I could recount the entire history of the Berkeley Coachworks Company (headquarters: Biggleswade, England) – first using its expertise molding caravans from what we now call fiberglass, to making tiny sports cars that a few crazy people tried to rally, including Stirling Moss’ sister, Pat. But for this article, I want to focus on the Berkeley Experience, featuring this 1958 Berkeley SE328 here on eBay. The seller wants an opening bid of $6000, with no takers yet. This micro-roadster is located in Williston, Florida, and if you decide to take the plunge into Berkeley-hood, you better bring a trailer. This one is not quite roadworthy – but hey, what Berk really is?
Berks are equipped with motorcycle engines of various flavors. This one was originally the formerly common Excelsior Talisman Twin 328 cc; currently, the powerplant is a 250 cc ATV engine with roughly the same 17 hp as the Talisman. If you think you can simply pick up a new Talisman 328, think again – these are aged motors already hoarded by fans of the bikes and other Berk owners. Parts are not easy to source; your best bet is a trip to Beaulieu’s autojumble in England. And of course, joining the club is a must; maybe you can make it to a member’s meeting at The New Inn at Send in Surrey. So you’ve barely picked up your new Berk, and already you’re contemplating a trip to England – what fun. Oh, almost forgot to mention: the seller does drive this car around his property, and he’s put about 15 miles on the motor that way. The car has new tires, new wheel cylinders, and a new master cylinder.
The Berk’s interior looks spartan – ok it is spartan, but it’s not uncomfortable once you’re in there, and the dash is well-fitted with gauges and switches. I am not sure what transmission resides here – probably the ATV transmission which the seller says does have reverse. The original ‘box was a three-speed with reverse, and later, a four-speed Albion by Royal Enfield (accompanied by a larger motor). Under stress, such as every third Thursday, the chain will break. Carry a spare. Or two. The seller reports that neither the lights nor the gauges are hooked up.
But I promised you experiences. Here are two videos that will give you a sense of what it’s like to drive a Berk. The first compiles rare vintage footage of the 1958 Liège -Brescia micro car rally – a tough test indeed for these fragile cars. Pat Moss didn’t finish her rally – she had to be towed off the mountain by another Berk. Contemplating that distance over the Alps in all weather in this itsy bitsy car gives me chills. Switching gears (ha ha) here’s a contemporary look at a Berk (the driver calls the car a BARKly – not correct, but hey whatever) – from starting it to driving it. Yup, sounds and smokes like a lawnmower! I love the Berkeley for its oddity and good looks, but they aren’t the easiest cars to live with. This one probably needs a slight discount to find a new owner.
Why are these always in FLA, or Maine.
I found a few in Oregon about 20 years ago
In the UK, Berkeley, clerk, and Derby are pronounced Barkley, Clark and Darby. An RD350 engine would fit great in one of these, and put out 38 HP, but that might be more than the chassis can handle.
In UK, these cars are not pronounced “barkley” but “burkley”. That is consistent with the name of the company founder. I don’t know where your alternative fact comes from.
The UK is as full of different accents as anywhere, but I’ve heard all of those words pronounced as I wrote by various Britons, and heard the song “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square” many times.
Incorrect–it’s Barkeley.
This thing needs a Kawasaki 750 two stroke triple to make it insane. I e seen these at car shows and they make a Bugeye Sprite look big.
That would pull the tires right off the rims! Which isn’t to say don’t do it.
The Lane Museum in Nashville has a poster that says the proper pronunciation is Barkly.
At the end of the day, what you’re buying here is a body that won’t be full of rust, a clean title, and the opportunity to build something really interesting. A CB500F motor would probably fit and would sound awesome. If not the CB500 Twin would. Forget about reverse, it’s small enough to push backwards with one foot out the door, Fred Flintstone style. And you could almost get away with parking it on the sidewalk.
Just be prepared to be barraged with questions if you drive it anywhere. This is micro at a whole different level to even a Fiat 850.
With a buddy, we began dismantling my Berk a few years ago for restoration (still in progress – but close!). We wanted to work on the suspension, and I trotted off to find a jack. But of course there is no jack point, really. Dave said, I’ll just lift it, you pull the wheels off. So that’s what we did!
Michelle’s winning my internet today with “This one is not quite roadworthy – but hey, what Berk really is?” and then “Under stress, such as every third Thursday, the chain will break.” Thanks for the laughs!
There is an early one being restored in NE St Petersburg FL. Not sure how far along it is now, but if you need a contact I can provide.
This does look like fun on a whole new level. And I could probably fit it in the garage under the workbench!
I have the largest parts hoard for Berkeleys in the world along with 6 cars (down from 12!) I ship parts all over the world every month to guys restoring Berks. Classic Rally press runs the Liege Brescia Liege rally every 10 years its not to be missed and a once in a lifetime experience. Driving a Berk through the Alps is a bucket list time! anyone needs anything contact me Im happy to help
I have a 4 wheel Berk I’ve had since 80s
It’s apart . On bucket list to do but I’m 75 now
I’m 84, you’re just a kid. I am just finishing a 1974 TVR 2500M. I’m in my shop 7 days a week. The Berkeley is next up. ………….Jim.
I purchased my ’59 BERK from Kevin. The car was everything he said it was, and more. A great guy to do business with. I’m restoring mine in Orange County, CA. Liberty Motorsports. …………..Jim.
I’m.looking for headlight covers if you know of a source. I have four spinner hub caps minus one spinner.
I found a guy in Boise with a complete wind screen and frame but I’ve lost his contact information.
Contact Kevin Kalman. Jim.
Hi Michelle. Great write up about a great little car. As for the pronunciation of the word Berkeley it is a British word and here in England it IS pronounced, Barkley.
I’ve commented on previous Berks listed here as I have two. One original 58 that my father bought new and sold. I found it in 1992 in a town 180 miles away and eventually had an opportunity to buy it. My second Berkeley is a roller that I’m building into a mini Cobra. The Berkeley suspension is too fragile to handle much horsepower because the front suspension which is the drive wheels with A-arms that are literally quarter inch thick strap metal, just over an inch wide. Go carts are built with heavier material. My hot rod Berk will be using a modified Triumph Spitfire chassis. I love my Berk but unfortunately it has become a garage trophy bc anything I break has to be manufactured to replace it.
Is any information available on chassis? Suspension?
The chassis is a unibody of sorts where the fiberglass body tube is reinforced with aluminum sheeting bent to form a box on the inside if the belly. The aluminum is bonded to the fiberglass which forms a box frame. It is as light as an airplane and feels much like one taxiing down a runway. The front suspension is hung on a mild steel crossmember that holds the two stroke engine, chain sprocket, differential and suspension. The rear suspension is two separate swing arms connected to a steel pivot point. The entire under side is sealed like a boat with fender tubs. The whole cat with its running gear weighs a mere 700 pounds. The body is 48” wide and 120ish inches long.