State law and procedures vary from state to state, so the people to call would be the local DMV.
Often a person buys a vehicle "to fix up" and never has the title transferred into their name.. they figure they'll do that when they get it running.
Problem with that is, that alot of times it sits for years and years, and they finally decide they arent going to get around to it, so they sell it.
If they still have the title, and haven't filled in their name on the back, they can just hand it to you.. commonly known as "jumping" the title.
In most, if not all states, this is usually against the law.. since they want you to pay TAX on these things (title and tax normally has to be paid within 30 days of sale by the new owner).
If the current owner DID have the title transferred to his name, all he should have to do is file for a lost title, then transferr that title to you.
If the current owner DIDNT have the title transferred to his name, and has lost the title and bill of sale, you may have to try and figure out who the last person to own the vehicle was and have them file for a lost title.. if he/she is still alive, that is.
I've heard about "title companies" being able to get you a title for a vehicle.. but that costs $200 and up, and some doubt has been cast on such outfits in previous discussions here as to their legality.
Some states make provisions for just such problems.. so call the local DMV and ask them how you should proceed.
