Im not sure about abandoned but.....
You could just file for it as a bonded title. Just make a Bill of Sale, have it so a friend of yours sold you the car. On the paperwork just say your friend lost the title before he could transfer it into his name.
This is if you think there will be NO issues getting a new title for it, ie the original owner isnt NOT going to try and get the car back.
I know it may sound shady but it could work.