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ReVo Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2017 Posts: 5 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 3:31 pm Post subject: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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Hello everyone! I'm new to this site and sort of new to the VW world. Since I was a kid I have dreamed of two things. 1. Owning a sports car of some type. 2. Owning a VW Split window. Since I can't do the second thing due to the fact my funds won't allow I felt I could at the very least sort of kill two birds with one proverbial stone. Ergo the kit car. I found a complete Bradley GT on a 69 chassis with a 1900 dual port. The car runs, drives and needs little to get it up to speed. However, it needs floorpans and a little love. The frame is strait and solid but has some surface rust on the rear suspension components and it needs a oil pressure sensor. The gel coat is there but needs a good buffing. My main question here would be is it worth 1600 dollars? It has a clean title. (as a beetle) |
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jspbtown Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5156
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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$1600 is not unreasonable. Does it have its doors? Those are almost impossible to find.
What are your mechanical abilities? |
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ReVo Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2017 Posts: 5 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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I was an auto mechanic for 7 years plus I took two years of an engineering class in high school where I hand built three full suspension buggies from scratch. I also currently work on medical endoscopes. So I guess I'm relatively good with my hands. lol The Bradley has both plexiglass doors which I'm certain have been remade with lexan. It also has the fastback rear glass. |
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SBD Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2012 Posts: 3269 Location: SOUTH DAKOTA
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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Sounds like you could handle the mechanical aspects of the car. The price sounds reasonable. If you posted some pictures we might be able to tell you more. Get it. Have fun with it. I drive my Kelmark all over the place! _________________ "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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ReVo Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2017 Posts: 5 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:39 am Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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Not the best photos but they will work! |
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jspbtown Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5156
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:41 am Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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Yup....worth $1600. If would buy it. |
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heywebonya Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2010 Posts: 823 Location: Portage, MI
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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$1600 is a great price for the car. Looks like a freshen up will be perfect. Drive it for at least a summer BEFORE you do any upgrades (other than safety or minimum efforts), otherwise it will be a money hole.
What part of MI? _________________ If I knew what I was doing; I wouldn't be building a buggy! |
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wythac Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2004 Posts: 2791
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 6:38 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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Not a huge Bradley fan but I think that looks like it is all there and has huge fun potential!
I would throw out only a few questions which anyone buying any kit car should ask themselves:
Once it is done, do I expect to get my money back out of it in cash, or fun? If its fun, go for it.
Am I looking for a project or something that "just needs a few things" that I can drive? I think you are a project guy, so again, I'd say go for it. The guy wanting to just drive it is likely to get frustrated.
Its low, its slippery aerodynamically (relative to other ACVWs) and with even minor suspension and powerplant work, can give you a lotta good times. If you've got the money, the space, the skills and the time, I don't know why its not already in your shop!
Good luck. If you buy it start a build thread here, its nice to see a car like this get good treatment!
Love that the same material used on the seats was used on the whole interior of the car. If that stuff isn't really glued down, removing it and coating those drum heads, I mean interior body panels, with some sound deadening material would be good. The two Bradleys I rode in were noisier than my buggy.
Last edited by wythac on Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:02 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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SBD Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2012 Posts: 3269 Location: SOUTH DAKOTA
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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I would have already brought it home!
And my wife would have killed me. _________________ "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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andk5591 Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 16757 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 6:17 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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Be cautious with rubbing compiound. Mequires makes a variety of cleaner waxes for boats and I would try the mildest one first. Thats assuming you buy it.
Looks like a deal - get it and have fun. _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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BIGMIKEY Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2007 Posts: 1104 Location: North East Pennsylvania
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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wythac wrote: |
Not a huge Bradley fan but I think that looks like it is all there and has huge fun potential!
I would throw out only a few questions which anyone buying any kit car should ask themselves:
Once it is done, do I expect to get my money back out of it in cash, or fun? If its fun, go for it.
Am I looking for a project or something that "just needs a few things" that I can drive? I think you are a project guy, so again, I'd say go for it. The guy wanting to just drive it is likely to get frustrated.
Its low, its slippery aerodynamically (relative to other ACVWs) and with even minor suspension and powerplant work, can give you a lotta good times. If you've got the money, the space, the skills and the time, I don't know why its not already in your shop!
Good luck. If you buy it start a build thread here, its nice to see a car like this get good treatment!
Love that the same material used on the seats was used on the whole interior of the car. If that stuff isn't really glued down, removing it and coating those drum heads, I mean interior body panels, with some sound deadening material would be good. The two Bradleys I rode in were noisier than my buggy. |
X2
Mike T _________________ BIGMIKEY
Deserter Series 1 project.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787047&highlight=
1973 Beetle Driver, Marina Blue. |
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woodoctr Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2013 Posts: 254 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:00 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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I was an original builder/tester for Bradley back in the day. My father and I would build the car and keep notes so they could make a better build manual later. In exchange we got quite a bit knocked off the price and free delivery of everything. You are looking at a full tilt kit equipped with every factory option that they sold. Factory full upholstery package (can't believe that it still in that shape!), nerf bars, deck pins, fender mirrors, and complete VDO package along with steering wheel.
I would not hesitate to buy that car. It should be an easy save and could be easily modded for a lot of fun. |
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Wayne S. Johnson Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006 Posts: 1265 Location: GILROY, CA
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vwracerdave Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2004 Posts: 15302 Location: Deep in the 405
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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Before you drive it anywhere remove the power pulley and replace it with a stock size pulley. If you don't you will burn up the engine (if it hasn't already been damaged). _________________ 2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK
Featured in Dec. 2001 HOT VW's Magazine page 63
Watch my racing video's http://www.youtube.com/user/okvwracer/videos |
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Wetstuff Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2010 Posts: 700 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 10:33 am Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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R-Dave... It the 'power pulley' the degree'd wheel on the crankshaft? How can you tell if it is under/oversize without a stock pulley next to it? (jumping on ReVo's thread, but assume he does not also know) ...and maybe you can expand what you mean by 'burn up' for us greenies.
ReVo.. I am not a fan of small, low, enclosed cars but the price is sure seductive. I'm sure you could have fun with it.
Jim _________________ Manx #2614 |
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SBD Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2012 Posts: 3269 Location: SOUTH DAKOTA
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Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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Wetstuff wrote: |
R-Dave... It the 'power pulley' the degree'd wheel on the crankshaft? Jim |
Yes.
Wetstuff wrote: |
How can you tell if it is under/oversize without a stock pulley next to it? (jumping on ReVo's thread, but assume he does not also know)Jim |
When you've been around these cars for a while you can tell just by looking.
Wetstuff wrote: |
...and maybe you can expand what you mean by 'burn up' for us greenies.
Jim |
Overheat. Burn up. Destroy. The fan turns slower so there's less cooling air to the engine and oil cooler. These cars also don't have a sealed engine compartment so they tend to recirculate the hot air that's already cooled the motor. _________________ "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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vwracerdave Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2004 Posts: 15302 Location: Deep in the 405
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Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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Notice how the bottom crank pulley is much smaller than the curve of the sheet metal behind it. The curve is how big a stock sized pulley should be. The smaller pulley called a "power pulley" turns the fan much slower which uses less horsepower. Less cooling air causes the engine to run a lot hotter. Most kit cars with enclosed engine compartments have design problems with airflow and cause the engines to run much hotter causing them to overheat and seize requiring a complete rebuild. _________________ 2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK
Featured in Dec. 2001 HOT VW's Magazine page 63
Watch my racing video's http://www.youtube.com/user/okvwracer/videos |
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Wetstuff Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2010 Posts: 700 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 10:40 am Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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Excellent R-D and SBD. I love a visual clue. Things get sketchy for me when you need a micrometer. Thanks.
That's also your clue ReVo.... Good luck with your new ride.
Jim _________________ Manx #2614 |
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ReVo Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2017 Posts: 5 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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It seems like you all think its a good buy so I'm putting that into consideration. I appreciate all the feedback! Here is one more question. I'm 6' 2" and I would want to lower the pan under the seat by an inch or so and move them back a few inches to help me fit a little better. ( I have already driven the car and I know I can make it work. It's pretty stinking fast as it is, too! The engine is not stock.) Is there a method for making a drop pan? I was just going to purchase some new pans and mod them a tad. My brother and I are both skilled in metal fab and have access to a welder and metal working tools. I would also want to pop some seat sliders under them so my fiance can drive, too. Albeit when I finally teach her to drive a manual. (She can drive a tractor though! ) |
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Derek Cobb Annoying
Joined: March 11, 2004 Posts: 2565
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts on a Bradley GT |
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An ocean of sweet naugahyde! Nice Bradley |
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