Despite appearing for sale with some regularity, the 1950s Berkeley Sports was made in limited numbers, with just over 4,000 built. Powered by engines ranging from 18 to 50 b.h.p., these were extremely clever cars that made extensive use of fiberglass and utilized a front-wheel drive layout. This example is powered by a later 1097cc Austin engine paired to a four-speed manual and said to be far quicker than stock configuration. Find it here on craigslist for $15,000 and little information about its current running condition.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for the find. The seller doesn’t provide much in the way of information, just noting it supposedly has a competition past while living in the U.K. The right-hand drive steering and British license plates confirms someone must have imported this Berkeley, but who and when and why? The interior is a sparse affair but looks reasonably complete; what a hoot this would be as an autocross car. Hemmings even mentions how the Berkeley quickly endeared itself “…to cash-strapped amateurs.”
A quick Google search of photos confirms those flared fenders are not stock – and also why the seller thinks it has a “baby Cobra” look going for it. The body looks quite sound, with no obvious fiberglass damage, good tail light lenses and a crack-free windshield. While just over 200 cars are currently shown as being registered in the U.S., I still find the asking price somewhat ambitious. The seller is right to point out the rarity, but even with that under consideration, I’ve seen running/driving cars with good bodies sell for less.
The upgraded Austin powerplant certainly makes this a more entertaining driver, but I’d be inclined to go a step further and fit an upgraded Hayabusa motor. One of the more entertaining YouTube videos of a Berkeley shows one fitted with an engine from a Honda CB400F! However, at the current pricing, I’d be buying this one as-is to use with the current engine, not carve up for hot-rodding purposes. The flared fenders might make you consider taking this project on, but see if you can’t get it for $10K or less.
Too much money by a lot. Quite attractive but you’ll probably re-engineer the whole thing.
Have always wanted a Berkley. Looks like a miniature Cobra.
Will be interesting to watch…
Flipper bought then non researched ?
This is leaving money on the table when trying to make a car more entrigin than it is ..
Good luck flipper
Like I found this car and I’d say it’s 15k dude 👀🤠
I’ve always liked these little cars. As far as this one goes – the giant bulge on the hood looks dumb – and aside from that this thing is going to need a lot of money and time spent on it. $15,000 is too much for this car — $5,000 is more reasonable but probably still to much.
Get a ‘Busa and turn it into a Berserkley!
Looks more like a Mini front and rear running gear installed into the Berkeley body. Apart from the very early models, Berkeleys came with an Excelsior 2 stroke and others with a Royal Enfield 700cc motorcycle engine. There was also a 3 wheeled version.
My intro to these cars was a friend who had one, His was white with Blue rally stripes. He had a beefed up and Built Honda CB SOHC4 cylinder in it (Big bore kit and cams).
He was a big man (We called him Sir Edward because he was English and a royal pain) and looked funny in such a small car. He often autocrossed it and was virtually unbeatable. He is now RIP but I heard his kids still have it
I have some photos of it at the ALL British Field Meet in Portland Oregon back in the mid 1990s
Quite a few of these donated their bodies to Bonneville racers.