There is a way to get a title through a mechanics lien in PA. I used to live there and owned a garage, so it is possible if the bill is enough and the owner won't pay the storage/repairs to get a lien and then get a title from PA. My 73 T/A was left at a body shop damaged and the storage got high enough that the title holder (in my case a bank, because it was financed) just signed off the title. I now have a clear title on my 19,750 mile 73 T/A.
I won't tell you it was easy (nothing in PA concerning titles is easy because I have junked cars because of all the BS I've had trying to get titles in PA) it is however possible because I've done it. The mechanics lien angle makes it easier than trying to find the people that are on the title last.
It all depends on how much effort the car is worth to you.
PA mechanics lien statute:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI...63/0/0497..PDF
A wrecking yard legally needs titles to scrap cars in PA, the mechanics lien is how they get legal title without finding the last legal owner. Does every yard use it before they crush a car? Probably not, but the option is there to do it legally.