Helo my name is Steve and I hail from Wisconsin. I just bought a 1955 T-bird project from a guy and he said he thought it was Shay. Is there any way to ID it. It is only a Fiberglass body that was never finished. He said he has had it for 14 years and he bought it second hand. The guy I got it from bought the body only and has mounted it on an S10 frame and installed a 390 ford wirh auto trans.

Not sure of the T-Bird, but the Roadsters all had the word Shay's A on the gages....Look for any identification on/in the gages.

I would look for any identification on the doors, seats and with the actual I.D. number.

Reggie

Should have paid more attention to your having only the body..I'm of no help there.

Maybe a photo of two so someone might be able to help???

Reggie

I do not recall the single gauge Shay Roadster having any Shay's A inscribed on or in the gauge. I think the dual gauges were inscribed.


Mike

Mike,

Good point..

Am familiar with only the 2-gauge dash which I should have clearly identified...The one large gage dash didn't have any identification of any kind.

Interesting how the Camelot's that used some of the 2-gauge dashes had the "Shay's A" taped over with black tape or paint.

Reggie

If it is the body only it would be very difficult to determine if it is a Shay/Camelot. Fiberglass on the Shay was thinner than on the Camelot. If the interior dash is present it might be possible to determine, as the dash is a little unique.

There were several companies marketing T-birds in that time period, so without anything other than the body identifying it as a Shay/Camelot is impossible at this point.

Don Smith
Administrator, SOCI
Shay T-bird owner

Reggie,

The Shay T-bird used the two guage clusters as in the later roadsters. However, the clock and tach have "Shay's T" on them, instead of "Shay's A".

Don Smith
Administrator, SOCI forum

Oh I love to do this! Don I sent you pictures that show different wording on the gauges on a Shay Thunderbird. So the old saying no two Shays are the SAME!!! OH HOW I LOVE THAT!...............

Gary M Wood
Webmaster
Shay Model A Website
www.geocities.com/shaymodela/
SOCI Membership Chairman

Thanks for the replies. The dash is not in it and I can find no manufactures markings on it anywhere. I guess its just going to be a mystery bird for now. I will try to get some pictures to post this week. Can I still hang out here even if it not a Shay?
Steve

Steve,

You've got my vote...WELCOME!!!!

Like to see a photo or two though!!!

Reggie

Lets see. That two beers

Gary M Wood
Webmaster
Shay Model A Website
www.geocities.com/shaymodela/
SOCI Membership Chairman

THE FORUM

NY - RON

Here are some pics
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

And a link to see more
http://s979.photobucket.com/albums/ae271/sprouty64/1955%20T-Bird/

Just from a quick look at the additional pictures you have on the other site, this may not be a Shay T-bird. I see what appears to be an "inner" door piece, molded to fit the opening, that would the fit onto the outer door piece, most likely glued together. The Shay's I have seen, including mine, do not have an "inner door piece. Instead, a flat panel with the armrest molded into it, and openings for the handle and window crank attaches(screws) to the inside of the door frame.

Don Smith
Administrator, SOCI Forum

steve just being nosey what a car like that cost ?

Steve,

I want to be nosey also. Where are you located and where did you buy the car?

My guess would be that it's a Camalot. The door handle opening is the same as on my Shay 'bird. Regal Roadster uses the same type pushbutton door handle that the original 'birds used.

Ron Clement

I really don't want to tell what I paid for it but I think the engine,trans and rear end are worth with in a few hundered dollars of what I gave for the whole project car. The guy had it for something like 14 years and could never find the time or cash to work on it so he just wanted out. I spoke to the owner of RR and he was familer with the car and said that he thought had sold the guy the hood and doors years back.