I have been scanning the want ads looking for my next project. I see a few shay built T & A roadsters for sale. Ford 2.3 engines, rack & pinion, disc brakes, etc. All are built to look original. These cars can be picked up for around $10,000. Has anyone streetrodded one of these? Dependablity is the most important thing to me, don't really need a V8 (though it would be nice)
I was just wondering if these cars could be built into a highboy style roadster without fenders... anybody got any input?

Thanks

I have seen some of these cars, Some built really well some really bad. It wouldnt be too hard to to do what you want the these cars. If the price is right, Look it over with the plans you have for it then make your decision.
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WPoC

There is a man in Orangeburg SC who has turned a Shay built Model A into a sort of street rod. He still has the fenders and such on his. He likes it. He has some aluminum rims (4 lugs), a fancy shade of red paint and a big stero.

I believe they would LOOK like Hell with no fenders. The A arms, the rack and the disc brakes showing. Also the frame is straight and up under the body and not very attractive as a High Boy.....IMHO.

For 10 grand you could buy a brand new Brookville steel 29 Model A body and a modified 32 frame (to fit a Model A body). Brookville sells the frame also. You would not be riding at 10G but all you would need is a V8 drivetrain and paint (and interior).

I am a old timey kind of guy and my opinions are just that...........mine. I do not look for projects........something comes along and jumps up and says......BUY ME. I build long term and do not sell many completed projects off so my opinions most likely would not work for most people.


GOOD LUCKK with your search and keep us posted on your decision and progress.







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Same Wife, Same DEUCE Roadster, Same Job for over 20 years. Must be in a rut. AIN'T LIFE GRAND.....

Geeze Randy, You should be a lawyer with all those disclaimers. ...lol. Cant say I blame you though.
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WPoC

Randy, good proven advise to Rob from many years of learned wisdom. Over the last few years, I have quickly grown to respect your views and look forward to reading them. They are usually bang on with a modest tone. You are a true rodder that shares, for the betterment of the hobby. A Shay is a Shay like a Pinto is always a Pinto. Your recommendation is very sound. Modify a Shay and sink all the extra dough ($$$) and it's still a 4 cyl. The Brookville steel body on a 32 frame, may not be a turn key Shay, but you end up with a piece of tin that has curb appeal and collector value.
...LARRY from ONTARIO & GARAGE SALE AUTOS @ www.petperfectexpress.com

thanks for the input everybody. Larry, I too value Randy's advise and respect what he has to say. Randy I think you are right about the fenderless look, I figured the frame wasn't a repop 32 frame. I did a little more research after my initial post and found that the early shays had removable fenders, but the later and largest part of the production is a one piece body and fender unit, so running one without fenders is probably out of the question.

I'm still learning (in the early stages) this hobby, doing most of the work myself and feel like I'm working my way up to a "keeper". If I were to find a shay I doubt that it would be my long term car, but another step in that direction. I also found some shay car photos on the net and a very few of them have been rodded to some point. There are some with V8s and are pretty decent looking cars. Just seemed to be an ecomonical way to get into a 32.

Rob, where did you find the Shay pictures on the net? I've never heard of Shay. I'd like to see the pictures.

Thanks,
Lynn
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'32 Ford Tudor

Lynn, go to google.com and do a searchon shay roadsters. Here's one:

http://www.geocities.com/shaymodela/
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phil


It's not a NOMAD, it's a Yeoman!
Not an engineer, but I DO drive a train.

Here's a good looking roadster, if it comes through.

http://www.geocities.com/shaymodela/ShayRod.jpg
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phil


It's not a NOMAD, it's a Yeoman!
Not an engineer, but I DO drive a train.

Beaumont, you hit the nail on the head. Randy is a true straight shooter, if you want it sugar coated don't ask him. He will lay it on you straight and personally that is the way I like it. I've talked to Randy a couple of times over the net and once at Louisville and even though I don't know him all that well I consider him a friend. He is one of the most knowledgeable guys I have run into, since I started my project, on the early Fords and especially the deuce. (wonder how he came up with his nickname). He may say it's his humble pinion, but believe me, you can take it to the bank. Thanks for your help Randy. RRM

Thanks for all the kind words.........


This is a photo of a Model A on a 1932 Ford frame.
Neat car.......IMHO








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Same Wife, Same DEUCE Roadster, Same Job for over 20 years. Must be in a rut. AIN'T LIFE GRAND.....

Dont kick that pinto motor around to much. The older ones were not bad runners in light weight stuff. I had one in a 48 ford pick up during the gas shortages. Plenty of power and no one knew the diff. We have a copy of that preety blue roadster Randy posted here running around with a pinto motor (ex race motor out of a pro4 car) that will shame some of the sbc boys LOL There is also the same color blue one running around England...friend owns it and runs it up to sweden every year and its got a pinto motor. They have to pay about 4-6 bucks a gallon for fuel so it was the only way they could drive it. I agree the shay is for somebody wanting and older looking car to go to the golf coarse but has not a clue or disire to maintain a true Hot Rod.
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"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools."

A friend of mine did the "street rod a Shay" thing, including a hot v6. He never could get it to sit right, and up here in Montana that is not particularly low. It is also very uncomfortable to ride in. I would not recomend that route.

Doug
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The Land Yacht specialist

I think I am a member of DSRA

Having read that, I think we have "Street Beasts" son on our hands "Baby Beast".....
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Lower Susquehanna Chapter Member of DSRA - DSRA Mid Atlantic Division P.R Associate for Lugnuts 2003 World Tour..Coming to a City near you!

Look on the bright side...at least it aint a Street Beast! Just when you think you have it bad, someones got it WORSE! LOL
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Lower Susquehanna Chapter Member of DSRA - DSRA Mid Atlantic Division P.R Associate for Lugnuts 2003 World Tour..Coming to a City near you!

Does it have to be a roadster? Here's a sedan in the Peoria, IL paper.

1929 MODEL-A Tudor. HiBoy 302. C4. Mustang II front. Most parts/no interior. Good body. Frame boxed. $2500; BO. 309/693-0379; 309/256-8881 cellular. Peoria.

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phil


It's not a NOMAD, it's a Yeoman!
Not an engineer, but I DO drive a train.

Just my 2 cents. Look at a real model A next to a Shay. There is a whole lot of differance. Don't believe that you will get the look you really want. But Hey!
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I'll drive it anywhere anytime.