Dealing with a salvage title

Post by **ppeters914** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:46 pm

Getting ready to buy a '66 1600 when the seller discovered it's a salvage title (seriously, he honestly didn't know). There appears to be no damage anywhere, so it's possible the title was created from a lien or something.

Seller is in California; I'm in Washington State. Seller understands if I want to cancel the buy.

I have no experience w/ salvage titles. I plan on doing a nice upgrade to the car and keeping it forever, so the stigma of a salvage title affecting resale isn't a factor.

I just want to know if anyone knows of any other issues when dealing w/ salvage titles, especially in Washington State, and/or anything else I should do before committing to the purchase.

Thanks.

datsunrides · Post by **datsunrides** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 11:16 pm

Usually a salvage title is issued in a couple of instances.First, if the car was totaled by an insurance company at some point and then resold.On a car as old as our roadsters, it would not take much to cause an insurance company to total it for almost any minor claim. Second, if the car was ever in the possesion of a "dismantler".This is the case of my car.The previous owner of the car simply sold it to the junkyard to get rid of it but since it was purchased thru a junkyard, it has to have a salvage title even thou it had no serious body damage and it even ran.(after little work)So even thou it may have a salvage title,it does not mean the thing is a wreck.(hopefully)If the seller is located around the San Jose area, I would be willing to take a look at it to confirm that there is no serious damage to it if you would like.PM me back if so.Mark

Minh · Post by **Minh** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 11:09 am

Salvage title in California only means primarilry something to insurance companies and potential buyers.

If it is then it means the inusrance company will only provide one-way coverage.

You might want to call your insurance company in WA. You may want to know if the "salvage" will transfer over from Cali to WA.

Post by **ppeters914** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 6:41 pm

Here's the latest:

WA will title a car from another state that is titled 'Salvaged', and keep it branded 'Salvage.'

My insurance company (USAA) will insure the car, but will require some documentation (pics, certified mechanic's affidavit, etc) to prove the car isn't a rolling wreck.

Yes, there's a number of reasons 'why' the car has a salvage title - we'll probably never know. My major concern now is if the reason was because of an accident, and, if so, whether there's any hidden damage/bondo.

Grrrrrrr.......!!!!!

SLOroadster · Post by **SLOroadster** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 7:50 pm

The way to find hidden bondo is to look for it cracking, and then drag a magnet all over the car. If it doesn't stick in a spot, you have bondo.

Will

Post by **spl310** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:06 pm

That is generally true, but there are other things that will prevent a magnet from sticking. Remember that these cars had the seams sealed with lead - magnets won't stick there. If the paint is HORRIBLY thick in some spot, that could stop it too.

Body shop supply houses sell a tool that is a calibrated magnet that will detect the paint thickness and skim coats of bondo. Pretty interesting, but probably not something that the average bear needs.