No Title 1982 Corvette Stingray
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2021
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No Title 1982 Corvette Stingray
We are in talks with a lady in her late 60's who's husband owned this car since 1990, he stuck in the garage and never had it on the road. Unfortunately he has Dementia and she needs to get rid of it. There is no record of this car running the Vin through NJ, PA, DE DMV we checked. It's not stolen, but we have no idea how to proceed in getting a title. Any suggestions ? I did here certain states you only get or need a bill of sale but which ones I do not know and how to go about it.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Don’t know what state the actual car is in. But in PA the owner of the car(or his wife if he is no longer of sound mind) can apply for a lost title. The state will send a new title. Then the car can be sold
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2,297
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From: MA/NH Seacoast
I guess the first question is, does your state require a title? If yes, is the car also from a title state? If not, all you need is a previous registration and fill out an RMV1 form to obtain a new title.
Now if both you and the car are in a title state, and there's no title or previous reg, it gets a little more tricky. However, there's always a way to obtain a title.
You can register it out of state. Some states like VT allow out of state residents to register vehicles in their state. It's a popular loophole for cars without paperwork. You essentially give them whatever paperwork you do have, write them a check for the sales tax and reg fees, and they'll mail you a title, reg, and plates to your door.
Another option is to have a police officer run a vin check and fill out a form stating the car isn't stolen. Every state has a different form, but it basically allows you to obtain a title.
There's some other ways too, but I'd start with those first.
Now if both you and the car are in a title state, and there's no title or previous reg, it gets a little more tricky. However, there's always a way to obtain a title.
You can register it out of state. Some states like VT allow out of state residents to register vehicles in their state. It's a popular loophole for cars without paperwork. You essentially give them whatever paperwork you do have, write them a check for the sales tax and reg fees, and they'll mail you a title, reg, and plates to your door.
Another option is to have a police officer run a vin check and fill out a form stating the car isn't stolen. Every state has a different form, but it basically allows you to obtain a title.
There's some other ways too, but I'd start with those first.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
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problem is there is no record of the vin in any state around us
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I guess the first question is, does your state require a title? If yes, is the car also from a title state? If not, all you need is a previous registration and fill out an RMV1 form to obtain a new title.
Now if both you and the car are in a title state, and there's no title or previous reg, it gets a little more tricky. However, there's always a way to obtain a title.
You can register it out of state. Some states like VT allow out of state residents to register vehicles in their state. It's a popular loophole for cars without paperwork. You essentially give them whatever paperwork you do have, write them a check for the sales tax and reg fees, and they'll mail you a title, reg, and plates to your door.
Another option is to have a police officer run a vin check and fill out a form stating the car isn't stolen. Every state has a different form, but it basically allows you to obtain a title.
There's some other ways too, but I'd start with those first.
Now if both you and the car are in a title state, and there's no title or previous reg, it gets a little more tricky. However, there's always a way to obtain a title.
You can register it out of state. Some states like VT allow out of state residents to register vehicles in their state. It's a popular loophole for cars without paperwork. You essentially give them whatever paperwork you do have, write them a check for the sales tax and reg fees, and they'll mail you a title, reg, and plates to your door.
Another option is to have a police officer run a vin check and fill out a form stating the car isn't stolen. Every state has a different form, but it basically allows you to obtain a title.
There's some other ways too, but I'd start with those first.
Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 702
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
Send the VIN to Bowling Green for the original window sticker. That will tell you where the car was shipped/sold back in 82. You will have some record in that state, unless the record has been purged.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,964
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From: Pittsburgh PA
How long has the car been sitting? Probably no records because it’s not registered.
in PA when I bought my 68 they couldn’t find the title. They took the last registration they had to the notary and filled out a lost title form. Got a new title in the mail.
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^^^^rhats all you gotta do unless the owner drove off in someone elses C3 thinking it was his.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
A bill of sale is more common for vehicles that never had a VIN to begin with. Not the case with this Vette.
You must have a clear title to proceed with purchase. Don't let emotions overcome common sense and a possible huge legal problem later.
This is the owners problem. They need to take the proper steps to advance to the next step of title transfer.
If you want the car really bad, perhaps a deposit check for 10% to hold it.
Always use caution on vehicle transfers. Even if its a family member.
Documentation is everything today!
You must have a clear title to proceed with purchase. Don't let emotions overcome common sense and a possible huge legal problem later.
This is the owners problem. They need to take the proper steps to advance to the next step of title transfer.
If you want the car really bad, perhaps a deposit check for 10% to hold it.
Always use caution on vehicle transfers. Even if its a family member.
Documentation is everything today!
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Sep 4, 2021 at 08:51 AM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
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its been in the garage since the 90's
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
A bill of sale is more common for vehicles that never had a VIN to begin with. Not the case with this Vette.
You must have a clear title to proceed with purchase. Don't let emotions overcome common sense and a possible huge legal problem later.
This is the owners problem. They need to take the proper steps to advance to the next step of title transfer.
If you want the car really bad, perhaps a deposit check for 10% to hold it.
Always use caution on vehicle transfers. Even if its a family member.
Documentation is everything today!
You must have a clear title to proceed with purchase. Don't let emotions overcome common sense and a possible huge legal problem later.
This is the owners problem. They need to take the proper steps to advance to the next step of title transfer.
If you want the car really bad, perhaps a deposit check for 10% to hold it.
Always use caution on vehicle transfers. Even if its a family member.
Documentation is everything today!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
I understand. But business is business. A title-less vehicle will come back to haunt you later.
Whenever I sold / bought a car / truck, I went right to the DMV with the buyer / seller and signed off in front of the clerk. I never want some issue to come back on me.
Otherwise, one can get into a situation that is known as "Title Jumping". Illegal and a pita to get it straighten out.
As far as you know and the seller knows, if there is a title somewhere it may never have been signed-off from the sale before that. See what I mean?
You have to have documentation regardless of the situation. I would put a deposit on it, and sit this one out for awhile, see what emerges. No cash. Use a check.
But, no papers / no deal. You can't trust Secretary of State to just print out a new title to you. Anyone can make up a Bill of Sales, legit or not. And anyone can have the VIN on a receipt.
Too much red tape. Sorry but business must over-ride emotion.
Whenever I sold / bought a car / truck, I went right to the DMV with the buyer / seller and signed off in front of the clerk. I never want some issue to come back on me.
Otherwise, one can get into a situation that is known as "Title Jumping". Illegal and a pita to get it straighten out.
As far as you know and the seller knows, if there is a title somewhere it may never have been signed-off from the sale before that. See what I mean?
You have to have documentation regardless of the situation. I would put a deposit on it, and sit this one out for awhile, see what emerges. No cash. Use a check.
But, no papers / no deal. You can't trust Secretary of State to just print out a new title to you. Anyone can make up a Bill of Sales, legit or not. And anyone can have the VIN on a receipt.
Too much red tape. Sorry but business must over-ride emotion.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Sep 4, 2021 at 10:28 AM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,663
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From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
I agree with HeadsUP. We are just trying to give sound advice to keep you grounded.
A 1982 Corvette is a great car, but not such a rare-species as to risk having a car you can do nothing with. Remember, the car has been sitting for 30-years. You will not be driving this thing until you spend some money getting it mechanically sound. Tires alone will be a $1000. Are you sure the engine-trans are good? If so, you then have fuel tank/pump, brakes, injectors, coolant, etc etc etc. If you have to pay a shop to do all this the bills will add up. All great and worth the $2K initial investment if you know you can get clear title.
You can find nice, driver level 82’s for about $13-15K ready to go. Top notch, pristine low mileage 82’s range 18-27K
Ultimately, the car may have to be sold as a parts-car or a track-car if no ownership can be obtained.
Is it a Collector Edition or regular model? A CE has some really hard to find parts like the back glass and rims that fetch a lot of money….
A 1982 Corvette is a great car, but not such a rare-species as to risk having a car you can do nothing with. Remember, the car has been sitting for 30-years. You will not be driving this thing until you spend some money getting it mechanically sound. Tires alone will be a $1000. Are you sure the engine-trans are good? If so, you then have fuel tank/pump, brakes, injectors, coolant, etc etc etc. If you have to pay a shop to do all this the bills will add up. All great and worth the $2K initial investment if you know you can get clear title.
You can find nice, driver level 82’s for about $13-15K ready to go. Top notch, pristine low mileage 82’s range 18-27K
Ultimately, the car may have to be sold as a parts-car or a track-car if no ownership can be obtained.
Is it a Collector Edition or regular model? A CE has some really hard to find parts like the back glass and rims that fetch a lot of money….
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
it is worth a couple k as a parts car. but it is a couple k worth of time and storage and pissing off the neighbors running a one-car junkyard out of your house. i would offer him free. you will take it off his hands and see if it can be cleared up. in not, the headlight assys will pay for your time. generally, you can request an abandoned vehicle title. takes a few months in your possession and a few newspaper ads. vermont is another possibility, i hear.
Melting Slicks
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For $2k do it, unless $2k is a lot of money for you. If it all goes in the toilet and your $2k evaporates does it not matter or does the family not eat for a month. There's your decision.