Titling a Military Vehicle

[Hector]

I just bought a MP43 Powerwagon Ambulance and I am struggling to get it titled. originally i was told to go thru a title company, such as Broadway Title Company or International Title Service, however both are no longer able to title military vehicles. I live in Missouri but bought the vehicle from someone in Ohio, and after approaching the local DMV with only a Bill of Sale, they are asking for a State written letter from the previous owners state, justifying why it wasn't titled in that state. That task seems challenging, I'm not really sure how to obtain that justification, but I'm going to try. In the mean time, does anyone have any suggestions on how other things i should consider?
Thanks in advance for any help.

[cuz]

I'd start with a different Motor Vehicle office. That request is rather odd. Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles would not be able to tell Missouri why the Ohio owner didn't title it. I would think if they wanted to know why it wasn't titled in Ohio they would start with the Ohio owner.

[8543bob]

GOOD MORNING, I HAVE TITLED MANY VEHICLES AND BOATS IN NY AND FL. I WAS A NY POLICE OFFICER FOR 30 YEARS. AS FAR AS NY AND FL GO YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TITLE ANY VEHICLE WITH JUST A BILL OF SALE FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. YOU WOULD NEED A PREVIOUS TITLE FORM THE SELLER OR IF FROM THE US GOVT A "CERTIFICATE TO OBTAIN TITLE" FLA ALLOWS FOR THE REGISTRATION OF TRALIERS, UP TO 1000 LBS WITH JUST SOME PAPER WORK.
EACH STATE IS DIFFERENT. GOOD LUCK BOB

[BILL L]

I got a a title and a plate for my Military Jeep without a title, just a bill of sale here in Florida. The seller and I did have to sign a form stating that if anyone lays claim to it we must prove different. The VIN number was checked and run and it showed up as never being registered. The VIN number came up as a boat. Got a plate and a clean title. I think it depends on the plate office and the person you get.

[creinemann]

Have the seller fill out this form http:http://dor.mo.gov/forms/5049.pdf this is basically the "bill of sale" but on a state form. After that the DMV should ask you to apply for a title, and may require you validate the vin, or serial number on frame. And i agree with the other post about trying a different DMV, I had trouble titleing my 1943 MB here in WI because of all the trouble with the state trying to ban MV's, so I went to a different MB, the lady there said no problem...got all my paperwork in about 5 minutes, she just listed it in the body style section as an SUV!!

[rtkjmk]

Most of those companies that advertise for titles are a scam , You should look into BONDING the vehicle threw a bonding company ,basically you leave some money with the bonding company and they hold the paperwork for a specific period of time (usually a year)and if there are no claims against the vehicle they will give you ownership . They will allow DMV to reg the vehicle so you can drive it while you waiting for clear title . We used this many times at NY DMV where I worked for 31 years . The bonding company does all the work . The cost is based on the price of the vehicle , usually a few hundred dollars for a MV . Does your state title all year vehicles ? in NY it's only 1975 and newer vehicles require a title . Prior to 75 it's just a paper registration ,which you use to transfer the vehicle . Believe it or not it's pretty easy to reg a non titled vehicle in NYS ,just need a bill of sale and a tax form(OF COURSE) . Just a little FYI , be careful what you do to obtain ownership for your ride , EVERY PIECE of paperwork you give to the GOVERMENT that you know is bogus can be a crime ,usually a felony for EVERY piece of paper used ! I can't tell you how many time things didn't work out and somebody went for a ride in the back seat of the cruiser! . MY advise is go to your DMV ,talk to a SUPERVISOR and explain your problem , they want to register the vehicle just as much as you do ,and it's easier to stay out of trouble then it is to get out of trouble once you get in

[Cal_Gary]

The MVPA helps members with titling issues too, if you were to join.
Gary

[Lifer]

I just bought a MP43 Powerwagon Ambulance ....

Getting a title without proper paperwork can be very problematic. Some states, such as Georgia, don't require a title if a vehicle meets their age requirements.

Now, then, to begin your introduction to the mysteries of military vehicle nomenclature,
there's no such thing as an "MP43." The ambulance was simply an M43, which was a variation of the basic M37 series of vehicles.

The M43 (also the M37 and other variants) was never a "Powerwagon." The Powerwagon was a civilian descendent of the WWII Dodge "WC" series.

There's no need to refer to the M43 as an ambulance when talking to those who are familiar with the M37 family. We all know what it is.

Now that I've gotten you started with the nomenclature, I wish you the best of luck in solving your registration problem.

[rtkjmk]

What you describe your vehicle as for DMV purposes is what it is ; IE , a 1953 DODGE ,serial # 00000000 . I agree , DO NOT use the military ID , the person behind the DMV counter probably has NO IDEAR what a M43 is or cares . You know what they say KISS . By the way ,have you actually checked the vehicles public VIN ( COWL) to the frame VIN ? Some states require a VIN verification form , which you can obtain from most Pd's or your state DMV . In my time at DMV , we did several MV's ,never had a problem , most went away happy . Some we assigned a replacement VIN , if we could find a VIN # that matched the paperwork ,away you went ,another satisfied customer .

[creinemann]

Unless your in Wisconsin, where they now require by law 6 photos of your MV, all title and registration paperwork must be surrendered before new MV plates are issued...driving on the old plates or collectors plates are prohibited, with three exceptions. And we are still striving for our right (privilege?) to drive our vehicles.
Then if you do all that you get this:

It is a cool looking plate though...and it currently allows you to drive them in parade's to and from shows and or parades, and the "occasional test drive" ---Every time I take my M37 out I consider it a test drive, sorta defeats the principal of a 'daily driver'

My M37 is the 22nd MV registered in the state since the new law took effect, and my '43 Willy's is 23rd.

What you describe your vehicle as for DMV purposes is what it is ; IE , a 1953 DODGE ,serial # 00000000 . I agree , DO NOT use the military ID , the person behind the DMV counter probably has NO IDEAR what a M43 is or cares .

[W_A_Watson_II]

Now this was back in late 04/early 05 when we bought the 46 Power Wagon out of KY, we only had a Bill of Sale, and other than answering some letter form the state police, we had no problem getting a title. Have you just gone to a different Sec. of state to see what it takes? I've mostly dealt with the smaller communities DMV's/SoS's as they tend to try to help rather than just say go get this.

[moose3d]

Up here in New Hampshire ANY vehicle made before 1995 can be registered without a title. Just need a bill of sale and have the local LEO verify the VIN on a form and take it to the town clerk to register. Have done that with all my OLDER stuff, with no problems, even did it when I was stationed in Oklahoma and had a FtSill MP verify the VIN and mailed it to the town clerk at home and they mailed out my plates to me (FREE).

[Wayne64]

I haven't done this recently in the crap state I live in, but I did this at least a dozen times over the years. In NYS it was called a statement of facts. How it worked was I write a letter to the person I bought the vehicle from. In the letter I state I had lost the reggy after having it for years, working on it, and need old proof of ownership. I send it certified to an address where I know a "John smith" doesn't live. When the letter is returned to sender I couldn't open it and brought it and a notarized statement of facts to the DMV. Basically I started with nothing and came away with a temporary reggy, a couple of weeks later I got the transferable one from Albany. Now understand I only did this with pre 1974 vehicles as they don't have titles in NY. I did use Broardway Title once for a different problem, I already had a 72 Volvo P1800ES registered but realized that for many years the Vin number was wrong. I used Broardway to start over with the correct number as I wanted to sell it for top dollar. It went smooth with Broardway.