Al Brase wrote:

David:
I can see two problems with this:
1. This vehicle can never be registered again in Florida without BIG
problems.
2. What if the Texas guy or the Florida guy wants to make a stink? If
he's as shady as you say, maybe the Texas guy might do just that!
I'd see if the Texas guy could just send me the Florida title along with
a power of attorney letter authorizing his signature to sign off the
thing to you. This would be necessary if he's already inserted his name
into the buyer blank.

Al,

I don't see any problem with Florida.  I don't plan to ever be registering
anything there.  However, If I suddenly moved there, they don't think it
exists any more since it's not in their current computer system.  Apparently
anything older than a few years which wasn't currently registered was dropped
when they went to the new computer system.  The lady said, if they had
anything, it was on a microfiche "in a box somewhere".  I can imagine a
filing system like the last scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

As for Texas, the law doesn't allow "skipping" a title.  In other words, once
the title has a buyer and seller signature, the buyer must register it before
he can sell it again.  I think there may be a way around for dealers with
dealer plates, but that's different.  The guy in Florida doesn't even
remember it and says he has no records.  I have a signed bill of sale from
the goober the Texas, so I feel secure.

David