Lost california title for my '55 Cameo

[DarksideDave]

Wow I haven't been back since I sold my '61 Apache. I'm ready for the next project but have a major holdup. I have a 1955 Cameo project that I bought 15 years ago here in California. I'm now in a wheelchair and can no longer do the work so agreed to sell it to a friend, but have lost the title, bill of sale, everything! I have no info to contact the previous owner, does anyone have any idea what the procedure is to get a replacement title in these circumstances?

[LS short box]

If the title was in your name just apply at the DMV for a replacement title. If you didn't register the title in your name when you bought it you could apply a bonded title.

[57taskforce]

Vermont loophole??

[Steeveedee]

Honestly, not sure of the process. I bought a '75 Valiant to pillage the V8, including the K-member, for my son's '70 Dart with the blown up /6. The seller had a title, so no problem. In the process of dog-robbing that car all the way down to the light bulbs, I discovered another title in the trunk. There is obviously a process, which seems to care little about previous ownership. When we bought it, the DMV never hiccupped about title transfer. We gave the '75 hulk to a pick and pull, which was my intent all along. Good luck, is all I can say. I'd ask an attorney, tbh. It might be cheaper, in the long run.

[RustyPile]

I can't speak for California, but I can speak for Texas.. I recently lost the title to a vehicle I've owned for a few years.. I went to the local DMV and explained the situation.. I was given a form to fill out and send to the Waco DMV "center".. Two weeks later I received in the mail, A Certified Copy (it states as such on the title) Title.. Cost me two bux...

[67 twins]

This is why the FIRST thing you should ALWAYS do is transfer the title into your name.

[Dead Parrot]

If you know you had a title, then what others said, apply for a replacement. Fairly common need. Probably thousands issued when fires destroy towns.

If you never bothered with a title, then provide your friend with a bill of sale and let the friend go through the new title process. Again, a common process, especially for older vehicles.

Bottom line, contact DMV and ask.

[72c20customcamper]

All states have different regulations in regards to tittles . NY I’ve registered pre 73 cars and trucks with no paperwork. 72 and older in NY have no tittles they have transferable registrations . Without papers for the vehicle you fill out a few forms and they register it with a non transferable registration after a search to make sure it’s not a stolen vehicle they send you the transferable registration. I’ve probably done at least 20 this way over the years .

Best to contact your local DMV and then call another half the time I’ve found that some employees don’t know the rules.