When the previous owner sold it to her brother, did she transfer the title to him as well? If not, you may be able to get it with just a bill of sale, as long as she's willing to sign one. If the registration was still in her name, I'd be willing to venture a guess that the title is in her name as well.

If you're not planning on putting the car on the street again, just using it for parts, it may be easier. You might be able to just have it towed to your house, with the previous owner's permission. Have her number handy in case anyone asks questions, or better yet, see about getting her to mail you a bill of sale.

Check with your local Police Department too, there may be a legal way to go about getting the car as unclaimed property. Again, bring along the previous owner's contact info, maybe it will be a quick thing.

By Jarcaf (Jarcaf) (207.55.238.216) on Tuesday, February 08, 2005 - 10:19 pm:

Maybe I'll just tow it up here to my front yard. Anyone know if that's a huge no-no? The owner has absolutely no interest, and I'm having a hell of a time tracking down the owner of the business lot. I'll have to go through the real-estate broker, pretend like it's official business to get the owner's name and number, then try to track him down. In all likelyhood, he's some guy who lives halfway across the world

By Darrell--Arizona-- (149.169.73.185) on Tuesday, February 08, 2005 - 10:07 am:

You can only get a lien on it if its on your property.

When junk yards tow cars, people often don't pick them up. So then the junk yards are able to get a lien on the car because its on there property.

If you want to get a good deal on a car, go to a tow yard before the cars go to auction.

Darrell

By Bryan (66.245.66.4) on Tuesday, February 08, 2005 - 06:06 am:

You better be careful with that one. I just went through this same thing. You need to check on your local law and see what the procedure is for filing for an abandoned title......and follow it to the T.

You may be able to do it, but it probably has to be done by the property owner where the car sits.

By sdcvcc (68.101.197.93) on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 11:43 pm:

can you lien buy it? Here in CA I think you can lien sale a car that has been abandoned for a certain time????

By Jarcaf (Jarcaf) (207.55.238.216) on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 10:57 pm:

I'm trying to figure out how to go about this...There's a complete '83 Civic S parked in a "for lease" lot that's been there for several years. I rifled through it and found an old registration card and contacted the person. She had sold it to her brother just before he moved up north, but he had car troubles on the way and left it behind. She can't get him to call me, and the car is basically officially abandoned. I'll try to get ahold of them one last time(w/ the mention of the current towing fines and the resultant crushing of the car), but if that doesn't work I need another route. Has anyone gone about the process of picking up an abandoned vehicle or at least know how I can do it? It has expired Cali plates and I live in Oregon, so this may only apply to Oregon laws(?). Any help is appreciated in saving this classic from a nasty death Thanks a lot,
Jarvis