Classic Cars Projects

Click on a picture for current status and more info.
Thor Model U 7 HP Twin The following is from a 1912 Thor sales brochure: This new big 7 horsepower White Twin is the most powerful motorcycle yet known, with unlimited speed. It will be the boss of the road and the pride of the boulevard. It's exceptionally beautiful appearance will appeal to the thousands of riders who enjoy long trips and pride themselves on their neat appearance when touring. Several of the most noted gasoline experts in the United States have pronounced this new 7 H. P. Twin Cylinder Motor to be positively the most mechanically perfect internal combustion engine of the age. color white wheelbase 55 1/2 inches weight 225 lbs. height 29 inches	1912 Yale Model 27 7 Horse Power Twin In April of 2009, Dick visited the Horseless Carriage sponsored event that is held annually in Bakersfield, California. While looking for spares for the many pre-war era cars that Dick is restoring, he noticed six vintage motorcycles displayed for sale on an open trailer. Dick began negotiating for the purchase of the 1912 Yale 7P Twin and a 1912 Emblem Twin. No deal was made at that time with the gentleman who owned them, but Dick was definitely interested. After doing a little more research on both machines, Dick learned that the 1912 Yale Twin was the biggest and fastest produced at the time and was, indeed, the most desirable Yale of that year. A few weeks later, Dick ran in to the same gentleman at the meet in Oley, Pennsylvania. Both motorcycles were still available. A deal was made, and, here below, you will see a detailed accounting of the restoration of the beautiful 1912 Yale motorcycle.	1911 Flying Merkel On October 21st 2006 Dick attended the Otis Chandler auction in Oxnard, California. His main purpose for attending this auction was to purchase the 1911 Flying Merkel motorcycle that was being auctioned. After being outbid, Dick soon bought a "basket case" version of the same model, and is now restoring it. This project has an article associated with it. You can find it here.
1934 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan, Body by Derham The newly found Duesenberg J Convertible Sedan stirred up a lot of interest since the story of its acquisition appeared in the March 3rd 2005 issue of Old Cars Weekly Vol.34, No.9. Because of the interest that article generated, we are showing our web site visitors how nicely the restoration is proceeding. Detailed information is posted as the work is completed.	1904 Cameron For the past three years, Dick Shappy and Sean Brayton have been restoring one of the earliest known surviving examples of this rare and beautiful little piece of Americana. This project has an article associated with it. You can find it here.	1933 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe, body by Fisher, engine # 5000011 In 1998, Shappy began the restoration of this rare (only one) and desirable automobile. It is scheduled to be shown this June (Father's Day) at the New England Cadillac LaSalle show at the Portsmouth Abbey in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Our featured projects are shown above
1911 Cadillac Demi Tonneau (Grisbee Car) This car was purchased from Steve Grisbee from Cheyenne Wyoming in 2002, and is currently undergoing a complete show-quality restoration at the Shappy shop.	1928 Cadillac Convertible Coupe This car is still under restoration. Upholstery, nickel bright work, and top bow replacement has been completed.	1911 Cadillac Model 30 Roadster This car was purchased several years ago from the Dragone collection. Most of the correct parts for it have been found and are being fitted, after which, the project will be disassembled. Paint work, bright work, upholstery, et cetera will be finished, and the car will be reassembled.
1912 Cadillac Model 30 Four-Passenger Phaeton Arriving at Shappy's shop in November, 2003. Needs cosmetics and some mechanical work. Cadillac was the first company to offer electric starting in its production line. That makes this vehicle special and sought-after by collectors.	1912 Cadillac Model 30 Five-Passenger Touring Rescued from EBay after seventy years of neglect in the woods.	1915 Cadillac Type 51 Landaulet Listed as the only existing Type 51 Landaulet in the Cadillac-LaSalle Club directory.
1916 Simplex-Crane Boat-Tail Roadster A documented California car in mostly original condition.	1917 Cadillac Type 57 Three-Passenger Coupe Arriving at Shappy's in September, 2003.	1919 Cadillac Type 59 Commercial Body "Laundry Truck" Pristine condition -- original signage is still legible.
1930 Cadillac 452-A (V-16) Fisher Bodied RS Coupe Only five examples of this body style were offered for sale by Cadillac. This car is believed to be the only example which exists today.	1917 Indian Powerplus Motorcycle We have recently caught the vintage motorcycle bug and have begun a "ground up" restoration of this 1917 Indian twin. We also have two other PowerPlus cycles ready for restoration when this one is completed	1911 Osgood Bradley Trolley At one time, as many as 50 trolley cars plied the streets of Providence. They were believed to be extinct until Dick Shappy discovered this one in West Warwick, Rhode Island. It had begun serving as a diner in 1940 after it retired from the tracks. See how new life is restored to this faded old lady of the streets.
Recent additions
1914 Flying Merkel Twin The way we like 'em. In a basket.	1947 Cadillac Convertible Sedan	1911 Cadillac 5 Passenger Touring
1911 Cadillac Roadster	1911 Cadillac Demi Tonneau	1912 Cadillac 5 passenger Phaeton
1913 Cadillac 5 Passenger Phaeton	1914 Cadillac 5 passenger Phaeton	1912 Pope Hartford Portola Roadster
1915 Crane Simplex Gentlemen's Speedster	1917 Cadillac Coupe	1918 Cadillac Roadster
1928 Cadillac Convertible Coupe (original paint)	1928 Cadillac Convertible Fleetwood	1930 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Sedan
1930 Cadillac V-16 Imperial Sedan	1931 Cadillac V-12 Coupe Victoria	1932 Lincoln KB V-12 Coupe Roadster by LeBaron
1933 Ford Phaeton	1935 Auburn Super Charged	1938 Packard Landaulet by Rollston

Can you identify five different Cadillacs in this photo?