Another option may be what's called a "bonded title" - if your state has such a thing.
The bonding doesn't generally cost much - and you get a nice official piece of paper that allows you to register and insure the vehicle. After a certain length of time, the bond expires. The state will then mail you a regular title. (Had to go through that a few years back on an '87 F*** pickup because of a paperwork mess we couldn't straighten out.)
