making the Bradley fit you...

[superdave008]

Just wanted to comment on my 2 Bradleys I have a Bradley GT built by an engineer and his dad that I got at an estate sale;
Its pristine and the work that was put into the car is amazing .

Not only did they complete projects to the max but wrote down everything on paper with "engineer drawings" before they started the work. but I guess they communicated by notes and worked at different times. The Kids were afraid it wasn't safe so there grandkids never got a chance to drive it . Its a show car complete with yellow rope and black poles and dont. touch signs. came complete with AC and everything you could do to increase power on a single port motor. Im getting ready to do a lot of needed maintenance and up grades for the summer. In the process of having everything available before I start.
Its currently parked for maintenance and up grades and I'm excited to get going on it . just for fun before I parked it. I took it out on the freeway with no traffic and took it up to a hundred no problem , it would easily do more but wont do that until I check everything out . you could actually feel the down force at higher speed no shimmey or shake.

the other I bought as "a car lot get rid of it" special.
the engine came as a dual port 1600 with monza exhaust and a progressive carb set up. and complete build manual with notes ... this owner was not concerned about driver comfort the steering wheel is flat and small maybe it fit him perfect.?


each builder skilled in different ways each with unique ideas.

The one thing that the engineer did was think of creature comfort. He had a hurst shifter installed but it was cut and welded to come back 4" farther moving it back 7" total very nice welding job .
then he extended the steering column back 10" with a deep dish grant steering wheel with a box build over the column it works great. then he made cushions for your head and neck which supports your head and serves as a real headrest.

I guess he was tall like me (6'1") but all of the modifications really ad to creature comfort and are esthetically
Pleasing He made the car fit his body size . I don't have to reach for the shifter like the other car and both have the same shifter just one has been modified.

Im sure each of you can see the expertise or not of prior owners but make it fit you when your building .

some of my upgrades will include, new stereo power headlight doors progressive carb, alternator and dog house air tin.

good luck guys wish me the same.

[cocacoladodge]

I look forward to seeing these, especially that shifter. both of my Bradleys have Hurst shifters too, but different styles. One short, one tall.
Myself, I'm 6'3" so I know the pain you are talking about and am how nice it must be to have one setup for comfort. I feel and look like a clown getting out of a car at the circus when I drive, knees at either side of the steering wheel, head hitting the gull wing if i have it on, other wise popping my head out to look at stop lights.

[superdave008]

I cant imagine being 6'3" in a Bradley . The guy that built mine was concerned about comfort . My shifter is chrome he had the handle cut ( probably did it himself).. then welded a support between the 2 to extend it back ..I have a 34 sleeve so it is pretty comfortable . My friends get a big laugh when I'm climbing in and out when driving to coffee.

I will see if I cant post some pics.

Like you said though I drive with my knees against the dash.

The seats have a neck brace cushion that serves as support for your neck.
The longest I've driven the car at 1 time is about 2.5 hours one way and had to stop for a brake to uncrunch before I could drive back. on that drive I did use the brace.

My next big project is to cut and drop my floor pans 3" Like Jeff Troy's cd I plan on doing it with out body removal .

If I do that I would do away with my current seats and either fabricate something or install a different seat.

Im including a link from Big Bob I learned a lot from his restoration and creativity .

www.bobthagard.com/car_web.