunters. I wound up paying off the bondsman but it wasn't cheap, easy or fast

 

As Tony said if it is going to leave your possession, get it in your name. Shops die and cars get lost.

 

You have got some good advice, especially from the Alabama members. All I can say is when you do roll your '60 on to the trailer make sure it's a WIDE trailer. As you know that is one large car. Good luck and show us a picture, or two,, when you can. -Dave

 

Wouldn't even consider outsourcing work on my car unless it's properly titled. The basis for any insurance claim is "Ownership"

I always register and title my cars, it's not that difficult if the paperwork is correct. First, I insure the car for basic liability. Then I have the local sheriff stop by and verify the vin. This takes 30 seconds, rest of the time is spent talking about the "car" that got away. He/she will admire the wall art and may even give you a tip or two on cars they've seen around town.

The local DMV or Tax Collector as they are known in the south, can be the biggest hurdle. They operate off que cards and don't respond well to anything out of the ordinary.

I've bought and sold vehicles with AL Registrations. Sometimes I've had to use a title company to help clear the red tape. Typically a $300 fee, but well worth it.

 

Thanks for all the advice.
So is the fact that I have the title and a bill of sale not enough to show ownership? As Airborne34 mentions, I believe the process is to have someone from the sheriff's office come by and verify the VIN and sign something, and then I deal with the DMV for registration. Someone asked about a photo. Here's what it looks like now (have a few more things to do to get it ready for blasting).

 

Don, I mentioned seeing a shot of you car and thanks. But was actually thinking of when you got it all prettied up. Still nice to see and I be more than happy if my '60 Fairlane were ready to be blasted. Looks like it's fairly solid.
-Dave

 

I have lived in Texas most of my life and usually have a few projects working but I would never spend a dime on anything until I have a title with my name on it. The DMV is reasonably easy to deal with and you can get a "title only" without having proof of insurance or inspected. When you get it ready for the road go back to the DMV and sign the affidavit that the vehicle has not been on the road and pay for the license plates. At that time you need insurance.
There are horror stories of someone spending a small fortune building a car and the previous owner shows up with a title, COP and court order and takes the car leaving you with nothing and possibly charging you with car theft. Get a title.

 

My take, the bill of sale and signed title are obviously a good thing to have and yes they show you have ownership, but it is not recorded through the DMV in your state, in your name. And while it may not happen, those documents can be fraudulently made..
Once you go through the channels and actually get the car registered in your name through the DMV, you now have a legal document stating ownership, on record.
Its not worth even considering not getting it registered really.
Just my own feelings.

Tony

 

To me, it's a no-brainer: Get the car titled and be done with it. Be thankful you have documentation to get a title. Lots of folks don't, and they have to jump through hoops to get paperwork. Titling the car can save you loads of headaches down the road.

 

You're in a state that makes it somewhat difficult to those in the "hobby" of old cars. Sometimes, cars are bought and sold just to make a few dollars, and it makes no sense to title/register them. If you're going to be hanging onto one, or keeping one, then get as much "paper' on the car you can and keep it current. As far as moving the car from point A to point B, we have what are called trip permits here in Washington State; Alabama may have something similar. Do you have any friends/family with a trailer you can borrow? Even rent a U-Haul to move the car? It might even be worth it to buy a trailer, especially if you plan on moving anyway. I'm rebuilding a trailer now, just so I won't have to deal with permits and such. Here, we can title a car, but not register/license it; I believe in California, you have to pay to keep a car non-op, and pay crazy fines when you sell one that has't been registered/licensed. I have a friend that deals in 55-57 Chevrolet cars and parts; he never transfers titles or registers them. That worries me some, as he has a Sedan Delivery I traded to him for a repaint on my DD truck. Legally, it's still mine, and if any problems arise because he has't done the title transfer/registration, it could come back to me. I did however do the state "notice of transfer' that's supposed to exempt you from those issues. Me, I always title, register, and keep licensed all my vehicles, but don't always insure them all, and my insurance agent has always been a help when I've had to press a car into service for just a few days. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Minnesota is just one of the states that do not recognize a Alabama registration.

 

There are a number of states that don't recognize Alabama paperwork anymore. You can thank outfits like Broadway Title Company for that. They would sell papers to anyone on any vehicle, no matter where they lived. At the time, it made life easier. Now that other states have figured out the scam, it makes it harder on all of us.

 

Florida will not recognize a Bill of Sale at the DMV. They have become very strict over the years. My car was a body and frame and last registered late 1954. Had sat for 50 years or so and I purchased with Bill of Sale and copy of previous 1954 New York registration.

This was not enough for 5 different Florida DMV's. Called the Tax Collector here. They just couldn't comprehend "No Title". One young clerk went out of her way to help me out but her supervisor wouldn't budge. He told me that an old car without a title is considered a "Kit Car" and would need a letter from manufacture as to date and Vin manufacture. Car & Vin were verified multiple times by FHP, Local Sherrif and Several DMV employees. They just wouldn't budge. I tried at least a dozen times over a 3 year period.

In the end I had to hire a title company to cut thru the red tape. They took all my paperwork, had another deputy verify the VIN and processed it for me. Took about 3 weeks but in the end I have a clear Florida Title.

They were strict and wanted all original documents, insurance and Vin Verification by a law enforcement officer. They wanted contact info for the seller to verify sale. Not sure if they contacted him, but just part of their checks and balances. I should have done this years ago, best $250 I ever spent.