There are precious few of these success stories resulting from jumping through all the required hoops proposed by your local DMV. This is one man's tale of purchasing car with no title, and ultimately procuring a valid title through the DMV in Oregon, USA. Apparently it required about 9-months of persistence.

On 1/16/2024, Rick Chroninger wrote:
"Here is my story of obtaining a title for a restorable, but dissected 1957 MGA.

So you know, a MGA was the first car I ever coveted. In my early teens the neighbor across the street dove a MGA to work every day. He knew I like it. When I was 15 he offered it to me but my parents had just split. The MG slipped through my fingers. Fast forward to 17, I purchased a 1958 TR-3. I had it through my senior year to the following January when I went into the service. My mother sold the car (another story). I am now 72.

Today's 1957 MGA.
I heard about the MG from my instructor, Pat, at an Automotive Restoration class at our local community college. This was last spring (2023). The MG was in Redmond, Oregon. Pat was helping the owner with a Monte Carlo. The owner was just giving it up. I took it off his hands, costing me $100 in diesel. The owner gave me a bill of sale. He had the name of the previous owner so I had him include that on the bill of sale. A friend helped me with getting the MG using his truck, and doing all the driving. We took it to a mutual friends property in Washington until a title could be obtained. Otherwise, it was swap meet material. We headed back to Portland.

Oregon DMV is by the book as it should be. I had a bill of sale, an identification plate on the cowl, and 2 license plates. One plate was rusted to a MGA bumper. The other plate was not attached. Both had 1968 tags. The plates did not match.

My first DMV contact was by phone. The representative told me Oregon had no record for the identification number or either license plate. She told me to call the surrounding states to check if they have records for it. She said Oregon could not title the MG without a record.

DMV offices are a mad house. Most people show up and wait, sometimes 4 or more hours. I made an appointment but was 6 weeks out. When it came, I still waited an 1 hour. The representative suggested abandon vehicle forms relating to businesses. After reviewing instructions and forms, it became apparent it wouldn't be truthful to use.

My next contact with DMV was by phone to the head office in Salem, Oregon's Capital. The representative was personable. We had a discussion. He had an idea and transferred me to another group. This representative gave me hope. She gave me a form to use and mail to their office.

I prepared a letter, attached pictures, and gave as much information I could. My instinct told me the MGA was dissected for decades and passed many times. Title was lost to history.

A few weeks later DMV requested previous owners. The owner was not forthcoming with information. My instructor, Pat, actually knew his wife from before. Pat called her. The previous owner was her cousin. She also corrected the spelling. The previous owner lives in Salem. I passed this information to DMV. They requested this person provide a written and signed statement including when he acquired the MG and who he got the MG from.

I was able to find and talked to him, a nice guy. He quickly provided the statement. He actually got the MG from his brother-in-law in 1978 in its current state. His brother-in-law passed years ago.

The statement was mailed back to DMV. Unfortunately, I left off an important date on the form I sent before. DMV requested a correction and return by mail, and include a check for title. Title was not assured. This at the end of November. On January 11th, I received title in the mail which I credit to time, patience, and respect for the people at DMV.

Best regards, -- Rick Chroninger