Would you guys take on a project like this?

So I made a visit to the Vineyard on Wednesday. Spoke with the seller about the title. Still hasn't received it yet. He asked me if I just wanted to take the car anyway like he has a few times in the past. This time I called his bluff, and said sure. I figured I would at the very least drive it over to my garage that I work at on the island, and leave it for a few days until I can get it off the island.

Well the car would start, but wouldn't stay running for any longer than 30 seconds or so on its own. Even using the choke proved useless as it would run longer, but eventually still shut down. The sellers mechanic said he thought it was low on fuel, and the gauge read empty, but I assured him the gauge wasn't working. He headed out to get a few gallons of fuel which he put it until it was pouring out of the filler neck because the tank was full.

Try as we did the car wouldn't stay running very long, and I didn't trust it would make the 1 mile trip to my garage, so I left it with him. What do you guys think I should do? Demand he get it to me like we agreed to in the deal even without the title yet, get it myself somehow which may be expensive if I need to have it towed or hauled off island due to the poor running, or plan C of your liking? He seemed fine with me taking it without paying him anymore money the other day, and is convinced he will get the title. I think I could get one in a round about way myself anyway, but I will have to pay him for the car eventually, but maybe I could get a jump on the restoration of it before all of that takes place.

Any ideas?

Chris

I really wouldn't start on any kind of serious restoration until the deal is settled.

OTOH, playing around with it long enough to fix the running problem (provided it's an 'easy' fix) would be a "volunteering at the animal shelter" kind of thing, IMO.

Chris,

If the wagon is as rare and all that you say it is, I'd go for it even without the title as long as you can get it for just the $500, deposit. You can take a risk with that small of an amount on the table, for sure.

As the car originally came from Maine, and Maine doesn't title older cars (the registration is the "title") I'll bet that a legitimate title never ever materializes. If you can find a previous registration in all of that paperwork, or maybe get connected to the previous owner and see if he can locate one for you, you'll be all set with the Massachusetts DMV.

If your friend/the one selling the car really IS a registered automobile dealer in Massachusetts, he can sell you the car on a RMV1 document and you can use that to secure a title.

http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/title.htm

If he took the car on a bad debt and has had it in his possession for six months or so, he can file a mechanic's lien on it and get a new title in that way as well.

http://www.goldmanpease.com/mechanic%E2%80%99s-liens-in-massachusetts-%E2%80%93-a-guide-to-its-requirements-and-how-it-works.html

If you decide to go with the "sell" it to a friend in a non-title state and then have him sell it back to you. Remember to use a third party (friend or relative) and go through New Hampshire or Maine for the process.

You MIGHT even be able to use a mail box service as a legal mailing address and just open a box and register the car in either state using the box as your address. Typically the address will read something like:

Name Suite #111 222 Easy Street Border Town, New Hampshire Zip Code

With the "suite" being the box number.

Don't listen to Todd when he suggests that his Dad can register the car in Rhode Island, they have the same laws as Massachusetts, and if he mentions using his Mom's address down in Dixie, run away! She'll never go for the crap.

Either way, good luck !