Berkeley Sports
| Berkeley Sports | |
|---|---|
| Production period: | 1956-1958 |
| Class : | Sports car |
| Body versions : | Roadster |
| Successor: | B90 Twosome |
The Berkeley Sports is a mini sports car that the British manufacturer Berkeley Cars built in two series from October 1956 to April 1958.
Both series had a two-seater roadster body made of GRP , which was manufactured in three parts (floor pan, front, rear). The doors were hinged at the front and hung so that they closed by themselves. The car was designed as a two-seater with a bench, but had a cover behind the seats that could be removed. Usually there was space for the spare wheel and luggage, but a single seat for a small child could also be built in. The equipment was sparse, even the fuel gauge was only available as an optional extra.
SA 322 (B60)
| SA 322 (B60) | |
|---|---|
 Berkeley Sports SA 322 |
|
| Production period: | 1956-1957 |
| Engines: |
Otto engine : 0.32 liters (11 kW) |
| Length: | 3124 mm |
| Width: | 1270 mm |
| Height: | 1054 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 1778 mm |
| Empty weight : | 274 kg |
The SA 322 (also B60 ) was the company's first production model and was presented in September 1956. Production ran from October 1956 to January 1957. Initially, two prototypes were made and tested around Biggleswade in late summer 1956. Stirling Moss drove one at Goodwood in September 1956 and it was publicly presented at the London Motor Show , a year before the Lotus Elite came out with a similar GRP monocoque construction.
The Sports SA was powered by a 322 air-cooled two-cylinder - two-stroke - line engine , the British Anzani zulieferte. The engine had a displacement of 322 cm³ (bore × stroke = 60 mm × 57 mm) and made 15 bhp (11 kW) at 5000 rpm. It was installed across the front and drove the front wheels via a chain and a manual three-speed gearbox. This engine model had previously been used by various motorcycle manufacturers, e.g. B. from Cotton and Greeves , but at Berkeley it was provided with a Dynastart system from Siba . The two-stroke engine was very advanced and had a rotary valve in the center of the crankshaft . The three-speed gearbox came from Albion and had a steering wheel shift.
The car had individually suspended wheels with coil springs and, despite the small engine, delivered good performance due to its low weight of only 274 kg and had excellent road holding. Hydraulically operated Girling drum brakes with a diameter of 178 mm decelerated the car.
163 copies had been made by January 1957.
SE 328 (B60)
| SE 328 (B60) | |
|---|---|
 Berkeley Sports SE 328 |
|
| Production period: | 1957-1958 |
| Engines: |
Otto engine : 0.33 liters (13.2 kW) |
| Length: | 3112 mm |
| Width: | 1270 mm |
| Height: | 1105 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 1727 mm |
| Empty weight : | 280 kg |
After four months, Berkeley switched production to the SE 328 (also B60 ). The body corresponded to that of the predecessor except for minor changes in dimensions. However, a slightly larger and more powerful engine was used.
The Sports SE 328 also had an air-cooled two-cylinder two-stroke in-line engine, which Excelsior supplied. It had a displacement of 328 cm³ (bore × stroke = 58 mm × 62 mm) and made 18 bhp (13.4 kW) at 5000 rpm. Instead of a rotary valve control, it had a simple slot control.
Many vehicles were exported to the USA , where they were offered for US $ 1,600. The manufacturer advertised with the "number 70"; this should mean the car could go 70 mph (112 km / h) and 70 mpg (miles per gallon), which equates to about 3.4 l / 100 km of gasoline. The export model had raised, separate headlights to meet US lighting regulations, while the UK models had the headlights integrated into the front fenders. The "American" headlights could, however, be ordered as special equipment.
The early models of the SE 328 up to June 1957 had a steering wheel gearshift. There was also a “deluxe” model with polished hubcaps, a tachometer and twin carburetors. From June 1957 the deluxe model was discontinued and the three-speed gearbox had a middle shift.
By April 1958, 1259 copies were made. The successor was the more powerfully motorized B90 Twosome .
Races
The Sports SE 328 was relatively successful in small class races and received a lot of media coverage. Known drivers were z. B. Pat Moss , who drove a Berkeley Sports SE 328 at the Liège-Brescia-Liège Rally in 1958 in the 350 cc class. The Berkeley team - 6 factory cars - went as far as Slovenia , but then the poor climbing ability in the summer heat showed the car's weaknesses. Pat Moss' car eventually had to be towed back to Italy by another Berkeley . Neither of the Berkeleys could finish the race.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g h John Bolster tries the Berkeley in Autosport Magazine , September 21, 1956.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h David Culshaw, Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalog of British Cars 1895–1975 . Veloce Publishing, Dorchester 1997. ISBN 1-874105-93-6 . P. 85.
- ↑ Modern Engines - 322 cc British Anzani Uni-Twin in The Motor Cycle , May 17, 1956.
- ↑ a b G. Robson: A – Z of British Cars 1945–1980 . Herridge Books, Devon 2006. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3 .
- ↑ a b c d The Berkeley Sports two-seater in The Motor , April 3, 1957.
- ↑ Economy Sports Car: The $ 1600 Berkeley in Popular Mechanics , July 1957. p. 121 below .
