Ah, the quirky Berkeley. Known as the SE328/492, these tiny two-seaters remain an oddity in the collector car marketplace. Is it worth saving this one, which has a few parts still attached to it but is largely a bare shell (or blank canvas, depending on your interpretation)? I’m not sure, as values for these oddities seem to be all over the place, but they sure seem like a recipe for a good time with a hot-rod motorcycle engine installed within. Find this project-grade example here on Facebook Marketplace in New Mexico for a “make offer” price.
The seller seems quite smitten with his wonky roadster, to the point that he doesn’t want to put an actual price tag on it. He opines about the engine swap possibilities that he will never get to himself, but that doesn’t stop him from letting us know he’s not going to give this forgotten roadster away. I’ve seen top-notch examples fail to meet their reserve price in the low teens, so they aren’t particularly valuable, and to drive one in stock form requires a vested interest in such a limited-production creation.
This restored example found on Hemmings.com has the optional 30hp, big-block 492 triple, which was offered straight from the factory. To me, this is the way to restore the seller’s example, because even with the temptation of huge power, you’ll have to basically rebuild the entire braking and suspension systems to handle a big boost in power. 30 b.h.p. is plenty in one of these and keeps it OEM-correct at the same time. That’s just one man’s opinion, however – how would you build it?
I would put a Kawasaki H1/KH500 motor in it, which is true to the original layout but also gives enough of a power gain to make it a wee bit lairy.
…yyyinggg!
Two pictures? That’s it? Even if somebody were looking for this, they’d want more views to get their feet moving.
If the seller is that smitten, maybe he should do something with it himself. He can’t care about it too much, as it languishes in the elements. I’d imagine the body looks worse the more it is looked at.
Rare doesn’t make it valuable except in the eyes of the owner. To each his own. My buddy, years ago, restored a somewhat late model Austin A-40. It was very rare in this country but didn’t hold much value. Her restored it for his daughter to driving condition. She drove it, had some fun with it and eventually years later it disappeared. Once again, rare but not overly valuable. BAT brought more value ( or overvalue?) to many marques just like the internet bringing down the local values of many antique parts due to the real actual supply nationwide.
I probably have the most Berkeleys in the world , thats either a good or bad problem and i am the go to guy for parts having saved two parts hoards in recent years. I send parts all over the world to help guys get their cars on the road that being said this is a 500.00 car, its a straight door 492 probably from 58/59 missing about everything that matters
What about an early goldwing motor. Low center of gravity, smooth and powerful, and already shaft drive.
the berkeley cars are front wheel drive .
Simply too big.
THE BERKELEY COMPANY WAS A TRAILER MANUFACTURER .
THEY DECIDED IN THE LATE 50’s TO TAKE A STAB AT BUILDING A CAR
USING SOME OF THE BUILD TECHNOLOGY THEY HAD BEEN USING ON TRAILERS .
THIS PREDATED THE SPRITE AND WAS AN UNSUAL BLEMS OF FIBERGLASS AND METAL . THE STRENGTH/LIGHTNESS OF THESE CARS IS AMAZING .
THEY OFFERED A CHOICE OF ENGINES WHICH WERE ALL TWO STROKE AND CAME IN BOTH 3 AND 4 WHEEL BODY STYLES .
MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN CONVERTED TO MORE MODERN POWERPLANTS AND THEY DO HAVE A RESPECTABLE RACING HISTORY .
NEAT FUN CARS TO BE SURE . IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF WORK
TO BRING ONE LIKE THIS BACK BUT COULD WELL BE WORTH IT .
As the owner of a 1958 Berkeley originally my fathers, I located it in a town 180 miles away in 1992 and instantly offered the owner $2,000 and he refused me saying he spent 30 years restoring it and would probably be buried in it. Still he accepted my name and number as I asked him to staple it to the title. Apparently he did just that because two years later he called me stating he ran into legal personal troubles and might lose everything. I was at his house the next morning to collect my heritage. I had always dreamed of getting this car and imagined what it could do with modern technology. Of course I decided to keep it original but while I was doing break work I realized there’s no way to upsize the horsepower on this car. The A-arms are made of 14” strap metal. I’ve seen go carts with more substantial metal. There’s no frame as we understand a frame to be, but 14 gauge aluminum sheet metal is bent at an angle and riveted to the fiberglass body to provide stability. The only frame structure is the engine cradle which is chain drive to the front wheels. I decided a new chassis with this body is the only solution for more power. Built like an airplane you get the feeling of exposure while driving down the road with no metal around you to protect you. I still love this little car though. The center of attention at car shows.
I am Berkeley fan and owned two T60’s. I disagree on current prices for these..I’ve seen $25,000 and even lesser ones go for decent $$.I hope this is saved and brought back to good health.They are such beautiful, little sports cars.
monocue construction kind of exoskeleton
a 328 model weighs 700 lbs thats the 2 cylinder 2 stroke version this was the 3 cylinder 492 model weighed about 780 I ran a 492 through the alps a few years ago on the Liege Brescia liege rally only held every 10 years
ive got 5 left one in my garage if i can get a few days would be on the road
also there was the B-95 with a royal Enfield 4 stroke and the B-105 with the 4 stroke
The answer to that question depends on whether you want a weekend show car or a daily driver. I can see both sides and their advantages and disadvantages but this is cute enough to drive every day in nice weather and it is not worth much, so I would opt for sleeper resto mod with modern engineering underneath it. I say ICON this baby car and go DD.
If a reader can’t get into owning the Berkeley, they could look into the adjacent Packard(?), Dart/Valiant or ’57 Ford.
This car has been on my list since my days in the 50s at Watkins Glen. I was looking for one this summer, but ended up with a TVR to restore. The Berkely is next on my list ….Jim.
Ok, you got me. I do NOT need a Berkley, I WANT one. What do you have and what part of the world are you in ? ……Jim.
I have one of these, well it looks very similar to this one but with a roof. In a similar condition. It used to be my dads but thinking it should go to an enthusiast who can bring it back to life.
text me Jim 8434526635
I drove and photographed/wrote this car up for AutoWeek, and recently republished it on my website.