Serpent Brawler

1968 Serpent Brawler GT H-P in Volcano Orange

The Brawler is a sports car produced by Serpent between 1960 until 1974. Beginning as a two-door personal sportscar, the Brawler through the 1960's evolved to become a large, brutish muscle car.

## First Generation

1960 Serpent Brawler Coupe (non-original wheels)

## Body and chassis

### Chassis type

CoupeSedan

Estate

## Powertrain

### Engine

135cui (2.2L) I4220cui (3.6L) I6

275cui (4.5L) V8

## Dimensions

### Weight

~ 1250 kg

The Serpent Brawler began production in 1960, aiming to set foothold in the up-and-coming personal sportscar market. It offered a variety of both inline-6 and V8 engines as well as both automatic and manual transmissions in a relatively cheap package, leading to it becoming quite popular. Still, sales were low in its early years as consumers adjusted to the car's impracticality compared to larger vehicles of the era. Over time, the Brawler would also become available as a three-door estate, as well as a convertible.

## Body and chassis

### Chassis type

CoupeSedan

Estate

## Powertrain

### Engine

220cui (3.6L) I6353cui (5.8L) V8

365cui (6.0L) V8

## Dimensions

### Weight

~ 1350 kg

In late 1964, for the 1965 model year, the Brawler was completely refreshed into its second generation. It kept its 2.65m (105 in) wheelbase, but gained a taller, more squared body with an aggressive dual-grille with encased headlights. Additionally, the car displayed significant forward rake, giving it an angry demeanor. The second generation Brawler would become significantly more popular than its first generation, as the boxier, more aggressive body resonated more with consumers.

## Powertrain

### Engine

220cui (3.6L) I6306cui (5.0L) V8

353cui (5.8L) V8

365cui (6.0L) V8

441cui (7.2L) V8

## Dimensions

### 1968

For the third generation beginning in 1968, the Brawler's wheelbase was extended to 3.0m (117 in). It yet again received a brand new body, this time with a squared open grille with encased double headlights. The downward-sloping double grille was dropped in favor of a more stoic, hardened look. The rear was also designed with more a more horizontal look in mind, employing encased five-wide box lights with "Brawler" lettering in between.

It gained several engine options, including the famed 441 CID (7.2L) "Sledge" V8. Due to the larger body, it was also significantly heavier than its predecessors, weighing in at approx. 1650 kg. Due to its elongated wheelbase, the Brawler subsequently became eligible for NASCAR. This resulted in its use in Serpent's aero-car program, and the Serpent Afterburner was built using the third-generation Brawler as its base.

### 1969

In 1969, the Brawler received a mild facelift. This included a split grille, a notch in the below-bumper intake, as well as optional hideaway headlights. The front turn signals were also moved from the bumper to below it, next to the intake. The rear received minor changes, namely going from five horizontal box lights to six. The reverse lights were made to mimic the front turn signals. On high-trim models, the rear lettering was changed to say "GT H-P", or various other trims.

### 1970

The Brawler received yet another facelift in 1970. While also mostly consisting of minor changes from the 1969 model, the grille was updated to have a large notch on its bottom. The turn signals were yet again changed, this time inset in the body. The rear was updated with additional chrome detailing on the lights, as well as having the reverse lights integrated into the taillights. The "Brawler" rear lettering was reintroduced on all models save for the Afterburner, as the narrower 1968-model taillights had to be mounted on it to fit the "Afterburner" lettering.