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In the works this winter, we have a 1909 Indian Twin, a 1913 Indian Twin, and a 1921 Indian PowerPlus .
This extremely rare 1909 Locomobile Model 30 is almost in exact original barn find condition with all original and correct accessories. The vehicle has had three owners, the first of whom, a fruit and vegetable salesman, purchased the car in Connecticut. In the 1940’s, he moved to Victor, NY to farm and used the car until the 1950’s. After such time, the vehicle was tucked neatly into a garage alongside boxes until 1997. The family considered a restoration at one point and removed most of the original deep blue paint, but got no further than that.
Dick Shappy restores two original 1914 Excelsior Twins. The Excelsior Supply Company was founded in 1876 by George T. Robie in Chicago to distribute sewing machine and bicycle parts, but expanded into the Excelsior Motor and Manufacturing Company in 1907 with Frederick Carlton Robie at the helm as president. Motorcycle production began in 1908, and by 1912, Ignaz Schwinn, owner of Arnold, Schwinn & Co. of Schwinn Bicycles, purchased the company. Together, they set a new record as an Excelsior motorcycle was the first to be officially timed at a speed of 100 mph in 1912.
The Audrain Automobile Museum held it's annual 2025 Concours d'Elegance Sunday, October 5 at The Breakers Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island
This beautifully restored 1919 Excelsior Big Valve Twin from the Urban S. Hirsch III Collection is an example of one of the most powerful V-twins in American industry. Its 61-cubic-inch, 1,000 cc intake-over-exhaust 50-degree V-twin engine often beat out larger competitors. It sports engine number 102181 and frame number 2116.
We got to spend a sunny day last fall at Doris Duke's historic Rough Point Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island for a garden party as part of Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. Featured were rare automobiles, new vehicle unveilings (including a Cadillac), live entertainment, and fantastic food and drink. Join us as we explore just some of the vehicles on the sprawling lawns overlooking the Atlantic.
The 1917 Pope Model T presented here, engine number 17T645, is in its completely unrestored original condition. It sports a 1000cc, 16-18 HP V-Twin OHV engine with a Splitdorf Model EV carburetor.
And the Awards of the 2025 Dick Shappy Vintage Car & Motorcycle Show Go To...
Best European: The 1961 BMW R69S
Best Custom: The 2007 Harley-Davidson Softail
Best Modern: The 2015 Indian Chieftain Classic
Best Vintage: The 1956 Panhead FLH
Best in Show: The 1948 Indian Chief
They were innovative, feet-forward motorcycles, and the Ner-A-Car Corporation, financed by razor maker King C. Gillette, produced them between 1921 and 1927 in Syracuse, and under license by Sheffield-Simplex in Sheffield, England. They featured a low-slung, pressed-steel chassis, hub-center steering, and protective bodywork, making them exceptionally stable and comfortable.
The Chifferobe TropiGals, New England's premiere vintage dance company, reference a time when the silver screen overflowed with dancing darlings. Watch them in action at the 2025 10th Annual Dick Shappy + New England Cadillac & LaSalle Club Vintage Car & Motorcycle Show at the Shappy Estate in Warwick, Rhode Island
The 10th Annual Private Vintage and Antique Car & Motorcycle Show at the Estate of Dick Shappy in conjunction with the New England Region Cadillac & LaSalle Club was another hit! If you missed it, you can still check out the awards featuring Shaun Read, President of NERCL, and Nicole LeBoeuf
This 1909 Curtiss V-Twin Roadster is an extremely rare specimen, considered the "Duesenberg" of early American motorcycles. A powerful air-cooled engine rated at 8 to 10 horsepower with splash oil lubrication and a dry-cell battery ignition was produced at the G. W. Curtiss Manufacturing Company in Hammondsport, New York. The Audrain Auto Museum reports that this 1909 Curtiss is one of the most well-preserved motorcycles in the world today and the last of the Curtiss line.
This 1911 Pierce Four, engine number 1442, is offered with period-correct accessories on a fresh, professional restoration. It is believed to be one of only approximately a dozen Pierce four-cylinder bikes still surviving after more than 100 years, most of which reside in museums. Pierce Fours turning up on the open market, despite being highly sought after, is very rare.
Most of the Dick Shappy Collection is available for sale for the right price, but there's one motorcycle that will never be sold. Learn why this 1961 BMW R69S will stay in the family forever!
Walk Through the 2025 Mansfield Rotary Club's Annual Classic British & German Auto Show & Vintage Motorcycle Show with Dick Shappy's Classic Cars & Motorcycles. Hosted Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 at the Mansfield Municipal Airport, this annual show was a wonderful way to spend a summer day and contribute to a great organization which supports local community charities. Thanks for having us, Mansfield Rotary Club!
The Pope Twin was the fastest production motorcycle in the world at the time and the most sought-after early American motorcycle of that era. The 1917 and 1918 T models were Pope's best and most powerful. This was the last year of motorcycle production by the Pope Manufacturing Company in its Westfield, Massachusetts plant and they certainly went out on a high note by producing their most powerful Pope twin ever, the Pope Model T.
This restoration has been underway for over 23 years as of 2025, and we can’t wait to see this unique piece of history restored and back in action.
If you missed the 2025 10th annual private Dick Shappy + New England Region Cadillac & LaSalle Club Vintage Car & Motorcycle Show, here is your chance to sneak a peak behind the curtain.
The Belltown Antique Car Club held it’s 58th Vintage Motorcar Meet this summer, Sunday, August 3rd, 2025 at the Haddam Neck Fairgrounds in Haddam, Connecticut. It was a beautiful, sunny day filled with even more beautiful automobiles. Dick Shappy and his team from Dick Shappy Classic Cars brought his rare 1932 Cadillac V-16 Model 452B Imperial Cabriolet Madame X with a 5155 C Body by Fleetwood.
Join Dick Shappy as he discusses the highlights of his rare original 1914 Indian motorcycle's restoration built with American Pickers' Jersey Jon.
Didn't get an invite to last year's private ninth annual vintage car and motorcycle show with the New England Regional Cadillac & LaSalle Club? Here's a glimpse behind the curtain at the estate of Dick Shappy, complete with a motorcycle showroom, four-car workshop, motorcycle shop, and a lawn decorated with New England's classics.
Join the Dick Shappy Classic Cars & Motorcycles Team as they walk through the Bay State Antique Auto Club's 52nd Auto Show. Their biggest event of the year is held on the grounds of the Endicott Estate on the second Sunday in July in Dedham and featured the 1917 Locombile.
Emblem Manufacturing Company, founded in 1904 as a bicycle manufacturer in New York, went on to also produce the rare Emblem motorcycle. Though most of their bikes were exported outside of the United States, they did well racing in the US led by the famous and talented Lee S. Taylor. As one of the first motorcycle American motorcycle manufacturers, Emblem holds a special place in history.
Introduced in 1937, this bike became better known as the "45" for its 45 cubic inch v-twin engine, producing an exhaust note unlike any other machine on the planet. The side-valve powerful workhorse of an engine would turn out to be one of the longest-running Harley motors and this one is hooked to a three-speed transmission.
Learn about the development of the Stutz Motor Car Company and the history of a rare surviving original 1919 Series G Touring from the Dick Shappy Collection.
The Bay State Motor Festival, held June 8th, 2025 in Cushing Memorial Park in Framingham, Massachusetts, featured a "Made in Massachusetts" display of automobiles. Many rare, vintage, classic, and late model vehicles attended the inaugural event as seen here. Receiving a special invitation and taking home the gold in the Made in Massachusetts class was Dick Shappy's 1917 Locomobile Model 48 Dual Cowl Sportif with a body by Farnham & Nelson of Watertown, MA. This storied vehicle, the original property of the owner of Rexall Drugs, has undergone a Zenith-award-winning restoration. Awarded by the Antique Automobile Club of America, the Zenith Award is the highest honor bestowed for outstanding and critically authentic automotive restoration.
There are few antique motorcycles more coveted than the Flying Merkel, and fewer still who have gone on an adventure like this one. Learn about the Merkel Motor Company, Dick Shappy's 1910 Endurance Machine Single, and the notorious first Motorcycle Cannonball Run.
Join Dick Shappy on a walk through the 2025 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance on June 1st, 2025 in Greenwich, Connecticut with his 1931 Cadillac V-16 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton Model 452A, Style 4260 by Fleetwood. The Concours features classic American and European vintage cars, including American muscle cars, very early American cars, luxury cars of all years, and rare European vehicles.
Delve into the history of the Cadillac and Dick Shappy's rare 1930 All Weather Phaeton V-16, owned by a prestigious 1930s nightclub owner.
Dick Shappy, in his time collecting motorcycles, has acquired fifteen different Merkels. He regards this 1911 Twin as his finest. Purchased from Mike Wolfe of American Pickers in 2006, it then underwent a seven-year meticulous, no-expense-spared original restoration. Wolfe recently shared that it was one of the first motorcycles he acquired in his early days as an American Picker that he considered a high-end acquisition with a high resale value as an original, mostly complete Flying Merkel. As the most complete, correct, and original Merkel, this was used as a reference to aid in future restorations.
A Model J Duesenberg does not exist with a history quite so traveled or distinctive as the 1929 J-268. The next chapters for J-268 contain shows and awards, the perfect vehicle to adorn any Concours d’Elegance’s lawn or to turn heads on the highway. Will you be the one behind the wheel?
Dick Shappy does the Audrain Automobile Museum's Newport to Bristol Veteran Car Tour of 2025 with his rare antique 1909 Locomobile Model 30 Touring.
Dick Shappy explores the extensive AMCA (Antique Motorcycle Club of America) 2025 Perkiomen Chapter National Meet in Oley, PA with his team, stumbling across parts for 1910s Indians and a 1920 Excelsior motorcycle, meeting with friends, and viewing the many antique and unique motorcycle that attend this annual event.
Dick Shappy explores the extensive AMCA (Antique Motorcycle Club of America) 2025 Perkiomen Chapter National Meet in Oley, PA with his team, stumbling across parts for 1910s Indians and a 1920 Excelsior motorcycle, meeting with friends, and viewing the many antique and unique motorcycle that attend this annual event.
Learn about the history of the American Locomobile Automobile Company, their innovations and contributions to the development of the automobile as we know it today, and a very special vehicle now available from the Dick Shappy Collection.
Dick Shappy's 1905 Cameron Automobile Company's Four-Cylinder Antique Vehicle is on display for your viewing pleasure at Audrain Automobile Museum of Newport, Rhode Island from March 22nd through July 13th, 2025 featured in their Air-Cooled: Keep it Simple Exhibition.
Dick Shappy hosts his annual private New England Region Cadillac & Lasalle Club Car & Motorcycle Show
674 ci Wisconsin T-head in line six
Three-speed manual transmission
26-inch wood spoke artillery wheels
Step inside the world of Dick Shappy, Rhode Island’s renowned antique car and motorcycle restorer, as featured on the History Channel’s American Pickers episode “The Road to Relics.” With a passion for preserving automotive history since 1972, Dick’s collection includes iconic vehicles like Duesenbergs, Cadillac V16s, Flying Merkel motorcycles, and more. In this exclusive spotlight, discover how Dick’s lifelong dedication has made him a trusted national source for rare parts and restoration expertise. Hear about his special connection with Jersey Jon, his mentorship journey, and the legacy he’s building for the next generation of enthusiasts.
The Foxbody Phantom walks through the 2025 Dick Shappy + New England Region Cadillac & LaSalle Club Vintage Car & Motorcycle Show
Jay Leno explores one of the most significant pieces of motorcycle royalty: a hand-built, exact recreation of Glenn Curtiss’ 1907 V8 land speed record bike. Built by master machinist Dale Stoner, this motorcycle is a mechanical masterpiece that honors the legendary aviator and engine builder Glenn Curtiss. While the original bike now hangs in the Smithsonian, Dale has reverse-engineered every detail—from the 4.4-liter engine to the hand-cut double gears—to bring this 136-mph beast back to life.
The Locomobile 48-hp Type M was introduced in 1911 and would become the company's most significant and long-lived model. Power was sourced from an iron T-head six-cylinder unit with a 429 cubic-inch displacement size and a single Ball and Ball Updraft carburetor. The cylinders were cast in pairs and bolted to a bronze crankcase, which contained a drop-forged alloy steel crankshaft that was both statically and dynamically balanced and rode in seven main bearings.
Hitting the road with prolific auto enthusiast, Dick Shappy. Take a peek inside Mr. Shappy's extravagant world of antique treasures: Duesenbergs, Pebble Beach Winners and a jaw-dropping motorcycle collection. Media personality Tara Haywood joins the ultra-charismatic Shappy on his never-ending quest to add more to his collection. From combing through world-famous swap meets to good old-fashioned fire musters, this crew never quits! Be on the lookout for a few cameo appearances in this trailer!
Many car collectors are familiar with what is involved in the restoration of vintage automobiles, and the lengths that a restorer goes through to find that certain part to finish a years long restoration. Well, the same applies to vintage motorcycle restoration and collecting. This video shows how similar a vintage motorcycle swap meet is to a vintage auto swap meet and it also shares the joy of finding that "impossible" one of a kind rare piece that is needed to complete a restoration. Posted by Paul Mennett, "Cruisin' New England"- Season 8, Episode 6 June 1, 2017
In 2013, The Pierce Arrow Society had its annual show in Warwick, Rhode Island. Naturally, being a resident of Warwick RI and a Pierce Arrow collector, I was super happy to show four vehicles and meet and greet other Pierce Arrow enthusiasts from all over the country. Check out some of the great cars and other Pierce items that were displayed in Warwick for three days in 2013. Posted by Paul Mennett, "Cruisin' New England"- Season 8, Episode 2 June 1, 2017
The Cadillac LaSalle Club holds its national meet in a different city in the United States each year and, in 2014, the city of Boston hosted the meet. Check out some of the beautiful Cadillacs that attended along with my entry which was a 1930 Cadillac V-16 Model 4380 All Weather Phaeton. Posted by Paul Mennett, "Cruisin' New England"- Season 7, Episode 3 May 31, 2017
Racing Dick Shappy's J-505 Duesenberg at the Duesenberg Thunder Run, Goshen, Indiana. Dick Shappy in right front passenger seat, Greg McDermott driving, and Tom Laferriere in the back seat filming. They won by a mile!
Posted by Tom Laferriere October 1, 2015
Richard Shappy, of Warwick, a collector of vintage cars and motorcycles, talks about the 1911 Flying Merkel motorcycles he owns. Sean Brayton, of Richmond, tells the story of riding in the first Motorcycle Cannonball Run, from Kitty Hawk, N.C., to Santa Monica, Calif. Providence Journal video by Steve Szydlowski
My 1912 Henderson 4-cylinder bike is shown in its first run since the engine was reassembled by Mark Hill of 4th Coast Fours in Waddington, New York. The people seen in the clip are Mark Hill, Evan Kunes, Vernon Akers (beard), and John Dumas (wheel chair). The bike was being prepared for its first test drive. It ran flawlessly 150 miles that day. As of today, September 5th, Mark's crew has put another 500 miles on it. The mechanics who performed the work under the direction of Mark Hill are Tanner Whitton, Mike Sockler and Evan Kunes. See Motorcycle Cannonball - 2016 here.
History Channel's American Pickers visit Dick Shappy Classic Cars
On August 20, 2023, over 80 vintage Cadillac and other classic cars and motorcycles were on display at the residence of Dick Shappy as the 2023 NERCLC show.
This motorcycle has been in our possession for over a decade and it has been only been displayed and never fired up until 2023. Our mechanic, Ben, added fuel to the tank and checked the oil level, and he was surprised to see the bike start on the first kick! And off he went... For the rest of the day, he started the bike at least ten times and was continually astonished that this early pristine relic started on the first kick every time!
Dick Shappy has been hosting the New England Region Cadillac & LaSalle Club (NERCLC) show at his residence on Warwick Neck, RI for over a decade. In the eighties and nineties, this show was held at the Portsmouth Abbey in Portsmouth, RI. We had 60 Cadillacs, 12 non-Cadillac cars, and a half dozen motorcycles assembled on the back lawn. Sixteen trophies were awarded with Frank Nickedemus from New York winning best of show for his gorgeous restored 1959 Cadillac.
Dick Shappy's 1917 Locomobile Model 48 Dual Cowl Sportif Body By Farnham & Nelson won "Best In Show at the Klingberg Motor Series show of New Britain, Connecticut on June 21, 2022.
1931 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe Model 4235 Wins "Best in Class" At The 2022 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance on June 5th 2022. This car was entered in the Pre-War American class.
Thirty cars from 1910 or earlier lined up at the Ochre Court Mansion on Bellevue Avenue in Newport and took the very scenic and rural roads to Bristol, Rhode Island. Dick Shappy's 1909 Pierce Arrow UU 36 completed the tour flawlessly.
Filmed by Dick Shappy at A.K. Millers estate auction in Vermont. This was a large collection of vintage Stutz automobiles.
Kelly Garner, production manager of a Los Angeles-based film production company, filmed the activities of Dick Shappy and his assistant, Ashley, as they scoured the countryside in search of rare cars and parts for cars that were being restored in Rhode Island. This video takes you from Rhode Island to northern Maine to Bakersfield, California. You will get insight into the inner workings of what was happening at Dick Shappy Vintage Auto Sales in the Spring of 2012.
Dick Shappy has been an avid collector and restorer of classic cars and motorcycles for over 40 years. Get a brief glimpse of his collection including his racing a rare 1934 Duesenberg J-505 Convertible Sedan and winning best of show in one of many regional and national vintage auto shows.
A glimpse of Jay Leno and Dick Shappy discovering two Duesenbergs
Originally appearing in "Old Cars Weekly" Vol. 34 No. 9 March 3, 2005 by Angelo Van Bogart
Dick Shappy is interviewed at home with his 1933 convertible coupe by David Robichaud from UPN 38 "Robi on the Road"