Challenged Priced Austin Mini $2012

midknight, you got PM.

Dang, was hoping it might still work for someone. When did they change that MetalMan?

HoserRacing wrote: Dang, was hoping it might still work for someone. When did they change that MetalMan?

I dont know the dates for each change, its been a slow progressive thing.

In my view many laws in various states came under scrutiny and began to change after CBS 60 minutes did an in depth 'sting' type report of odometer roll backs involving several states including some primary offenders in TX and Cleveland TN considered to be the 'used car capitol' of the USA. I actually knew some of the guys who ended up in prison. In one case I used to buy cars from a Cleveland wholesaler BEFORE they were tampered with. He was moving two truck loads a week at the time and was considered a 'small' player compared to some others I knew of. He was at that time selling to others who were doing the tampering. After they went to prison he began doing it himself and ended up in jail himself.

At one point it was thought that 75% of all vehicles coming through Cleveland had their odometers rolled back. Dealers in other states were part of the scheme including TX, GA, CA, and many more. They used various title washing methods to achieve their results including transferring bills of sale to registration in other states than that back to a title thus washing the car of its mileage record. They also engaged in VIN swapping on wrecked cars etc etc

Gradually many states have changed their titling laws and requirements to address this kind of widespread fraud. More recently titling and paperwork requirements for imported cars have changed greatly too. Minis imported with an older version V5 (UK title) are no longer considered as having 'proper' papers for titling here. It used to be easy to import your own classic from the UK. Not so anymore.

Just for giggles, e-mailed the following to the DMV after looking at the titling page on their webiste http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/motor/TitleSection/ts_TitledRegOOS.aspx

" I am looking at purchasing a car from another state that does not require a title for cars older than 1980. If I bring a copy of the registration from that state, the Form MV-1 Title/Tag Application and the Form T-22B Certification of Inspection, I am able to register the car and get a Georgia title for it, is that correct? I want to make sure I don't run into a problem down the road with this car if I do decide to buy it. Thank you!"

The reply:

Yes in addition to the following:

Must have a Valid GA’s Drivers License Must show proof of GA Residency (Utility Bill) Proof of Insurance

Lynn Wheeler Information Referral Specialist 404-xxx-xxxx - ph 404-xxx-xxxx - fx

Now, part of the problem may be the not imported for US sales thing, but at least you can do it on other cars.

HoserRacing wrote: but at least you can do it on other cars.

Dont bet on it. You show up to your local DMV and try that on a classic Mini or another 1963-85 car and you wont get a title, only registration and tag. Trust me when I tell you, this misinformation is common, even from DMV officials.

I know someone who went through all this a very short time ago. Talked to the DMV blah blah blah...they said oh yeah, no problem...blah blah...paid big bucks for a classic, then when it was time to get a title it was uhhhh not. Registration only. Why? There was not a title document for the vehicle to begin with and it came from anther region.

The rules clearly state this in relation to 'title optional' vehicles...which are 1963-1985, and here they are right from the DMV...

You can title a 1963-1985 year model vehicles IF: 1) you have a title issued in your name; 2) the owner on the front of the title has assigned the title to you; 3) the owner on the front of the title has assigned the title to a dealer and the dealer has assigned the title to you.

Without that you only get registration, NOT a title. Beyond that, the DMV doesnt even want to issue titles for 63-85 cars so even that can be a hassle if you dont know what you are doing. Some clerks dont even know the rules and will try to tell you that you wont get a new GA title even when you have one.

If you look closely at the page you referenced you will see that those provisions are for cars 1986 and newer.

In reply to metalman:

Ok, so you are keying in to the pre-1986 issue.

There is still a way.

GA WILL issue a title for a non-titled car (with no issues) from another state that is post 1986. I've done it several times. In fact, I just sold the Yugo form Hell back to JThw8 with a clean GA title, which he has transferred to a clean NJ title. When I bought it from him, it was unable to be titled in NJ.

But this car is older than 1986.

Metalman, you are correct on the info direct from GADOT. GA will not generally title a pre 1986 car (except in those instances you listed).

But you don't need one in GA.

So, the question then becomes what the laws are in other states. It varies on a state by state basis, but a lot of states will issue a title based on a legit GA registration, since GA doesn't issue titles for pre 1986 cars.

So, for pre 1986 cars, you can register them in GA without a title, then sell them to an out of state buyer who can then title them in other states. Yes, I've done this too- it ends with a clean title. And once a clean title exists from another state, it is possible to sell it back to a GA buyer and have a title.

I realize that is a lot of hair-splitting, but it works, and is completely legal.

It is also possible in GA to get a bonded title (its complicated, but it is essentially buying an insurance policy for a period of time which is surety against the vehicle being stolen), but this only works for post 1986 cars.

Where there is a will, there is a way, and some cars are worth the effort!

Yep-the way the title company that used to work out of Georgia did it was:

-you sent them relevant information and some money somehow giving them the car -they registered the car in GA
-they "sold" you the car complete with a GA registration
-you use the GA registration to register the car in your state and get a brand new title from your state.

I will say in FL they send a deputy out to the location of the vehicle to check the VIN and run it through the system to make sure it isn't stolen so I would be damn sure there is no suspicious history on the car first.

Whoa! Did not know this would generate this type of discussion. I am sincerely not trying to mislead anyone regarding the car. I admit my knowlege of Georgia law is dated from when i did this back in the late 90s, but it was similar to the method Mr. Joshua mentioned. So to clarify, you may be able to get paperwork from Georgia (registration), that may allow you to title the car in the state where you live, but please check for your own peace of mind. I will also check into florida's requirements for issueing a bonded title. Unfortunately, the cost involved will likely not make this a $2012 car anymore. Thanks for the update on the status of the laws in Georgia Metalman. If a registration can still be obtained through Georgia or another state with similar laws, it should still be able to work for someone. To those who have inquired, I'll send additional pics of the car, including engine shots, in the morning.

Broadway title is who I used in the past. I have no idea if they are still in business, but I am pretty sure they no longer operate out of GA. The price was pretty reasonable back in the day.

Forgot to mention, the yellow Mini in the background is my sister's. It's got a 1.6 vtec motor in it, but I'm about to take it apart and redo the interior and exterior for her wedding anniversary at the end of the year. The brown Mini in the background is a Mini Estate, but not a woody. Planning on keeping that one, but not sure yet. I've also got a Mini convertible shell. Roof was cut off by a previous owner, but I still have it. Just a rolling shell that needs new floors and of courst a motor. Looking for $700 for it. Another sedan shell comes with doors, bonnet, and boot, but does not have subframes. $800 for that one, but I can find subframes and include them in the sale for $1k total. I've also got a sedan that's complete with interior and rolls on 10 inch wellers. Comes with a fiberglass flip front and a 998cc motor that definitely needs to be rebuilt. $1800. This last one has a florida title, but the shells do not. Will sell those with a bill of sale. Also for sale shortly will be my Dad's 1979 1330cc Mini. Don't know if it's ok to go ahead and mention it here, but if it's a problem I will edit and remove. It's Nissan 350z blue, caged, 13 x 6 or 7, flared, suzuki gti or starion interior, I don't remember but can look when I get home. Wicked sweet car that has a good florida titled in his name. Car is currently in Tallahassee, but he will be taking it back to Fort Lauderdale next week. If there is any interest car can stay here so it will be easier for out of state buyers to pick up. He's asking $7500 obo for it. Will send pics to those seriously interested. Thanks guys.

Yeah, Broadway Title is who I used back then also.

dmidknight wrote: Another sedan shell comes with doors, bonnet, and boot, but does not have subframes. $800 for that one, but I can find subframes and include them in the sale for $1k total. I've also got a sedan that's complete with interior and rolls on 10 inch wellers. Comes with a fiberglass flip front and a 998cc motor that definitely needs to be rebuilt. $1800. This last one has a florida title, but the shells do not.

hmm pics of these two?

I don't NEED a mini but if I could get one for cheapo.. maybe I do need one.

Shoot me an email nocones, and I'll include you on the mailout.

PM sent.

Pics sent to all who requested. Thanks guys.

It used to be in some states that the registration was the title. At least that's the way it was when I was a teen in SoCal. The so called "pink slip" was the title and registration. Pink was the color of the title/registration on cars owned straight up, not financed. If the car was financed the title/registration was a different color - light blue or green if I remember right - and wasn't really a title, just registration. Never had a financed car when I lived in SoCal. That did change but I don't know when, maybe when the "white plates" came out. Maybe blue plates. But the above was true with black plates.

Think I still have the pink slip on my Opel GT. It was originally a CA car. When I registered it first in TN then in AL they let me keep the old paperwork. I have the original paperwork from the 1st owner when he bought it new. I also still have the original blue plates for the car.

These are all sold now right.. So I don't have mental anguish..

Hi wayne,

good luck selling your stuff, I hope whoever buys if actually shows up to get.

dmidknight wrote: Forgot to mention, the yellow Mini in the background is my sister's. It's got a 1.6 vtec motor in it, but I'm about to take it apart and redo the interior and exterior for her wedding anniversary at the end of the year. The brown Mini in the background is a Mini Estate, but not a woody. Planning on keeping that one, but not sure yet. I've also got a Mini convertible shell. Roof was cut off by a previous owner, but I still have it. Just a rolling shell that needs new floors and of courst a motor. Looking for $700 for it. Another sedan shell comes with doors, bonnet, and boot, but does not have subframes. $800 for that one, but I can find subframes and include them in the sale for $1k total. I've also got a sedan that's complete with interior and rolls on 10 inch wellers. Comes with a fiberglass flip front and a 998cc motor that definitely needs to be rebuilt. $1800. This last one has a florida title, but the shells do not. Will sell those with a bill of sale. Also for sale shortly will be my Dad's 1979 1330cc Mini. Don't know if it's ok to go ahead and mention it here, but if it's a problem I will edit and remove. It's Nissan 350z blue, caged, 13 x 6 or 7, flared, suzuki gti or starion interior, I don't remember but can look when I get home. Wicked sweet car that has a good florida titled in his name. Car is currently in Tallahassee, but he will be taking it back to Fort Lauderdale next week. If there is any interest car can stay here so it will be easier for out of state buyers to pick up. He's asking $7500 obo for it. Will send pics to those seriously interested. Thanks guys.

Wow! Where on earth did you find all of them? I looked for months for a Mini project in Michigan to no avail.

Maybe I'm just in the wrong part of the country!

None of the Minis are sold as yet. Lots of interest, but no sales finalized. Paranoid_Android, you may be in the wrong part of the country I've accumulated the Minis through years of trades, barters and purchases. This is the second time I'm selling most of my stuff off. I was driving my sister's yellow Mini to work one day in Miami when a trucker stuck to my bumper in an eighteen wheeler, and wouldn't stop blowning his horn till I pulled over. He had just sold a property in Hialeah and had 5 Minis in his fully walled in backyard that he couldn't get out. Would I be interested? Got down there the next day and build 2 ramps with my friend in the rain and pulled them all over the wall. 2 were Cooper S's. Gave my friend 2, kept one for myself, and sold other 2 and put myself through grad school. I ran down a Mini on I-95 that was doing in excess of 90 mph and offered my pristine 124 Spider in trade. He was hesitant, so I offered to stop by his house, and had him and his wife go for a drive. Trade done. I've found Minis in the backwoods of North Georgia, and under carports on side streets in Miami, and through calls from long haul trucker friends who have spotted them in odd places. Thing is, they have all been in various states of extreme disrepair. I've only ever restored 4 Minis out of the 20 I've owned, probably because work has me on the road a lot, and for many years it was hard to balance shop time and family time. My love for Minis goes back to enjoying riding in them as a kid in Jamaica, but I have serious automotive ADD, and I cannot get Fiats, Alfas, 2002s, Cortinas, MR2s and 914 Porsches out of my system. Hopefully this move will bring a better long term situation for me and the remaining cars.

dmidknight wrote: None of the Minis are sold as yet. Lots of interest, but no sales finalized. Paranoid_Android, you may be in the wrong part of the country I've accumulated the Minis through years of trades, barters and purchases. This is the second time I'm selling most of my stuff off. I was driving my sister's yellow Mini to work one day in Miami when a trucker stuck to my bumper in an eighteen wheeler, and wouldn't stop blowning his horn till I pulled over. He had just sold a property in Hialeah and had 5 Minis in his fully walled in backyard that he couldn't get out. Would I be interested? Got down there the next day and build 2 ramps with my friend in the rain and pulled them all over the wall. 2 were Cooper S's. Gave my friend 2, kept one for myself, and sold other 2 and put myself through grad school. I ran down a Mini on I-95 that was doing in excess of 90 mph and offered my pristine 124 Spider in trade. He was hesitant, so I offered to stop by his house, and had him and his wife go for a drive. Trade done. I've found Minis in the backwoods of North Georgia, and under carports on side streets in Miami, and through calls from long haul trucker friends who have spotted them in odd places. Thing is, they have all been in various states of extreme disrepair. I've only ever restored 4 Minis out of the 20 I've owned, probably because work has me on the road a lot, and for many years it was hard to balance shop time and family time. My love for Minis goes back to enjoying riding in them as a kid in Jamaica, but I have serious automotive ADD, and I cannot get Fiats, Alfas, 2002s, Cortinas, MR2s and 914 Porsches out of my system. Hopefully this move will bring a better long term situation for me and the remaining cars.

That's a great attachment you have to those cars! And I know what you mean about the balance with family- its tough.

I used to be a vintage VW guy until my ex-father-in-law gave me a barn find 69 MG Midget. I've been stuck on them since.

But I still have a bucket list of cars, and a vintage Mini is at the top. I guess I know what region to find them in now!

Mine.

Working out pick-up date and payment with dmidknight.

Now please excuse me while I go dance around grinning like an idiot.

Congratulations!

Congrats - I'm jealous (I'm on a new project ban until I clear out a few things).

Son Of A..... congrats.