I bought my '41 Ford with a bill of sale but I came up with a title but it is unsigned and the previous owner is long gone, the title has motor number on it not the vin. Any ideas on how to re register the car?
I had the same problem at my DMV several years ago. I needed a form signed by the previous owner. I told the clerk that I didn't know how to contact him and she looked me it the eye and said, "I'm sure I saw him out in the parking lot, sitting in your car." I sez, "Oh yeah, him. I'll be right back." All DMV clerks are not jerks.
I bought my 64 GMC from a neighbor who was moving and had never registered or transferred title on the truck. I thought no problem (I got a Bill of Sale). Wrong, after putting 300 dollars into the truck to get it running I found out I couldnt transfer the title or register it. The DMV told me to contact the last titled owner by registered mail and verify he didnt still have an interest in the truck. I stood to loose what I paid for the truck and what I invested to get it running. So, I sent the most official (read legal) looking letter I could write and tried to make it sound as if that owner may have liability issues regarding the truck. He never responded and DMV proceeded to title & register the truck to me.
My brother here in OKC had very similar situation, he paid one of the 'title companies' to title 42 it for storage, about 150 bucks and 3 weeks, got a fresh new title in his name in the mail.
Yeah I had the same experience a while ago. No signature on the title so I went on a long and arduous quest to find the titled owner. I searched far and wide around the house and finally I ran into him at a local Dollar Store coincidentally right next to where they sold the pens
Does the Oklahome titles have a place on the front that the owner is supposed to sign as soon as they receive the title? Most people dont do that which means anyone can sign the owners name on the front and on the back to transfer the title. As long as the signatures match up all is well. I bought a 63 Riviera from a widow lady a while back and she didn't know where to find the title and didn't want to look for it. After I got the car home I found the unsigned title in the glove box. You know the rest of the story.
If that is the engine # on the paper you'll probably need to barrow an engine block,flat bastard,& a stamping set from the owner when he signs for you !
This happened to my mother once when going to register a car...they needed my father to sign a form, but indicated that he was "probably sitting out in the car...just go get him to sign it" - wink wink. So she went out...signed it...came back in...got the same clerk who promptly said, "he didn't sign this...you did...you need to bring it back when he signs it". I'm sure the DMV clerks had a good laugh during break over that one....
Just ask a friend of your to "tunnel from the other side" the old guy into the room and have him sign it for you. Come on, really?! You need to ask? It's not like the DMV has a history of everyones signature to cross reference and verify. Just have someone else sign it using a different pen as you.
If the title is by motor, and the motor isn't with the car, nobody's signature is gunna help. I just went thru this, but my county clerk was helpful, and issued a new title to the body serial number. Anybody need a 49 GMC title? Rich
Thanks guys, he is still by them ink pens but he won't go to get it notarized and these Oklahoma state hotels don't look like a good vacation destination. I don't mind a few bucks to keep it legit.
Be careful about the number on the motor. Ford did not put numbers on motors but instead put them on the transmission and the top of the left frame rail. Talking about the number on the motor might raise someone's suspicions and lead to a closer look. Charlie Stephens
We have 2 DMV offices located within aprox 15 miles. I have found it helps to go to 1 office with whatever paperwork I have, They will tell you what all you need, statemet of facts, odometer readings singed by seller, ect. ect. Then pick up the forms you need, fill them out, have the seller sign in the right places, (sometimes you have to take her out to dinner afterwards) then head off to the other office with all your papers in order, avoids any chance of getting the same clerk.
I had an old notary that is dead now but he worked magic for all of us locals, once he told me to use a different color ink pen, it always throws them off. It worked in my case.
On the motor numbers. The previous owner had "motor change" noted right on the Texas title of my 48 Chev pickup when I bought it. "Well after" you get the title in your name you might want to investigate getting that noted on the title if indeed the number isn't anyplace on the vehicle. I'd damned well want to know that there were no numbers anywhere on that car that were not the same as the ones on the title though. If the number is on the frame and it matches the title I'd say you are squared away.
All I can say in this situation is....I bought a 55 chevy pick up 2 years ago. The guy gave me a bill of sale. The Ky DMV gave me a name and address off the vin. I sent a letter with my phone number and got a call from the widow. She got me a new title and I sent her $200.00 for her trouble and to go out and enjoy herself. Sold the truck on evillbay for $2200.00 Me and my wife enjoyed ourselves!
Just sign the thing,make sure in the right place and put a realistic purchase price on it,all the dmv wants is your money.