More drama for made2care

[made2care]

In the midst of all the complications in regards to removing my 1948 Spartan from it's sleepy hollow of 60 yrs, I took a chance and made this purchase with the absence of a title. In Oklahoma, I will have to attain a court order, proceed to the local DMV with my "evidence" and hope that they will assign me a title. Other states, less dramatic, simply give your DMV a notarized "bill of sale" and you are good to go. Anyone experienced this with their vintage trailer??

[Good man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by made2care In the midst of all the complications in regards to removing my 1948 Spartan from it's sleepy hollow of 60 yrs, I took a chance and made this purchase with the absence of a title. In Oklahoma, I will have to attain a court order, proceed to the local DMV with my "evidence" and hope that they will assign me a title. Other states, less dramatic, simply give your DMV a notarized "bill of sale" and you are good to go. Anyone experienced this with their vintage trailer??

made2care,

Once upon a time...
I heard of a situation like yours where a fellow used a "human interest" newspaper article to solidify his application for title on a vintage Airstream at the DMV. The newspaper story was about his purchase of the old trailer to restore it.

The abandoned trailer, which had rested in public view on a corner lot for many years was a well-known feature in the city and had even been used at one time as a voting booth.

The land (and all appurtenances and improvements thereupon ...yada, yada, yada...) had defaulted to the county for non-payment of taxes. A new recreational complex was to be built on the parcel. The contractor for the project surveyed the site and noticed the trailer. Realizing the value of the vintage Airstream and being a very resourceful man with lots of tools and the requisite money, he wanted to restore it.

He had thus been given some standing in the disposition of the trailer as part of clearing the site. Legally, he could have simply disposed of it as part of the demolition ...but since he wanted to restore it and use it, a title would be required in order to register and tag it.

The newspaper which ran the story happened to be the "official organ" of the county... appointed by the courts as the official venue of publication for various legal notices and advertisements. It had a large circulation in several contiguous counties.

The DMV apparently took the position that the front-page newspaper story in the official organ had served reasonable and sufficient public notice of intent to anyone who may have had any claim of ownership in this familiar landmark.

To further protect himself, however, the purchaser placed a legal ad in proper form in the paper, stating his intent to apply for a title and calling for anyone with any interest to come forward within a stated period of time. No one came forward.
...And they all lived happily ever after.

DISCLAIMER: I do not offer this as legal advice... 'Am not qualified to do so. Kinda glad of it, if you know what I mean...

One downside I can see if you attracted too much attention, whether by a feature article or by legal publication; someone may "invent" a claim on that vintage Spartan and muddy the waters for you.

I'm pulling for you, big guy, 'cause I like it when someone with a vision like yours finds a way to make something special HAPPEN!
Good Luck!
Jim

[made2care]

Very interesting!! I have an attorney friend who is bewildered by the whole situation. Our current judge has never dealt with such a matter and it is sad that certain State entities perplex matters to such an extent that one feels as if he lives in the midst of a socialism!! I understand the verifying of the owner part, but since this trailer was never registered, the bill of sale should be sufficient. Isn't a soapbox mentality a beautiful thing??
I appreciate the encouragement and this trailer will see the road again someday!!

[Chuck 1935]

I inadvertantly bought a stolen Motorcycle once. I searched and searched for the owner to no availe. My next plan was to write up a bill of sale in an ajoining state, go to the DMV in that state and apply for a registration for the motorcycle I bought at the fictitious garage sale, then re register it back in my home state now that I had a real registration. The other state did not have the stringent rules that my state has.
The happy ending came after I found the original owner so I gave the bike back to them and the thief, who was known to them, went to jail.

[made2care]

Now that experience gives new meaning to the word, "loophole"!!

[AC eagle]

I purchsaed a 42 Mack Pickup Truck and after 20+ years finished the restoration. I then remembered I never had the title change into my name and I lost the title to boot.. The person I bought it from passed away. I went to my local notary for advice and she explained that AL or AR, dont remember dont use titles just Bill of Sales and she got me a title and changed it to PA. if you need to do this contact me. It was way less painfull then the DOT.
Good luck

[made2care]

Thanks, i will definitely keep you in mind.

[GPW]

In our state , there is a time limit , I think 7 years after the registration lapses, after which you fill out a simple form and you have a new registration... Call your local DMV and check ...
I used that clause on an old boat trailer I bought with no papers.. used it to build my TD trailer ... no problems , but had to stamp a new # on the tongue .... they had the number stamps ... plus the usual fees..