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Hi Guys,

I got talking to the owner of the '51 M rotting in the woods near my buddy's house. I seriously doubt he'll ever do anything with the truck, but he was asking me about what's involved with getting a title for the thing. He has the original Bill of Sale, but never titled it because he just wanted to drive it on his farm. I started down the titling road with my M when I bought it last year, but luckily I was able to entice the seller of the truck to do the legwork and get the title for me. From what I learned about getting a title for an M it didn't appear to be an easy process. I called a few of the so-called Title companies and they all seemed rather fly-by-night and shady. I think the deal was you basically give them possession of your truck and a wad of cash and they get it titled in their state. Then they send that title to you and you get it transfered to your state. But the price of that service varied from like $350 to over $1000 depending on the company. And there was no guarantee they could get a title.

So I'd like to be able to give this guy some good info that might get him to title his M before it rots to death. If any of you guys got a title for your M using a title company and a Bill of Sale can you tell me about your experiences, good or bad? Or if there is another way to skin this cat let me know that too. I was looking thru some back issues of Supply Line and it stuck me as odd that there were no title companies listed that specialized in Military Vehicle titles. Maybe that should be telling me something.

Thanks in advance,
bob

What state are you in?

Maryland

Bob:
All states have different DMV requirements. Your friend could ask DMV about an "abandoned" vehicle title.
Or pursue a "mechanics lein" avenue for getting a title with your DMV.
In Arizona you need a bill of sale, notarized, and an a cheap to buy, $100.00 title insurance policy that would
be required by the state. Here, it's kinda' a no brainer but I would guess the Yankee bureaucrats at DMV in your
part of the country would make getting a title more difficult. You or your friend just need to contact your
local DMV and ask.
I have used the outfit in Alabama to get a title the way you described. Don't think it was all that expensive.
$100-$150. Went quickly with minimum hassle.
Jerry

Hi Jerry,

Well.....I only wish it were so simple here. When I was buying my M last year and looking into getting a title I called our DMV. Three times. Each time I called and explained I wanted to get a title for a vehicle for which I had a notorized Bill of Sale. I didn't say Military Vehicle, I said a 1952 Dodge 3/4 ton pickup. Each time the gal asked me for the VIN. When I gave her the SN for my truck each gal said the VIN I told her wasn't possible....it didn't have enough digits. I tried explaining to her that back in the 50's car/truck VINs didn't have as many digits as they do today. Each gal simply couldn't understand that and didn't have a clue what to do when there wasn't sixteen (or whatever the number of) digits the VIN is today. Yup....I tried talking to their supervisors.....got hung up on twice....and the third time the supervisor "wasn't available", after I waited on the line listening to a poor excuse for music for what seemed like a day. Also understand that when you call DMV you have to play robotic call center for a good 10 minutes just to talk to a live person.....and then that person is pretty much clue-less. Not to dump on DMV personnel....but if what you're asking about is out of their comfort zone (and it's a pretty small zone).....you might as well just forget it. That's why I started looking at Title Companies.

So I guess what I'm really trying to get out of you guys is do title companies work......or it is just a waste of time and money? And if anyone used a specific company and had a good or bad experience I'd like to hear about it. I just don't think the DMV route would ever work here.

thanks,
bob

Hey...... I feel your pain. I'm fortunate to have a great DMV in Arizona. 90% of vehicle documentation can be done on-line. The system
is slicker than snot. Face to face time at the DMV's, if necessary, is usually not very painful. AZ. also has "third party" DMV outlets
which are privately owned. As you might guess, they're all smiles when they see you coming in the door.

Your options seem to be only getting a title from the Alabama folks or similar or maybe getting a friend to get the M37 titled in
another state. Hopefully nearby. I'd do it for you but AZ. does require to see the vehicle and the VIN number on the frame horn.
JB

You sure do have a GREAT DMV down there in AZ. Makes me think about moving there for a few months, titling everything in sight, and then coming back home. It's almost a crime that your DMV is so cooperative. Maybe they didn't read the DMV manual.

thanks,
bob

W30bob,

Having dealt with NJ DMV I feel your pain. Find the most rural DMV agency in MD, take your Bill of Sale paperwork, a copy of the M37 manuals and photos of your vehicle.
Before going, browse the MD DMV website and search for titling out of state vehicles with a Bill of Sale. I purchased a Land Rover from NY with a Bill of Sale and NJ required an affidavit signed by the seller. Once I went with all paperwork in hand and instructions to DMV staff on what to do I was all set..

In today's world you are your own customer service agent and everyone expects you to do thier job for free.

This is right from the Maryland DMV.

http://www.mva.maryland.gov/Vehicle-Ser ... edvehicles

Title Used Vehicles

To title and register your newly purchased used vehicle, you will need to submit the following documents (along with payment for taxes and fees):

Proof of ownership - You must submit the vehicle's current title that has been properly assigned to you. Note that if the title was issued in Maryland, it can be used as your application form for titling and registering the vehicle. A registration document and bill of sale may be submitted as proof of ownership ONLY if the vehicle is from a state that does not issue a title as proof of ownership.
Application form - If the vehicle's current title was issued in Maryland, use it as your application form by completing the section entitled Application for Title and Registration. If not, use the Application for Certificate of Title (form #VR-005). Be sure to include your insurance information. Your policy must conform to Maryland's minimum liability insurance requirements.
Proof of purchase price - This should be a bill of sale signed by both the buyer(s) and seller(s). The bill of sale must be notarized if the following conditions apply:
the vehicle is less than 7 years old; and
the purchase price is at least $500 below the book value; and
the new owner (buyer) wants to base the excise tax calculation (6% of the vehicle's value) on the sale price rather than the book value.
Odometer disclosure statement - If the vehicle has a Maryland title or an out-of-state title, the odometer reading can be recorded and attested to in the section entitled Assignment of Ownership. You also can submit the MVA's Odometer Disclosure Statement (form #VR-197).
Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate - The Maryland State Police form certifies that your vehicle meets Maryland safety standards. It is valid for up to 90 days from the date issued.
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required


Rick

Yep, depends on the state. California was easy-I just provided an old expired registration and they hooked me right up.
Gary

I was given my 37 by my foster brother in Arkansas in 1962. It has never been titled. I've been in Tennessee with it for the last 25 years. What are my options for getting a title?

CT is very easy, just need a bill of sale and a vin verification done at a DMV approved garage, and proof of insurance. the DMV does not even ever have to see the vehicle. All antique vehicles are taxed yearly at a $500 value.

Jim,
I would gather up any documentation you have(receipts, previous registrations, even older pictures of the truck) and take it to the county clerk. You want to apply for antique tags, as the rules are pretty lax for issuing titles that way. The only catch is you are supposed to keep everything stock in order to have antique tags, but once you get your title, you can do whatever you want to the truck, and get regular tags.

Brett

Brett, there is no documentation on either truck. The M37 was a gift from my foster brother 51 years ago. Assembled from parts trucks. No paperwork ever. It has had a Chevy V8 in it since 1967. -- Not stock, but that only shows in the dual exhausts and dual headlights. I could temporarily remove the extra headlight pods and install a set of stock headlight guards.

Used it for search and rescue all over Arkansas for many years with no tags, but those days are long gone. Am in Tennessee now.

Bought the XM-708 about 1969 or 70, but there was no paperwork on it either. It is stock. I was the first civilian owner. back then, sheriff and state police didn't require tags to run it on the highway (they all knew the two trucks by sight).

Neither truck has ever been registered to anyone in any state. Times have changed in the last half century

I can get a certification from my brother that it was a gift from him, and certifications from several people that remember when I acquired the trucks, but that is about it.

They really are pretty easy going. You just need to be able to show that the truck is yours and showing that it has been in your possession helps to demonstrate that. So letters from your brother or others and even old pictures of you standing next to the truck would be helpful. The main thing the county clerks are trying to avoid is issuing a title to you and then having someone else challenge it. Give it a shot, but I would try to go when they aren't super busy.

As far as anything un-original in the pics, just tell them you are going to restore it back to stock. Btw I'm running a fuel injected V8 in mine and I have antique tags.

Where in Tn are you?

Brett

Thanks.
Collierville, about 20 miles east of downtown Memphis.
You?