You hoo--lawyers? Question on claiming abandoned car | FerrariChat
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You hoo--lawyers? Question on claiming abandoned car

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by bitzman, Jul 6, 2015.

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  1. bitzman

    bitzman F1 Rookie
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    Feb 15, 2008
    3,287
    Ontario, CA
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    wallace wyss
    #1 bitzman, Jul 6, 2015
    In the Mangusta subsection there are a lot of great pictures of a lime green Mangusta that belonged to the President of Mexico at one time. The forum poster says he tried to buy it when it was in good condition but couldn't and then later saw it abandoned for two years in a field and rescued it.

    So I am posting this in the General category because I am worried about finding an abandoned car and restoring it, for fear the real last titled owner will show up with the gendarmes and confiscate it and say "Thanks for restoring my car."

    I vaguely remember in Calif. if you find a car abandoned and it has plates you can have the State send the owner a message to see if they want to pick up their car. If there is no response after a certain time you can claim the car. Do I have that right?

    Anyhow I recall in the Corvette world there were people that restored a car only to have some owner from long ago show up and say "that car was stolen from me" and claim it back.

    So would you say generally claiming an abandoned car is a can of worms?
     
  2. Norge

    Norge Rookie

    Jul 1, 2015
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    Pewaukee WI
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    John Havnen
    #2 Norge, Jul 6, 2015
    In Wisconsin..... If it has not been registered within 5 years and has not had a title issued in the same you can take it to DOT for a vin inspection and if it comes back untampered and clear of liens or theft. A new title will be issued to the person claiming ownership. Ie the person who took it in for the inspection.


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  3. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    Mar 29, 2007
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    Justin
    #3 technom3, Jul 6, 2015
    This is not really a question for lawyers on a message forum. Its really just a simple question to go in and ask your DMV what the procedures are. Every single state and sometimes even municipality will have a different rule law or regulation on it. Some will require a bond... some wont. Some requires letters and notification... some wont....

    The only answer to your question is to go ask your dmv. They will walk you through step by step and even give you every form you need
     
  4. Lussolover

    Lussolover Karting

    Sep 22, 2014
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    #4 Lussolover, Jul 6, 2015
    Having spent hours in CA dmv's I find this very hard to believe. DMV employee's hand out forms and get people through the line.
     
  5. CornersWell

    CornersWell F1 Rookie

    Nov 24, 2004
    4,899
    #5 CornersWell, Jul 6, 2015
    Don't know how the DMV might deal with this, but if they issue you a new title, without a court's approval, the old owner may have a legal claim.

    Look into the doctrine of quantum meruit, too, as that may at least help protect you from an outright loss of the "investment" in your time and the restoration costs.

    CW
     

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