Legal Files

High Performance Driver Education coverage insures bad things don’t happen to good people (that’s you) during track days Here’s a man-bites-dog twist to track day crash liability concerns, resulting from a crash at a Dodge Viper Owners Invitational track event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Dodge sponsors such events periodically, and invites Viper owners to…

To rub salt in the wound, the appellate court rejected the Plaintiff’s arguments that he should get a new trial A few years ago, I was in Los Angeles for a professional conference and had a free day, so I visited the Nethercutt Museum in nearby Sylmar. The museum is owned and operated by The…

We were surprised to see that the Ferrari’s title had Rick’s signature forged on it, and the Italian shipping company was listed as the new owner. Dear “Legal Files”: My husband Rick and I, along with our friends, have encountered a bizarre set of circumstances with Shakespearean elements of trust and betrayal, possible fraud and…

A better alternative for Californians may be the use of a Montana business entity, because Montana would allow a legal, tax-free registration of the car The March 2009 “Legal Files” regarding sales tax triggered two helpful responses from attorneys, which suggested the need for a follow-up on this subject of great interest to car collectors.…

Take due diligence steps to protect yourself, even though that interferes with the red mist that materializes when you find the collector car of your dreams Most states issue certificates of title for cars, often referred to as “pink slips” because of their color (in California, at least; other states have different hues). They are…

Five states do not levy sales taxes-Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Oregon is the winner here Ever feel like you’re being taxed to death? Everyone feels that way on April 15, but another way to feel the pinch is to buy a collector car and stop by your local DMV to get it…

The transporter demanded payment, but when Ric produced his receipt from the broker marked “Paid in Full,” he drove off in a huff Sometimes it seems like our old cars spend more time being transported by others than transporting themselves. At first glance, it might seem that having your car buttoned up on a hauler…

State laws commonly give powerful protection to mechanics who work on cars and garage keepers who store them, recognizing that they often need special powers to help them get paid. Typically, these laws entitle them to retain possession of the car until they have been paid in full. If not paid after a specified minimum…

Various countries take different approaches. Some protect the innocent owner whose property was stolen. Others protect the innocent purchaser Acting on a tip from a confidential informant, the Connecticut State Police obtained a warrant to search the garage of a Sharon, Connecticut, collector. Inside, they found a 1958 Ferrari 250 PF Cabriolet, s/n 0799GT, which…

No need to get a second inspection, as the dealer had suggested; the first inspector was a pro and had already found 60-plus defects The unhappy buyer of a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing recently contacted “Legal Files” with an unfortunate story. A couple years ago, he was having a tough time finding an acceptable Gullwing. He…