Utah title transfer (help retaining original needed)

[ramiron]

I am looking for suggestions and knowledge for transferring an "original" Utah title, without relinquishing the original.  I've not been successful in searching and finding the related info in the forum.  I have not talked to the Utah DMV yet, I want to be well prepared beforehand.  Basically, I have purchased a '70 Cuda from an estate sale.  I have all numbers matching, plus the one owner original title, which I don't want to give to the state.  I have death certificate and release paper to the heir to allow sale.  I am in Utah visiting, car is in Utah and is to remain in Utah.  I live in Florida  and attempting to move back to Utah, thus don't want to take the Cuda to Florida.  DMV FL will not issue title w/o the original title.  A lost title requires a VIN verification inspection, which requires me to take the car to FL which is not happening.
My desire is to get it titled in Utah, keep the original for numbers matching documentation.

I appreciate ideas or experiences, especially specific to Utah

[Cuda Cody]

In WA they will let me keep the original if it adds value to an old collectible car. 

[cuda hunter]

You will have to ask your dmv if you can keep that title.  My state has not let me keep any titles in the past.

[RUNCHARGER]

One of my pet peeves when importing a car into Canada. The govt. makes us turn the original title in when we final register the vehicle. I makes copies of them before turning them in to prove they came from Az. or Ca. but it would be nice to have the originals.

[Burdar]

My situation is a little different then yours...

My dad is the original owner of my 73.  When we were thinking about transfering the title over to me, I wanted to keep the original one with dad's name on it.  We were told by the local DMV that we would have to turn in the original title and could not keep it.  Our plan was to just say the original title was lost and apply for a copy.  The small fee that would be required would have been worth it to me.

Dad ended up calling the DMV in the small county he originally titled the car in and was honest and explained the situation.  The gal had to look back through 3 different computer systems but eventually found the information and issued a replacement title for us.  I don't even remember being charged for it but maybe we were.  Now the car is in my name and I still have the original title with dad's name on it.  Interesting fact is that the original title also listed the original license plate number the car had.  So, I had reproduction plates made with the original numbers the car had when new.

I would ask the selling family if they would apply for a replacement title and you would pay all the fees associated with it.

[ramiron]

Thanks to all for the responses and information.  I read on a post, here, that AAA could do the transfer for the DMV.  I don't recall which post it was mention in.  I visited a local, Utah, AAA office for a fact finding mission and was told they could do anything that the DMV could do, but w/o the long line.  I indicated that the Cuda was a recent estate sale purchase, and that I had the following documentation; A Bill of Sale, the owner death certificate, the affidavit of transfer, but not the title.  I was told that I could do the transfer, but would require a VIN inspection by an officer.  She said to call the local non-emergency leo to request an at home vin inspection, since the car is not being driven yet.  The AAA agent told me that I can do a title transfer only, or a title transfer and registration.  If a registration is done, it requires an emission inspection.  If a registration is done AAA will even handle the tax collection for the state and issue plates and stickers.  This is not a commercial for AAA and I have no association with AAA, but AAA will provide storage insurance while the Cuda is stored, and with a call will provide short term insurance for periods of as needed driving coverage.  For the transfer work there is no Additional charge over the DMV cost.

Thanks again to all.  This forum has come through for me once again.         

[ramiron]

That's how it should be done with every state, and seems logical.  Help keep the value higher, earn a little more in taxes.

[cuda hunter]

If you register it out of your city limits in a rural community you can skip the emissions. 
In Colorado that is a City thing only.  I would assume the same in Utah. 

[usraptor]

I live in Utah and in 2009 I purchased a '70 Cuda, in state, that had been in storage and thus not registered since 1983.  I went to DMV and they did a title change but since I wasn't driving the car I didn't have to register it.  Since the original title didn't mean anything to me, I turned it in to DMV at the time and didn't ask about keeping it. 9 years later I had finished the car and went back to DMV to register it and with the original 1983 "Vintage" personalized plates.  The lady was very helpful and after searching the database to make sure they weren't currently being used allowed to use the vintage plates.  No VIN verification needed.  Having lived in Utah now for 15 years and having made numerous visits to DMV over the years I can say the people at Utah's DMVs are very friendly, helpful and easy to work with.  Also, the average wait I have had is under 10 minutes, with most being under 5 minutes.  Considerably different than the typical government employees that work at the Calif DMVs.

[JS29]

Or New York state DMV's   

[scf100]

In Georgia I have my wife's fathers truck he bought new in 1985..

I had them apply for a new title as if original was lost so I could keep the original...

Once I got the replacement I then applied for title in my name....

[Bossgold]

I have lost titles and had them replaced not hard..... just make sure like you said that you know the process. In California and Pennsylvania Triple AAA will walk you thru the process so I make sure to go thru them and find the one person who will help and knows the Process - then I return to the same person. In Detroit MI it was a pain cause you have to go thru the SoS (DMV) and I never got the same person who knew anything

Now, with that said....if you ever buy a car and the title is gone or sketchy you can get a Vermont Title very easily. Read up on it, I have several car friends who buy and sell and do this so they have a title to take to the state of final destination. You can apply for it online

[ramiron]

USraptor, I am finding the Utah experience and AAA to be quite easy so far.  I have all the ducks in a row for the title transfer, but thinking that I will go ahead and try to do the registration now also and get everything behind me.  I have the VIN inspection done.  Vintage cars have a couple mentions of 30 y.o. and 50 y.o., for vintage registration, plates, and emissions inspection.  In seven days I won't need to be concerned about it, it will be 50.  Registering in a rural non-emissions county will be mute also.  I will do all of the paperwork, have it titled using the death certificate, bill of sale, and have if all wrapped up.  I am doing it to retain the original title since the car is fully documented from day one, including the owners order at the dealer, and all his maintenance record since he bought it.

usraptor, I will be back to review your post and check out your links to your Cuda build.

Thanks everyone for the input

[6pack]

How about a picture of this car please.    The original title is nice to have.  I was given one for my 1970 Roadrunner when I purchased it by the owner.  I bought the car in Michigan and there is a set method to keep it for your records for a nominal fee.  Good luck with your E body.

[ramiron]

I live in Utah and in 2009 I purchased a '70 Cuda, in state, .....

Restoration pictures at: http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
(Updated 12/2/18))

CC.Com Restoration tread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=54956.0

My hats off to you sir, that is one fantastic looking restoration and beautiful end product.  Good job sir.