1929 Ford Model A Shay replica

Description

The 1929 Ford Model A replicas built by Shay have an interesting history all of their own. They look like an 86-year-old classic, but beneath the vintage looks is a more modern drivetrain. This is a pretty cool setup that Ford dealers officially helped distribute as part of a very special Model A anniversary.

1979 was the 50th anniversary of the Ford Model A passing one million units produced. This golden celebration was not going to go unnoticed by Ford and their fans, and so Harry Shay started a new car company within the same offices as Ford. Ford granted the rights to use the Model A design and provided the drivetrain components. Shay built the bodies and assembled the vehicles. There were less than 10,000 original Shay Model As produced, and of those, it's believed less than 2,000 were Deluxe Roadsters like this one. The Deluxe was a more expensive upgraded model that included the side-mounted spare tire and rear luggage rack with locking trunk. The cream and black is exactly how you would expect a 1929 Ford to look, but it has the benefit of the lighter fiberglass body.

First look at the interior, and you would not immediately notice this is a replica. The black vinyl seats and door trim are very well presented. And this one also gets the details right from the wind wings on the side of the windshield to the fantastic rumble seat. But then you slip into the driver's seat and find a more comfortable wheel than an original Model A. The gauge package is in the center and simple looking, just like any other Model A, but the special "Shay's A" readouts are much clearer. There's even a quality heater and full top/curtain package to keep this one useful in all weather.

Where there's no mistaking this car's pedigree is when you lift the hood. The 2.2-liter four-cylinder motor is close to the size of what came on the original Model A, but a half-decade of progress means this 1979 engine is much more powerful than what was in a '29 Ford. It's not just the engine that's upgraded. There's a four-speed manual transmission, front disc brakes, and an independent front suspension. So in the end, you have a classic roadster that looks great but drives substantially better.

There's no greater feeling than cruising down the road in a true classic that sounds authentic right down to the "Aoooga!" horn. And now you do that with a more modern vehicle with an interesting story that ties it to Ford's original. Call today!!!