Cheap Kit Car Project With Trailer: 1973 Bradley GT
The GT is perhaps the best-known of the Bradley Automotive kit cars built between 1970 and 1981. Using a fiberglass body over a VW chassis and mechanical bits, an estimated 6,000 of them were built across 12 years. This 1973 example is the last holdout in an estate sale, will need some work, and comes with its own trailer, all as a package deal. Located in Prescott, Arizona, this potentially fun project is available here on craigslist for $1,850 OBO. Thanks for the interesting tip, Tony Primo!
In business for more than a decade and under several names, Bradley Automotive has a colorful history. The moniker was pieced together by borrowing from parts of the two founders’ names, Gary Courneya and David Bradley, and a made-up president named Gary Bradley ran the show. The company was based in Minnesota yet sold products that would mostly find buyers in California (as part of the 1970s “dune buggy” craze). Bradley (the firm) and Courneya got themselves into some financial and legal hot water in later years and it ceased operations in 1981 after trying to shift to the electric vehicle (EV) market.
We’re told that this GT was owned by a collector of interesting and rare cars and a restoration had begun before the said owner passed away. The body is said to be in good condition with no cracks in the fiberglass. And finding parts for the engine and transmission should be easy as the vehicle is basically a VW Beetle under the skin. At one time it was street-legal and driven often, but we’re guessing that was some time ago. The interior was removed for the intended makeover, so the pieces sit in place now and are not bolted down.
The trailer that comes with the GT was built for carrying vehicles like this. It’s low-slung and the hitch on the truck used to pull it will have to have a considerable drop for it to move level and properly. So, keep that in mind if you decide to give the seller the cash and take it home. Both transports have clear titles, and the seller needs them gone ASAP. So perhaps you can talk turkey on the price.
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Comments
Burn the kit car. Save the trailer.
Don’t be a horse’s hamg-down.
I don’t remember these being convertibles. I only remember the gull wing models. Had a friend that got the kit but never finished it.
I believe you’re correct. If the chassis wasn’t rigid enough the doors would get squirrelly. I have seen the ‘convertible’ solution before, but either a roll bar/cage or T-Top style / no doors. It could be an interesting project, but it may literally require complete disassembly and assess a different frame/chassis drive train. Ditch the hideous flip lights, maybe it’s a Hyundai 1.6 FWD car underneath. It would be quite fast and fuel efficient.
Personally, I wish there was a vintage road racing class just for VW powered kit cars. Bradleys, Mantas, Manxs, MG copies, and little cartoony GT-40s all going at it on the track. They’d be a blast to watch and people might finally appreciate the primal fun potential of these misunderstood little slot cars.
These are great little cars I actually had one of these. I bought it in Charlotte NC and drove it home to Baltimore MD. It was summer so I drove it with the gull wing doors off. Believe it or not on that trip I got more thumbs up and smiles than I ever got with any other car. Gas stops were at least half hour with people looking at it and asking what is it I’ve never seen one of those before. It was a fun little car I would drive the back roads thinking I was leading at Le Mans lol. I hope someone buys it and loves it. GLWTS
Some kit cars look really good. This one isn’t one of those.
Did they ever make a Bradley roadster or has someone modified this one? I would be tempted to turn it into a real dune buggy, slightly raises suspension, bigger wheen etc.I think that would be very cool.
Who do I hit up to get a hold of these people I want it
Be OK as off road dune buggy on raised suspension…only.
Needs caged etc
On street its very dangerous no crash protection.
It’s a piece of vw history hope somebody restores it back to original condition
it would be a great project and a great conversation starter I personally would like to add to my collection having a Manx and a sandrail of corsé vw powered.