I purchased a Daytona coupe from the original purchaser in 2014 in Florida. He had installed a few things, but the reality is that I have spent the last 5 years building the car from the ground up in my home state of Colorado. I got all my paperwork together in preparation of my VIN inspection next Tuesday. I headed over to the DMV yesterday to ask about a temporary permit. I was quickly moved to the "special" line. They took the Certificate of Origin and my notarized Bill of Sale and went to talk with the Supervisor in the back office. When the lady came back, she informed me that I had to get a Surety Bond and jump through another number of steps to get the car titled. The Bond requires me to get the car appraised and a Bond that is double the value of the car. Probably $2,000 out of my pocket and a major hassle. They said the original purchaser should have titled it in Florida. I said "what..title a box of parts?" The Surety Bond protects the State if there are title issues. Doesn't make any sense to me...the BOS is an affidavit that is a legal document and it references the FF serial number and name of the original purchaser on the COO. I called the State DMV and they said its a judgement call by the county. FactoryFive said they are crazy. Was hoping FactoryFive would reissue the COO in my name, but no.
Not sure what I can do to challenge the DMV. Any ideas are appreciated.
The moral to the story is beware when you are buying an untitled car.