Here is the scenario
seller selling classic car.
Seller has signed title from original owner but failed to register for six years
When I try to register car will I have trouble with bill of sale from current seller and signed title from first seller
Any words of wisdom or experience with type of situation

On my classic car I did not have a title. I had to go the bonded title route using an auto title company out of Taylor, TX. I would call a title place and ask them. From what I gather every county is different.

Don't mention that you didn't buy it from the person who is named on the title. I am assuming you have a Texas title.

I had a similar problem with a 1967 Mustang I purchased a couple of years ago. I bought the car from a man in Bulverde. He had the title, and it was signed by the original owner and then in the back by the first buyer. It was then sold to another person, then to the person I bought it from. The first purchase was over 15 years ago and none of the other buyers ever transferred the title to their names. I tried the get into my name but was told I would have to go the bonded title route which I did not want to do. The car was originally sold in Arizona and had an Arizona title to add to the problems. Then came to Texas for the other sales. I searched the internet for the original owner in Arizona and after probably a month found him in another town from where he originally lived. I contacted him and asked if I sent him the paperwork would he sigh it in front of a notary and send it back to me. He agreed and it all worked out. If you can't find either of the original seller or buyer, you will probably have to do a bonded title.

Easiest route is going to be trying to locate the original seller. You are going to need a 130-U (https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/130-U.pdf) filled out, will need to be signed by the same person that signed the title, the bill of sale from the guy you bought it from does you no good.

If you cant find them then you can either go bonded title route, or sign the 130-U as the seller and be done.....

^^this^^

Most tag offices I've been to don't give a hill of beans about a bill of sale. They want the title and a 130u form , both need to match name wise

Yep totally

Without the 130U signed it’s going to be trouble.

The bonded title route isn’t a big issue since you have all the title paperwork. But costs extra. Any possibility of running down the original owner?

Also, if the back of the title was dated and not transferred I believe that can be an issue as well.

I have a classic car, and am looking for another. My process is to handle at the DMV with the seller. Just trying to avoid costly issues!!

I refuse to make a deal without a clear Texas title in the sellers name. Life is too short for the hassle.

^

Does that work? Have you ever had someone agree to meet you at the DMV? Serious question?

Most won't because they are trying to figure out a way to pay little or no sales tax.

Texas has had Standard Presumptive Value for quite a while now, no easy way to get around taxed amount.

Yes as my search continues so many with open title. I guess everyone tries to get away from taxes and registration fees. I always register as soon as I get the vehicle even if it will never see the road again

The guy that bought my Grand National put it under a business he owns in Montana. No sales tax according to him. Car resides in Flower Mound!

That is actually a pretty common tactic with supercar owners.

Well, if either you or the current seller present the signed title at DMV, they'll want to collect the sales tax, title fees, and six years worth of late payment penalties (I'm assuming that the title is dated six years ago).

Any way that you can contact original owner and have him order a replacement title certificate, then sign it over directly to you when he gets it?