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jaybird

jaybird

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Some of you probably remember the issues I had when I went to title Binabox. We sent the paperwork off, with the letter from the state of Alabama and the bill of sale, on November 30th. We haven't gotten anything back yet. I half expected it to come right back declined (IL insists they won't title a car without a current title, Alabama doesn't title cars older than 1975) Well, it's been almost 2 months and nothing.

Do I follow up or just sit tight and wait to see what happens? Binabox is months from running, so I don't need title or plates right now.
 
I'd give them a call and find out what they've done so far. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it yet, but the sooner you can get it taken care of, the better.

I don't think you'd want to have Binabox finished and ready to drive, but not driveable because of no plates or registration.

You'll probably have to drill it into their heads that the title to the car is nonexistant; what you've provided them thus far should be proof enough that you actually own the car.

They say they won't register a car without a title? Where there's a rule, there's always an exception...and you'll have to find the someone who can make that exception. Yours sounds like a strong case for it.
 
Considering the history of southern Illinois politics I'm sure that a few bucks to a certain politician (who's name may or may not rhyme with a medium-sized string instrument played while sitting) would go a long way...

not that I would say this out loud. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Believe me Josh, I spent days and hours on the phone with the Secretary of State's office(s). From the local office to the main office in Springfield. I've explained to them over and over there IS NO title for this car. That Alabama doesn't require one, so I HAVE none. I have a letter, on Alabama state letterhead stating such. I sent all of that into Springfield, after talking with 23 morons at 7 different offices.

I'm not licensing her until right before she's on the road. They issue temporary plates immediately, so that's not an issue at all. But I'd like to know what's up with the title.
 
Just curious but what the heck do you do if you can't get it titled? I am sure somehow it can be done but what if not??
 
Ya, great question Bruce. I have plans A & B, but I'd rather not go that route. Plan A is having someone in Missouri title it for me, and then transfer the title to IL with that title. Double costs, double hassle. Plan B is using that shady place in Las Vegas to get an Alabama.
 
I KNOW there have been people in Illinois that have bought old cars from Alabama and titled them. I'm about to contact the Chicagoland MG Club to see what they might suggest. Maybe I won't have to worry about anything, but that's not normally how things work when I'm involved!!!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I've also sold cars to other folks in IL who had no problem titling the cars with exactly what I gave Janel

were it me, I'd call the office in the state capital to which the paperwork went.
 
I called there before I sent it in. Think I should call now and find out what's going on, or wait a bit longer?

ONLY I would have these sort of hassles. I thrive on hassles, live for hassles. Eat, sleep and breathe hassles.

Sooner or later I'm going to have to do something if I don't hear from them or get a title in the mail. I can't apply for plates without the title, so it's a matter of time anyway. I know Emma's title & plates took about a month.

Suppose I'll get the paperwork out and make a phone call.

~bangs head repeatedly on desk to warm up for the call~
 
Don't fergit to warm up yer "Bureaucrat-ese" as well.
 
Well that was enlightening. It takes 6-8 weeks for a new title application. So I'm still within that window.

~shrugs~ Wouldn't even look it up for me until after 8 weeks.
 
O, can't do anything about it don't worry about it, YET. Mark the eight week point on your memory and add an additionl week for when they actually received it via slow mail and call then.
 
I would start any process now. Who knows how long it will take. Sooner the better. You will be very unhappy having a running car, finished and no way to put it on the road.

Do it now. Get started. Call. Whatever.
 
Hi Janel,
I would wait a bit longer. It took the State 8 weeks to get my new title to me this past summer. I think they have slowed the processing down. My situation was just getting a new title while surrendering an old Illinois title. I also thought it took too long, now add the extra paperwork of not having a title and the Secratary of States office monkeys are probably putting it off for a easier job!
 
6-8 weeks is typical for most states for any title...even a new car with no "issues" to deal with.
 
Illinois used to be alot faster. I got my last brand new car in 2000 and it only took 3 weeks to get the title. Then we had a regime change and things got much slower.
 
Janel I use Broadway all the time and right now they are 8 weeks behind(that was before Nov) so just wait. Everyoe I have done has come. It used to take 10 days but people are washing titles like mad trying to capitalize on flood damage etc. It's sad a legitamate service gets abused - that is why the wait.
 
Thanks Randi. I'll wait awhile on the state here to see what happens.
 
Anyone remember my 4-5 month wait/worry, only to find out that my daighter had checked the mail one day and the title was stuffed under the computer? It had been there for more than half that time.

Biggest problem, and what scared me was I bought the car from one guy who had never gotten the title signed over to him. Lucky me - he was still friends with the other guy. Everything worked out tho.

Good luck with yours
 
I'm gonna have fun when it comes to the TR2. It hasen't been on the road since the early 60s. Last registered in NJ. I bought it from a different person in VT and is now in NY. This oughta be good.
NY dosen't have titles on older cars either. I had to apply for a lost "title" on my old Galaxie. It was pretty easy. the biggest thing was I had to go get it weighed.
 
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