Just curious may have a trade deal struck, is this a true model A? Almost looked like a Shay from pics.
Appears to have a four banger flathead not a Pinto engine like a Shay would have. What does the ***le say?
From Mr. Google and his buddy AI: Shay reproduction Model A's are typically ***led as the year they were manufactured (usually 1979–1982) rather than the 1928-1929 year of the style they mimic. They are commonly ***led as a "Shay," "Shay Motors," or "1980 Shay Ford". These vehicles were authorized by Ford and sold through their dealerships.
It looks like a Ford to me, the Shay has all kinds of weird modern **** on it, including pinto suspension.
I think it is a Shay due to the A pillar, but there are no cowl lights, or tank in the back. But the body looks 'off' to me. but the body is the telltale sign, they are fibergl***.
Even with little photos on a small phone, I can see a bunged up decklid, poor fitting doors, amateur fixes on the beads of the fenders, and tons of dirt/rust on the underside. Looks like a ****py restoration.
The Car looks like the real deal, the Shays had the pinto/mustang II front suspension, the car shown has a axle under the front . HRP
Many things look off so I can understand the questioning but many things (as have been noted) not Shay.
Shays have a Pinto engine and transmisson, front suspension, Rear axle and 4 lug wire wheels. From what I have seen the guys who usually buy them are non car guys guys with small businesses who want an old looking car to drive in the local parades. They usually get laughed out of most car shows either by the Model A guys or the hot rod or street rod guys.
You have to look close on this one for the outline of the gl*** but those wind deflectors /wind wings were the hot lick on 29 open cars that were full fendered back a few years ago and especially in the full gee gaw era of resto rods in the 70's. Popular on stock A roadsters and tourings too.
Model A. It still has the cowel gas tank and fuel bowl. Along with the banger motor. That said, a lot of model As acquired aftermarket parts and panels over the years that affect its authentic look, so always check. Take a magnet with you.
Shays had fibergl*** bodies for one thing. Is this one metal? Either way, the trailer taillights on this one have to go.
That looks like a closed car that had the roof removed or a cabriolet or some sort of soft roof coupe variant with the door tops removed? Or am I crazy are the windshield stations attached like an A pillar on that car? I don’t think that’s a roadster cowl. But to me does look like a model A.
Understatement . 3rd pic that lower cowl panel and pillar fitment is terrible. btw, all the google images of Shay model A have a spare wheel in the front fender , not out back. So it,s probably original clapped out model A body.
All 4 fenders and the splash aprons are one piece on a Shay. And of course, everything is fibergl*** except the hood. Dave
The Jalopy Journal
