Gene F
Well-known member
Yes, as long as they can verify it is not stolen.
Title problem
- Thread starter Daba
- Start date
Yes, as long as they can verify it is not stolen.
Synchro909
Well-known member
We don't have titles for cars here but duplicate numbers can still be a problem. I heard of a guy a few year ago who went to register his newly restored Alvis 3 litre sedan. When he submitted the paperwork, he was told he couldn't register it with a stolen engine. He had owned the car for 23 years and knew the guy he bought it from. He had owned it for even longer so he knew it wasn't stolen. When the owner asked for details about the stolen engine, like "When was it stolen?", he was told it has stolen 5 years earlier and it was a Yamaha motorcycle. He gleefully asked the person refusing to register it (and their superior) to look at the car. It was obvious that was no motorcycle engine under the hood. They agreed that after 5 years, the Yamaha would never be recovered so they struck it off the record and registered the Alvis. They were indeed, the same engine number by coincidence.
31Cabriolet68-C
Senior Member
Ditto on the excellent advice to contact your local AAA folks. Also it's a good idea to reach out to (and join...) a Massachusetts Ford club. Here's why:
Advice from other states and countries, while well-meaning and interesting, will almost certainly not guide you through the processes devised over the centuries by the Massachusetts state government, a notably unique outfit (think Boston Tea Party). Best of luck going forward.
BTW, only about 50 miles south of you, just over the MA line in Connecticut, the "Nutmeg State" actually does not even issue or recognize "titles"... Ownership and registration are both solely based on a "bill of sale", whatever that may mean.
Here's how I know:
I'm the third owner of my Cabriolet, it was new sold in CT, and last registered in 1954, I found it on Long Island (2nd owner), in the early '70s. I started restoration in NJ, then stored it in VA for ~35 years, and brought it back to CT in 2018. No title, no bill of sale, no registration... Getting CT plates was very very complex, but doable! However, (OMG!) I haven't even thought about what would happen should I ever sell it to someone living out-of-state...
TallyHo!
John B
Advice from other states and countries, while well-meaning and interesting, will almost certainly not guide you through the processes devised over the centuries by the Massachusetts state government, a notably unique outfit (think Boston Tea Party). Best of luck going forward.
BTW, only about 50 miles south of you, just over the MA line in Connecticut, the "Nutmeg State" actually does not even issue or recognize "titles"... Ownership and registration are both solely based on a "bill of sale", whatever that may mean.
Here's how I know:
I'm the third owner of my Cabriolet, it was new sold in CT, and last registered in 1954, I found it on Long Island (2nd owner), in the early '70s. I started restoration in NJ, then stored it in VA for ~35 years, and brought it back to CT in 2018. No title, no bill of sale, no registration... Getting CT plates was very very complex, but doable! However, (OMG!) I haven't even thought about what would happen should I ever sell it to someone living out-of-state...
TallyHo!
John B
Tom A400
Junior Member
I just titled a 1931 A400 in NC. The only year of production. The NCDMV had to send an inspector out to look at the vehicle to check the serial number on the engine. The engine serial # dictates the year of the vehicle. I knew this going into the purchase and made sure the engine was a 1931 engine. The first A400 I looked at had a 1929 engine and the seller (OHIO) told me it would not be a problem in NC. WRONG!
Bottom line, start with the DMV at the state level - not local by applying for a VIN and go from there. Once a VIN number is assigned in one state it should be good for all states.
Boston Bruce
Senior Member
No, the "bottom line" is every state is different. NC seems like one of the more difficult places to register an antique vehicle. YMMV
Correct, but a VIN number is a VIN number once you have one that's it - good to go - should be able to transfer to any state. Title and registration is two different animals.
Title and registration is two different animals.
that would be incorrect....... about 10 states only use regs for titles. it is the same thing, but you need to know which states use which.
regs are used in NY CT RI GA MASS VT ME BAMA MISS etc. they are TITLES in all 50 states.
as clear as mud......but if you know what you are doing, not a problem. Problem with titling are to many armchair quarterbacks, who really dont know what they are talking about.
that would be incorrect....... about 10 states only use regs for titles. it is the same thing, but you need to know which states use which.
regs are used in NY CT RI GA MASS VT ME BAMA MISS etc. they are TITLES in all 50 states.
as clear as mud......but if you know what you are doing, not a problem. Problem with titling are to many armchair quarterbacks, who really dont know what they are talking about.
Chris Haynes
Well-known member
Living in CA I always use the AAA. I don't know if folks in other states have that luxury.
1931 flamingo
Well-known member
ronn
News to me that CT uses regs as Titles......................
Paul in CT
News to me that CT uses regs as Titles......................
Paul in CT
On cars that are 20 years or older.
If you look on a Connecticut registration there is a place that is checked for title or no title.
Connecticut also has a state form for Bill of Sale.
Enjoy.
Glad to hear that from a non-armchair quarterback
we live in the United States of America. all MUST accept the other 49 states paperwork.
will they give you a hard time? sometimes...... people treat dmv like the IRS- its called FEAR.
stand up for yourself and find out what is really required in your state. When they say no, take your paperwork and hit another dmv. Its not rocket science.
Knowledge is key.
will they give you a hard time? sometimes...... people treat dmv like the IRS- its called FEAR.
stand up for yourself and find out what is really required in your state. When they say no, take your paperwork and hit another dmv. Its not rocket science.
Knowledge is key.
Gene F
Well-known member
When I am thinking about buying a car in another state I ask the seller what they have in hand, and the VIN on the actual car. Then I call the courthouse. Then I call again the next day to make sure I get the same story.
One time I was buying a car in California, and having it shipped. I asked the girl how she would know a stae that far away. She told me "we have a NADA book that tells us".
One time I was buying a car in California, and having it shipped. I asked the girl how she would know a stae that far away. She told me "we have a NADA book that tells us".