Need some help on abandoned vehicles

[Theycallmepickle]

Alright, so as some of you may know, I've been looking for a beetle to build a volksrod and haven't had much luck, that is until today.... For some reason I just remembered that there is one in the backyard of my neighbors house deep in the woods pretty much all rotted out. The problem is that he and my father hashed it out when I was a kid and the guy really doesn't like me so I'm not sure how things would turn out asking him about it myself. So I'm thinking I'll have a friend or cousin go ask about it to see if we can just take it off of his property, but I figured I'd ask here first if anyone has any experience taking possession of abandoned vehicles, is there a way to do it without talking to him? The car has been there for yearsss and he just recently built his house. I really need to get it because it's a split window so I'm trying to do it without screwing myself over. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Adam.

[zuez]

his property his car, look some where else.

[UT-X]

If you proceed you should write something up saying he has given you the car free of charge in exchange for its removal from his property, with no further obligation or agreements. He will need to sign/date it and and the receiving party will need to sign/date it. It's just to cover your ass. Otherwise, if he wanted to be a jerk, he could come pretty much at any time with a sheriff and take it back, claiming you either stole it or did not fulfill some agreement. You wouldn't have a leg to stand on. The signed paper isn't bulletproof but it's a helluva lot better than a handshake. Most small claims courts will accept this as a contract and will honor it.

The paper will also come in handy when you try to get it registered.

BTW when a vehicle is on private property it is not necessarily considered to be abandoned. For it to be considered abandoned the owner would either have to contact the authorities and declare it abandoned or someone would have to complain to the authorities about a hazardous/dilapidated vehicle that is without proper registration (some states also include an in plain view of the public clause). Even then it's a pretty fuzzy area.

Yes, I've been through this before and no, I didn't get the car!

[sandfreaks]

I would also think some cold hard cash my be in order
to help facilitate him letting you take it.
Hes going to wonder how you Cousin knew about it
so its probably best just to come out and ask the guy.
Maybe throw in a "Sorry for how my father acted"
kinda thing.

[Theycallmepickle]

Good sound advice fellas!! I pretty much have my heart set on it even though I'm fairly sure it's rotted to hell so I'll take a few days to think about it and see what I can come up with. If anyone else has any further advice by all means keep it coming.

[don-vee]

I think he'd respect you more buy talking to him face to face, rather than having someone act as your mouthpiece and do a sneak-around. If it somehow came out that you were behind some scheme, he would make damned sure you'll NEVER get that car. Like Sandfreaks said, man up, talk to the guy, offer him a bit of money.

[Unkl Ian]

Originally Posted by Theycallmepickle

Alright, so as some of you may know, I've been looking for a beetle to build a volksrod and haven't had much luck,

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifie...php?id=1293463

[Theycallmepickle]

Originally Posted by don-vee

I think he'd respect you more buy talking to him face to face, rather than having someone act as your mouthpiece and do a sneak-around. If it somehow came out that you were behind some scheme, he would make damned sure you'll NEVER get that car. Like Sandfreaks said, man up, talk to the guy, offer him a bit of money.

Touché. Looks like I should go talk to him this weekend at some point to see what he says. Thanks again fellas.

[RatRansom68]

aww, i cant wait to see it in its rotted out glory.i agree a formal apology is in order and some cash along with a note/letter to sign for registration/title purposes. i have an abandoned vehicle lein on my bug which has been holding me back from getting the title and actually working on it.at least snap a few pics if you get the chance to go see it!!!

[metalmaster1766]

If you are able to come to an agreement and get the car, not only should you sign & date it on paper you should also get the paper notarized, otherwise you may run into problems, even if it ends up being a parts car

The reason I say this is when I built my rail buggy in order to get it licenced & titaled you need all receipts from parts you bought for it, if you buy parts from an individual rather than a business, that person needs to write a receipt & it has to be notarized or they won't except it


Ron

[drscope]

"I really need to get it because it's a split window"

I'll maybe believe that when I see pictures.

[Theycallmepickle]

Originally Posted by drscope

"I really need to get it because it's a split window"

I'll maybe believe that when I see pictures.

Lol, I'll sneak back there and snap a couple in a couple minutes.

[Theycallmepickle]

Ahh, I went back there and checked it out, it turns out that it is an oval window and there is a piece of angle iron on the back of the roof that made it look like a split window from the road. Bummer. Either way, the car is a lot worse than I thought and there is also a very early vert on the side of it that I couldn't see from the road and I didn't remember from when I was a kid. I'm gonna try and talk to him tomorrow when he gets home and see what happens.

[don-vee]

Well?

[RatRansom68]

get it and flip it dude!!either way, take a picture, dont tease us!!!

[Dbug41]

If you really want it, try mending some fences with this guy and then ask in about a year.
you might earn a friend in the process.