Ellis Motor Co. v. Hibbler

In this case appellant sold an automobile to one Kent and reserved title under a conditional sale contract. This occurred in Georgia. Kent brought the car into Alabama, and placed it with appellees for repairs. Appellees made the repairs, and retained the physical possession of the car under claim of a common-law lien. Appellant sued in detinue; judgment went to appellees.

The first question is whether appellees may retain the car as against appellant under a common-law lien for making the repairs. The conditional sale contract was not recorded in Alabama, but was recorded in Georgia. The…