No idea about SC, but NC DMV is VERY picky about titles...I've gone through all kinds of mess dealing with various old vehicles that came from a friend of a friend of an uncle's cousin etc...
If you have a signed title for the vehicle with only one signature on it, that of the titled previous owner, and the date is old, then you're in good shape. Get it notarized, fill in your name & info, and go git r done...there will be a small penalty for the date being over 30 days, but no biggie...
but if you have 2 signatures on the title, or anything messy like that, then the easiest thing to do may be to track down the last titled owner, and offer to pay his fees to have him get a replacement title, which he can then transfer to you...
good luck...