Bradley GT1 Project...

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andyinpa
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Posts: 3

Bradley GT1 Project... Aug 6, 2011 12:07:46 GMT -5

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Post by andyinpa on Aug 6, 2011 12:07:46 GMT -5

Hi gents,
I am sooo glad to see that there is a place I can research some info on this Bradley GT that my father just bought!! It is a 1976, on a 69 VW Bug chassis with a 1600cc engine. The engine seems to run very well, but electrically this poor car has been getting cobbled together for quite some time. I have since fixed 90% of the electrical issues (correctly

), but we are missing both front and rear bumpers on this car. I am thinking that the front bumper also supports the nose of the Bradley too, because without it, it seems to move around quite a bit. Are there any options for front/rear bumpers for these cars? Aftermarket support?

It also has the "sundowner" option, which we will NOT be using. I'll be removing the headlight buckets and designing a way to mount rectangular headlights to it. I was thinking of trying to find a set of the "standard" buckets, are they available anywhere? Because, like the electrical, the previous owner(s) cobbled some hideous dual-headlight contraption to these buckets, and cut massive holes in the buckets in doing so...

Does anyone offer replacement parts for the "kit" portion of this car? I saw that someone is reproducing the gullwings plexi and rear window, but are any of the foberglass parts available?

On the plus side... I may have "sundowner" pockets for sale sometime soon...

Thanks for reading!!! I'll get some pics up sometime soon.

Andy

stevevw Full Member Part VW part Porsche , all Bradley Posts: 117	Bradley GT1 Project... Aug 6, 2011 15:47:13 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stevevw on Aug 6, 2011 15:47:13 GMT -5 Hello and Welcome Andy, I am a twoie guy so not much help on your project . If you have VW questions I can prolly help . There are guys,n gals here that are incredible resources for you. Welcome and glad to see you here .
	Steve

big bob
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Posts: 238

Bradley GT1 Project... Aug 6, 2011 22:57:15 GMT -5

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Post by big bob on Aug 6, 2011 22:57:15 GMT -5

welcome,
sounds like you're well on your way. some VERY knowledgeable people here.

here's a link to my build in progress (which is a DIFFERENT site now).
hope it helps...

kitcar.vacau.com/

concerning the front, i'm going with out the bumper/supports, and i've wedged a small 2x4 between body and top tube of front of chassis, not the most technical, but seems to work. good luck..... big bob

first get it running, then make it pretty

jspbtown
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Posts: 1,551

Bradley GT1 Project... Aug 7, 2011 17:15:32 GMT -5

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Post by jspbtown on Aug 7, 2011 17:15:32 GMT -5

Here are some front brackets that I made up to support the front. 1" square tube that attaches to some 2" angle iron which is attached to the front beam with HD muffler clamps.

Under the front nose is a 3" wide strip that runs from one bracket to the next and is bolted to the bracket and through the glass. It was painted black and was not visable unless under the car.

I think I have a set of headlight buckets that would glass under the car. They have 2 round headlights per side.

Gary Hammond
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Bradley GT1 Project... Aug 7, 2011 18:24:25 GMT -5

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Post by Gary Hammond on Aug 7, 2011 18:24:25 GMT -5

Hi Andy,

The original support tubes are shown and discussed under "Operation 34 - Install Front Bumpers" of the build manual. Jeff Troy included a copy of the build manual in the CD that you can purchase from him.

Here is a screen shot of that operation.

And here's pics of how I did mine. I notched the support tube to get clearance for the heavy duty sway bar.

Gary Hammond,

Gary Hammond
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Bradley GT1 Project... Aug 7, 2011 18:38:07 GMT -5

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Post by Gary Hammond on Aug 7, 2011 18:38:07 GMT -5

Hi again Andy,

RE: Headlight Boxes

I made my own headlight boxes from 1/8" aluminum and installed GM rectangular headlights in them. I also made a bellcrank arrangement to raise and lower the head light doors (or covers).

Here's some pics.....

Gary Hammond,

andyinpa
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Posts: 3

Bradley GT1 Project... Aug 8, 2011 8:21:05 GMT -5

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Post by andyinpa on Aug 8, 2011 8:21:05 GMT -5

Thanks for the welcomes gents!! Definitelyy some good info there.

jspbtown-- That is EXACTLY what I was thinking of building... some way of supporting the front end, and triangulate it back to the upper beam. Good stuff, if you have more pics of what you did, send them my way.

Gary-- I do have the manual for this thing, and just thumbed through and found that page... guess I should have dug a little further, thanks for the heads-up!! I am thinking about using a single square headlight/assembly from a late-90's Jeep Cherokee (my other hobby is rock crawling a 96 Cherokee, so I probably can get the parts easily/cheap) instead of duals. I have to check it out though and see if it will fit. The parking light/turn signal is going to go down in the bumper opening. Probably a 4" round LED. 1/8" aluminum was heavy enough? It looks like you pushed the headlight bucket further back too, is that the case? Thats good to know, I was trying to decide what material to use. Not sure if I need to make a whole new headlight bucket, or just modify the existing, I have to get into it and see what works.

Another question... how does the sway bar mount? In the pic above it looks like some kind of double clip to the lower arm... ?

The one on this car is being held on with two hose clamps per side right now....yikes!! Are there aftermarket versions of this? Links? I am really new to the VW scene... as in this is the first one I have come into contact with.

Thanks again gents!!

A.

Last Edit: Aug 8, 2011 8:23:01 GMT -5 by andyinpa

jspbtown
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Posts: 1,551

Bradley GT1 Project... Aug 8, 2011 8:27:46 GMT -5

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Post by jspbtown on Aug 8, 2011 8:27:46 GMT -5

While there are always more then one opinion, the general consensus is that a sway bar is really not needed. Its not really going to do any harm...its just not needed.

Sorry, I don't think I have any other pictures. The car is with its owner, but I will check the build CD I made. They are realy simple to make. All the steel was Home Depot in stock stuff.

stevevw Full Member Part VW part Porsche , all Bradley Posts: 117	Bradley GT1 Project... Aug 8, 2011 14:52:21 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stevevw on Aug 8, 2011 14:52:21 GMT -5 My car does not have a front sway bar , however the front beam was widened 4" Pushing hard on a freeway on ramp it rolls a little more than I like. Still have to source a bar that will fit my modified beam .
	Steve

Shoutbox

br: I see your looking for a Bradley for sale. I have one in Mid Michigan that is complete with the Gull wing doors. Have the original sales materials, invoices, correspondence with Bradley and instruction manuals. pine184@frontier.com Jul 19, 2022 14:32:20 GMT -5

deathtrap: Hello! Seriously interested in your car. I only need two things. I need more pictures, including pictures of the interior and engine compartment, and the transmission/rear axle area. Also need to know if this is an IRS car or a Swingaxle car. If you a Sept 16, 2022 8:04:13 GMT -5

gt2503: anyone got a tach gauge? Oct 9, 2022 22:30:34 GMT -5 *

quentin: There is a VINTAGE VDO JET thingyPIT TACHOMETER on eBay for $159. Looks good. Key search word is JET. I sold my rough one there for $120 if I recall. Oct 23, 2022 0:00:23 GMT -5

quentin: ThingyPIT. Stupid prudish spell checker! You know... ROOSTER.... WHERE THE PILOT SITS IN THE AIRPLANE, Oct 23, 2022 0:03:46 GMT -5

daveh: I am looking for a GT2 gauge panel or parts thereof. Please respond if you have one or any parts for sale - thanks Jan 30, 2023 20:46:23 GMT -5

oliver: Offer bundle of documents BRADLEY GT. 2x Assembly Manual. 1x Wiring Manual. 1x color card upholstery. 1x Sales flyer. Pls consider shipping cost (from Germany). If you leave your email, I can send a picture of all items. 50$ pls shipping. vitamins@gmx.com May 17, 2023 3:50:36 GMT -5 *

rrboudreaux3: What is the approximate value for a Bradley GT2 purchased as a kit in 1981 but never assembled. All parts should be there and has been in storage since purchased. Will not part out; will be all or none. Jul 10, 2023 8:09:34 GMT -5

ddbling: Do you still have the unassembled Bradley Gt2 Aug 1, 2023 16:42:23 GMT -5

bradjackly: Can anyone provide a rough estimate of value for a functioning 1970 Bradley GT electric? Sept 2, 2023 12:40:37 GMT -5

bradjackly: thanks fam. Sept 5, 2023 11:54:14 GMT -5

giethoorn1: Hello Bradley GT2 friends. I'm from Holland. I am looking for two original complete taillights for my Bradley. Can anyone help me with this? Greetings Jan Doornbos Netherlands
Sept 13, 2023 8:36:01 GMT -5

speedracer5: Look on eBay for old school bus lights. Good luck! Sept 14, 2023 23:42:35 GMT -5

speedracer5: Do I have to remove the body of my GT2 to remove the gas tank? There is rust in my tank. Or can I treat it in place? Sept 14, 2023 23:45:57 GMT -5

superdave008: Dude here is some help full info. www.bobthagard.com/car_web. Oct 27, 2023 0:05:46 GMT -5

superdave008: also look up Jeff troy he sells a Cd its pretty good. Oct 27, 2023 0:07:29 GMT -5

superdave008: you need a donor car 68 to 74 beetle dual port motor irs rear suspension. a title , no super beetle. Oct 27, 2023 0:12:49 GMT -5

wildbillcody833: got them.. just came across all the left overs factory. 707 304 0946.call me my name is cody Feb 19, 2024 4:13:37 GMT -5

Jeff Troy: This Jeff Troy's wife. I don't know who to get in touch with regarding my husbands passing. Jeff died from cancer in January. He told me to get in touch with someone from the site and they may be able to help me sell his Bradley. Thanks in advance. Mar 19, 2024 10:32:26 GMT -5

cocacoladodge: Mrs. Troy, I'm sorry to read about Jeffs passing. He was a great help to many of us on here, and made for some interesting conversation the few times I spoke with him. Jun 11, 2024 0:17:16 GMT -5