CA Registration with Bill of Sale

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2016: CA Registration with Bill of Sale
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glenn French on Sunday, May 08, 2016 - 12:25 pm:

Help. I bought a 1926 Fordor, being shipped to Los Angeles from Minnesota. I will be trying to register it with a Bill of Sale. Is the Serial number stamped on the frame of a 1926 and where would I find it. Any hints for registering it, before I go to the DMV? Thanks


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Sunday, May 08, 2016 - 01:33 pm:

STOP!!! I had to testify in court to help a guy keep his Model A bought from Utah because he went straight to the DMV and CHP to register it. Complete restored car with valid Utah title & registration.
RUN to your local T club members and find out who in your area is a good title preparer and pay the $200-$300 to get the title done with no complications. You may need to have the seller fill out a "Statement of Facts" (form is on the DMV website)Stating why only a Bill of Sale (may be that's all his state requires, or the registration is lost and he has the right to sell the vehicle. This is where the expertise of a preparer is invaluable.)
Good LUck
PS Depending on the date of your T, a frame number may be stamped on the passenger side frame rail, on the top, visible by taking up the floorboards. It is usually helpful to "discover" one there (please read between the lines here--ask your T club members if you don't understand!)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank Harris from Long Beach, CA on Sunday, May 08, 2016 - 01:33 pm:

If you don't have the Minnesota registration, get a declaration of facts form from the D.M. V or down load it from the internet at dmv.gov where you will state that the registration was lost. The seller must sign it so you will need to send an email copy of it to the seller, have him sign it, scan the signed copy and send it back to you. If he gets it notarized it's even better. That and the bill of sale will suffice. If you can't find the frame or body number use the engine number. You have ten days from the time it arrives at your house to get all of this done. You can do it at the rather friendly Auto Club more easily than at the D.M. V.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bailey Rettig in SoCal on Sunday, May 08, 2016 - 05:11 pm:

I agree with David. Find a good, knowledgeable private company/title preparer, pay your money and everything will go smoothly. Here in SoCal the CHP takes 2 -3 weeks to get a VIN verification appointment. A private company/title preparer in authorized to verify VIN numbers (with your help to discover where it is, as David mentioned). Avoid the CA DMV at all costs. We have two title companies within 10 miles of my house that are familiar with antique cars. They know the magic words to put on the Statement of Facts - like: car has been under restoration for the past 10 years, it has not been operated on a CA highway in many years, there is no lien on the car, all paperwork destroyed in a garage fire or whatever. The guys in my area do all the paperwork right and go to the DMA every afternoon at 4 pm and take care of business - no 2 - 3 hour wait to be told the counter service doesn't know much about antiques cars. The title company folks have their own room and a dedicated DMV person. As Frank said you have 10 days (I thought it was 20) to register it - but who knows when it REALLY got here since the Bill of Lading was lost in the same garage fire as the rest of the paperwork.
Be creative!!!!!!!!!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Monday, May 09, 2016 - 02:06 am:

I might not have been clear when I mentioned I had to testify for a friend--he was going to LOSE his new A because of an inept (IMHO) inflated-ego CHP verification officer. This tied up his car for a few months and he ALMOST had it confiscated.
Us a verification service, it is well-worth the investment (and this from a guy who used to do all his own paperwork--no more-and I'm a known cheap-skate!).


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Wrenn-Monroeville OH on Monday, May 09, 2016 - 08:38 am:

David...what a shame you all have to go through hell like that to get a car titled. At least here in Ohio, so far, a bill of sale is good enough to produce to the title agency once you've had the car inspected by an authorized inspector. Even the gal at the BMV where we get the tags will do it. I've bought 5 out of my 6 cars that way. No problems. Hope it doesn't change here.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith, Lomita, California on Monday, May 09, 2016 - 10:06 am:

Whatever you do, DON'T let the DMV put an I.D. plate on it! To avoid that problem, I used an independent registration service. It cost me $200, but it was worth it. The car is registered as it should be. What you need to understand is the employees at the DMV know nothing about antique cars, and could care less.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John E Cox on Monday, May 09, 2016 - 12:25 pm:

How difficult is the title transfer process for a model T purchased with a bill of sale if you live in Arizona?
Any here gone through this process?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Monday, May 09, 2016 - 12:48 pm:

A bonded title service is the way to go when you don't have a clear title to an antique car. Every state has them. Do a search on the net for one in your state.
A bill of sale is sometimes enough to get you started. But going through the DMV can turn into a nightmare if you talk to the wrong person.
When dealing with no title and old car issues most but not all the folks at the DMV's haven't a clue to make a smooth transaction.

A bonded title service that specializes in old cars knows what paperwork to use and which questions to ask. They can save much misery, time and frustration.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Sayer on Monday, May 09, 2016 - 10:34 pm:

So I have a title for my 1924 Speedster, however, it was not signed by the guy I got it from, and apparently the person he got it from got it from a couple, so there has not been a proper title transfer till me and I'm wondering should I even bother on using the Nevada title when registering in California. I just want mine to be as stress free as possible. I am guessing by everyones statements bonded title service is the way to go.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bob middleton on Monday, May 09, 2016 - 11:23 pm:

Eric just have someone sign it and go
Thankful nevada dmv is not as screwy as califunnies.


Add a Message


This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Username:  
Password:

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration