Nelms v. Gulf Coast State Bank

EVANS, Justice.

The principal question in this case is whether a lender’s security interest in a motor vehicle, evidenced by lien notation recorded on the face of the title certificate, is superior to a subsequent mechanic’s lien for automobile repairs.

The automobile in question, a 1971 Chevrolet, was purchased by Nelms from Beaumont Motor Company. Its installment contract and security agreement were subsequently assigned to Gulf Coast State Bank and its security interest was duly noted on the face of the title certificate. Nelms’ automobile was thereafter damaged and Nelms took it to Buchanan…