buying a car long distance

[32coupe]

As far as the out of state titling goes.......In the last 2 years All Hell has broke loose on antique car titles. Notice the sticky at the top of the page that says No mention of the sale of certain antique documents?.......Some states like IL and such have Said "NO MORE!!" And make you get a aftermarket IL DMV assigned number and title, I have heard of them doing this to guys who have the original title to the car and all "I's" are doted and "T's" crossed. And it is all because of the computer. Example On a 1932 ford model "B" 4cylinder car the serial number (which was used as a VIN #) Is on the frame, transmission Bell, and left side of the motor block. Now this car was parted out in the 60's Frame was sold to a guy in OH, trans was sold to a guy in KS, and motor was sold to a guy in IA.....All 3 guys want to restore a 32 ford SO the guy with the frame applys for a title in his state using the number.......They guy with the transmission applys for a title in his state using the number, And So does the other guy who has the motor. Now we have 3 cars in 3 states using the same Vin Number. And all is well until The DMV starts using computers and goes to one system. (which is good in some ways as it helps catch Car thiefs) But for hot rodders and old car restorers....This system is a nightmare. The example I gave up above is real! And has happened multiple times All over this country. Basicly the DMV's going to one system Is not working Because of all the states being each diffrent for so many years before. They do not Know what to do about it, So they just Treat you like a crook, And make what should be fun, A Bunch of Bullshit.

[ba49]

I got lucky when I bought my 30Fordor. I bought it from a guy(in Ohio) that had it for 15 years. He bought it from Pennsylvania. For some reason the stated of Penn. put a vin. plate with alot of info on the firewall in 1977. When I took the title to the BMV to change it over I noticed it said 2 door sedan instead of 4 door. (Former owner said he never bothered to correct it when I called to ask about it later.) I didn't have it running well enough to take it to the BMV for inspection. They let me bring picture of the side showing the two doors on each side and a pic of the Penn. vin. plate to varify made the change on the title. These ladies are great at that BMV and really go out of their way to help. The even asked me to bring it by when I got it running so they could see it! Usually a real pain in Ohio if everything is not perfect on the paperwork. I really got lucky.
Bill

[TerryH]

When I bought my Model A out of state (New York) and had it shipped to S. Calif., I assumed I was also going to be in for a struggle with the DMV, even though the paperwork was in order....but New York does not have actual titles on older cars...just a registration. A friend who buys and sells several cars a year advised me to go to the local AAA office here in Newport Beach, which I did. They had an older gentleman there who specialized in helping owners with older car registrations as they can handle a lot of that in lieu of using the DMV. Needless to say, it all went very well, and I was on my way after just a couple of visits and a few forms to fill out. I would sure recommend checking to see if that is an option when registering an out of state car.

[Charlie Stephens]

I was considering a '32 Ford 4 door sedan a few years ago. I spent $200 on an airline ticket to go see the car. It was the best investment I ever made. The car, no, the airline ticket. The car was a disaster. I don't know if the seller was dishonest or if there is just a big difference in the word "restoration" between Southern California and New Mexico.

Charlie Stephens

[Chris in WNC]

Bill, I have bought 3 cars sight unseen, with just photos to go by.
only one of the three arrived at my house looking as good as the photos.
that one was a 7-year-old Volvo.
the 31 Coupe (FordBarn) and the 37 Plymouth (eBay) both arrived loking considerably less pretty than the photos led me to believe.
fortunately, I was still satisfied with both cars in terms of what I paid and what I received.
I do not believe I would ever make a similar purchase again unless I could send a disinterested 3rd party, such as another FordBarner, to look the car over and take digital photos of what they judged to be the worst areas of the car.
at the price point I am buying cars there is nothing so rare or esoteric that I cannot find one close enough to home for a proper inspection.
just my 2 cents........

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

...if there is just a big difference in the word "restoration" between Southern California and New Mexico...

I don't think it is so much where you are that makes the difference. It's who is telling the story. My truck came from Southern California. The body was "restored" -- sorta. The sheet metal looks first class. But the mechanicals weren't even "repaired" very well. (as evidenced by the fact that it has spent more time in the garage having the repairs fixed than is has been on the road.) Lots of things just put together so they look good, not necessarily "restored".

Having said that, I'm still happy with my truck. I feel that I got a good deal on it, despite all that has gone wrong with it, just not as good a deal as I thought I was getting. My goal was to get a more or less perfect body, and the mechanicals I could work myself. That part hasn't dissapointed me. I've had tons of mechanicals to work on!

Oh, and I bought it from pictures, didn't see it for real for 3 or 4 months.

[2manycars]

Thanks for all the replies. I have decided to pass on that car and find one locally, where I can drive to it and have a look for myself. The shipping cost was also a factor, as cross country transport is around $3k for an enclosed trailer.

[theHIGHLANDER]

Having a good reputation is #1. I drove away with a $300K Auburn Speedster years ago before the final wire transfer was complete. It was my 1st deal with that gent, but he knew who I was, heard what I was about, didn't want to hold up my travel time. We're not all thieves and liars. Do the right things, do GOOD BUISNESS, dot the Is, cross the Ts (As?).

[Bob-A]

I bought my unrestored '31 deluxe roadster sight unseen from a guy up in Virginia, I'm in Florida. Originally the guy had asked on this forum as to what the car was worth. I was in the market for another A so we started trading emails. Which included a bunch of photos from him. Even though the guy was a lawyer (ha, ha) I trusted him and we made a deal on the car for a fair price. I bank transferred the money and he sent me the title. One of the biggest problems was finding a shipper who was not afraid to send to me a copy of their current insurance policy. Once I found one the rest is history as they say. The car was as described with maybe a little more rust then I was told. Plus, it did not have numbers on the engine, it was a B block. I told the seller don't worry about it. He had owned the car for over 10 years and never checked to see if it had any VIN numbers on it! The title showed Apr. 1931 numbers so I "corrected" things to match and my next door neighbor, a local DMV worker, took care of the paperwork for me. I count myself very lucky in this deal, but everything just felt right about it. Unfortunately, I can not say the same about a rip-off from a local Model-A buddy concerning another A roadster I bought. But that is a whole 'nother story. If it feels right, do it. However, if there is any and I mean ANY funny feeling about the deal, DON'T do it! A for real gangster gave me this little piece of advice once and it had saved him from a whole lot of trouble through the years. I only wished I had heeded it on the local deal.

Bob-A

[Duffy1]

Buyer Beware ; It is hard to beware if you do not inspect the car in person along with an expert . I had two experts with me when I bought my Model A and still had to pull the engine after owning it for two weeks.

[Jerry Parr WI]

All of my A's have come to me so I have never had to search for one. My advice is Model A's are very common, buy one locally. I remember one non Model A person who asked me to come with him to advise on condition. Looking for just one specific body style we looked at at least a dozen for sale within easy driving distance. If the body style is so rare you need to travel thousands of miles to buy it must be worth air fare to look.

[2manycars]

I am looking for a coupe. Not a sport coupe or special coupe, just a steel back coupe. One would think that is not a rare body style, but there are not too many available locally just now. I am also fussy. I want one that is correct, with good paint and good interior. I dont want cartouch interior. I would prefer a trunk, as I think rumble seats are a useless novelty. I have seen plenty of poor quality coupes for sale, but I want a nice one. The one in california was really nice, but the price, the shipping, and the plane ticket added up to more than reasonable.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Probably the nicest coupe I can think of was the original on dispaly at the Indy national meet a few years ago. I wonder if that got sold? I think the asking price was just over 30K though, so it's out of my price range, even if I was looking to buy it.

[1931 flamingo]

2manycars: Ck your PM

[Ed]

I was bidding on a Model A Victoria that was on Ebay. I drove 7 hours each way to see this car before I made the final bid. I sure am glad I drove there to see the car.

This car was completely misrepresented. The photos on Ebay convieniently did not show the mice holes throughout the interior, They didn't show the black vinyl tape covering the rust, nor did they show the engine compartment area.

After this experience I would never purchase a car without seeing it in person. There are just to many things that cannot be seen by using photographs.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Even after driving to view the car in person, I used to go home and think about the purchase and then drive back and look it over again to see if I missed something. Of course if the price is low enough, you can't let a bargin slip through by waiting too long.

[2manycars]

I went to see a stunningly beautiful coupe yesterday, and just driving it in the parking lot I knew not to buy it. The motor vibrated badly like out of balance rods, the clutch grabbed and chattered, the throw-out bearing was shot, and it steered very hard. The car was worth near what he wanted just for the body, paint, and interior, but I did not want to pay all that and then do motor work, and rebuild the steering.
Seeing is important, driving is just as important.

[Chris in WNC]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

'Anybody who has a lot of money, got it by either screwing somebody else out of it, or if they inherited it then their parents or grandparents did.'

a common sentiment, shared by many who are envious of other people's stuff, in spite of it's total inaccuracy.
certainly a lot of wealth is ill-gotten but a lot more is the result of hard work, good luck or other circumstances outside of unethical behavior.
I'm not wealthy by a long shot but have totally gotten over any wealth envy I once had.
I have good health, a wonderful family, good friends and some old cars to play with. what more could anyone wish for?

[Bob-A]

Chris in WNC,

Ditto!

Bob-A

[Franchise_24]

Originally Posted by Chris in WNC

a common sentiment, shared by many who are envious of other people's stuff, in spite of it's total inaccuracy.
certainly a lot of wealth is ill-gotten but a lot more is the result of hard work, good luck or other circumstances outside of unethical behavior.
I'm not wealthy by a long shot but have totally gotten over any wealth envy I once had.
I have good health, a wonderful family, good friends and some old cars to play with. what more could anyone wish for?

I agree with you. People are jealous of other people. I'm extremely wealthy...and I don't have alot of money, Im sure wealthy in other ways.