Berkeley Cars Ltd was a minicar manufacturer in operation between October 1956 and December 1960. Their factory was located at Hitchin Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England, and the early designs were courtesy of Lawrence 'Lawrie' Bond working in collaboration with the Berkeley Coachworks factory owned by Charles Panter. At the time, the factory was one of the largest manufacturers of caravans in Europe. Their skills with Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) were instrumental in creating a safe, repairable, and inexpensive automobile. The original Berkeley Sports was a lightweight two-seater sports car powered by a 322cc Anzani two-stroke twin. It had 12-volt electrics, and its three-speed gearbox with reverse was later replaced by a four-speed Albion unit. At the time of its introduction, the minicar employed several unconventional features such as its complete fiberglass monocoque chassis reinforced locally by lightweight aluminum sections, and its transverse engine driving the front wheels.
With an attractive price of approximately $1,600 when new, these pint-sized automobiles were a fun and affordable alternative to larger Austin-Healeys and MGs. As the newly introduced Mini and Austin-Healey Sprite began to encroach on their territory, Berkeley began work on a more conventional model with the support of Ford Motor Company. When the caravan market collapsed near the close of 1960, Berkeley's cash flow dried up, forcing liquidation on December 12, 1960.
During its production lifespan, approximately 4,100 automobiles were built.
Berkeley Sports SE328
The Berkeley Sports SE328 was produced from January 1957 to April 1958 with approximately 1,259 examples built during that time. It was the company's second model, preceded only by the SA322.
The SA322 rested on a 70-inch wheelbase, was 50 inches wide, 41.5 inches tall, and measured 123 inches in length. Stirling Moss drove one example at Goodwood in September 1956 and officially unveiled at the London Motor Show. Power was sourced from a British Anzani twin-cylinder 322cc two-stroke engine offering 15 horsepower and paired to a three-speed Albion HJR5 gearbox. The Siba Dynastart system was used for both battery charging and electric starting. The suspension was independent via coil springs at the front and rear. Girling hydraulic 7-inch drum brakes were used to keep the 600 lb vehicle in the driver's control. The minimalistic vehicle had a simple bench seat, and a hatch could be removed from behind the front seat. A fuel gauge was optional equipment. A total of 163 examples of the SA322 were built.
The SE328 had a slightly shorter wheelbase of 68 inches, was 122.5 inches in length, 50 inches wide, and stood 43.5 inches tall. The engine was a 328 cc transverse mounted air-cooled, two-stroke unit with 18 horsepower. The quoted top speed by the manufacturer was 70 mph, but period road tests maxed out at around 62 mph.
Many examples of the SE328 were exported to the United States, and they were distinguished by having separate headlamps compared to the home market's units which faired into the wings.
Although the SE328 was not in production for a lengthy period of time, updates were applied. Examples built before June 1957 (about chassis number 476) had a column gear change; those that followed had a floor-mounted gear change lever. Early examples had a similar chassis plate to the Anzani type, while later examples received a printed type fitted to the bulkhead above the brake master cylinder. The Deluxe version added polished wheel trims and spinners, a pair of carburetors, and a tachometer.
Although limited in power, the small and lightweight SE328 had impressive performance, thanks in part to its extremely light aluminum monocoque chassis construction and fiberglass body. The chassis was maintenance-free (no rust) and had the added benefit of immense strength. Inexpensive and with a fuel economy of 70 mpg, the SE328 was an economical and sporty alternative to most other vehicles on the road.
by Dan Vaughan