Does anyone know the process involved in recovering a lost title for a car that isn't yours?

Sounds strange, but let me explain.

My '73 was owned by a guy who sold it to a auto-repair shop. The title was never transferred into the shop-owner's name.

The shop owner then turned around and sold the car to me. I have documentation showing the amt paid, vin, etc... even an old registration document showing the last time the car was registered (early 80's)...

I was given the info on the owner and was only able to contact him once. Apparently he is a truck driver and always on the road. I was going to get a POA and have him sign it/notorize (sp?) it... but it just never happened.

Now he doesn't return calls. He really has no 'motivation' to help me out...but at the same time he's not challenging ownership or anything.

Problem is, I dont want to start putting $$ into the car and building it...only for him to try to claim it's his later on... ya know?

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions? Perhaps a contact that will help me get this title taken care of?

Thanks!

 

Anyone?

 

i'm in the same boat with my '81. call a title company and see what they can do. from what i've heard, its pretty simple. they always say possesion IS 9/10 of ownership.

 

I'm in the same boat as well. I've got an 84TA, that has no title. I don't even have the "owner's" name of it. All I know is that he lives in Florida. I have the VIN#, and that's it
If ANYONE can help, please PM or email me. Thanks!