Shay Motors Corporation was an automobile company founded by Harry J. Shay in February 1978 as the Model A & Model T Motor Car Reproduction Corporation.[1] Harry Shay arranged with Ford Motor Company to build a limited run, modern-day reproduction of the Ford Model A Roadster, with a rumble seat, that was to be sold through the network of Ford Automobile Dealers and built in Battle Creek, Michigan.[2] It was hoped that displaying the vehicles in Ford dealer showrooms would increase potential customer visits and sales.[3]
| Industry | Automotive Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Model A & Model T Motor Car Reproduction Corporation |
| Founded | February 1978 in Wixom, Michigan, United States |
| Founder | Harry J. Shay |
| Defunct | March 29, 1982 |
| Successor | Camelot Motors, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Wixom, Michigan |
History
editDesign
editWhile having the outward appearance of the classic automobile, the reproduction was built with a fiberglass body and used a modern frame and powertrain. The Model A used the same 2.3L 4 cylinder engine as a Ford Pinto with the option of a Ford C4 automatic transmission or a four-speed manual transmission.[4] Five different body styles were offered including a left hand spare tire mount behind the front fender, a dual spare mount behind each front fender, a spare tire mount on the rear of the vehicle, a pickup truck version, and a Model A C cab/panel truck.[2] Harry Shay was quoted at the time that the vehicle was “an illusion of a Model A” and only the appearance would be authentic.[5] A number of design patents were applied for and awarded involving components for the vehicles that Shay Motors built.[6] The vehicles were offered with a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty.[5] Keeping the production numbers under 10,000 units would exempt Shay Motors from having to incorporate modern Federal regulations into the reproductions.[5] The production of a 1955 Thunderbird was also started in 1980 with different models planned as the company grew.[1][7]
Closure
editShay Motors was unable to keep up with the orders received and experienced problems with some of the early Model A's produced. The production method used was to have a team of four people completely assemble each vehicle instead of using a traditional assembly line.[2] In 1982 Shay Motors was struggling with cash flow problems as well as high interest payments on loans along with a number of lawsuits. The company ceased production in mid-March 1982 and, despite trying to reorganize through bankruptcy, the company's assets were sold to Camelot Motors, Inc., in April 1983.[1] Final production numbers for the Shay Motor Corporation Model A were 5,000 units along with 200 units of the Thunderbird reproductions during its time in business.[1] Harry Shay continued to work in the auto industry until 1990; he died in 1995 at age 70.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "History Of The Shay Roadster & T-Bird". www.shayhistory.com. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
- ^ a b c "Shay & Glassic Replicas". Model A Ford Club Of South Australia. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ^ Cox, Marilyn (26 April 2017). "'Henry's made a Lady out of Lizzie' and Shay Motors reproduced her". Montrose Daily Press. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
- ^ Conwill, David (February 2017). "Easy A - 1980 Shay Super Deluxe Roadster". www.hemmings.com. Hemmings Motor News. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ^ a b c "Engineer Sells Model A's [sic] To Drive Into the Future". The New York Times. 28 May 1979.
- ^ "Patents Assigned to The Model A and Model T Motor Car Reproduction Corporation - Justia Patents Search". patents.justia.com.
- ^ Vaughan, Daniel. "1980 Shay Model A Pictures, History, Value, Research, News - conceptcarz.com". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
- ^ "Harry Shay Was Copy Car King", Automotive News, August 14, 1995.