just got this car and i dont know where to start.....

Im with Dorian, seems to me her ex took some time to get it to where it is, I have been down the divorce road and she was the one that cheated on me and I lost some stuff but not my 71 Challenger! You could try to get ahold of him or not I know it would bug the heck out of me knowing I basically stole somebodys car. But whatever you do it's yours to do with! Good luck!
Yea, I (we?) just presumed that the wife has clear title to the car but that would be the first thing to do before I even moved the car. If she doesn't have the right to sell it (or give it away) any damage you do, you would be liable for. Get the car in your name before any work is done to it.