Lien/Hold on Dodge Dart 75

Hello Mopar World
I need some help and advice. I purchased a vehicle off craiglist a 1975 Dodge Dart 318 custom. Vehicle is outstanding for 1800 bucks, runs ,interior is good, no rust, and has original wheels. But unfortunately it has a lien/hold on it, that the seller didn't advise me of until I went to register it. Also needless to say the seller no longer has same phone number and won't contact me anymore regarding the situation. It sounds like I am S.O.L right!
The question I have for the community is should I pay lien off for 1700, and continue to restore the vehicle? (Total would be 3500 for car and lean) Or should I let it go and take my losses and try to recover my losses from small claims court
Or is there another way that I can pursue this, that I haven't acknowledge yet?
Any legal advice would be greatly appreciated, or solutions (no cement shoes though)

Thanks for reading
Van Leer Mopars