Question/Help regarding a car's title - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

Masonite · 09-18-2009, 10:24 AM

Hey everyone,

So my brother is about to turn 17, and for his first car we got him a 1996 Camaro (V6, automatic). We picked it up from a repair shop / auto wreckers facility, owned by some family friends. The car is in great condition, and has a Bill of Sale. Here's the problem: No Title.

We've been waiting for about 2 months to get the title from the previous owner or the manufacturer or the dealership, with no luck. We were recently told that it would be another 3 to 6 months before a title can be found, and even then, there's no guarantee. The place that sold us the car just hired some car title P.I. or something.

My question is, is there another route we can take to get this thing on the road (legally)? A title duplication or something? I know for a fact that in the state of New Jersey, a car title is needed for registration. Here's all I know about the history of the car:

-Manufactured in Canada
-Shipped to dealership in Connecticut
-Bought from Connecticut resident, who moved to Fort Lee, NJ.
-Car was donated to some organization.
-Sent to auto wrecking facility to be crushed (again, car was not in bad condition--we've had it checked over numerous times, and a vehicle history report run).

We would love to have this thing on the road a.s.a.p., as my brother turns 17 next week.
Thanks in advance for any advice!

Blacdout96 · 09-18-2009, 10:28 AM

Not really, and that is why people don't normally touch cars with no titles, and also why they go for so cheap, cause you got to go through all this ********.

WildBillyT · 09-18-2009, 10:35 AM

A bill of sale usually doesn't mean jack squat. You really should never buy a car without a title, unless it's a valuable car found abandoned in a field or something like that.

You can check with Broadway title but I don't think they do anything pre 1992. You may be flat out of luck.

Iroc-z86 · 09-18-2009, 10:36 AM

call dmv in trenton and ask for the lost title paper work. it takes like 2 months and costs about 100$. I did this with my camaro and they sent me a new title.

WildBillyT · 09-18-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iroc-z86

call dmv in trenton and ask for the lost title paper work. it takes like 2 months and costs about 100$. I did this with my camaro and they sent me a new title.

Does this work if you don't own the car according to them?

JL8Jeff · 09-18-2009, 11:13 AM

The only other option may be to find the person who donated it and have them sign something to that effect. But check with dmv to see how you should proceed. I don't see any easy way to get a title quickly so you may be better off getting your money back on the car instead of going through this headache.

sweetbmxrider · 09-18-2009, 12:06 PM

i don't think you can buy a donated car. it needs to go through a non-profit organization or something to that effect.

Masonite · 09-18-2009, 01:18 PM

We've gone to the DMV with no luck, and yes, you can buy a donated car. Otherwise, I don't think we would have the car right now... Anywho, it's not so much a headache as it is a waiting game. The only real problem is that if the title doesn't come through, and we have to return the car, get our money back, and have the car crushed, my brother will be really disappointed with the outcome--he's really psyched for this car.

Blacdout96 · 09-18-2009, 01:19 PM

I understand he'd be upset, but y not get your money back, and purchase one of the cars in our for sale area? that way you can be sure of a title.

NastyEllEssWon · 09-18-2009, 01:55 PM

broadwaytitles.com will do the work for you for 300 bucks.

ShitOnWheels · 09-18-2009, 05:25 PM

In case this doesn't work out and you can't get a title, I know where you can buy a 1996 Trans Am in great condition for a good price with a clean title!

gotmudnj · 09-18-2009, 05:31 PM

their is a way to get a title it cost around 500 dollars usually get intouch with a place that does repos and wrecks only if your cool with them. ask them to get an abandon title for it. They can but its usually exspensive. i know a guy that was going to do that for his car but ended up not wantin to pay.

Iroc-z86 · 09-18-2009, 11:34 PM

no you need to call trenton dmv. not just go to any dmv cause they are stupid and dont want to do anything more than they have to. I did it with my car when i didnt technically own it. i had a title BUT it was scribbled out and was VOIDED by the dmv. So i called trenton and they ahve a packet that you get and it explains all that you need to do.

so techinally i didnt have the title to my car but i still got it. all you really need to do is run a newspaper add saying you want to take ownership, send dmv a $5 fee to see if there is a lean on it, try to contact the last known owner and if they dont you can send back the unopened certified mail letter, and i think there is a processing fee and something else. but in reality its not that hard. just takes about 2 months. trust me. it can be done, and for those who say it cant then well i guess my title is a fake.