Evidently they think stolen parts are a huge problem, when Bill (my son) went for his trike title they were all bent up about the source of his Harley gas tank he bought on ebay, they wanted the VIN# from the bike it came from, try to prove something like that when there is no numbers on parts like a gas tank. They don't trust anything from ebay anymore, I dred the day I apply for the title to my 32 3 window and I have a ton of money invested in that car, I may go to Ohio where my brother lives and register it there, I still have an Ohio title on my 38 Pontiac..... go figure
Missouri The state of Missouri apparently remains committed to the idea that a vehicle with a lost title can never have one again, at least not by the state of Missouri. It doesn't matter if the vehicle has all the VIN and cowl tags in place, if they have no record of it, it doesn't exist. They will allow a "551 inspection" done by select Highway Patrol officers, but only if the vehicle is 'finished', IE, runs and drives and passes inspection and looks like new inside and out. There is no meaningful legal way to own or title it before then. If the vehicle is built from parts, even if the shell you start with has tags on it, they want copious amounts of documentation on the origins of every nut and bolt apparently, if it didn't come from that car to start with. The state of Missouri has updated their website to include new information about titling classic vehicles. The procedure apparently goes like this: seek out your local county circuit court, and file for a "Declaratory Judgement" telling the judge your story and why the car belongs to you. If he/she decides in your favor and issues the judgment, send this form and a standard title application to the state and apparently they will issue title.