When it comes to original designs, the Bradley GT II is one of the most “production” looking kit cars out there — that is, it’s the least likely to be instantly identified as a kit. Mike’s got a nice looking one in the Portland, Oregon area, a ‘77 on a ‘72 VW pan with a 1835cc counterbalanced engine intended for a sand rail — “she is a rubber burner” he says. The gel coat is getting a bit rough, but everything’s there and it’s never been hit and the interior is solid. He’s had the car for fifteen years now and has had lots of fun with it, but is now looking for a new project. At $1,500 this car is a steal (it may already be sold by the time I post this) — write to Mike at sandman456******* if you’re interested SOLD!.
Jeremy found some old paperwork from KAR Manufacturing, who made the VW-based Mini-Camaro that I’ve posted a couple times in the past. From their ads, it looks like the company’s background included making Shriner cars for parades, as well as miniature funny cars for the street, which is where the “Funtastik” Mini-Camaro came from. The car was made in two version, the first of which was a tiny car, designed to fit on a VW chassis shortened by a full 24″ (to 70″).
The overall length of the short version was 145″ with a 70″ width, and 44″ to the height of the Landau frame. The car had a curb weight of only 1065 pounds, giving it good performance even with a stock driveline.
The second version was a 94″ wheelbase (stock VW) version fitting a long version of their Z-28 replica. The total length came up to 170 inches, and the weight climbed to 1210 pounds. You can easily identify it from the front as it’s the one with the spoiler.
This car inspired by Death Race 2000 was built on the MTV show Fast Inc in an episode (8; “Death Race 2006″) where Mean Magazine wanted to do a shoot inspired by the movie. Instead of using a 70s Vette like in the movie, they decided to go with a second generation Aztec kit car on a VW chassis. The car is located in the Las Vegas area and you can write MLTJD@aol.com if you’re interested (watch for it on eBay soon as well). It needs new glass and a new motor and paperwork.
You don’t see that many kit cars for sale in Canada, so I thought I’d point out that an Avenger has just been posted to Kijiji (#84673164) in Devon, Alberta (near Edmonton). It’s on a 1600cc VW chassis and “runs great” but needs interior work.
Dom picked up an MBC/Embeesa Charger kit recently for the VW pan, so now he’s turned around and put the shell — which looks very clean and the perfect start for someone who’s looking to build one of these distinctive cars from scratch — up on eBay (#280303408504). The car is located in Wakefield, UK. The glass required for this kit is the rear glass (you’ll need two) from a Vauxhall Victor — other than that you’ll just need a VW Beetle donor and a lot of hard work.
Tony (Acavet@aol.com) wrote in for help in locating on of his favorite classics, the 1969 Shark, later re-released as the Machette Speedster. He writes,
Originally built back in 1969 and named the Shark this little body was intended to fit on a shortened bug chassis, having just a 86″ wheelbase. The article in Dune Buggies magazine says its style was influenced by the then Indianapolis race cars. Note the lack of any shock towers — this would have been one fast little machine with a Corvair motor. A great way to show off whatever motor you would be running, not to mention how easy it would be to work on.
The red car and picture with the driver are photo’s from 1969, the other two are from a brochure from the 90’s.
This was one of the first departures from the conventional buggy style body in the sixties. The nearest thing to a street legal go-kart for us big kids!
Safety was obviously not a big concern — notice how the driver’s head sticks above all portions of the car. Back then seat belts were not a big thing… I guess the thought was better to be thrown clear than stay with the car.
The car made a brief but unsuccessful reappearance in the 1990’s as the Machette Speedster. I missed an opportunity to buy one at that time and have been kicking myself ever since. Several years ago the molds for this car showed up on Thesamba for sale at a very reasonable price. Short on money at the time I missed my opportunity to own one of these again.
If any readers have one of these they would like to sell or know where one is regardless of condition please contact me. I would also be interested in the molds if they still exist too.
Richard won this car — not even knowing what it was — in a game of cards… Right now he’s looking for doors for it, but I don’t think anyone is making them right now. My advice was to have half doors fabricated, since that really fixes the lines of the car.
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