Cheap Wheels! 1973 Bradley GT
Who doesn’t remember the dune buggy/kit car craze of the 1960s and 1970s? Bradley Automotive was one of the big players in that space and is said to have built 6,000 kits or complete cars during their heyday. Perhaps the most memorable is the Bradley GT like the one here. The seller bought it as a project, but time has been at a premium, so he/she’s willing to let it go cheap ($1,500). Minus an engine, this DIY is located in Fort Myers, Florida, and is available here on craigslist. Our gratitude is extended once again for another fine tip!
When you bought a Bradley GT (or one of their other products), you could get it one of two ways. Buy it as a kit and install it on your own VW Beetle chassis and drivetrain, or buy it completely put together at the factory. That was the case with the seller’s GT. Since it was a Bradley build, it was titled as a ’73 though the seller says the transmission is from 1965. This one came with a 3-point roll bar which not only helped protect occupants but also strengthened the infrastructure of the vehicle.
Another interesting feature it has that we’re told few came with it is a removable rear roof section. That enabled you to drive it as a fully open ride or close off the back to partially conceal whatever you may have had back there. However, since it has no doors or side windows, getting in the back wouldn’t be all that hard for a would-be criminal.
The fact that the engine is missing is no big deal as finding a replacement 1600cc Beetle engine is not hard to do. And doing much of the work yourself isn’t all that hard if you possess some mechanical skills. The interior pieces that come with the car are in okay shape except for the floor carpeting. And, the wiring will need reworking, which may require more than knowing how to use a hammer and a screwdriver. All-in-all, this looks like a solid candidate for a restoration – and one that won’t a fortune just to acquire.
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Comments
Hmm, 9 hours and not one comment, THAT’S disturbing. Why? 1st, I always feel bad for the authors that research this stuff and then nobody cares. Come on, folks, you must have Bradley GT stories. If you were any kind of VW gearhead,, the Bradley GT was the coolest VW you could have. One glitch, it wasn’t cheap by any means. I read, a kit went for around $3500 for the assembled model, $460 more, and you supplied the chassis and motor. I can’t find where Bradley supplied complete ones, but one site says they did for $5995. That’s almost Corvette cost. Made in Minneapolis, they were, and funny, they made capital for their company by selling 80,000 brochures for $1. USA, USA,,, couple things, however. Does anyone still do this, and once a dime a dozen, where are you going to find a VW motor today? I think if complete, there would certainly be interest, but as is, I just don’t see it.
Did some googling and that 1600 cc engine is going for thousands of dollars. A Subaru engine can be had for less than a thousand and there are kits to adapt them to a VW. Wiring seems a little scary though and this vehicle is better suited to warmer climes. I’m up here in the shores of lake Erie and would get limited use.
My sister in law is from Erie. But now she’s down here in Estero, me in Naples. Car is pretty close to us! But I lack the money and room to take this on. Nice car though.
I lived in Naples back in the 90’s @ Quail Forest. I managed the Tuffy Automotive Center in East Naples. My late wife was a hair dresser and her parents and one sister still live there.
God Bless America
Looks like had gullwing doors incorporated into the T top. Where are they? Wiring is no big deal, only need red, black, white, and green from ignition switch. Wait, see the wires, don’t see a switch. Cost more to ship than worth unfortunately.
“…cost…”
is Wes off shore?
Special needs on wheels.
Good call, for something they only made 6,000 of. I’ve seen a couple in the junk yards lately, mainly because I want a windshield for my c2 vette
I say the same thing every time I see a Hardley Ableson.
Death trap junk
My neighbor converted one of these to electric back in the early 80’s.
Me and my 14 year old friend would joy ride in it while his dad was at work.