Shay reproductions

I sat near two guys who moonlighted at Shay. It was definitely a low budget operation that got plagued by cost increases. The original prototypes had five bolt Model A wheels but they quickly realized that good original wheels would not be easy to find over time. So the four bolt wheels which would bolt up to the Pinto/Mustang drivetrain were developed. Other cost cuts were considered such as a one piece fender/apron/running board assembly. The gas tank poking out of the side was done for safety as were the larger taillamps.

The first thing I noticed when I saw their catalog was that the car was facing the wrong way so they flipped the negative so the car would be facing to the right. When I visited their operation, I was dismayed to find out I missed meeting Gordon Buehrig by a mere 30 minutes. He did leave some copies of his Model A sketches and I remember looking at them in awe.
 
Ive been working on one for a customer of mine for years. we have literally replaced every piece on the outside of the car with original Model A pieces. Honestly if i could get one cheap i would, then proceed to run the wheels off it. after replacing those god awful 18" 4 lug spokes of course.
 
I use to sit on a block of wood and hand tools to my dad when he was working on the Model "A". He loved Model"A"s. He always said "They are going to make these again some day". I have often wondered what he would have thought about the Shay.

I lived in Encino , California for a while. There was a guy dressed up like a clown and drove a shay. I think he was a birthday party type of clown. I never did get a good look at his Shay. It looked like he was having fun.
 
a buddy of mine owned original model As since the early 50s when he turned 14. He bought a shay when they first came out and returned it the next day.
 
I would consider a Shay for a daily beater... but I would have to at least "back-date" the head & tailights... and the wheels, if at all possible.

Now, as far as the the creation of the 18" four-lug wheels goes and the need therefore, I wonder if the wheels were the only part of that equation; I think Shay could have had 19 or 21 inch Ford wheels re-created just as cheaply as four-lug 18 inch; I wonder if the conversions of the Pinto hubs / brakes to five-lug Model A style was the bigger cost issue ?

I'm not suggesting that a Shay is the same as a real Ford; but if I'm going to "use-up" a car or run it in bad weather, or run on the highway, maybe a Shay fills that "need" ?

SC Frank
 
Im right there with ya Frank. The one im working on has had all the lights, step plates, and emblems changed so it kinda looks kinda okay. I was told Shay had a contract with Ford that they could make a car that looked like a Model A but none of the parts can be interchanged, and trust me they dont.
 
Forget Shay, how about a Branford Classic!

Forget the Shay. What you really need is a Branford Classic (made by Bramwith Motor Company and AWS Ltd) from the UK. Here are some photos of their current body style options:

bads_theme.jpg


barnsdale_theme.jpg


bram_theme.jpg


ryecroft_theme.jpg


sedan_theme.jpg


burleigh_theme.jpg


Bramwithmain%282%29.jpg


I have no relation to this company, but find their cars rather "charming". Here is the link to their web pages:

http://www.neilwhitedesign.co.uk/Vintage Classics/badsworth.htm

http://www.vintageclassiccars.co.uk/

Fordially,
Brad in Maryland
 
Re: Forget Shay, how about a Branford Classic!

:D
Brad in Germany said:
Forget the Shay. What you really need is a Branford Classic (made by Bramwith Motor Company and AWS Ltd) from the UK. Here are some photos of their current body style options:

bads_theme.jpg


barnsdale_theme.jpg


bram_theme.jpg


ryecroft_theme.jpg


sedan_theme.jpg


burleigh_theme.jpg


Bramwithmain%282%29.jpg


I have no relation to this company, but find their cars rather "charming". Here is the link to their web pages:

http://www.neilwhitedesign.co.uk/Vintage Classics/badsworth.htm

http://www.vintageclassiccars.co.uk/

Fordially,
Brad in Maryland
Click to expand...

Finally........modern iron with style! :D
 
Re: Forget Shay, how about a Branford Classic!

Brad in Germany said:
Forget the Shay. What you really need is a Branford Classic (made by Bramwith Motor Company and AWS Ltd) from the UK...I have no relation to this company, but find their cars rather "charming". Here is the link to their web pages:

http://www.neilwhitedesign.co.uk/Vintage Classics/badsworth.htm

http://www.vintageclassiccars.co.uk/

Fordially,
Brad in Maryland
Click to expand...

Wow - if those were available in the U.S., I'd consider one for a daily driver, and use the real Model A for the weekend/fun car...
 
Well, those are interesting, but I have the same complaint as with the Glenn Pray (sp?) Auburn repros: those damn fine-spoked modern wires with the fat, fat tires that don't fill the fender !

I like the Landau body, with the folding rear-roof... Chevrolet actually produced them in '28 & '29...

The top on the "touring car" looks as though it belongs on a military lorrie...

It is encouraging that someone is trying, though....

Wonder what they use for running-gear ?

SC Frank
 
WHOA!
Who'd buy that RED/BLACK one??? ME, ME, ME!!! If I were RICH!
I'd ship a 55 gallon drum of CASH $$$$$$$$$$$$$ to John Cochran & have him deliver it to me by AIR EXPRESS! I'd sell my house & live in it! Bill W.
 
Special Coupe Frank said:
...I like the Landau body, with the folding rear-roof... Chevrolet actually produced them in '28 & '29...

...Wonder what they use for running-gear ?

SC Frank
Click to expand...

In the UK, Spain and Germany a similar Model A Ford Landaulet was available through Ford marketed as a taxi.

As for the running gear, their web site states: "Our experienced teams handcraft each vehicle to precise customer specifications using fully reconditioned BMW and guaranteed Ford components and engines."

Fordially,
Brad in Maryland
 
Those actually look like nice cars. the Shays were poorly built from day one, fenders not lining up and poor quality materials.
 
While on their website, if you look up the Limo page, there is a pic of its chasis. Its engine apears to be BMW, though the other's seem to be powered by the new Ford 2.0 Zetec motor?
 
What is the white strip running from the radiator to the windshield?

I do not like the tires and wheels. I think Coker Tire sells new model "A" wheels. They should talk to Coker or their chrome wire wheel supplier and get a better looking wheels.
I kind of like them but do not worry about bidding against me on e-bay.
 
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