Lost Title and Plates
Posted by 9thcloudninja@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 17 comments
I bought a movie prop car it’s a third gen Camaro, it was purchased and shipped from out of state FL to CA. The studio never registered the car, lost the documents during productions, used the car, let it sit for about a year until I bought it. They provided their receipt from the dealer and I had the producer sign a bill of sale. The car came with a fake movie plate also and no original plates. The dealer they purchased the car from never registered it in their name either and no longer exists so no help there. I have had no luck with the DMV on how to proceed. The movie the car was in is currently in select theaters starring a major talent and the car can be seen in the trailer, the VIN checked out as not stolen and one of the producers is still trying to help track down the original documents but no luck so far. I’m wondering what other options I have if any? The VIN shows the last registered owner was in PA and I submit to their local DMV for owner info but was denied and suggested to submit a DL-135 however without the plate number and only the VIN I cannot complete this document and even if I could I would be contacting them in hopes they’d cooperate and help me submit for a lost title. Long story short, it was a dream car of mine and of course I got a pretty good deal seeing as it had no paperwork outside of receipt and owners manual, so I understood the risks but really had no idea how strict the DMV is. Any help would be appreciated as my hopes are fading away and my dream car is slowly turning into a giant paperweight. To reiterate , I’m in CA the car was shipped from FL to be used in a film, and the paperwork was lost or misplaced. I have dealer invoice and bill of sale from producers but nothing more to stand on. Please send Help TIA!
juwyro@reddit
Maybe this thread can help you?
Ghost17088@reddit
So the movie studio never registered or titled it, and then sold it to you? That’s not legal, for this, and several other reasons. Your best bet is usually to get the last owner to file for a lost title, and complete the sale like normal. But in this case, it sounds like the previous owner never even registered it, so not sure what your options are.
9thcloudninja@reddit (OP)
Exactly the problem and the last known owner was in PA however without all the info I can’t complete the DL-135 to request that owners info.
Ghost17088@reddit
I mean you might just be boned. A car might as well not exist if it doesn’t have a title in a lot of states.
9thcloudninja@reddit (OP)
CA seems to be one of those states unfortunately
BaconNPotatoes@reddit
How old is it? Here in NH all you need is a bill of sale to register something that is 20 or more years old.
9thcloudninja@reddit (OP)
40yrs old
BaconNPotatoes@reddit
All you'd need is a bill of sale here. Register it in a different state, then bring it home and register it with the new registration and plates?
9thcloudninja@reddit (OP)
Also, the bill of Sale is from one of the producers but they never registered the car in their name after they bought and used it in the film. Which is why they sold it.
BaconNPotatoes@reddit
That wouldn't matter. It's still a bill of sale.
9thcloudninja@reddit (OP)
Interesting, so I wouldn’t need to be a resident of NH either?
BaconNPotatoes@reddit
I don't know about that
9thcloudninja@reddit (OP)
I’d love to but I’m in CA, wouldn’t I need to bring the car there to be inspected, and smogged? At least here in CA they are very strict which is why I’m in this pickle.
BaconNPotatoes@reddit
We don't do smog checks here. You don't need an inspection to register a car here. The car needs to be registered to get inspected here.
9thcloudninja@reddit (OP)
1985
hurcoman@reddit
An old car rusting in the woods for decades is worth $500 with a clean title. A brand new Ferrari with no title is worth only parts.
9thcloudninja@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the feedback