How do I get a title for an abandoned car?

Posted by UhColeOne@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 7 comments

I bought a car from a repair shop in North Carolina via a Craigslist post in 2014 right after I turned 14. 10 years later I am out of college, and finally getting around to this restoration project. The shop owners recover abandoned cars which is the reason for no title. I no longer have contact information for these guys after all this time, nor do I remember the name or location of the shop (I am from and still live in Ohio). When I bought it, I received a bill of sale, but am unsure of where that is currently (I am trying to find it). I wasn't worried about a title at the time because I had no intent of ever taking the car on the road, but it has become so rare now that I am rethinking my end goal for the project. Should I be unable to find the bill of sale, is there any hope of getting a new title in Ohio?

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Little_Hooman12@reddit

How did this work out for you?? Im in the same boat currently.

Simulator5G@reddit

Ask the local dmv

CommitteeNo167@reddit

you should be able to get a title under the abandoned vehicle statutes in OH. you just need to prove it’s been abandoned on your property

mpython1701@reddit

Yeah….I thought mechanic shops and tow companies had to place labor liens and couple apply for title after some much time and so much money was involved (repair vs. towing/storage fees).

Ownership gets sticky and you are crossing state lines.

If the intent originally was to make it a track car, no need to title it.

Now that you want to register it you may need to get clean paperwork. Talk to your DMV to find out Ohio’s rules for transfer of ownership.

Some states don’t require a title if it’s over 25 years old.

And in CA, once the car has been unregistered for a period of time, I think it’s 10 years, it drops out of the DMV system and you can file for a lost/missing title.

Of course, when you attempt your register it, if it gets flagged as stolen, that’s where you need clean documentation to cover your butt.

medium-rare-steaks@reddit

Lol.. this is wild. Best of luck. I'm pretty sure there's a path to get what you want, I just don't know it. What make/model is it?

UhColeOne@reddit (OP)

A crazy story for sure haha. It's a 1972 Datsun 240z

Whoa.. such a sick car