so many loose ends here. id take the VINs off the motor/tranny and run them to find out the Truth.
if you can get a “folder of whats done” why not a title, or atleast apply for a lost title. its pretty shady to be selling a car without a title, that was first registered to someone other than yourself. what if you sell it, and when the new “owner” applies for the lost title, they contact the past registered owner and the guy says, no i didnt sell it, it was stolen and i want to pursue charges. sounds crazy, but it happens.