Justin writes:
Sajeev,
As a classic car lover for the past few years, I'm always scouring Craigslist for 60′s cars and watching YouTube videos on automotive archaeology. It's a lifetime dream to fix something special and drive it everyday. This being said, you can guess my reaction to hear that there is an abandoned yet 100% complete Sunbeam Tiger on one of my relative's property in some shed.
Without boring you, the story goes that the old man that owned it payed storage "rent" to my relative to stow it away for his son or nephew (my family owns a few garages and houses on the same street). He eventually passed and the son/nephew refused to pay for the storage. There it sits, 3 to 4 years since he refused to pay up and disappeared.
I cant stop thinking about it.
What would you do? I want that damn car but nobody thinks its worth hiring a lawyer over the title. I'm also fairly certain my relatives will probably want more than I can offer for it, even if they eventually get the title somehow. I've tried to do some research on getting a title for it but it doesn't seem to apply to this situation.
It's strange how things work, mostly frustrating but still strange. I needed to share this with someone else before I explode.
Sajeev answers:
If you have the spare time–which you shall if you restore a Tiger–you can certainly research how a Lien Sale in your state works. When I had trouble getting my UK-spec Ford Sierra legal at my local Texas DMV, the manager came out to help. She was very helpful, to the point that information overload made me give up and secure a title company's assistance…but my point about working without a lawyer still stands!
I wouldn't be surprised if someone in our Best and Brightest applied for a mechanic's lien, too. Probably a similar process.
Once you do the homework, you're ready to get the Tiger titled. So what's up with your family not hooking you up with an antique car they seemingly care less about? If you do the homework, perhaps you'll be rewarded with that damn heap for cheap. If not, perhaps one party is being unreasonable and you should walk away. Hopefully not, but it wouldn't be the first time that's happened in a family…especially as the holidays roll around.
No matter, good luck in your Lien Sale. Hope it won't drive you insane and the Tiger won't drive you to the poor house.
Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.
from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com
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