the only thing you could honestly do is try to get an abandoned vehicle title for it... meaning the DMV tries to get a hold of the previous owner and if they don't pop up then they will issue you a title for it. otherwise, unless you can get a hold of the previous owner yourself and have them re-apply for a replacement title then have them transfer the title to you then you're up shit creek.

and yes, you WILL have to pay the back taxes on the car to register it... but two years of taxes on an EG isn't a horrible amount of cash, maybe ~$100. if the car is cheap enough and you can actually get a title for it then why not?