[DeTomaso] A little Pantera content - California title

[Jerry R Knotts]

California Question,

Last week I agreed to buy a Pantera in the Los Angeles area.  The person I 
am buying from is out of town until this week end.  I have a Vin number and 
a copy of a State of California Certificate of Title with a registration 
expiration date of 2001.
Is the registration expiration date for the tag or the title?
Is there a way to verify that there is a current California title issued on 
the car and if so the name on the title?
His vanity plate is two years out of date.
I have found that the title does not have to be notarized to be transferred. 
Is that true?

No money has changed hands but I hate to drive 1400 miles to find out there 
is something wrong.

Any and all help would be appreciated.
jerry knotts