Article for Hemmings Motor News

Thanks TIM!

Gary, thanks for the reply. I have a decent overview of the history from period accounts, as far as I care to get into it (sad that financial issues so often overpower creativity/enthusiasm/innovation). Of more interest to me and our readers is the current Bradley community. What's your ballpark estimate of currently active forum members?

Thanks, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Is bradleygt.proboards the largest forum for the Bradley community? What are the other primary clubs, forums or sources for Bradley-related information/tech advice/social interaction?

Cheers, Ed,

Greetings from a fellow editor from across the pond.

I don't check this site all that often when I'm working on a project. I have roughly 20 RC airplanes going for American modeling magazines right now, and I've just finished building a new 1776 engine for my Bradley (645,000 miles after 38 years of steady driving). I'm also in the late stages of finishing a Fiberfab 1952 MG TD Replica, which I found completely new in boxes and untouched by hand or drill some 10 or 11 years ago, and sprucing up my four 1960 vintage race karts for next season.

My CDs have a lot of information, and may hold the history that Gary told you about as one of the files. I think it's on there, but I'll have to check.

I'm probably one of - if not the - only original owner builders who is still maintaining and driving the car. I bought my kit from Bradley in 1976, and the company did a fine job with delivery and support. Unfortunately, the comment about me knowing the owners and visiting the factory is incorrect. I spoke with several representatives by phone, but have never visited the facility. The guy who had the direct company contact is Ray Tierney of Sun Ray Products in Minnesota. Ray built many of the turnkey vehicles, and worked closely with the company when they were active. He still offers Plexiglas gull wings and rear windows for the GT.

Gary is correct in that here are no hard production numbers available. The serial numbering system was misleading and meaningless, at least to those outside the company. Over the years, we're estimating that approximately 5,000 GT cars were produced in kit, assembled or turnkey form, and roughly 500 GTIIs in the same three formats. My personal guess is that today's roadworthy cars number in the neighborhood of 100 and 20 respectably.

I'm sure I'll have some information that might help you, although my knowledge is in the car more than the company. After so many miles, years, six rebuilds, and three complete ground-up restoration with the same vehicle, there isn't much I haven't been through with a GT.

Let me know what you need, and I'll do my best to help. I'd be happy to send you a comp CD if it will help your article.

Please contact me by email at: jefftroy@aol.com or phone my cell: 717-917-3670.

Warmest regards,

Eric,
That's what it's all about; keeping interesting cars on the road; if it involves a family member all the better! Best of luck to you.

Hi Ed,

I sent you an e-mail with this history as well as some other info and pictures. I'm also posting it here in case anyone else is interested.



My Bradley GT History

When I acquired my Bradley in 1987, it needed brake and carburetor repairs. Being an outdoor power equipment dealer at the time, I took it in on trade for a lawn tractor. As I recall, it had just under 20,000 miles showing on the odometer. It also had been infested with mice and the gelcoat suffered ultraviolet damage. It took minimal work to get it on the road, so we drove it the way it was until 1990. My son even drove it to high school his senior year ('89-'90). Then it just sat from 1990 to 1995 deteriorating even more until my wife began threatening to give it away.

I originally wanted it to use as a test vehicle for an internally supercharged experimental engine I had a patent on, but ran short of time and funds. Realizing my wife's attitude, I decided in 1995 to completely restore the car and build my experimental engine at the same time. I finally got it back together with lots of modifications to the whole car in the spring of 1999. I spent more time working on my experimental engine that summer than I did driving it, but my wife decided it was indeed a lot of fun to cruise in. In 2001, I became so frustrated with my experimental engine that I built up a more "conventional" engine which I finished up in the spring of 2002.

My "conventional" engine has digital fuel injection, dry sump oiling , external oil cooler, 3/4 cam, 9 to 1 compression, valve train improvements, MSD ignition, counterweighted crank, lightened flywheel, custom exhaust, and a few other goodies. What a blast! It surprises the heck out of ricers and almost keeps up with my '97 V8 T-Bird all the while getting over 30 MPG. No more problems with oil temp or head temp either!

I think it registered somewhere around 24,000 miles in 2003 when I replaced all the gauges with new electronic ones. It now shows 10,000 miles on the replacement speedometer. It's basically a fair weather vehicle, but is a blast to drive. It is currently in need of a new paint job. These cars are always an unfinished work in progress!

Gary Hammond,

NICE!!!