just took delivery of a 79 spider and when I was reviewing the title (arizona) I noticed it said restored/salvage title ! I did some research on the web and it seems that in AZ I will need the repair bills to show it has been restored back to a running car. This wasn't disclosed by previous owner and I could kick myself for not looking into it. How does this effect me ! Now I'm pissed that I may nave bought a car that I can't register to drive !! Someone who knows...HELP !

1. Have a mechanic who is familiar with cars of this era inspect the car thoroughly to determine if it is safe. You need first to determine if the car was reduced to salvage because of a paperwork problem, or if it was crashed, burnt, or dunked.

2. Contact the seller and ask if he has the necessary documentation that would enable you to restore the title.

this just gets worse. the "owner" I bought car from stated he last drove it 5 yrs ago but it was "running when I parked it". I shoulda ran out at that sentence. Again, turning the title over, the notary on it was signed on 10/16/10 ! He has had the car 2 weeks ! My assumption is he bought it, couldn't register it , and sold it to me. But why the f#@^% story. So I stayed up last night and found the owner before him (name was on title). found her on facebook and left her a nice message to call me / write me and see if I could find documentation / history thru her. Now waiting. In an hour I'm going to call the guy up who sold me the car and confront him on his "lies". Man I hope this car doesnt have anything major wrong with it....i'll take all info from any of you on this situation, anyone out there live in Phoenix who perhaps understands DMV workings...I perused website last night but now its a wait til monday. Lots of wild ideas running thru my head...what if I went down to DMV and said it had no title ........Arrrgh. Pre '81 model so no carfax report....

I do Not know the laws there but here If you request a 15 day Temp from the Dmv than drive it to the State Police station and Have them inspect the car. and sign off that it is a road worthy car and in good sound running condition. Have to do this with some of the bikes I buy that have been, Burt or stolen and have the same title and I put back together for profit. but that is here in Michigan. the laws maybe different. and i do have to show some receipts. wheels,seat,engine,or part for engine, frame, ask at the dmv what you need exactly

Called him and he said the damage was to the front passenger side fender. And that previous owner (whom I'm waiting on a reply from) lost all documentation from repairs but that it wasn't serious and I shouldn't be worried. I told him he was classless to not disclose this information. Anyways I'm heading to DMV early monday am to see whats up. Keep fingers crossed.

pre-previous owner called me. The car was sold to Tom 2 weeks ago, not "over five years ago" like he states. Rest / Savlage title I will find out about tommorow from DMV. The story on my spider was it was in a wreck in nebraska years ago. The pre-previous owners grandfather owned a body shop so he restored it to health. But the "engine never ran right" So it sat for years before Tom bought it, sold me on the lie he has it for 5 yrs and now its mine. What is the easiest way for me to find out if engine is screwed up ? I was going to take radiator off and buy socket and breaker bar to see if crank turns. If it does , thats good start. If it doesnt.... I also fed the spark plug holes a tsp of marvel oil last night to assist in this manuver. Am I missing anything or does anyone have a further suggestion ?

I think you are on the right track in getting to dmv and asking some questions. If it is a rest/salvage does that mean it is not roadworthy and uninsurable there? Can a vehicle inspection from a licenced/recognized inspection facility get the car passed as roadworthy after you have everything sorted. Bit of a pain I'd guess if you wanted a "rolling" restoration.
Here, if the car is from out of province it has to be inspected before registering in BC. That means it has to be road worthy and everything sorted.(my car was from Oregon) If the car was in an accident with damage over $2000.00, it has to be declared on the transfer papers, but that does not mean it is not roadworthy. To be honest though I'm not sure here if the car was written off and then restored, I believe it again has to have an inspection done before insurance.
Perhaps an affidavit from the pre-pre owner about sale date,you might have a case to return the car for $$.
Good luck, I feel your pain, I hate been taken advantage of as well.
Chris

I'd point out that it is illegal in most (probably ALL) states to sell a vehicle with a salvage or restored title without declaring it as such. Yes, you'd probably need an attorney, and yes, you've got a tough road, since you did eventually find it stated such on your title (that I presume changed hands at the time of sale?) but you have some rights here. this is particularly true if you paid regular value, rather than a decreased value based on the salvage title (typically 60-75%).

They seem to pull that crap all the time in the Phoenix area. I got screwed into a salvage title car while living in Phoenix myself. This was from a private seller too. Actually Goodyear AZ. Same dam place. a few months later, i went to one of these small car sales stores on a corner. I was gonna buy a 2yr old car and noticed it was kinda different. Well comes that every one of their cars are salvage cars and they didn't want anyone to know until you got the title in the mail. What a F-N scam. they werent gonna give me my 900 back, but the attorney generals office took care of that really fast.
On another note. I will be in visiting my old stomping grounds in Goodyear, Avondale, Glendale area. Can't wait to go to a little old mexican place called Filbertos. Mmmm and maybe PeterPiperPizza.

In CA I think it just has to pass a light and safety inspection. Hope it works out for you.

It's been a while but I bought my daughter a 96 Saturn when she was a senior in high school (2001).
The car did have a salvage title and did not have any trouble getting plates for it. And I don't recall having to show any additional paper work for it. She's still driving it with 155K on it. Good luck with the DMV and getting it registered.

Just got news: My new Spider has been sitting closer to 15 years, not 5 years. Oh Boy. Oh well, still pulled out fuel tank yesterday and today the carb. Fuel tank had 7 gallons of gas in it. Going to reseal inside it. Carb will be getting rebuilt.
Whereas I thought the salvage/restored title was going to be my biggest problem I now think it shigfts to getting a car as old as my daughter back on the road again. A challenge !

Have you considered just letting it sit until you determine if the car can be registered, and at what cost?

going down to dmv today with title in hand. answer hopefully today.

Title, since its been registered in AZ already as a Salvage/Restore.....is good ! They just told me I need to pass the emissions for 1979 vehicle. But now at least I know that I can take the time to fix this spider and get one more on the road !