[skunkwerks]

Usually after 10 years the title will drop off the system nation wide if it has not been registered. Ask me how I know this. LOL. Best route would be to see if you can get a title from Classic car title.
Just got a title for my 1970 SS Chevelle. 400.00 bucks.
No funny business and took about 8 weeks. you used to be able to get one from Vermont but they shut that loop-hole down. Got two from them.
Picture of the VIN and fill out some paperwork.
Classic-Titles.com
Heath Parker is the owner. He has a used car business in his state. Will be a Tennessee title.

[Andre]

States like Florida will archive the record, but it can be pulled out of archives. States like Washington will archive and purge the record and it is not recoverable.

[graygator]

I just registered my 69 Lemans after having purchased and titled it in 1997 in Louisiana. There didn't seem to be any trouble at the DMV other than the lady had interesting look on her face as she navigated the process on the computer. Interested in seeing some more comments from other states.

[RocktimusPryme]

That seems a reasonable price. I wonder what their success rate is. Id hate to pay the $400 and find out they cant do it for a particular car. WHich, if it pops as stolen so be it. But while theft is obviously a real thing, I gotta think the VAST amount of old cars with no title are just lost from sitting. Old farm trucks even more so. Heck cars that I buy with a title have often changed hands 3-4 times without being signed and transferred.

Thats one of my biggest issues with the government and classic cars, is that you can buy something honestly, with a bill of sale and still have to resort to questionable means to get it titled and on the road. The even more wild part to me is that quote "Car people" often support these rules. I want more classics on the road. Full stop.

And I know the old argument used to be "fake" rare cars. But we are so good anymore at verifying whats real and whats not, I just dont see it as an issue in 2026. If you try to take a 67 GT500 to auction as original, its going to quickly be found out if you rebuilt it from a crashed vin tag.

I have an 84 Z28 that I have the title too, but it was signed as sold in 2001, and never transfered to the owners in between me. It was made a Lemons and SCCA car for a while. I want to title it and Im concerned about there being questions.

[mysticmissle]

I have heard Tennesse is the new ''loophole," there are a still few states that a VIN check and just a BOS, will get it done also. Rhode Island is not one

[importsmasher]

I live in Tennessee and have gotten titles twice. Once for a 36 Pontiac, and once for a 74 Grand Am. For cars over 30 years old, you just fill out a form and submit a notarized bill of sale. Then you pay the taxes on the sale price. Both times I also submitted pictures of the car. I turned the paperwork in at the local DMV, and two weeks later, I got a title in the mail. No VIN check; the state never looks at the actual car.

Importsmasher

[dataway]

Import, where in west TN? I'm in Greenfield ... just south of Martin.

[importsmasher]

Originally Posted by dataway

Import, where in west TN? I'm in Greenfield ... just south of Martin.

Selmer. About an hour south of Jackson.

[skunkwerks]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

That seems a reasonable price. I wonder what their success rate is. Id hate to pay the $400 and find out they cant do it for a particular car. WHich, if it pops as stolen so be it. But while theft is obviously a real thing, I gotta think the VAST amount of old cars with no title are just lost from sitting. Old farm trucks even more so. Heck cars that I buy with a title have often changed hands 3-4 times without being signed and transferred.

Thats one of my biggest issues with the government and classic cars, is that you can buy something honestly, with a bill of sale and still have to resort to questionable means to get it titled and on the road. The even more wild part to me is that quote "Car people" often support these rules. I want more classics on the road. Full stop.

And I know the old argument used to be "fake" rare cars. But we are so good anymore at verifying whats real and whats not, I just dont see it as an issue in 2026. If you try to take a 67 GT500 to auction as original, its going to quickly be found out if you rebuilt it from a crashed vin tag.

I have an 84 Z28 that I have the title too, but it was signed as sold in 2001, and never transfered to the owners in between me. It was made a Lemons and SCCA car for a while. I want to title it and Im concerned about there being questions.

Rock,
This service is for a title that was transferred incorrectly or No tittle at all.
Could work for a car with an old lien that was never signed off. never tried it.
The way it works is you sell the car to him, he gets a title for it and then signs
and sells the car back to you for a fee. (400 bucks) Very legal in Tennessee or most states for that matter. He is a legit used car dealer. Problem is you have to want to do all the paperwork and fight with the state for 400 bucks.
Last time I checked a bonded title in Texas was around 700.00-2000.00 depending what they say the car is worth and then it is bonded for 3 years. You cannot sell the car until the bond clears.

Title I had was from OK. on my 70 Chevelle. Was not notarized and signed correctly per state regs. had not been registered since 94. Got a deal on it for this issue. Sent in a picture of the vin and filled out the paperwork. Payed the fee and snap there was a title.
Good people too. Very nice.

If the car has not been registered for more than 10 years a nation wide title search will yield nothing and that is what you want to get a fresh title. Been dealing with this issue for many years on a few of the cars I have gotten for cheap.
I think why it works on old cars is they all had 13 digit vins. All newer cars for the last 30 years have 16 digit vins. Systems are all set up for the newer stuff for stolen, totalled,flooded and other things.

[mysticmissle]

Can you sell it with the new Tennessee title
Or do you have to process it in your state, pay taxes, vin check etc before being able to transfer it to me for example

[Trulyvintage]

I took several vehicles into the
vehicle inspection department
in Lebanon, Ohio where for a few
dollars I received a title inspection
which consisted of a clerk walking
outside and comparing the serial
or vin on the vehicle to my application.
Once approved a title was issued
within a few minutes and then I walked
next door to get a vehicle registration
and plates.


Jim

[justincampbell]

I have not personally done this. But, I was having a discussion recently about bonded titles here in Iowa. Supposedly, Iowa has recently changed it's bonded title duration from 2 years to 30 days. If anyone can confirm this, please do. As for old titles, I transferred a Firebird that was last titled in the '80s without trouble. This was in late 2024. As long as you have the title it doesn't seem to matter how old it is here. At least that has been my experience.

[skunkwerks]

Originally Posted by mysticmissle

Can you sell it with the new Tennessee title
Or do you have to process it in your state, pay taxes, vin check etc before being able to transfer it to me for example

I would say that's a yes. Would be considered an open title. Sold many a car that way.
It is a legit Tennessee title that does not need a notary witness.
but as always you have to follow the rules of the state you are going to title it in.

Texas is an easy state.
No notary required and you can sell or buy an open title as long as it is signed in the right places.

[skunkwerks]

Originally Posted by Trulyvintage

I took several vehicles into the
vehicle inspection department
in Lebanon, Ohio where for a few
dollars I received a title inspection
which consisted of a clerk walking
outside and comparing the serial
or vin on the vehicle to my application.
Once approved a title was issued
within a few minutes and then I walked
next door to get a vehicle registration
and plates.



Jim

How do you handle non running cars that you buy for restoration without a title Jim?
Is there a special procedure in your state that they can come and inspect them?