How do I get a title?
 

Hi, I purchased a non-running 1968 912 without a title that I was planning on using for parts. Decided to pull and rebuild the carbs, adjust the valves, change the plugs, wires and fuel pump. Turned the key and it roars. The car is pretty solid, so I am thinking about restoring it. I have heard that you can get a title somehow. Can anyone tell me how? This little car deserves to be driven.
Thanks,
John

Title
 

Check Hemmings Motor News under Services.

I have used a company called Titles Unlimited a few times and they were great. I do not know if they are still around.

If the car is old enough, which yours is, they will register the car in Alabama which does not require a title. You will receive a tag and registration. You car they transfer the registration to the state in which you live. They will ask you to sign a statement that you are the lawful owner.

Last time I used them I was living in Florida and the DMV was aware of the Alabama's registration process so I made sure that I had any and all necessary paper work including a "vin verification cert" from the local police department. At that time Alabama was known as a source for stolen cars.

Looks like CA has cracked the whip on Titles Unlimited.
http://www.imreview.ca.gov/presentations/Titles%20Unlimited_AG.pdf

I typed "lost car title" into Google and got this page which is the first of over 44,000,000 results! You may be able to modify the search to get more specific to your State but it seems like there are a lot of companies doing this "service."

Being in Mass do you know anyone in New Hampshire? The do not require a title in NH? I bought a car in New Hampshire without a title and had it registered in Mass. the same day using a bill of sale. Maybe you could figure out a way to re-buy your car in NH, and then bring it back to Mass.

Rich

No Title In Georgia
 

I have a 1973.5T and I cannot get a title because the state of Georgia does not issue a title on a car this old. I have the Bill of Sale from the seller and when I sell my car, I must do the same. Hey, the law is the law here! Bummer, an official state title cannot be passed on, but I figure these state folks are only trying to minimize bureaucratic paperwork on old vehicles. Imagine trying to trace one down that is over 30+ years old!!

Good luck
Bob

go down on single knee. now, i dub thee an official 'p-car fanatic'! SmileWavy
ryan

You just get a bill of sale from the person you bought it from and go to dmv with that

Yeah, the Alabama thing dried up. CA hot rodders were always titling thier cars as '32's, etc. No more, unless you're more or les legit. True, AL is a no title state for older cars, trailers, etc. The registration IS the title. It freaked me out when I lived there and gave up my CA titles to a couple of cars in exchange for simply registration. I'm thinking, "How do I sell this?"

So, when you come to CA (or other states), you give them the reg and they issue title. I have AL "title" to a trailer that has not been built yet.

John,

This isn’t an issue until you go to sell the car but you need to deal with it now. I am never comfortable buying a car without a state issued title. There is too much opportunity for criminal activity if a motor vehicle doesn’t have a valid title paper trail. Yes registration and lots of documentation help.

Here in Colorado you have to buy a Title Bond from an insurance company for double the value of the car. You have to have inspected by the State Patrol and then apply for a new title, attaching all your supporting documentation and Bond.

A state required Title Bond doesn’t protect you, just the subsequent owners. If you read the fine print, you are forever on the hook in case the bond ever has to pay. Of the hundreds of Porsches I have bought and sold, I never had an issue after a sale because I paid attention to all the details when buying or getting one in trade. Only a few had to have bonded titles. Of course I and my Dealer Bond were always exposed financially – not to mention reputation.

My recommendation is to get all the title work in order before you spend a dime. Get your local police to check NCIC with the VIN and S/Ns.

E-mail me (no PM) and I’ll give you some tips on S/N inspection and other. gradyclay@hotmail.com

Best,
Grady

PS; Milt, everyone should make reduced size photocopies of their original documents (titles, etc.) and have the copy notarized attesting to this is an apparent copy of an original. This way YOU maintained the paper trail through your CA titles.
G.

???? why not come to DMV. They are there for it.

This seems like a good place to start:

http://www.mass.gov/rmv/

Tom

I had good luck with this outfit in Vegas.

http://www.its-titles.com/index.htm

Tom

This is what I thought...DMV replaces titles all the time. Lost, destroyed, mutilated, etc. You will need a bill o' sale and possibly a statement of fact on what happened to the original.

I have bought a few old cars without a title in MA. Do you know when/where the car was last registered? Do you have any paperwork? As long as you can prove ownership (usually bill of sale with VIN) the registry will issue a title. Bring as much paperwork as possible. They do treat you like a criminal though. A call to the registry ahead of time to see what you need will minimize the chance of getting turned away after waiting in line. Good luck.

I appreciate all the feedback on this subject. As a result, I have spoken to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in this state and they said I can register it without a previous title as long as I get a copy of any registration that the seller from Rhode Island has from any car. They just want to confirm that the seller is in fact from Rhode Island (a non-title state) After that I need to have a local PD do a visual inspection of the car and fill out a stolen vehicle inquiry report. With that the registry says I am all set. What I don't know is if that gives me a title or not. I have looked into Broadway and other title companies and I think that is also an option, but more expensive.

As an aside, after I got the engine purring nicely, I tried to drive the car around some back roads. I put the 4 speed into first and eased off the clutch and it stalled. I did this quite a few times, each time revving it higher to prevent stalling. It was almost like the brake was on or something (which it wasn't). No matter what I did the engine lugged. Once it got rolling it was great and very responsive. Only the stop to rolling was a problem. It occured to me that it felt like my 911 trying to start in 2nd gear. Could I be trying to start in 2nd on this 912? No, because the shift pattern on the knob showed 1st up left next to reverse. Just in case, I put it in far left low (like a 5 speed) and it took off like a bat out of @#$%. It was a 5 speed with a 4 speed knob. I wonder if the PO knew this or not? In any event, the car is satisfying to drive now that I am no longer trying to start in second. Live and Learn!

LOL....the old 901 shift pattern strikes again.....

Nine9six,

Here getting a replacement title is outrageously easy. All you need is your license plate number or VIN and your driver’s license showing the same address and DMV prints you a fancy new copy on the spot. The process invalidates the lost title.

teachkenpo, How did your mirror inspection go? Now that the 5-sppd is operational, HeHe, you might check the clutch adjustment.

With this ’68 having been long setting, two things are of major concern. First is brake master cylinder failure. Check at the pedal assembly for any signs of fluid and monitor the reservoir level. Second is a rod bearing failure. Any new noise, unexpected loss of power or too hot for the conditions – stop. An easy inspection is to look on top of the oil filter element for copper/gold color dust in the oil. Sump screen inspection is better.

Best,
Grady

Hi Grady,
I will be working on that this afternoon. (stuck in the house on other projects, sneaking away just long enough to check email and this board) I will certainly let you know. Thanks again.