It sounds like he's a reasonable guy and that he's getting his last dollar out of it from you. How about bringing him a rusty carcass for him to crush? You can then either try to title it or use/sell it as a race car shell. Worth a shot anyway...

 

Or just offer to give him what he would have gotten for the scrap metal.

 

Titling requirements vary from state to state, but I'm almost positive that the junkyard COULD get a title, even if it's a "salvage" title. I'd go talk to the DMV in your state. The junkyards in my area won't even take a car without a title. That Alabama thing sounds fishy to me. You are right to not screw over a salvage yard owner, they are good to have on your side if you are into 1st gens. Good luck! -WG

 

My dad loves street rods and we had to get several tittles for cars most of the time we buy them out of barns. For 100 to 150 you can get an official tittle to almost any vehicle. go out and buy a street rodder mag and you can find adds for places that are real and will not screw you.
jr

 

(1) talk to the salvage guy and tell him you want a lot of the rust-free body pieces, and so you're seeking a salvage title. Keeping him in the loop is #1 priority - that way whether things work out or not you come across as responsible and communicative, and willing to make sure he gets fair dollar out of the deal.

(2) Talk to the DMV about salvage title. Emphisize you do not intend on restoring the car, but cannibalizing a whole hockey sock full of parts including the wheel wells. Do not mention that the yard las loaned you the carcass, as whether or not removing the untitled car from his lot, even with his permission, was legal will vary from State to State and even from beurofat to beurofat, depending on who's mellow and who's power-cranky that day.

(3) do your due diligence and obtain title before you start cutting into the body so no one can come back and say 'that yard had my RX-7, I hold legal title, go chop the wheel wells that you installed in your car and put 'em back in mine.

I was once on the receiving end of a title screwing - I was transferred to another base at short notice and had to leave behind an Audi. I paid a co-worker to drive the car 600 kms to my home address and park it but he 'forgot' and the car was towed & auctioned before I discovered this. Even though it was my car, the towing company was able to get title after 3 months as an 'abandoned vehicle' - but again these things vary from region to region.