Might be a problem in your state, not a problem in the south,
the Georgia DMV will not even issue titles for anything older than 20 yrs in GA.
all you need is a bill of sale, doesent have to be notarized.
they do check to see if its stolen, and they come out in the parking lot and eyeball the VIN, and check to see if the sellers name on the bill of sale matches the last known owner.
might be worth it in your state to get a "abandoned vehicle title" or a "bonded title" is your state offers it.
GA does, with a bonded title, you have to get an insurance co to put up a bond, that is forfeited if the vehicle turns out later to be stolen.
costs about $75 for a title bond.