State Police coming tomorrow to take my car.

So a few months ago I bought my first old car, a 56 Buick Roadmaster. Shortly after buying it I heard through the grapevine that it had been sold by an upholstery shop because after like 6 years they had not heard from the owner so they sold it. I bought it from a guy who bought it from a guy, etc. My big mistake... no title. I was told not to worry about this by both the guy I was buying from and my buddy who was with me. Now, like I said, I'm a newbie but these guys have bought and sold and fixed up more old cars than anyone I can think of so I took their advice. Besides, I was going to get a bill of sale in just a few days.

So anyway, today the state police called to say that they were coming to get it. I guess the owner reported it stolen and they have been digging around for 3 months and got to the end of the line which was me. The cop was really cool about it and understood my situation and gave me an extra day to take off a lot of the shit I have added to the car since I got it.

So anyway, I'm out the car, the money I paid for the car, the time I put into it, the money I put into it, and depending on what some of the stuff sells for probably a lot more in parts that I have bought for it but not installed yet.

On the bright side no charges are being brought against me. I also learned not to buy anything without a title.

 

Strip it and build another.

 

Ouch! sorry for your losses man. I learned that lesson long ago with an old corvair and a few motorcycles.

 

>>>>I bought it from a guy who bought it from a guy, etc.>>>>

What about the guy you bought it from?? Get your money back from him or/and turn his ass in ???

 

That is just scary. Sorry for your loss I am sure I am not the only one working on a car with not title. I guess its time i get one so i don't have to worry about something like this.

Good luck finding another project!

 

At least they told you, My buddy had a similar problem with a Hummer, cept the person who got it back got the new wheels tires and Stereo equipment as well.

The guy who sold it with a false title never paid my friend back so he was out a fairly large chunk of change.

 

There's an age old saying for that "Caveat Emptor"...if you don't know what it means, I suggest you find out.

R-

 

The guy I bought it from feels like shit about it and has already proactively offered my money back. The thing is, maybe I'm just to nice of a guy, but I feel bad because it was just going to be the last person in line who got fucked. If he had kept it he most likely would have finished it by now and at that point he would have been worse off than I am. Also, we have gotten to be pretty good freinds since then... I don't know... the whole situation just sucks pretty hard.

As for stripping it, I can only take what I have added off of it. Luckily I have dated photos from the day it showed up in my drive to go against.

 

That's a kick in the stones, but your last sentence sums it all up. Could have been much worse, like a charge of receiving stolen goods.

Do you have any recourse to get your money back from the fellow (friend?) you bought it from or would it be better to let it go and move on?

 

That is unfair. In CT, you do not need a title for anything older than 1980. How would you tell if it was hot?
I would strip every nut and bolt off of that car and keep it all to make up for your loss.
It is the owner's fault who left it at the shop.
Ray in CT

 

Can't you put a mechanics lein on it for what you've done?

 

i'd sue SOMEBODY!!! the guy you got it from or the shop that sold it in the first place. look into it. you might get at least SOME of your money back.

 

Split the difference with your new good friend, that way neither one of you has to take the full hit

s.

 

that is what the first shop was supposed to do before they sold it. might look into it. maybe they did and the original owner is trying to pull a fast one. i would have thought the shop woulda been issued a title of some sort once they put the lein on it. not sure how all that works but i know it can be done when an owner won't pay for work done.

 

you know... you might be on to something....

edit:damn, to slow! haha

 

I would strip that fucker clean. Any word why the dude left his car for six years??

 

I know I was told years ago when we had a boat left at our storage barn that they needed to send a letter saying it was considered abandonded and we would take ownership. The guy wasted no time coming to get it then. It was a Chris Craft. I wish he'd have left it, it would be MINE ALL MINE.

 

should have told the cops that you didn't have the car, you never bought it, they can't see over the phone. then hide it and strip it and buy another with a title

 

6 years? Screw him! You should charge him storage fees. He probably found out that you fixed it up so now he wants it! I'd see what recourse there was on it before I gave it up!

 

I,d be checking into whether or not a mechanics lien was indeed registered to it! If by chance the upholstery shop did go by the book then the car will be yours.The local register office may know as well as contact the shop and ask! Be polite......I doubt you can put a lien on it yourself as the work you did was not authorized by the owner.Sucks to the 10th power.How about getting an injunction against the seizure until you find out?

 

"sell" It To Your "buddy"... Or Wasnt It Just "stolen" From Your Garage Last Night?!

 

I would definitly check into the mechanics lien. The owner left the car at the shop for 6 years. They probably have filed for a new title to reinburse them for the work done. Now owner finds out that the vehicle has been sold under the pretense that the title is in the works. Reports the car stolen, gets car back from you 3rd, 4th, or what ever, Original owner probably never paid for the work done and the shop owner still has the right to file for title and sell, given that the shop owner has not been paid.

I would stand my ground on this until the courts say it is his!

 

call an attorney..see what your legal rights are.

 

Not only that, can the upholsrty shop claim a storage fee on it. Lets say 100.00 a month for 6 years...7200.00. Is the car worth that? Maybe the upholestry shop can help you out on this. Tell him that he owes them 7200.00 before he can have his car back? Just a thought

 

Strip it and gut it out get some of your money back!!!

 

Secondly, I would contact the shop owner. If the original car owner has not paid the debt for work performed, you have just bought THAT debt and now the car owner owes you that debt plus storage and interest incurd over the 6 years.

GET ALL THE FACTS AND A LAWYER BEFOR YOU HAND OVER THE KEYS!!

 

I just did this in Texas with a motorcycle that was left behind at a long-gone paint & body shop. I paid a title specialist $75 to file all of the paperwork and 1 month later, I was at the DMV paying them $160 for the title. I just got the official title in the mail yesterday. Done deal!

 

The only reason I and the others involved are not facing criminal charges is because we are all cooperating. As soon as that cooperation goes away warrants get issued. From what I have figured out no lien was ever put on it by the shop. I was told by the officer that I can file civil charges and bring suit to reclaim my money, but that in doing so I will be admitting a felony... So basically it is not worth it.

I also can not strip it. If it doesn't look like the day I got it (within reason) I am fucked.

 

I guess it got stolen then, didn't it????

 

I agree with jrBlack30. Hire a Lawyer and find out your rights. Have him get in touch with all involved. What happened to the original problem of the unpaid bill to the upholstery shop, the 6 years storage, interest on the money owed etc. Did the upholstery indeed put a lien, is the story true etc. What's the Statue of Limitations on this? Having a title doesn't necessarily mean you own it either. Have you checked with the Highway Patrol to verify who the officer is that contacted you (why are they coming to get it and not the city police/Sheriff) might be a buddy of his or just a scam to get your car. There is another old saying. "Possession is 9/10th's Ownership". I hope you still have your paper work, bill of sale, cancelled check etc. Get name and badge numbers of all involved and have witness's when they get there, don't be the only one. That's my 2 cents worth. Good luck and keep us posted. I feel for you.