CJ2A-Lost/unexecuted? title

Do any of you guys have any experience in getting a title for a vehicle that you may have purchased without a title? (New Jersey ) I could not pass up a deal on a CJ2A, a 46, I believe, by serial number. I bought it and got a Bill of Sale for it from a guy who has owned it for 20 years. Before that, his dad owned it and used it at his hunting camp for ? years. I have no reason to believe that this information is not true. I checked with DMV here and was told "to get a hold of the previous owner." That was my guess, but that's not possible.
The son inheritted it from his dad without title and I assume that as far as the state is concerned, it still belongs to some previous title holder (on paper) if the title was never signed over. Anybody have any experience/knowledge as to legally titling this vehicle? Search archives?
I think that this won't be easy or even possible to get done.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

Thanks Sparky......wasn't sure this belonged here. Dibs on the corner.

 

In the end, I may take the lawyer route. I'd like to keep the 2A stock and I would like to have a title for it so I can register and drive it. Anybody else? Thanks Sparky.

 

Check w/ the DMV to see exactly what they will accept. When they told you to "get a hold of the previous owner" it could mean that if you had a letter/ bill of sale from the son notorized that states the circumstances and states that he is the legal heir, they might accept it.

 

mpc......I'll stop back to DMV this week and try to talk to a supervisor. Thanks

 

I hope I get that lucky Patrick. Thanks

 

I can't find my link any longer, but there is a title company in Alabama that will title a vehicle on a Bill of Sale. Since Alabama law allows titling this way, you get a clear Alabama title that you can then take to the DMV and get it registered the normal way. It's a little pricy, like around $150, but it may be easier and quicker than trying to battle the local legal system. I'll see if I can dig up the website.

Jim

 

Broadwaytitle.com I,ve heard it works no experience but only $150.00. Don't know how legel it is.

 

Its perfectly legal. The state of Alabama did not and does not require a title on any vehicle manufactured prior to 1975. My vehicle was originally sold in Georgia and never had a title. I have owned it now since 1992, still don't have a title. The DMV told me that so long as I never moved out of the state, one would never be required. As far as ownership I have 14 years worth of tags and a bill of sale as proof of ownership.

 

Mike it's possible that the title doesn't exist, or the DMV records don't go back that far. Fill out a form for a title search or to request a copy of current ownership:
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/cit_title/v_title_copies.html

If it exists, the person's name & addy will be on the title...go knock on their door.

 

In NY you get the police to confirm that it is not stolen. You bring that piece of paper w/ the bill of sale and tell them the last owner is dead and you bought it from a relative and that relative doesn't ever want to be contacted again. I just tell them everyone is dead and they can go through the hassle of registering it here and make money off of the bill of sale or your buddy registers it somewhere else and you buy it from him for $1. They get the idea!

 

Thanks much for all of the help, advice, links, etc. It looks like it's not impossible to do. I really appreciate the input. I'll let you know how I make out with it. Hopefully I'll have a title in a couple of months.

 

In CT DMV has a title search form to mail. Not sure what happens after that but that's how it starts.

I transported mine from the seller in CO. I was required to let the DMV inspector see the VIN (on the Jeep) and show the title at the DMV office (because from out of state). Now, after showing the title they told me, "I don't need it any more because the Jeep is over 25 years old". I don't know what this means, I was so happy to have it registered I just got out of there

 

I would go to the NJ Motor Vehicle website and there are all sorts of FAQ and ways to get your question answered. I needed to find out how to register the Jeep without QQ tags and found it on their web site.
I'm confident you could do the same there.
http://www.nj.gov/Government.shtml

 

This sounds like somthing that i'm about to attempt. I want a title transfer, but the original owner has no title anymore. I want to go to the DMV this week. I guess i'll find out what happens.