How can I sign the title over without a bill of sale in California?

I recently purchased a 2008 Ford Explorer from a random guy on craigslist. The problem is that he was not on the title so he technically could not sell the car. The title is still original from when the car was new, and the first owner (a government party) has signed the title off and given up ownership. The buyer on the title (pink slip) is an Auction company, and the back was blank, except for the "buyer or agent" where he wrote his name. I put my information in the rest of the blanks. There are about four bills of sale attached, the last of which sold the car to a company that does not exist (anymore), as evident by Google and maps of where their address supposed to be.
So basically, I have a car and the pink slip that was signed over to someone else. Nobody else has interest in the car or considers it theirs. How can I transfer the title so I get one issued in my name?

You didn't buy anything. You just gave some guy a lot of money and now you're storing some other guy's car. Welcome to the world of people dumb enough to fork over money for vehicles without clean titles.

That's called an "open title" and you're basically screwed. You shouldn't have purchased it and now you probably can't title it nor can anyone you sell it to. Here, read it and weep: https://itstillruns.com/open-car-title-7654978.html Your best bet is probably to part out the vehicle and then junk the remains. Moral of the story? Never buy a car from anyone whose name is not on the title unless they are a licensed dealer.

EPIC FAIL, Colin, EPIC FAIL.

What you need to do is try to get the person from the craigslist ad to give you a refund, and you give back the vehicle… Most likely he will not be willing to do that, so you will need to file a small claims case against him As soon as possible! Do NOT wait to file… There's no other recourse for you

You can't. This is too convoluted. Your problem is not only a "bill of sale", It also involves a illegal "jumped" title, an auction sale, etc, etc.

Caveat Emptor

Your question says it all. You bought a vehicle from some random guy on Craiglist, where more people get scammed. You admit or are aware that "technically" this random guy was not the (legal) owner, thus could not sell you this car.

Sounds like this vehicle has been "jumped" as many as 4 times, since no one has bothered to get it titled into their name to "legally" sell it to the next person who got scammed, then unloaded to someone else.

Let me guess, you have no clue where this random guy lives, since my guess you made the transaction in some random parking lot, nor you may not even have his full name to find him. He has probably ignored any e-mails and texts to him. If you can't find him or know where he lives, then can't take the vehicle back for a refund, nor sue him.

You might try getting a bonded title, since there's no way you will be able to title into your name with the mess you have.

You have a problem.

Ask your DMV.

Next time, don't buy from some random guy who didn't own what he sold.

Ahh

Colin, you gave your hard earned cash to someone who was not the legal owner of the vehicle. The "title jumper" simply did not have legal authority to sell the vehicle without first transferring title into their name. Because of this you will not be able to transfer title yourself.

You could attempt to go through the lengthy and expensive process of applying for a bonded title but there are no guarantees such a process would be successful.

In other words, Colin, you are now the proud owner of a two-ton lawn ornament.

Gg

Where more people get scammed