new old dude with my first Bradley GT II

[thom]

I was into air-cooled VWs for decades, but haven't had one for a few years. Lately I've been thinking I'd like to have another. Then, a few days ago I stumbled on a Bradley GT II for sale locally. It's built on a '71 model pan. Overall the chassis is solid with minor rust in the floor pans as is typical. No problem, easy fix with my new wire welder and some replacement panels, been there, done that. The windshield is perfect! The rear hatch glass is fine. The top panels are broken and the door windows are missing, but I'm not worried about them. I can handle that. There are a few small parts that I need, like the bezels for the outside door lock buttons and the rear Bradley emblem that belongs on the engine cover. The glove box lid is gone, but I can make one. Some of the engine tin pieces are missing, but I will probably order all chrome stuff for the engine anyway.

I haven't had time to try and start it yet. It has been stored in a basement for several years but will need the tank and fuel system flushed and some lubrication in the sparkplug holes before crank up. I might go ahead and remove the engine and freshen up the gaskets and seals first. I'm sure the entire brake system except maybe the drums, will be replaced during the restoration.
OOPS! Sorry about the giant size pic. My first try at posting a pic here and I can't figure out how to fix or delete it. Moderator please feel free to downsize or remove my pic. thanks.

[jspbtown]

All good ideas. The GTII uses a custom gas tank so you might want to inspect that.

Brakes are a must. New lines (rubber wears from within), shoes, cylinders are all cheap.

First place I always look is under the dash.....wiring seems to be the Achilles heel for almost all builders. And the GTII has some funky headlight wiring.

[thom]

Something I learned that might save a new GTII buyer/owner some trouble...don't buy your's and take a regular VW tow-bar like you've probably pulled bugs home with to go get it. I tried that. Didn't work. The length of the bar was OK and the ground clearance would have been good, but there are two pieces clamped around the beam that are part of the body conversion that are right where the tow-bar normally clamps around the lower beam. A "normal" VW tow-bar would need tb be narrowed at least 4" to work on a GTII. Luckily I knew someone nearby with a pickup and trailer that could come haul mine home for me.

[thom]

The pic with my original posting has disappeared. Did the moderator remove it?

[thom]

I traded my Bradley GTII for something else I would much rather have.