Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

In the following scenario, who would have legal ownership of this vehicle? Person A has physical possession of an old vehicle in California that was never titled.
Person A agrees to sell the car to Person B in 2015. Money is exchanged, but the car is not handed over.
Later in 2015, Person A attempts to register the car in the state of California. California DMV records lists Person A as the registered owner, but the record is listed as "Registration in Process", because Person A never submitted a smog certificate and VIN verification. A title was never issued. This registration in process was never completed and expired in 2016.
Person B acquires a legitimate title for this same car in a different state in 2017.
When running a nationwide VIN search, the first record that shows is Person A's incomplete registration in california, followed by Person B's legitimate title in another state.
Who would be considered the legal owner of the vehicle?

Asked on 7/21/17, 6:16 am

Gerald Dorfman Dorfman Law Office

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Please do not use this forum to get answers to exam questions. Do your own work.

Answered on 7/21/17, 8:29 am

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