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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 7:45 pm Post subject: Bradley Resurrection |
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So my buddy and I have turned our habit of bad decision making into a hobby. We participate in the Lemons Rally. After doing well with malaise era iron and a decrepit British sports car we've decided to up our game.
So we bought a Bradley GT2.
Calling it a barn find is being generous. As far as I can tell it was taken off the road in 85 and then ended up in someones hoard. It was sold at a local auction this summer.
The auction buyer was a gentleman named Lance. Lance is a throughly unencumbered individual. Unencumbered by shoes, underwear, hygiene, other peoples schedules, just an all around "unique" person.
After a bit of horse trading there's now Bradley sitting in my driveway! (my landlord is going to be soooo pleased.)
The back glass is gone. The passenger side roof panel is missing. Its got butt droop so the doors don't close properly. Its been exposed to the elements since at least May. God knows the last time it ran.
No title, no keys, no room for the weak.
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 8:03 pm Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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Step One today was figuring out what we've got.
Front drums and IRS rear.
The pan under the passenger side is going to need some attention.
As will the fiberglass.
What's this? A type 4 engine !?! With dual Webers nonetheless.
And air conditioning.
5x4 1/2 bolt pattern |
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jspbtown Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5157
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 8:34 pm Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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Windshield? |
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 8:59 pm Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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First projects:
Unlock the steering
I think Lance tried to crack the column.
I would say he succeed.
Pop the drivers side roof panel to make a temple for the passenger side.
Well that didn't go as well as expected. Looks like we'll be making two replacement panels. |
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 9:10 pm Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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jspbtown wrote: |
Windshield? |
Windshield is about the only thing that doesn't need work. |
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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Pulled a couple of the plugs to see what was what.
Not too bad. I was honestly expecting them to be covered in metal shavings. |
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SBD Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2012 Posts: 3269 Location: SOUTH DAKOTA
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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TeamChili wrote: |
jspbtown wrote: |
Windshield? |
Windshield is about the only thing that doesn't need work. |
You're lucky. Those windshields are made of unobtanium. _________________ "Just $99 down and $64 a month for 36 months buys you a brand new Volkswagen Beetle!"
mark tucker wrote: |
I wouldent waste $ or thyme on building a small motor. build it big so it dosent have to work hard.remember it's only as fast as your foot alows it to be unless you build a small turd then it just stinks as it squishes up through your toes when you step on it. |
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joey1320 Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: Cleveland, OH
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joey1320 Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: Cleveland, OH
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 12:44 am Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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My teammate just finished moving into his new place. So the Bradley gets to move into its new home.
All snug.
The Bradley's tenants aren't thrilled with the move.
As can be seen by the copious amounts of hantavirus. |
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 12:47 am Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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Just in time for Halloween:
Spooky backlit fiberglass bodywork. |
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 12:52 am Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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I'm having a hard time getting into the head of who ever put this thing together.
I swear all the AC lines are heater hose held in with worm clamps.
All the electrical connections are soldered but wrapped in electrical tape. |
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 1:20 am Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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Time to put the decoding hat on:
Engine number indicates a 70-71 914 or 411.
If I'm reading the transaxle number correctly its out of a 73 Type 1 (theres an "A" you can't see on the left). |
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 1:48 am Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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The trans looks like it was painted with some kind of lacquer. |
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heywebonya Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2010 Posts: 823 Location: Portage, MI
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 5:12 am Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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Good job! I am looking forward to this build. The lacquer looks like old oil and dirt, my favorite pantina.
Best of luck and keep at it! _________________ If I knew what I was doing; I wouldn't be building a buggy! |
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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heywebonya wrote: |
Good job! I am looking forward to this build. The lacquer looks like old oil and dirt, my favorite pantina.
Best of luck and keep at it! |
That’s what I thought it was at first too. But when you touch it, it’s just the wrong texture to be oil/dirt.
It’s like melted plastic. Smooth with just a bit of give on the drips/runs. |
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W1K1 Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004 Posts: 4921 Location: Southern AB
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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Quote: |
That’s what I thought it was at first too. But when you touch it, it’s just the wrong texture to be oil/dirt. |
My original 65 T3 engine had that varnished look, it was 1" thick in some spots on the engine case behind the fan. it is indeed oil and dirt, It took hours of picking and poking to get to the bare case. _________________ http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/jim_martin_engine_build.php
1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap |
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Joseph DR Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2004 Posts: 180 Location: Texas
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Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 9:30 pm Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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Fun project! Can't wait to see more progress on the build. _________________ 1964 Beetle |
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 1:10 am Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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Another Sunday afternoon working on the Bradley.
My teammate is a wimp and thinks mold, fiberglass dust, and aerosolized mouse poo is "unhealthy".
Got the Passenger side out, and then some.
He even uncovered the chassis number. Now we know for certain the pan is a 69. |
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TeamChili Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2017 Posts: 29 Location: MN
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Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 1:18 am Post subject: Re: Bradley Resurrection |
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While he worked the interior, I worked on the powertrain end.
Pulled the battery, by way of the taillight. Now I know where Chrysler get the idea to put the Intrepid's battery in the wheel well.
Nuts!
The wiring on this thing still simultaneously good and terrible. |
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