Well, we all need to go to The Ford Barn Forum to defend the Shay...http://www.fordbarn.com/aforum/aforum.htm
(See post titled "Model A and Shay")
They're starting to talk bad about our cars....They seem to do this about every 6 months or so....

Mike Ross
San Antonio, Texas
http://sa-organgrinder.com/home.html
www.SAOrganGrinder@aol.com

Okay, I did what you asked and defended our Shay. Ha. They have a lot of nerve !!! ha
Sandy, it is your turn to get your opinion on there.

Donna

what did they say so bad about the shay

That's ironic. It was on that same forum that I learned about the Shay's existence 10 years ago. I was then looking to find a nice Model A roadster. At first, I was kind of appalled by the Shay, but I nonetheless remained curious and gathered more information. The more I found out (from searching that very same discussion forum), the more the Shay sounded as a good idea. Of course, one had to whack through a jungle of contempt in order to learn a few objective facts about the Shay. When the time came to make up my mind, I had a nice Shay and a nice 31 roadster in my sights. I chose the Shay and NEVER regretted it one minute. And I'm not stating this out of ignorance about vintage cars - I own a couple of very rewarding old cars also.

In 1999, the lack of information about the Shay, and the very unprofessional way of spreading the little there was, prompted me to create this Website in order to rectify the situation.

I am surprised that the debate is still going on after all that time and that SOME Model A owners still harbor such resentment born out of crass ignorance, willful blindness, RED-NECKISHNESS, etc.

Human stupidity is universal. It has no beginning. It has no end. May these cretins' bottoms be infested with a thousand fleas, and may the Good Lord shorten their arms so they can never scratch...

Ouch Giles, them is some strong words!!!

Actually I drove my Shay in to work today. It's such a joy to be able to get in, crank it up & go. The Model A is still in the garage, too much work to get it out, start it, plus the "work" to drive it.

Just my humble opinion...

I almost bought an original Model A recently. But first I asked how do you drive them. When I learned what double clutching really is, I said forget it. I'll stick to the Shay and drive circles around them.

Rob Arntzen, Winnebago, IL

I drove a Model A before deciding on my Shay. I want to be able to get in, start the car, drive the car and stop the car. I don't want to be worn out when I get some place. Apparently there are a lot of Model A owners that feel the same way. Search various Model A forums and you will find threads on how to; Upgrade the steering using an F100 or Vega steering box, upgrade to hydraulic brakes, install a synchronized transmission, upgrade to 12 volts, installing a new, more efficient radiator, so on, so on and so on.

By the time many of the Model A owners are done they basically have a Shay with a different body style. Is that a bad thing? No, but dont tell me your car is superior to mine because it is authentic. Likewise many Model A owners never drive their cars, choosing to trailer them wherever they go. Is this a bad thing? No, but dont criticize me because I choose to drive a modern, safe, reliable car.

I belong to a local Model A club. Im lucky that the members recognize this and all accept me and my Shay. And owning a Shay lets me take part in Model A club activities and Shay club activities. So its twice the fun. I say to each their own.

Scott

I fully agree that there are some advantages to a Shay, but modern (30 years old), safe -- ever slam on you breaks and try to stop without going into a full skid (unless you modify the Shay with Hot Rod wheels) and reliable -- Electical system is a mess and shift levers fall off while driving. Naw, not any of those things but Fun, mechanically more sophisticated, able to maintain road speeds (if you hang on), that is true. Maybe newer, but not at all modern. If adding seat belts make it safer, so be it but it really isn't any safer than a Model A at the same speeds. I prefer to say it is an upgrade from the older cars but so much alike. The second generation Model "A" made from 1928-31 were an upgrade from the original Model"A" and 25 years newer, the Shay is just V.3 and 50 years newer.
And just how many Shay owners feel that it is necessary to change the steering, the wheels, the rearend, add safety lights, modify the seats etc. Humm we are no different. My .02

Modern. Compare a Shay to a Model A. You would be amazed at the advances the automotive industry made in 50 years. Is the Shay a 2009 model no, but it certainly isnt a 1929.

Safe. Get a Model A with original mechanical brakes up to thirty miles an hour and stop. Now do that with a Shay and tell be the Shay isnt safer.

Reliable. I cant speak to any other persons car but my Shay starts every time (knock on wood).

I can attest to starting re a Shay
My Shay starts virtually on the first turn every time .It can stop pretty damm good as well.
Chuck
I did do a panic stop one day and thank goodness I was holding on to the steering wheel pretty tight.