Selling my Sterling Nova

[Mister_X]

Hi,

Unfortunately, I need to sell my Sterling Nova (along with a box with parts, receipt for parts and stuff, books if I remember correctly) but I need some advice on how to get started.

I purchased it at the end of 2015, and it had a Nevada title. As I lived in a different state, I needed a VIN verification to register it. I did it but it was uncorrectly filled, so I had to get it done again. Unfortunately, I never took the time to do it because it meant putting it on a trailer again and driving to the dealership (and it was a time consuming task, and had to be done during business hours). It is in good shape (the engine that hasn't run since 2017, and I'm assuming gas has gone bad and should be replaced) under a cover, as it has been sitting in a friend's garage who'd now really would like to be able to use the space the car is occupying.

Now that I'm living abroad, getting the car registered in my name is an even bigger issue.

I know I'll have to provide a power of attorney, car specific with the car's VIN. It is to be done at the US embassy (and bears their notary's seal), and I have to ship the document to my friend, so they can title and sell the car for me. That's the easy part, I've done one before (I just need to call the DMV over there to know if they updated the document since last time I had this done). Registering it is really annoying as the DMV requires a VIN verification and proof of insurance. I have a few questions:
- Can dealership come to the house to do a VIN verification? Or anybody else who is allowed to do a VIN verification?
- How to handle the insurance requirement for the DMV (just titling the car)? I don't believe I'll be able to get it in my name as I'm not residing in the US anymore.
- Is there some kind of agent who could take care of all that process for a fee?

Or if anybody is interested to purchase it with the old Nevada title (I still need to do that power of attorney document regardless). I even have a trailer I could sell with it (which is registered in my name).

 

[sector]

Posting some photos should speed up the selling process.

 

[letterman7]

Hi,

Registering it is really annoying as the DMV requires a VIN verification and proof of insurance. I have a few questions:
- Can dealership come to the house to do a VIN verification? Or anybody else who is allowed to do a VIN verification?
In general, no. You will need a law enforcement officer to do that. Someone from a DMV representative (auto tag place) might, but getting anyone to do anything with the current state of affairs with the C-19 plague is going to be next to impossible. If you are going to sell the car outright, don't even worry about VIN verification as you have the Nevada title.

- How to handle the insurance requirement for the DMV (just titling the car)? I don't believe I'll be able to get it in my name as I'm not residing in the US anymore.
Have someone in your family insure it and have you listed as a driver. But if you can't get it titled, it's a moot point.

- Is there some kind of agent who could take care of all that process for a fee?
If your friend wants it out, and has a truck to haul the trailer to where it needs to be VIN checked or whatever, that's as close to an agent as you're going to get.


Or if anybody is interested to purchase it with the old Nevada title (I still need to do that power of attorney document regardless). I even have a trailer I could sell with it (which is registered in my name).

You can sell with the Nevada title, signed in your name as the transferee. It doesn't need to be registered to you. But you do need paperwork saying that you own the car from the previous Nevada owner - a bill of sale or something similar. Check your state regulations, each state is different on how vehicle sales are handled and what needs to be present if you are not. And yes, photos will help along with a price.

 

[ratrog64]

My experience has been that if you had signed the Nevada title when you bough the car, it might then need to be titled in your name before you can transfer the title (states want to collect the sales tax and fees involved in doing the title transfer).

If only the previous owner signed the title, and you have a title with only one signature, then sell the car and hand off the title to the new owner. Its not really legal to do this (again because the state did not collect the tax and fees) but it happens all the time with car flippers. If that title was dated at the time of the sale, a small fee might be involved for not transferring the title within a certain time frame. In Florida, its 30 days. I've paid the $35 fee more then once.

Most states will allow you to just do a title transfer without registering the vehicle, thus you do not have to show proof of insurance since you are not putting the car on the road.

Here in Florida, any notary, or law enforcement officer can also do a vin verification. Just download the form and have it ready for them to sign.

Where is the car located and do you have photos?

 

[ratrog64]

so what has happened here?

 

[Mister_X]

Health issues got worse, and other priorities took over, and I lost track of this.

The thing is, I don't know where the Nevada title is (or the bill of sale for that matter). I've been out of the country for a long time, and the person where the car is stored has searched multiple times and cannot find the documents either.

However, they need the car gone as it's been like 5 years it's been there, because they want to use the garage space it's occupying. My friend has been kind to let me use their garage, but I can't keep the car there and I can't afford storage.

So, I'm now giving the car away if somebody is interested. You'll just need a trailer (and a battery for the Sterling so you can use the remote to open the cockpit; it can be opened manually but I don't remember how).

If anybody's interested, either post here if you want more details, or PM and we can have a chat. I'll login more regularly.

 

[Zenny]

I'm mildly interested in seeing what's on it/in it, I might be willing to pick it up since it would speed up my project quite a bit.

Edit:
I suppose I should just list all the questions I have since I might actually get this
Do you have any pictures of it?
Do you know if it is a swing axle or IRS pan?
Does it have any interior or glass?

Thanks

 

[Unofun]

Where is it? I can pick it up anytime and add it to my collection of them. I have handled this problem many times before. LOL! That is why I have so many of them. you can text or call 209-402-9748.

 

[Unofun]

 

[Zenny]

Uh oh, a little competition. I guess I should say why I want it. I'm on borrowed time right now- I'm staying in my friend's backyard while I work on this and his father has other plans for the concrete pad in the backyard so I am getting rushed hard to get mine finished. If I could get another, more finished sterling I would sell mine and simply finish the farther along Sterling so that I can get out of their place sooner and not risk getting kicked out. I've got access to a trailer so I can pick it up whenever as well.
Thank you

 

[jfinch]

I always wanted a Sterling Nova. I had a chance to buy one but did not have the money for it. I have a way of picking up the car. I am mechanically inclined and fixed cars for a hobby. Just let me know. I live in Southern California. Would love to own one of these cars. They are so awesome!

 

[jfinch]

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This is to be a little funny but could you spare one of those , they are so cool love the differences

 

[Kwalk]

Unofun where is the Sterlings that you have for sale located. I may be able to visit to see them in person. I am very much interested and would like to see what I am purchasing.

 

[Zenny]

Unofun where is the Sterlings that you have for sale located. I may be able to visit to see them in person. I am very much interested and would like to see what I am purchasing.

He's in Oregon I believe

 

[Mister_X]

It's in Colorado Springs, CO.

It ran last time I put it on a trailer when I moved there, and all I had to do before I could drive was to register the title, but life happened.

All I believe it needs is a few lug nuts, a new battery (or at the very least the battery needs to be recharged), brake fluid change, probably an oil change by now, and you'll need to drain the gas. And for all the time it sat, you probably need to have an engine checkup, and maybe reinflate the tires. I have a remote to prop open the cockpit.

Aside from these issues, the car is driveable. It has full interior with adjustable seats, carpet, gauges, and a stereo. Push button start. I have a remote to prop open the cockpit but this can be done manually as well (I just don't remember how; I believe on the driver side front wheel). I believe it has a cover on it.

I'll show pictures in the next post

 

[Mister_X]

Most of them were taken at the end of 2020 (I believe, as I said, there is a car cover on it, and it's been in a garage), while a few were from the original owner (the interior ones) as I never took interior pictures. I have a bunch more pictures of the build as well from the original owner, but I don't think they're relevant now.

 

[Zenny]

I can't pick it up personally but I have quoted a few shipping companies to bring it down to me. It looks like there is about 1-4 days of variability in the actual show up date based on the first available pickup date, but they would update me with the actual pickup date. I am most definitely willing to pay you/the storer to make it worth your time.

If you would like, I can send you a DM with my contact information.

 

[Mister_X]

Yes, you can DM your contact info.

 

[Rob Sterling]

I am very interested in this car. Have the means to have it picked up. Please let me know. Sent a pm with my contact info.

 

[Rob Sterling]

Yes, you can DM your contact info.

Is your car still available. Very interested in it. Let me know.