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Titling an Abandoned Car in Iowa and Kansas Might Be an Easy Breeze If You Know How

Barn finds are some people's dreams, but claiming them in some states is just impossible - not in Iowa or Kansas, where you can get one in a few months.
1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 6 photos
Photo: Belle 1966/Bring a Trailer
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle found in a barn1972 Chevrolet Chevelle restored1967 Ford MustangOld ford in a barn1966 Shelby Mustang GT350
These two states are known for two famous characters: Captain James T. Kirk from Star Trek and Walter P. Chrysler. While one is fictional and will be born in 2228, the other established the famous brand with his name. In each of the men's states, getting an abandoned vehicle is quite easy compared to other places, but there are still some aspects to consider.

Keep an eye on the Hawkeye state

While riding a bicycle in Iowa is a preferred sport, with an annual meeting that get thousands of Iowans crossing the state from west to east, it is also a place where the police monitor abandoned cars. Unlike other states, in Iowa, any vehicle that is left unattended on public property for more than 24 hours (instead of 48 hours elsewhere) is considered abandoned "if it doesn't have license plates, or lacks two or more wheels, or other parts which render the vehicle totally inoperable."

The police will try to get in touch with the vehicle's owner, but if they can't be reached, the vehicle will be sold at an auction. Usually, municipalities from Iowa hold one auction per month where they will try selling those cars. If they are not sold for use, they will be sold for junk or demolished and sold for scrap. Either way, if the owner fails to show and offer proof of ownership, they will lose the car.

1966 Shelby Mustang GT350
Photo: Belle 1966/Bring a Trailer
If a car is abandoned on your property, you can apply for a quiet title from the court. You don't even have to wait too long for that. In a couple of months, you can have your name on that vehicle and start working on restoring it. Still, you have to prove that you tried to contact the registered owner, and the police will help you.

Moreover, you can claim an abandoned car left on public property and provide the VIN to the police. After 30 to 60 days, if no owner shows up with documents, you're in luck - but don't pop the champagne yet. After the boys in blue issue a notice of abandonment, you can file an application for registration and bonded title issued on your name. Of course, there will be some fees and taxes, but you'll have the car at the end of the day. After three years, if no one claims the vehicle, the bonded title expires, and you'll end up with a clean title.

The center of America

Kansas is located right in the middle of the U.S., with the location of the country's geographical center just a few miles northwest of Lebanon, on Highway 281. There is a sign for that location, which looks awkward for such a great country, but it is still a Historical Marker.

In Kansas, the law says that a vehicle is considered abandoned if left unattended for at least 48 hours on a street or highway, and ten hours on an interstate or freeway. After that, the car will be towed away by the police, who will try to find the owner. In the end, if the authorities can't find the owner or the lienholder, they will sell the car at an auction, and you can get it from there.

1972 Chevrolet Chevelle restored
Photo: A&E Classic Cars
If you plan on moving or have already relocated to Kansas, you might stumble upon a vehicle hidden in the barn for a long time, and you might want to restore it. Sure, you might try and find the owner to send you the title. That would be the right way to do it. But what if you can't? You might qualify for a quiet title instead, but do some researches first. Go here and try to see if the vehicle is stolen. Sometimes you don't get a true answer, but at least it's a start.

The process might be hard to handle, and you might need some assistance from a lawyer. You need to know that when you apply for a quiet title, the defendant of the owner is the Kansas Department of Revenue, if the vehicle was registered in Kansas. If the car is not registered there, Kansas Highway Patrol should be the defendant, and it will be required to inspect the vehicle before it can be titled.
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Editor's note: The information in this article are not legal advice; for any requests regarding an abandoned vehicle, refer to local law enforcement agencies.

About the author: Tudor Serban
Tudor Serban profile photo

Tudor started his automotive career in 1996, writing for a magazine while working on his journalism degree. From Pikes Peaks to the Moroccan desert to the Laguna Seca, he's seen and done it all.
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