I Need Advice Please!!!!

[mtnbob]

I have an 86 Golf Diesel NA with 103,000 miles on it. I got it for nothing if I could get it started and out of where it was. I did and it runs great. Body is in decent shape, almost zero rust, maybe a dime size speck on one fender. Interior is decent, needs upolstery cleaned but no rips, headliner is great. Problem is I can't get a title, the guy I got it from says he lost it and is so busy he has been unable to go to DMV and get a replacement. This has been going on for a few months now and I would like to put the car on the road and use it, but not without a title.
Does anyone have any ideas?? Is there any way to get a clean title for it, or some way to register this one. Is it worth it to find a good vw and swap the drivetrain? Is there some other way to get out of this mess? I know if I part it out I could get decent money for the parts, and buy another one, but it seems like a huge hassle. I just want a Jetta or Golf diesel to drive to school and back every day. Open to all suggestions, and thank you for reading this.

[Kudagra]

It took me a bit but I found it. Try these guys. It might cost you 100-200 bucks but usually they can do it.

http://www.broadwaytitle.com/index.htm

-Edit-Hmm maybe not. Looks like they do pre 74.  Might as well try. Worst they can do is tell you no.

-re-edit- Then again...

In Alabama, vehicles older than 1975 models (up through 1974) are transferred by a Bill of Sale & Tag Receipt only. For other vehicles after 1975, through 1987, we have an affiliate in another state and the same procedures apply. Therefore, we and our Licensed Dealers may legally buy a vehicle from you. All you need is to furnish us a copy of our completed application form.

[mtnbob]

has anyone tried these services that can get you a title?? Are they legit?

[jtanguay]

here in Canada i'm pretty sure you can apply for a new vehicle title...  supposedly there has to be no activity on the vehicle for a few years to declare it a 'junk car' being restored.  all you need after its all done, is to get the car inspected and voila, new title!

[mtnbob]

hmmmm thats interesting. I know the car has not been registered for 5-6 years. i'll have to ask about that.
Thanks

[745 turbogreasel]

Call the DMV and ask about the title status of your car.
If there is no record, just tell them it has always been on your property.

In California there is a lost title form you can turn in with a bill of sale.
Or get a tow company to impoound it for you.  If the previ9ous owner doesn't pay to get it, you can buy it back from the tow yard after they lein sale it
Or file a lein yourself.
It shouldn't be a major obstacle, but you may end up with a salvage title...no biggie if you just want to drive it.

[jtanguay]

yea lost title is what you need to apply for... if the vehicle hasn't been registered for a while and is not reported stolen, then getting a new title should be a piece of cake (hopefully)

[Turbinepowered]

I believe SC requires that you have the title in hand to transfer ownership. Georgia, if I'm not mistaken, is just a "bill of sale" state, so it might be possible to get it titled in Georgia then transferred to SC.

[bvolks73]

I had that problem getting the titles for my 81 Scirocco and 69 VW Van and I was able to declare them abandoned. I had to write a letter to the Department of Motor Vehicles stating their location and VIN's. They sent a guy out to look at them and then posted them in the "Royal Gazette" (some sort of government publication) for 2 issues. If nobody came forward with proof of ownership, they were mine. I got a letter approximately a month later telling me I could go to DMV and pick up my title and plates.

[Kudagra]

has anyone tried these services that can get you a title?? Are they legit?

Yea I was going to use them to register my sons 65 Nova...then I realized the a-hole sold me a car without vin-plates. So that was nixed. My buddy in Colorado had this done on a Camaro. Its legit.

[clbanman]

In Ontario, you just go to the license office, tell them you don't have the ownership, and they fill out a form swearing that the car belongs to you.  You sign it, pay your $10, and away you go.  I've done this several times (bought cars with no ownership) and have never had any problem.

[mtnbob]

I wish it was that easy here. S.C. doesn't want to touch it. They told me i have to go to N.C.(where it was titled last) and get a form that I will have to get the owner to sign in the presence of a notary. If that doesn't work out, I'll have to file an abandoned vehicle form and go to court, and pay court costs. At least I found out that the car was legitimately titled in N.C., by the person who told me I could have it if I fixed it.