Speaking of front-engine kit cars, an amusing faux-front-engine Bradley GT is for sale right now in Odessa, Texas. It’s got a big mean intake sticking out of the hood and Vette-style sidepipes, even though the actual power comes from a nice looking 1640cc Beetle engine in the back. It’s got Crager wheels and a flamed paint-job, and other than a dead fuel gauge is in “very good” condition.
Asking price is $4,500 — contact mikarjones@sbcglobal.net if you’re interested.
KAZ, who’s been building kit cars since the seventies, scanned a few photos from his archives for us. From start to finish below are a Bradley GT, a Kelmark GT, a Laser 917, a Marauder GT, a 40s-style Willy VW conversion, and a Talon.
He built lots of Bradleys, including three Bradley GT cars for a Bradley dealership that opened in Houston in ‘76, who unfortunately went under months later. He also built four Kelmarks — this one below with the great paint job was done by Richard Hildebrandt of Houston. He also bought a Kelmark from the insurance company that had been built by Kelmark themselves and was stolen, then recovered it at the Mexican border where the thieves were apprehended. It was fast, with a 2100 cc dual carb VW engine, and an awesome Blaupunkt stereo.
Someone, please! Safe this poor Bradley GT from it’s miserable life rotting away in a snowbank-buried junk pile near Cincinnati. Jesse (write him with offers — he’s asking $400 — at cannibal-cow@hotmail.com) has decided to sell it. He and a buddy bought it from a collector, but then never went anywhere with the project. The chassis was alright when they bought it, but it’s completely rusted up now, and you’re pretty much just buying a body. There’s a tranny but no engine, and the glass is busted. The dash has been cut up for gauges, but they aren’t there… He does have the light pods and covers though. Like I said, basically just a body.
Will someone save this Bradley, or is it the end for it?
It will surely come as a shock to you that the car below started life as a Bradley GT! A friend of Scott’s gave him the car for free, so he figured that he’d customize it — the original front end was all cracked and missing the headlight covers. He sectioned and moved the windshield up a foot and is building a canopy for the top, and he’s widening all the tire areas. He’s also lowered the front beam five and a half inches.
The inspiration of course is Lemans prototype cars. He’s still molding the foam and plans to start fiberglassing when the weather gets warmer. I can’t wait to see updates as to where this goes! Click for a bigger picture of course.
Mike (quickaac@yahoo.com) in the Mckinney, Texas area is selling this red and black Bradley GT (oddly, titled as a GT2) that’s been cut down to being a convertible — I’ve always thought the Bradley looks better this way. He says it’s solid but could use a little interior work (black leather padding), and he’s looking for $5,000 or trade for a truck of equivalent value.
This kit, a 1980 Bradley GT with a custom paint job (well duh), aftermarket racing seats and harness, aftermarket rims with new tires, 4 wheel disc brakes, line lock and hydro parking brake, LED lights, a turbo-charged 2180 CC fuel-injected VW engine with MSD ignition is up for sale in Salineville, Ohio (about an hour west of Pittsburgh). It was professionally built and is estimated to have about 300 HP (on an IRL transaxle built for the power). If you’re interested call 330-831-6036 — trades for a 5.0 Mustang or Z28 Camaro, or a project Corvette of equal value will be considered as well as a cash deal.
Tony’s (tony2guy@yahoo.com) got his classic Bradley GT up for sale for an asking price of $2,500 in the Columbus, Ohio area. It looks rougher than it actually is — it’s ready for paint, which will really turn it around — but he says it runs great. It’s on a VW pan of course with a 1600cc engine and IRS suspension. He has the rear window, but no doors.
Recent Comments