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MG MGA - FINDING ORIGINAL TITLE MGA

I purchased an MGA in approximately 1999 or 2000. There was no title to the car as the owner has misplaced it due to a family fall out.
I purchased the car from a woman in Atco N.J.
Apparently the car was purchased from someone in Virginia.
The Vin is GHN/86085. As the car sits now it is pale yellow. The original color appears to be old English white. I do not want to do any thing with the car until I get the title straighten out. Does any one out there know of this car or can possibly help with resurrecting the title. Also on the fire wall there is a plate with the numbers B17734. Not sue what this is.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks, Dan H.
D.E. Hanson

Dan. First, do you have a bill of sale or other form of transfer document showing that you purchased this car and whom from? If so, it may be possible to get a valid title based on the bill of sale.

If you do not have a bill of sale, things become more complex. Years ago, I got an "Abandon Vehicle Title" on a 75 Scout II by demonstrating that it had been abandoned on property I owned. The state contacted the last titled owner who could either pay me storage fees for the time the vehicle sat on my property or allow a new title to be issued to me.

A second method is called a "Bonded Title" where a bond is placed with the state and a title is issued for the vehicle based on that bond. This is a less desirable method of obtaining a title because if at some future date the title comes into question you may have to give up the vehicle and accept the bond amount.

You need to go down and talk with someone who handles motor vehicle titles in your state and find out what your options are. The Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles, or some such name, are the ones who can tell you what needs to be done to secure the most sound title you can get on that vehicle.

Les
Les Bengtson

Based on the vin number,
is there a way to know the model year of the car?
Dan H.
D.E. Hanson

The Body # on the car... It prefixes with a "B" and that tells me that the car is a 1600. It should have 4 tail lights. If the tail lights are horizontal on the rear shroud instead of the fenders it is a '62 MKll

There is no record of Body #'s to the best of my knowledge as they pertain to individual cars.

GHN leads me to believe it is a '62 1600 Right hand drive car.

Take the info that you have to the DMV and see what you have to do . They are the "Boss".

...CR
C.R. Tyrell

C.R. It's definitely not a right hand drive car.
It is a 1600 and it has the 4 tail light set up over and under.

Dan H.
D.E. Hanson

There should be a "L" in the VIN for a LHD. But you never can tell. You are right not to do any work on the car until a clear title is obtained.
... CR
C.R. Tyrell

I'VE OWNED MY 1961 MGA for 29 yrs. I do not have a title! Did cars in the sixties come with titles? John
John Gordon

I would get a little creative by working with an auto shop and have them do a lien against the car for non payment. A short time later a title should be abled to be issued. I have done this before to save time as long as it has been a long time since it was registered.

Jeff Becker
JEFF BECKER

From the chassis number 86085 and Clausager the car is a Mk1 1600 and appears to have been made in February/March 1960. If you bought a Heritage Certificate (around £50 now) it would confirm the date of completion of build to the day and give the day of despatch from the factory. It would also give the original colours of the car body, trim and hood. The destination dealer or purchaser should also be mentioned. As already stated if the car was originally LHD the chassis number prefix would have been GHNL and GHN if RHD......................Mike
m.j. moore

Titling of motor vehicles varies by state. There used to be companies in the SE that would had various and sometimes nefarious ways of getting paperwork that supposedly would allow one to get a title in the their respective state. Most states will not recognize those firms and their product, so beware.

You best bet is go to your DMV and find someone to talk with who is knowledgeable and can tell you what the process is for your state and that probably is not the individual at the counter. For example in VA those folks are titled - Assistant Agent in Charge - are generally only in the large or central offices.

States are computerizing records and sometimes vehicles with a title from one state were stolen in another. There was a recent case where a Triumph motorcycle with a Texas title was sold by a reputable shop on Ebay to Australia. The bike was seized by US Customs as it was on another state stolen vehicle list and returned to the owner at the time of the theft.

I always consider vehicles without a title as parts only, as getting titles can be a long and difficult process. Your best bet is to go to your DMV office and begin this process. Avoid the "quickie" title services companies.
Bill Haglan

In Mississippi it's possible to get a title for a car if you can provide 2 "Bill of Sales". I've actually bought two cars on a Bill of Sale, sold them to my wife on another Bill of Sale and using those two BOS's, applied for and gotten titles.

Check your DMV...it may be possible there too.
Gene Gillam

C.R. You are indeed correct on the vin. number.
Careful inspection indicates that the VIN no. is GHNL/86085. Cleaned it up a little better and the "L" is definitely present.

Dan H.
D.E. Hanson

That sounds more like it. Now get yourself to the DMV in your state and find out what you need to get a title. Might need a combination of Bill of Sale and Affidavit. They will tell you, as they are the ones that have to issue title.

Good luck.... CR
C.R. Tyrell

This thread was discussed between 02/11/2014 and 04/11/2014

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