How to title a hot rod
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===Missouri=== | ===Missouri=== | ||
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| + | Several methods exist in Missouri to title a classic vehicle. Read and research carefully on the State's website the various ways to obtain a vehicle title, and determine which is most appropriate for your individual circumstances. | ||
| − | + | If your vehicle still has the standard VIN plate in it's original location, the first step is to call or visit any local law enforcement with the vehicle's VIN number. They will immediately check for any previous report of the vehicle being stolen. A "stolen" report never goes off file in Missouri, so be prepared to answer lots of questions in the very unlikely event your vehicle was previously reported stolen. | |
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| + | A little patience and kindness goes a long way, and many times the officer will tell you who the vehicle was last titled to. Approaching that person to request a duplicate title is often the easiest way to get a new replacement/duplicate title, which they can then sign over to you. | ||
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| + | On much older vehicles, the VIN may come back as "not on file/no record". This would generally be the case with a vehicle that has not legally changed hands in 25 or more years. Before the computer age, older DMV records were not saved past 25 years in Missouri. At this point it may be worth contacting the State Archives to check for a record there. Their motor vehicle records apparently go back 35 years. | ||
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| + | If the State Archives has nothing on file, a "bonded title" procedure may be followed to obtain title. This involves lots of legwork, paperwork, purchase of a bond, etc, but is one way to get it done. | ||
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| + | The vehicle will need a 551 inspection. The form for this costs $27 at the license bureau. This form expires 6 months after purchasing it. A Highway Patrol vehicle inspection station can complete this form. Many of them will say the vehicle must be complete/finished/in running condition before they will inspect it. If your car is not yet completed, call around to other Highway Patrol inspection stations and check with them. Additionally, St. Louis City Auto Theft Bureau, or St. Louis County Auto Theft Bureau may inspect it, and I was able to persuade them to come to me, as my car was incomplete and non-operational at the time (and located in St. Louis County). I also filled out a standard DOR-108 title application. | ||
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| + | I obtained written appraisals from two licensed auto dealers. Short and sweet, without too much detail. (These were the hardest to get, as so many dealers aren't willing to write an appraisal on a car they aren't involved in a transaction with, so this step is considerably easier if you know people who will write the appraisals.) | ||
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| + | I filled out an affidavit stating how I came in to possession of the vehicle. I then purchased a bond for twice my car's appraised value. (The cost was $100 for a $3000 bond. Your insurance company can advise who to purchase the bond from, called an "Abandoned Vehicle Title Bond"). | ||
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| + | I drove my stack of paperwork to Jefferson City in person and submitted it. I received a clear, non-prior salvage title about 10 days later. | ||
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| + | Several different procedures exist that are substantially easier to accomplish than above, if the vehicle is complete and in running condition. Storage or Mechanic's Lien titles may be appropriate for some situations. Obtaining a "Declaratory Judgment" from a local circuit court may also work, and this might be better for a vehicle that has a 'distressed' title, such as pre-dated, signed in the wrong place, etc. | ||
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| + | Seek out your local county circuit court and file for a "Declaratory Judgement" telling the judge your story and why the car belongs to you. If he/she decides in your favor and issues the judgment, this form and a standard title application sent or delivered to the State and they have to issue title. There are "Specially Reconstructed Vehicle", Salvage titles, and many other options. | ||
Note- You may not be able to get an appointment to "see" the judge. You may have to hire an attorney and present a case and go through the whole legal (read bureaucratic) system. | Note- You may not be able to get an appointment to "see" the judge. You may have to hire an attorney and present a case and go through the whole legal (read bureaucratic) system. | ||
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| + | Read the instructions, figure out which options are best for you, be patient. It can be done. See the State of Missouri's website for more details: | ||
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| + | /forms/Missouri_Titling_Manual.pdf | ||
===Montana=== | ===Montana=== | ||
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