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8string · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 31 Location: Phoenix, Az

Just about two years ago, I towed my '78 924 home to Phoenix from Tucson. I “won” the car in an eBay auction for $500, complete, and in the usual lousy condition. The seller was a pawnshop that had loaned money against the car, and they gave me a signed, notarized title from the owner, who had a Marana, Az. Address.

Ironically, the pawnshop was a mile down the road from the Porsche dealer, and the car had a freshly failed emissions slip in the glovebox. I'm sure there's a story there!

Anyhow, I didn't register or transfer the title of the car because I'm lazy. I've been working on and off, as time and money allow, and I'm starting to get serious. I bought what's left of a 931 for the 5 speed tranny and disc brakes, and got lost of other goodies with it. There's a light at the end of the tunnel now, but I lost the title. It's gone. I probably threw it away in the big Spring cleaning of my office.

I'm looking for any advice that you guys can give me regarding getting the car titled and registered. I'm now considering writing to the owner, at the address on the emissions slip, and asking for his help, but I need a back up plan. I've searched the Arizona DOT's website for abandoned title info, and there's nothing. There's also the option of getting a title and VIN plate from a dead car, but I'm not sure of the legality. Last, but not least, there's outright forgery,and I have a notary friend and know folks at a title company.

Any advice?
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'78 924 - new home in Northern Az.!
'97 Z3 2.8
'07 328i

My924gtc · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 1362 Location: 248

As all states vary in the laws regarding motor vehicle registration, I can not tell you what to do.

I suggest going to the DMV (or AZ equivillant) and explaining the situation to them. Take the VIN, and maybe a hard copy of the auction if you have one and see what they say. If they require a bill of sale, hit the pawn shop up for one, they should help you out.
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MJ
'81 924 2.0L T
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Paul · Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 6:21 am Post subject:

I'd call DOT and ask them for options.
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White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
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Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

jaxrepo · Joined: 04 Jan 2004 Posts: 162 Location: Jacksonville, FL

Hi: There are several auto title firms on the web that wil get you a clear title for a fee of about $200.00, provided there is no lien on the car. Whatever route you take (title co. or AZ DMV) a lien on the car will be a problem. Surely the pawn shop had a lien - if they released it you should be OK, but make that determination. Good luck!! Dick.
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8string · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 31 Location: Phoenix, Az

There's no lein. The title was clear and just had the owner's name and address. It was signed on the back and notarized. I have a friend that works at a different pawnshop in Tucson, and he told me that it's the normal practice.
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'78 924 - new home in Northern Az.!
'97 Z3 2.8
'07 328i

CMXXXI · Joined: 05 Nov 2002 Posts: 1939 Location: Vicksburg, MS

For a car of this age, is an original title (or paper trail thereof) required in your state? In some places, if the car is old enough you don't need one...for example if you buy an old clunker from a "private" junkyard who has no papers on the car. I'd suggest a series of phone calls to your county tax collector and tell them the truth about what has happened. If they start throwing up barriers and obstacles, then regroup.
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'79 Eurospec 931