|
|
Post by ekanfield on Jun 20, 2010 7:34:39 GMT -5
The nightmare is almost over! My dad bought this piece of junk Bradley about 7 years ago. He let it sit for about 2 years constantly bugging me to help him with it. It was a basket case (I wish I had photos of it then). I wanted nothing to do with it. Finally, I could only take so much and gave in to him. I didn’t know where to start this thing was a mess. Both the body and chassis were in bad shape. My dad went down to Florida for the winter and was constantly calling to see how I was progressing. I told him yea yea I'll get it running for you. Then the unthinkable. I'm working on this stupid thing ( I hated this car!) on a Saturday morning and the phone rings.........my Dad was dead!!? He died of a heart attack. I was destroyed. My best friend was gone and he left me this pile of junk! Thanks Dad! Anyway, I decided to keep my promise to him and finish the car. I decided to do a complete resortoration, motor, body, chassis etc. now she's about 95% brand new or rebuilt. The body is at the body shop being painted Ferrari red. It should be finished in about a week. I rigged the steering and bungee corded a gas can to the chassis yesterday and took her for a ride up and down my street without the body to work out any bugs. What a blast!! You should have seen the looks I got. Now my family and I are in love with this stupid thing. I hope to have it legal and on the road by the end of summer. And yes the exhaust does exit out the side pipes. Anyway, thanks for the Bradley Dad! Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by dhasler on Jun 20, 2010 7:55:36 GMT -5
congrats on getting the brad done. I definitely want to see it when its all painted, so make sure to put some pics up when its finished. I like the side exhaust, pretty mean looking! Sorry to hear about your father
|
|
Eric A
Full Member
It's an obsession not an investment!
Posts: 223
|
Post by Eric A on Jun 20, 2010 10:51:28 GMT -5
Can't wait to see pics of it!! I am sorry to hear about your dad. My dad and I restored mine.
Eric A
|
|
|
|
Post by vallyr on Jun 20, 2010 11:45:05 GMT -5
WOWZER  Is it still rear engine? Tell us about the blower, side pipes and stuff! |
|
|
|
Post by kartracer on Jun 20, 2010 12:36:16 GMT -5
Can't wait to see the finished product, I'm glad you kept tour promise to your dad. Believe me he was with you on the build.
|
|
|
|
Post by ekanfield on Jun 20, 2010 13:57:43 GMT -5
The blower scoop is just for show. The engine started out as a 1977 1600 Super Beatle. I sent it out to a guy in Toledo, OH that has been building racing VW engines for over 30 years. He punched it out to a 1775cc. Im not sure what cam is in it but I asked for one that had a lot of low end torque... and it does! Like I posted before I rigged the thing so I could drive it whithout the body. It comes out of the hole pretty good for a vw. The exhaust I did myself. I started with a low mount dual, cut off the mufflers leaving just enough of the 3 in tubing so that I could connect 3in. 180 degree mandrel bends to shoot it back towards the front... connected them to an "x" pipe. I bought Patriot side pipes.. cut the ends off of them.. removed the baffles and glass packing... welded them back together and paited it all with POR 15. The exhaust has no baffles or glass packing. It has a nice low rumble at idle amost like a crotch rocket, but when you stand on it it comes to life and sounds great! It was pretty simple to do. It wasn't cheap, but I think it was wort it. Here is a photo of the exhaust. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by pushnfords on Jun 20, 2010 20:41:04 GMT -5
Looks like a great tribute to your dad! I wish I had something like that from mine.
|
|
|
|
Post by big bob on Jun 21, 2010 10:09:08 GMT -5
man, ekan, where you been!!??
car looking real good. the side exhaust alone is no small feat. keep us updated.
the memory of your pop will live on through that car, then you can pass it down as well.
big bob
|
|
