65 Mustang question on registration prior to sale

[jhynesrockmtn]

I am helping my son in laws family with a car his Grandfather bought new. It is a 65 289 convertible. He bought it new in December of 64 and had it restored in the early 2000's.

Grandpa passed in 2015 and the car sat for several years. I picked it up in November last year and got it running with a fuel system service. New tank, lines and carb rebuild. I also replaced the very old tires.

The family is likely going to sell and I'll be assisting with that process. I'm considering listing it on BAT.

The CA registration expired 11/22. The car is at my place in WA state and the family is also in WA. Should they get new CA tabs, register in WA, or just leave it if they decide to sell?

[flipper35]

We had to pay a back fee at the CA DMV and then titled it in our current state when we had a similar situation.

[Scott Douglas]

I would think it'd be easier for all involved if the registration was up to date.
Who is the legal owner now?
Grandpa's trust?
Who actually has the authority to sell the car to the next owner?

[jhynesrockmtn]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I would think it'd be easier for all involved if the registration was up to date.
Who is the legal owner now?
Grandpa's trust?
Who actually has the authority to sell the car to the next owner?

The last registration was still in the Grandfather's name. I've asked my son in law's Mom to send me a pic of the title. She's handling moving her Mom into an apartment, selling the house, etc.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by flipper35

We had to pay a back fee at the CA DMV and then titled it in our current state when we had a similar situation.

Which is fargin stupid for a car that had been in a barn and inoperative, but Cali is going to get what's theirs.

[pwd72s]

If the car is in Washington State, why should CA be involved at all? I'm no lawyer, so I'd suggest contacting one. The title alone should be enough to transfer ownership to any state other than California. Seems to me, CA will only have a say if somebody wants to license the car for driving in CA..

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

If the car is in Washington State, why should CA be involved at all? I'm no lawyer, so I'd suggest contacting one. The title alone should be enough to transfer ownership to any state other than California. Seems to me, CA will only have a say if somebody wants to license the car for driving in CA..

Since when does common sense have anything to do with how bureaucracy dictates things need to be done.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by masraum

Since when does common sense have anything to do with how bureaucracy dictates things need to be done.

LOL! Never. But with the car in Washington State, a clear title, and proper proof of ownership? Seems to me that CA would only have a say if somebody wanted it to have current California plates...licensed to drive for a resident of CA. Otherwise, what California doesn't know won't hurt the new owner.

To answer the original question...could be money well spent on a lawyer in WA before listing on BAT, if that's the chosen path.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

The last registration was still in the Grandfather's name. I've asked my son in law's Mom to send me a pic of the title. .

I believe you'll need to register it in your name and pay California back-registration.
Just went through a similar situation involving a relative in another state.

You'll probably need:
-Death certificate and possibly public notice
-Possibly will or trust docs authorizing the seller's right to car title aka ownership
-Original title filled out
-Washington title transfer docs from your DMV

Otherwise it will be an even more complicated process involving a buyer and BAT who will be asking for those pronto.

[bugstrider]

It a beautiful looking Mustang…..


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[BK911]

Pretty sure I could register that car in TN with the current title.
Dont even need a bill of sale or current registration.

It is a beautiful car.
Auto or manual?
If auto, how much $s?

[jhynesrockmtn]

Originally Posted by john70t

I believe you'll need to register it in your name and pay California back-registration.
Just went through a similar situation involving a relative in another state.

You'll probably need:
-Death certificate and possibly public notice
-Possibly will or trust docs authorizing the seller's right to car title aka ownership
-Original title filled out
-Washington title transfer docs from your DMV

Otherwise it will be an even more complicated process involving a buyer and BAT who will be asking for those pronto.

Sounds like this is basically what needs to happen. I spoke with a licensing agent yesterday. He suggested my son in law's Mom, who is handling the sale of the house, etc., get whatever estate docs are available that give her the authority to sign, his death notice and she could transfer the title to WA tax free given the family ownership from new. Her Mom is still alive and pretty sound but is not listed on the title. She may need to get Grandma involved as well. Once we have that it will be easy to transfer to the next owner.

[jhynesrockmtn]

The car is a 289, C code, C-4 auto trans. Original Honey Gold color. Black top, The restoration in the early 2000's was extensive. Rebuilt mechanicals, body work and paint, etc. It is not a 1 car. Some of the chrome has aged etc. but it is very nice. Started right up with a new tank, carb rebuild, fresh oil, etc. The original PO shows how it was delivered. He added a front disc kit/power brakes and aftermarket AC when it was restored. Extensive records from new including the window sticker (in a few pieces :-), original owners manual, etc. All records from the resto.

I'm a bit hesitant to post an asking price publicly in case it goes to BAT, but feel free to PM me if you'd like more info on the car.

[GH85Carrera]

I would suggest you call the local DMV or whoever you normally get a car title and tag from. Tell them the story, it was off the road, and bring in some of the receipts to show what was spent to get it road worthy. California should have nothing to do with it. Just get a new fresh title, and tag so it is ready to be driven away by the new owner.

That will make the car more attractive to any new owner, especially if it is sold to a California resident. All they need is the current tag and title and they transfer it to themselves. Easy.

[Steve F]

California DMV =Department of Misery and Violence!

[asphaltgambler]

All is needed is the title in hand of the seller with no leins. Registration, current or not has no bearing on the vehicle's worth. If you have a clean title, you can register it anywhere. Some states only need a bill of sale for vintage vehicles

[flipper35]

If you have a current title you should be good to go, regardless of registration status. I misread that above that you didn't have a title.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

All is needed is the title in hand of the seller with no leins. Registration, current or not has no bearing on the vehicle's worth. If you have a clean title, you can register it anywhere. Some states only need a bill of sale for vintage vehicles

That's what I've been trying to say. Title is a certificate of ownership. Totally different than license and registration. You can own a car that has no license or registration. As long as it's a clear title (No bank or shop leins, etc.) you own it, and have a right to sell it. Having it licensed and registered only means you can legally drive it on a public road.

Another way to put it...once you have a clear title, it doesn't expire or need renewing. It proves ownership. Only license and registrations need renewing in order to legally drive on public roads.

Since this car, with supposedly a clear California title is in Washington State, and there are no plans to drive it in California, there should be absolutely no need to pay back years of license and registration fees to California.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

That's what I've been trying to say. Title is a certificate of ownership. Totally different than license and registration. You can own a car that has no license or registration. As long as it's a clear title (No bank or shop leins, etc.) you own it, and have a right to sell it.

If I read everything right...
The original validated Title is a piece of paper at Grandma's house somewhere.
It is now registered in Grandpa's name.
A different person...vs public roads and public sale.

This supposedly prevents car theft rings from taking and driving someone else's property.

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Having it licensed and registered only means you can legally drive it on a public road.

That depends on having the above being fulfilled.
Now..taxes.
No one predicted the California Inquisition!

[jhynesrockmtn]

Thanks for feedback. Assuming they do need to pay back registration fees, it is only a few months expired. The family kept the tabs current even though it hadn't been driven for about 7 years. They did periodically start it, but that stopped probably 2 years ago.