Acquired 1974 Bradley GT

[wvcruffler]

After watching this sit in a bay at my mechanic’s garage, abandoned for a decade, I have acquired this pretty little Bradley GT1. I found the owner who had abandoned it and he signed it over to me. Today I went over it (after limping it to the house). And the wiring is a mess. There’s some unsafe stuff going on under the dash.
So - I’m going to rewire the car. In that process, I have been considering going with electronic ignition (screamer kit?)
LED lights (I assume I have to replace the flasher with a no-load flasher?
Replace stock sealed beam HL with H4 conversion lamps.
Add some sort of radio....

Anyway love to hear about other folks experiences!
Phil

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[Letterman7]

Basic as they get next to a dune buggy. Don't crack the doors - they are pretty much unobtainium now. Clean it up and enjoy it!

[Wolfgangdieter]

Complete with barn find dust. It should clean up great - love the blue metal flake. Even OEM VW wiring is a rats nest. I hate those old ceramic fuses. Address the braking system, old gas, engine oil and old tires first.
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CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy

[wvcruffler]

I stalled it backing up into the yard and now it won’t start. I think there is a group popped off on the voltage regulator, but could be anywhere. None of the lights are working. Headed to FL this weekend. Next week hope to remove the seats and get under the dash. A secondary issue is downshifting into second was damn near impossible. Have to sort that out as well. Yeah rear brakes not working well but front seem strong. May simply need adjusted. Have a full set of shoes, Springs, and wheel cylinders just in case.

The drivers side “top” has some cracks. A guy at the main Bradley site cut one out of lexan or plexi from Lowe’s and used a heat gun to bend it into place! Not sure I’d go that way or just FRP a top with a soft window. Anyway next week I’ll tear into it a bit more.

[Dale M.]

First thing I would do is (semi) detail it to see what you have....

When it comes to wiring I would consider a "wiring kit" to rewire it, there are several recommended by users on this site.... As a person that has wired a few kit cars and worked in telecommunications all my life, I can tell you wire with the function designations printed on them are the best thing ever to come along.... Also get really good ratchet crimpers and if you have those flat blade $10 FLAP'S crimpers, go to nearest bridge and throw them into the river....

Dale
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“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[AMAC1680]

Cool !
I had a Bradley years ago and the big thing that caused me to sell was it was hot, I mean real hot in that bad boy ! Find a way to get more air in there.

AMAC
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www.SEGS4VETS.org

[wvcruffler]

[Wolfgangdieter]

Key to keeping an air cooled engine from over heating is to seal off hot exhaust below the engine from getting to top of engine - along with some fresh outside air for the carbs. Bradleys don't seem to have any visible rear air grills or ducting but perhaps it comes from front of engine or wheel wells.
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CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy

[AMAC1680]

[slalombuggy]

[TeamChili]