Need A Lift? 1984 Bradley GT II
Something doesn’t quite look right here. Do you notice how this ’84 Bradley GT II seems to be squatting in the rear? Are you familiar with the term butt sag? Apparently, it’s a phenomenon affecting cars and middle-aged humans alike! As it turns out it’s known to happen to a Bradley kit car when the fiberglass body sags over time due to a lack of structural reinforcement in the keester. This will often cause the car’s gullwing doors to misalign as well. Unfortunately, this GT II, available here on Craigslist in Wyoming, Pennsylvania seems to be suffering from this very affliction and could benefit from a lift in the buttocks. If the seller is aware of the problem no mention is made in the ad other than stating the car has some cosmetic issues that need to be addressed. The asking price has been set at $2,995.
There are Bradley owners who’ve reported successfully lifting their car’s saggy rear by attaching a metal brace to the tranny supports, adding blocks, or by jacking up the car’s hind parts and allowing the fiberglass to cure under the hot sun for a while. The last remedy seems questionable and might work if you live in Florida, but probably not in PA. Sagging issues aside, the car’s exterior appears to be in good condition. To me, this Bradley perfectly represents the duality of a kit car: many of us either love ’em or hate ’em (the GT II was also offered turn-key so this model may not actually be a true kit car). Is it ugly or beautiful? A bonafide head turner or just a sports car imposter? A true kit car is subjected to the whim of its builder. I’ve seen Bradleys that look amazing, almost Ferrari-esque and others [cough] with hideous turbine wheels. Don’t get me wrong I actually love the look of turbine wheels but much prefer them on a ’78 Lincoln Mark V!
The leather seat covers appear to be worn down like an old catcher’s mitt. The seller reports there are only 10,000 miles on the car so I’m guessing the poor condition of the seats is due to water damage from leaking gullwing door seams. Yikes! Who knew butt sag could be so disastrous!
It’s well known the GT II, like its predecessor the GT, was built on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis. This car is also powered by a 4-cylinder VW power plant that’s mated to a manual transmission. As stated previously, only 10K miles are reported and no mention is made of any known engine issues so it’s presumed the car runs fine. The GT II design, with its flared fenders, larger bumpers, and custom seats was more of a luxury-based approach as compared to the sportier looking GT model. However, only about 500 GT IIs were built versus somewhere around 6,000 GTs from 1970-1981 [Wikipedia]. So, are you a kit car lover or hater? If you’re a lover, do you prefer the GT or GT II?
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Comments
Just my unsolicited opinion, but the problem with all kit cars is that sooner or later you have to start them up. Then it becomes clear its really just a Volkswagen, Datsun or at best a Chevy V-8, not an exotic 12 cylinder, at which point you look foolish.
This one is not helped by the white walls and too small (ugh) turbine wheels or the Grand Auto wing. And who really thinks that cured fiberglass becomes “more cured, or something” sitting in the sun, and straightens itself out? Come here son, lets talk real estate….
I worked on one of these decades ago. It had a clunk going around corners. Nothing seemed loose. It started raining and we went for another ride. Stopped to scratch my head and noticed grey water coming from lug nuts. The lug nuts were too long and bottomed out on the brake drum causing the wheels to be loose. Of course the owner didn’t believe me.
Re Retired Stig – one must admit though, when built sensibly and with restraint, there are some Porsche Speedsters and counterfeit Cobras that look, sound and drive as well as the high priced original. But they are rare, most kit Kar builders seem driven to festoon their cars with “Boy Racer” parts you never would have seen “back in the day.”
It’s unlikely that the body has sagged. These, among a few others, were actually quite well engineered to support the weight of the body past the pan of the VW. It’s more likely the torsion bars are worn or, more likely, simply need an adjustment.
Seems like a trip to see Dr McNamara and Dr Troy for a serious Nip/Tuck with a big dose of Botox might be warranted here!
If I had it, I’d celebrate it’s Volkswagen heritage by using the typical Cal Bug formula. Get rid of the wing and turbine rims. It would look good with BRM, Empi or Fuchs wheels. Tighten up the bumpers. Adjust the suspension for the proper rake and add a performance exhaust for a Bug.
Just lower the front end…done deal
Those were ugly when new and even worse now. Don’t think I’ve ever seen one up close, just on my monitor. Wonder if real life would be better.
Apparently, it’s a phenomenon affecting cars and middle-aged humans alike!
Hey hey, easy on us old car guys. Lol
Neat car. Always liked the styling!
One of my brother-in-laws, not a car guy, moved from California to Oklahoma and was going to make a living selling Bradley GTs. I don’t think it ever got beyond buying the manual.
I remember the very first Bradly gt I ever saw as a kid I thought it looked so cool, for about 5 minutes. Now it’s just another very homely kit car!
Is this car still for sale would like more info about it