Contacting a former owner of an untitled car

[Plymouthy Adams]

Here in Georgia we have the YOM tags..one per car...though some years were two tags....the fact on the police is hit and miss and I guess an officer could well use any ruse to pull you over..the YOM tag is cross referenced in the system..it is recorded alongside that of your current issue tag that you do not have to display...PLUS..the very DMV letter of verification and cross link must also be with that current tag proving this cross reference must be in the car somewhere with current registeration and insurance naturally...as many say..most of the local officers are old car buffs and many have similar cars at home and therefore they usually do not mess with you unless you have truly fractured some law.....the cost of our running a YOM tag is NO CHARGE...also veterans get free drivers license and as  retired military I get a free personal tag to that effect.  We have a few perks in this state....

[Don Coatney]

This is the letter I have from the Tennessee BMV.

 

[Eneto-55]

... it's not likely anyone connected with the car remembers it, or wants to spend the time and money to claim it. Maybe if it used to belong to Elvis, or was perfectly restored and worth $50,000. As long as the VIN inspection doesn't turn it up as a stolen vehicle you should be good to go. Up until recently, stolen vehicles used to drop off the hot sheets after seven years, so many stolen older cars and motorcycles don't/won't show any records.

 

If a title/VIN search in the state it was last licensed in shows no records, it should be fairly easy to get it licensed as an abandoned vehicle, or something like that. I would not contact anyone unless a title search, or VIN inspection turns up their names, which it looks like it did not. It's certainly unlikely that they would have any proof of ownership...

 

k.

Some people remember every car they ever had.  (My grandpa only ever had 4 vehicles his whole life, plus a farm PU, and he had his first already at 25, in the late 20's.)  I think my Dad still has the titles to all of the cars he junked or otherwise never sold.  I know he still has the maintenance record book for what was later my first car, a 62 Chrysler (My younger brother has what's left of the car).

 

Anyone else have any feed-back for me regarding the wisdom of contacting the former owner(s)?

[William Davey]

Eneto - I'll join the others in suggesting that the DMV has the only answer that counts as far as getting a title for this car.  A lot of states didn't issue titles back in the 60's and 70's so the original owner may never have had one in the first place.  In your discussions with the DMV, I would not tell them that you bought it as salvage - this opens up a whole new can of worms regarding road worthiness etc.  You'll probably have to get a state inspection to register the car anyway, but at least they won't be crawling around the frame, suspension, etc.  Last suggestion - keep asking different DMV people until you find one that actually wants to help you - stick with that one through the rest of the process.

[Lumpy]

I think Dad and Granddad were exceptions to the rule. Let sleeping dogs sleep.

 

k.

Edited April 28, 2014 by Lumpy

[JerseyHarold]

Play dumb and see what your local DMV says.  It's much more effective if you go there in person and act politely.  Explain that you were intending to use it as a parts car but have now decided to revive it.  You can say that you've had the car for a number of years and don't remember exactly who you got it from.  Most states have a procedure for titling paperless cars.  Some are relatively easy and others are a nightmare.  You won't know until you try.

 

I wouldn't attempt to contact the former owners. The potential for opening a very bad can of worms is too great.  

[Don Coatney]

Got tagged today. Three vehicles, new Indiana titles for all 3, Indiana tags on all 3, letter to authorize use of the pictured Indiana YOM tag on my car, new Indiana drivers license, voter registration, a tad over 2 hours and no hassle. The Lady who I worked with was a real human being with a sense of humor. It helped that I read about all paperwork required and brought it all with me.