Is there any way I could get a rolling shell without a title onto the streets?
Or would it be better to just stay away from the shell?

 

If previous owner had ever registered and tagged the car to his name, then all he has to do is pay a fee(75$ in Florida) to print out a duplicate.

 

Ohio will require a Bill of Sale. From what I remember, California has a number of different rules though.
Best to contact your local DMV before getting involved to see what you need done.

 

you should go to the DMV, or AAA with the vin. if there is an owner on record, you usually have to either get them to sign some papers, or prove that you tried and failed to get in touch with them (certified mail).

if there is no owner, than you are good to go, although they will probably want to do a vin verification. all out of state cars that come into CA and any salvage title car getting put back on the road gets one. its not a very strict thing, when i did mine i had to tell the DMV person what kind of car it was that we were standing in front of.

 

I wouldn't "BUY" it for very much, a couple hundred maybe- put it this way don't do a thing to that car until you can register it and if not don't pay too much for it that you cant at least part it out to get your money back or sell it to the next guy who may want a track only car

 

This is very good advice.

 

All the owner has to do is get a duplicate from the dmv... Or have him sign an extra document, that you can download and print at home from the dmv website, that states the tittle was lost... Unless he puts up excuses because it's a stolen shell
Ps. The duplicate is free ( had experience since I lost the deed to my car once)

 

that's if he ever took possession of the car and registered or titled it.
This thing could be 3 owners away for all he knows.
Could have a garage lien on it, judgement, worst case stolen

I would like to think if it was as simple as getting a duplicate the guy would have done it, a car with paperwork is always worth more than one without. Usually cant even junk a car with no title

 

If the guy gives you the runaround, go the DMV to find the last owner registered, then post up what the story is.

 

I'd damn sure want to make sure it isn't stolen. I'd hate to buy a car, come to find out it was stolen and lose my money and the damn car!

 

^ and be in possession of stolen property. That can't feel good.

 

Nah, he wouldn't get charged as he had no idea, but he would still lose his money and be out the car because they will take the car if it is stolen.

Titling a car in Texas is a huge bitch, so I hope his home state isn't so stringent. Backstory...

When I bought my car, or really, became in possession of it, I had paid no money to the seller. Firstly, the seller just wanted it out of his garage and now, secondly, the seller was my boss. He wanted to hand me the title over that day but I thought the right thing to do was not come into possession of the title until I paid him for the car. A month later, I paid him for the car and then another month later I got the title to the car.

I was in possession of the car for slightly over 2 months...

Once I finally had the title, I went to the DMV to make the car mine. They asked me when I became in possession of the car, and I was honest and said "2 months ago". Apparently, if you become within sole possession of a car in texas you owe taxes on it and you have 30 days to make it yours...woops. There is a 5,000 dollar fine plus taxes on the car if you don't do this.

Thankfully, and thank god, the lady at the DMV was like "I am going to say you bought the car yesterday and, yeah you bought the car yesterday! with a look in her eye. Even though I avoided an "oh ****!" type of state tax and fine, I still had to pay sales tax on a 4,500 dollar car I paid 500 bucks for. (thanks Rick Perry you bastard!)