David, In publication such as Hemmings, there are ads for businesses (like your friend of a friend) that can recover a lost title. As I understand it, they operate in a state that has easy rules for recovering a lost title. They take your VIN and get the vehicle titled locally and then sell the vehicle to you for $1. You can then transfer the title to your state. These businesses are legitimate, but operate within the limits of their own state laws. So, if you were sure that no one will claim the vehicle at a later date (keep your receipt), then this may be a good plan. I think that the cost is less than $100. Besides folks like you, restorers of old cars often use this service. In Arizona, where I live, it is expensive to recover a lost title, but the law has an interesting provision for owners of storage facilities and mechanics. I'm sure that you've heard of the term "mechanic's lien." Well that process can be used to re-title a car, even if the owner refuses to turn over the title. Now, it seems like you've stored the vanagon for long enough to make your own claim of a "mechanic's lien." The conditions for that would be your own state law, and not Texas. Good luck. Mike '84 GL '58 Isetta ---------- From: David Hunt[SMTP:DAVIDTHEKM@AOL.COM] Reply To: DAVIDTHEKM@AOL.COM Sent: Thursday, September 16, 1999 4:17 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: A Cautionary Tale on Titles snip___ |
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