I titled my truck in 2000 here in Lees Summit Mo. I had the original title my brother in law got back in 1969 when he purchased the truck. Problem was it was never signed over to him, still had the original owners name on it who had passed away sometime in the '70s. I had the truck road ready and went to the DMV, they freaked out and said I needed receipts and or titles for every part on the truck before they would even begin to look into getting it titled. I explained the engine came from a salvage yard and they don't give out titles with engines, same with the transmission. They sent me home to collect what I could. I had my friend write up a bill of sale for the engine and trans, I had someone else write one for the rear axle, then went back with all the receipts from the part I purchased, I saved all of them. They still wouldn't title it due to the original title mistake back in '69.
I made an appointment in Jeff City at the DMV, they looked over the papers and with in 20 minutes had it figured out and I was on my way. I needed a 3 year bonded title, cost wasn't too much per year, and I needed the Highway Patrol to look over the truck and give it a new VIN number, the 12 digit like a trailer would get, once that was done, the state issued a new title and tags. The highway patrol verified the engine and trans wasn't stollen, and it was road worthy. Since it was a '37, there were no serial numbers on the cab or frame to look for.
It took about three months to get it done, I should have verified the title when I got the truck, but it was at my brother in laws farm for so many years I never though it would be a problem.
My advise it to get the DMV involved sooner then later, save every receipt you get and get a bill of sale for all major parts.
You can get it titled if built piece by piece, you just need proof of purchase for every piece of it.
Joe Hand
