[3] While having the outward appearance of the classic automobile, the reproduction was built with a fiberglass body and used a modern frame and powertrain.
[5] A number of design patents were applied for and awarded involving components for the vehicles that Shay Motors built.
[5] Keeping the production numbers under 10,000 units would exempt Shay Motors from having to incorporate modern Federal regulations into the reproductions.
[1][7] Shay Motors was unable to keep up with the orders received and experienced problems with some of the early Model A's produced.
[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.