Title troubles in Florida

5window said:
In PA, a salvage title is used only on vehicles that are inoperable (parts cars) or unable to pass state inspection with out repairs that are greater than the value of the car. The cannot be driven. To do so, you'd need to get a rebuilt-salvage title, and jump through these hoops" ...
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5window:
Thank you for explaining the difference between the salvage and rebuilt salvage title in PA. While the rebuilt salvage title sounds like an OK outcome, the process of getting there indeed sounds like recipe for great unpleasantness and uncertainty at the DMV.
-- Brian d'Entremont
 
MB30Roadster said:
Too late to look at what I should have done...just never thought that I would have this much trouble getting a title. Evidently I am misinterpreting the Florida DMV rules that state that a if the motor vehicle was not required to be titled then proof of ownership is a dealers bill of sale or original registrationfrom that state or a bill of sale from the seller to the purchaser. My bill of sale is from Alabama, and from what I have been told Alabama did not require a title on that era of automobiles. Anyway, lesson learned (the hard way), guess my ony recourse is to get a judge to sign the declaration of judgement (unless I find someone that wants it as is). Sad thing is I could have cut this car up and built a hotrod and titled that easier but, I sure do not want to do that to a nice solid car. Thanks to all for your thoughts.
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Giving up already?

Go to the Alabama web site http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-8-31.htm and print out the page.

This is the proof that a title was not necessary.

Now this is from the DMV web site, http://www.dmv.com/fl/florida/title-transfer

TRANSFERRING A TITLE ON A USED VEHICLE:

Sale/Purchase or Gift of a Used Vehicle




When you purchase a used vehicle, or obtain one as a gift, the title must be legally transferred into your name. This is done by obtaining the following documents, and submitting them along with the appropriate fees to the local tax collector's office:
  1. A completed title application form.
  2. Proof of ownership (Bill of Sale or current title signed by the seller)
  3. Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification form must be completed and notarized for vehicles with prior registration outside Florida.
  4. If applicable, the original or copy of the vehicle's financing statement or security agreement.
  5. Proof of liability insurance coverage.
Don't give up because one jerk doesn't know the rules.

Try contacting the Motor Vehicle department and ask them how to do it.

EMAIL THEM HERE I just did, and told them I was looking at a car from Vermont. Post what they tell you and I'll do the same.
 
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Judges are elected and paid to also help honest citizens trying to do the right thing -- nothing shameful in a citizen seeking assistance from an elected official -- he will one day solicit your vote -- go for it & be at peace! If he is a good judge, he will admire your bravery.
 
MB30Roadster said:
My bill of sale is from Alabama, and from what I have been told Alabama did not require a title on that era of automobiles.


Maybe things have changed but when I bought my Town Sedan from my brother-in-laws family (several years ago) in Alabama and tagged it here in Fla. the lady at the tag agency said all I needed was a bill of sale since Alabama didn't have titles for cars that old. As sugested by someone else, I'd find a independent tag agency, not a "state run gov't DMV" and not mention your prior encounter. And bring a copy of what Bob C and Mike V suggested.
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when i bought my '33 willys, in conn. he gave me a bill of sale that i told the seller i wanted it noterized. came back home to Pa. went to the notery she got the book out on conn. rules up there any vehicle under 1982 didn't need a title to be sold. just a bill of sale. like others stated check on the rules of Fla. i believe there are stipulations on age.
 
Florida has no inspection- not even on new cars. Have you ever seen the hoopties running around down there?
 
BTW-vin tags are bought new and stamped to match title-who restores a car and doesn't change the worn out vin tag?
 
After spending approx 6 yrs looking and accumilating funds and then looking in earnest, one of the first things I looked at was whether it was registered and had a title. CT DMV can be a pain, no 2 inspectors seem to have read the same book. Finally bought my sedan, registered with a MA title. All I needed in CT then was a VIN verification. Sweated and worried for 2 weeks before I borrowed a dealer plate and went to DMV. Inspector came out, title matched clearly visible engine # I prayed he didn't ask to see the actual VIN # on the frame). Had the hood open, inspector walked up with my pa work on clip board, looked at me and said: "Where is it?". Did I feel lucky, you bet. Because CT does not issue titles for over about 15 yrs old I was lucky they gave me back the MA title. Sorry for the long post.
To the Fla gentleman: Good Luck.

Paul in CT
 
If you want to get a title for you Model A, you first have to ignore all the BS that's been posted ... especially by some guys in Florida who don't know the process.

You have an Alabama bill of sale. That's requirement #1 filled.

Now you need an old registration slip for the vehicle. No title since Alabama does not issue titles for Model A's. Just a registration in the name of the guy you got the car from. If he does not have one, have him go to the courthouse, register the car, and send you the registration slip. That's #2 and all you need. Take those items to the tag agency and forget about applications and all that BS.

An ID number inspection is needed, any police officer will come to your house and sign the form.

Getting a Florida title for an Alabama "barn-find" is probably the easiest in the country.

"Google can be your friend" ... Google is not a substitute for experience.
 
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MB30Roadster said:
Tried to title my 30 Roadster and was told by the Florida DMV that they would not accept a Bill of Sale. According to them the car had to be titled by the seller and then transferred to me or I had to get a judge to issue a declaration of judgement releasing the car to me. This is the first time I have ever been told that a bill of sale was not acceptable. Anyone else ever had this experience? Hate to spend untold dollars on legal action....anyone want to buy a Roadster!:(
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Hi. My problem is just a little different. The Motor Number on the engine doesn't match the "VIN" number on the title I received when I bought the car. After much frustration, I have had to hire an attorney to petition the court to issue a declaration that the new motor number is now the official serial number of the vehicle. My cost: About $1150
 
ksch994462 said:
Hi. My problem is just a little different. The Motor Number on the engine doesn't match the "VIN" number on the title I received when I bought the car. After much frustration, I have had to hire an attorney to petition the court to issue a declaration that the new motor number is now the official serial number of the vehicle. My cost: About $1150
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The unfortunate part is that the number on the frame is the original number. The engine may have been changed any number of times and may be again. I had the title on mine corrected to match the frame number as it had been changed to the engine number in the past. Major reason they no longer number engines.
 
Jan, it's just one of my techniques for getting sympathy at the DMV. Thanks for the concern.

(I have a buddy who does quite a bit of personal car swapping. Every time he goes to get title work done at his favorite DMV office, he takes several cakes from the bakery on the way for the girls. It's fun to watch him in action ... all on the up and up, but amazing customer service.)
 
ronn said:
BTW-vin tags are bought new and stamped to match title-who restores a car and doesn't change the worn out vin tag?
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Good story except Model A's didn't use VIN tags. If I worked for the DMV and a Model A showed up with a VIN tag I would impound it. People are lucky that I don't work for the DMV.

Charlie Stephens
 
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I would have saved the 1150. and bought a grinder from harbor freight and restamped the engine block
There are always more ways then one to skin a cat....

Love the cake idea, afraid you would only get a frown here in Jersey!
 
I know the every state can be different, and MA is certainly not FL. But maybe my recent experience will be helpful.

I ran into a similar situation when registering a roadster from RI here in MA. According to prior owner, RI did no require a title on cars older than 25 years. His had been registered recently but VIN was not the engine # in the car. I wanted to register it here in MA with the engine # in the car. MassDOT had not issues with the latter but did require me to provide a notarized statement of ownership from prior owner stating that he owned the car on the date of sale and was entitled to sell it. I also had to have the local police department inspect the engine #. All went well.
 
Hoop said:
If you want to get a title for you Model A, you first have to ignore all the BS that's been posted ... especially by some guys in Florida who don't know the process.

You have an Alabama bill of sale. That's requirement #1 filled.

Now you need an old registration slip for the vehicle. No title since Alabama does not issue titles for Model A's. Just a registration in the name of the guy you got the car from. If he does not have one, have him go to the courthouse, register the car, and send you the registration slip. That's #2 and all you need. Take those items to the tag agency and forget about applications and all that BS.

An ID number inspection is needed, any police officer will come to your house and sign the form.

Getting a Florida title for an Alabama "barn-find" is probably the easiest in the country.

"Google can be your friend" ... Google is not a substitute for experience.
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Always nice to have a local expert input-still, everything you said was on Google and the OP could have looked there first. Checking online is a good course of action in any state before you buy a car because you can get at least some idea of what hoops you'll need to jump through to get it titled.

One problem now could be the seller of the car in question. He sold the car and gave a clean bill of sale. Now, he may be a great guy and willing to invest the time necessary to register the car In AL and send a copy to the OP. Or he may figure what the heck, I've sold the car, it's not my problem,what's in it for me?

Problem 2 is that the OP has already been denied by the DMV with his Bill of Sale-right or wrong-now he has to scramble.

I hope it's as easy as Hoop says.
 
Charlie Stephens said:
Good story except Model A's didn't use VIN tags. If I worked for the DMV and a Model A showed up with a VIN tag I would impound it. People are lucky that I don't work for the DMV.

Charlie Stephens
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Charlie, that statement makes no sense. I have a 28 leatherback from Michigan, and Michigan VINed the car in 1971. So yes, my A has a legit VIN tag on it, and no you wouldn't be impounding it.
 
Franchise_24 said:
Charlie, that statement makes no sense. I have a 28 leatherback from Michigan, and Michigan VINed the car in 1971. So yes, my A has a legit VIN tag on it, and no you wouldn't be impounding it.
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Just a good example of the kind of person that you would never want to have to deal with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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