So im interested in 280zx but the seller told me the car has bill of sale and signed registration from the original owner but no NYS title. is it possible to recover the title somehow? or should I just move on.

 

Super long after the fact, but yeah, most states you can do a title search. Just ask the DMV to look it up, you'll have to fill out a form and provide proof of ownership (bill of sale, etc), and pay a fee. If it's not stolen, they'll give you a new title. If it comes back stolen, run out the door as fast as you can and sell it to some other poor sap without a title...