Here I have an opportunity to plunk down $12,000 for a 1929 Model A Shay Reproduction Roadster. It is represented to be in great shape for driving, and the picture is wonderful. I have no experience with antique cars. I would expect it to be driven around 40 miles a week, with the odd roadtrip additional.<BR>I'd like folks with some kind of experience driving an antique car to give me some opinion on the Practicality of having this (or any antique) car and keeping it up, bearing in mind I'm no mechanic.<BR>I 'm considering an antique car to have and share with my parents to help bring us all some joy, so I don't want to accidentally bring us all a pain in the neck instead. Could you help me out with some opinions on driving the antique car and maintaining it, considering I won't buy any that needs consdiderable work?

Keep in mind that there is not much room in a roadster. only two can fit comfortably in the front and getting into the rumble seat is not easy for older folks. The Shay has a pinto drive train I beleive, so it should't be too hard to get repairs.

Why don't you buy a real one. I have drive a 1930 car as my daily driver since 1959. It had 99,000 miles on it then and now has 470,000 miles on it. Counting the original purchase price in 1930, two repaints and necessary repairs (ie 1 complete engine rebuild) but excluding gas oil and tires this car has cost less than $100.00 per year for 72 years. Until I took the crown and pinion out of it last fall I consistantly drove both city and highway at the normal speeds. 30 mph in town and 50-55 on the highway. As a rule I never had to add oil between changes and changed the coolant every two years just like a modern car. Try it you might like it.<BR>Happy hobbying.

Thank you! This car sold, so I can't buy it, but I am still interested in the type, so if anyone else has an opinion about driving a car so old, please still tell it. We'll call it my research.

Buy a real antique, not a Shay reproduction. A Model A Ford can be driven many miles with very low maintenance. Parts are readilly availabel, and in the unlikely event that you need repairs, someone knowledgable in Model A's can be found in almost every town.

I agree..buy the real thing..but before you buy..get educated. Be able to recognise the differences in the years, learn to identify original vs reproduction parts and join one of the national Model A Clubs. They can be a wealth of info. And don't be afraid to ask questions. A's are FUN and they have excellent support for parts and repairs. And see if you can find someone to teach you how to drive an A properly.<BR> Bill

I have purchased a Model A 1931 owner's manual and I am searching for someone who may be able to give me a value appraisal. Got any suggestions?

Dennis
DensFindings@AOL.com

These guys are right on with their advice, buy the real thing. My father-in-law recently purchased a nice 31 Model A deluxe coupe for $10,000. It's not a show car, but it is a real nice driver. He has been driving it almost daily since the weather warmed up and will drive till the snow flies. The originals are easy to work on, even for those with less than stellar skills. Those Shay cars are nothing more than closet street rods in my opinion.

New kid..
Even through I'm retired, I was still a 'new kid' myself until about two years ago when my wife surprised me by getting me 2 model A's at once. Both in need of many repairs. As it turns out I wouldn't have wanted them any other way. Talk about a learning experience and a joy to drive. The one I drive now is pictured at left and started out as just a rolling chassis which gave me the ability to choose what body I wanted to put on it. Since it was already titled as a truck .. a truck it stayed. It gets 'out' once a week to a retirees breakfast or an occaisional show just to keep the dust blown off. It's a eye catcher and a real fun driver. Makes you appreciate the other family car. Maybe next year we'll start on the other chassis and keep it a little more original. Dig in and get your feet wet... you won't regret it but like the fellas say... learn first. Ask questions here on the forums and go to some shows and look things over. If it's in your blood you'll know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dear New Kid,YOU have to buy the real deal!!!!Take it for a ride of at least 10 miles,NOT just around the block.We have had a restored Model"A" in the family for 35 years.If you like going 45m.p.h. it is a GREAT car,it does not go, it does not stop and it does not handle very well but i hope i do as well when i am 75 years old.As always just my 2 cents probably all its worth.diz <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I'm really late to the discussion, but am I the only person who saw the price? Holy crap! $12,000 for a Shay? Hey New Kid, no matter how nice this car is, it's a Pinto with a fiberglass shell that slightly resembles a Model A. How much would you pay for a really nice Pinto?

I agree with every other post here, buy a real A. You can get a reliable driver anywhere from $8000 to $50,000 (think A400). You won't regret buying a real A, and it will be a safe investment.

check Google for the Shay website

BUY THE REAL THING! GOT A 31 ROASTER, ALL ORIGINAL, AND IM DRIVING THE WHEELS OFF IT! NEVER HAD SO MUCH FUN, AND REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO DRIVING THIS CAR EVERYDAY. THE CAR IS EASY TO WORK ON, AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF MEMBERS OF THE AACA OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP U ALONG IF U HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT REPAIRS. JUST BUY THE CAR, AND HAVE FUN!!!!!!

The Model A Ford was designed to driven. Ford insisted that the dealer showed the customers that the car will run 60 mph and show them how effective the brakes are. The dealer was warned to NOT baby the car. This comes from the recently released 1928 service letters.

A properly restored A does drive as Ford said it would. Many A's are not properly restored, most restored cars (all makes and models) are just a paint job, interior and some new mechanical parts. The model A was a fairly precisely engineered car and many fail to restore the precision.