1930 Ford Ford Type A

2.3L INLINE 2 AUTOMATIC TRANS, FRONT DISC BRAKES, FIBERGLASS SHAY REPLICA
The 1930 Ford Model A replicas built by Shay have an interesting history all of their own. They look like a 90+ 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.
Harry Shay started a new car company to help celebrate Ford's 50th anniversary in 1979. Ford granted the rights to use the Model A design and provided the drivetrain components. Shay built the bodies and assembled the vehicles. It's believed there were less than 5,000 original Shay Model As produced over a few years, and of those, this looks like it may be a very rare Super Deluxe Roadster. This was a more expensive upgraded model that included the dual side-mounted spare tires and rear luggage rack with a locking trunk. The cream and black two-tone is impressive and glossy. Plus, there are terrific details like the dual bumpers, full-length pinstriping, quail hood ornament. Running boards with step plates and wire wheels. In total, it's exactly how you would expect a 1930 Ford to look, but it has the benefit of a 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 it's a much crisper/cleaner VDO unit. 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 2.3-liter four-cylinder motor is close to the size of what came on the original Model A, but a half-century of progress means this pinto engine is much more powerful than what was in a '30 Ford. It's not just the engine that's upgraded. There's 2 speed automatic trans , front disc brakes, a newer stainless exhaust, and an independent front suspension. So in the end, you have a classic roadster that looks vintage, but it drives substantially better.

There's no greater feeling than cruising down the road in a true classic that feels 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.