Title question

75-911S · 10-09-2009, 10:59 AM

I apologize for this not being a purely "technical" question, but I'm not sure where else I can find so many experts at one place.

My question deals with a 76 911 I just bought. It came with a "salvage"*title from Alabama which I thought I could easily transfer to a South Carolina salvage title - where I live. However, the DMV told me they can't issue a title on a car that has the words "parts only" added to the "Salvage Title" description. They said they can issue salvage titles - rebuildable or non-rebuildable - but can't give me one of these because of the Alabama "parts only" description.

Does anyone have and idea how I can get some kind of title for this car?

Jack

GaTechPorsche · 10-09-2009, 11:21 AM

In some states, such as Georgia, once a vehicle is an "antique" (25 years old), you no longer need a title to register the vehicle. The title becomes a irrelevant and the only necessary document to transfer ownership of a vehicle is a bill of sale. Read up on your states code very carefully pertaining to antique vehicles. If nothing can be done, sell the car to a friend in Georgia, have him apply for a new title or something similar, and buy the car back. Hope this helps.

JerryL · 10-09-2009, 11:53 AM

+1
Sometimes you just have to work around the technical isues, you are close enough to GA to know someone there?? And odds are when you get dne with the convoluted transaction, you may well have a clear title.

Regards

175K911 · 10-09-2009, 12:30 PM

What's your objective? If you just want the car titled in your name, why not have Alabama reissue a title to you? Might have to find someone in Alabama (AAA can do this) to assist, but at least you'd have the protection of being titled in your name.

75-911S · 10-09-2009, 01:32 PM

I'll need a South Carolina title to get license plates.
Jack

benp911 · benp911's Garage

You can register a car in other states to cleanse your title, but i do not reccomend you doing this for dishonest reasons. But if it is just for you to get your car registered your car then by all means. Check in the back of Hemmings and there are companies that do this. I have heard of a couple of vehicles that technically should have been destroyed that are titled this way.

75-911S · 10-11-2009, 02:59 AM

Just bought the October 2009 issue and didn't find any ads like that.

Jack

1990C4S · 10-11-2009, 04:27 AM

I agree with benp911. Look for a neighbouring state that will allow the conversion. Then when you have a clear title bring it back home.

ratpiper71T · 10-11-2009, 09:45 AM

SC is pretty tough on anything DMV related. Your easiest path will be to call the Alabama DMV and tell them your situation and ask them if they can modify the title to satisfy SC's requirements. If they can do this it will cost you a lot less time and money than any other option. Not to mention if they have record of your prior visit, having gone through another state to avoid the stipulations of the situation with the prior state might give them cause to give you more grief.

Grady Clay · 10-11-2009, 10:36 AM

Many states (like Colorado) allow (require) an assigned VIN. This is after a physical inspection of all the VINs and confirmation the numbers are not listed in the FBI’s NCIC system. This gives the car a ‘clean start’ but requires a perpetual ‘surety bond’ from an insurance company (costs $).

The problem for me is you loose the connection to the original Porsche VIN and it significantly devalues the car.

My recommendation:

Confirm that the car has original, unmolested VINs in all the right places.

Research the prior ownership backwards from your paperwork and forward from a CoA from PCNA, as possible.

Confirm the numbers are not listed as ‘stolen’ in NCIC. It will take an official law enforcement process here. You slightly risk the car being seized but better now than after you have spent effort and thousands of $. At least now you can go right back to the seller.

Imagine that five years hence you have spent many $K on rebuilds and thousands of hours of your time and Allstate comes along and lays claim to the car. They may have the right to take it with no compensation for you. The seller to you is long gone

Do your ‘due diligence’, go to the effort to get a ‘clean’ yet traceable title with the real VIN. It is lots of effort but worth it in the long run.

Best,
Grady

75-911S · 10-12-2009, 03:42 AM

Ironic that you mentioned All State. My "Salvage, Non-rebuildable, Parts Only" Alabama title is one reassigned from All State. I guess they had to give the car a title like that to declare it "totaled" and pay their insuree.

I did find out that South Carolina might issue a "salvage - rebuilt" title if I present my car to them for inspection after I repair the fire damage it sustained and fix everything else needed. But I can't get that in writing and there is still the "we don't issue new titles for 'parts only' cars" to face after I invest a few thousand $.

Jack

docrodg · 10-12-2009, 04:06 AM

Try to get the title transferred in AL first seems right. If all else fails you may be able to get a friend at a salvage yard to get a SC salvage title and then use that. But definitely do what Grady said and check the VIN with the authorities!

75-911S · 04:54 AM

The problem with getting another title is the "pressed in" VIN number on my car. I think the DMV would spot any cutting/welding/changing of the under hood VIN.
Jack