This isn’t the first Berkeley that we have covered but they’re a rare breed and don’t surface often. Besides their rarity, I chose this 1960 B95 subject because I liked the way it looked and thought you would find it of interest. Guru car searcher T.J. found this listing for us (thanks T.J.!), so read on gentle reader (and hostile ones too!). This British two-seater is located in Imperial Beach, California and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $12,500. There is a make-an-offer option too.
Berkeley (1956-1960) was a shortlived British sports car manufacturer that, interestingly, used motorcycle engines as their prime movers. The company, or at least its name, now known as Berkeley Sportscars LTD, has been recycled and as of 2022 is back in business. Our subject car is a B95 model that was offered in ’59 and ’60 and it is believed that there were fewer than 200 assembled.
So the story around this Berkeley is that it is one of few left-hand drive models produced and it lived for years in the Los Angeles Peterson Museum (worth the price of admission if you ever get to L.A.). The seller claims that modifications have been applied but doesn’t detail them specifically. It looks basically OK though the grille, bumperettes, and some of the light lenses (he says that he has them) are missing. The modifications that are visually noted include a roll bar, fire suppression system, and a rumpled seating harness.
The original engine should have been a 40 HP 692 CC twin-cylinder Royal Enfield but the seller claims that it is actually a 750 CC unit. Added is, “I haven’t tried to start it because I don’t know how the complicated (to me) set of switches to start the car” – sounds kind of fishy, what was the point in buying the car a year ago? Anyway, he assumes that due to its 850 lb. curb weight it should haul hindside, but that’s not known with certainty. The engine is claimed to turn over by hand so that’s helpful to know. For more information, there’s a brief video here that you can review.
The interior is tantamount to that found in a go-cart though it does have a full complement of gauges. I’m not too sure that a long-legged driver would fit, something to consider.
The listing states, “needs work” along with, “Car is being sold with a bill of sale only. The car was imported correctly and can be titled in the United States and plated..even in California“. There is no title and I gather there never has been one so prospective buyers may want to consider that matter before taking the plunge – things vary from state to state.
OK, now it’s “what to do with it time” and I can’t answer that other than to suggest vintage racing. What says you?
Do these cars have reverse?
The seller states it has reverse; my question would be along the same lines in that the statement of “I haven’t tried to start it because I don’t know how the complicated (to me) set of switches to to start the car..” makes me wonder as to how the car starts-IIRC neither the Royal Enfield Indian Chief nor the Interceptor (both with the 700cc, not 750cc engine) had an electric starter.
With regards to the cc confusion I would suppose that if the “built” engine is balanced and has Carillo rods it may have been taken up to that displacement.
It was most likely fairly quick in its time and frugal with fuel and as such a hoot to drive.
Does the included onboard fire suppression system give an indication that it was wired with Lucas Electrics? Asking for a friend…
Most race organizations require the fire suppression system. The roll cage and 5 point seat belts indicate that this car has been on a race track in Vintage races. Probably not a bad idea for the the Lucas stuff either.
Lol…..the Rare Tucker reverse gear!
I’m not a race car fan, and a one seater has no appeal to me at all…. if I’m going “cruising”, I would at least like to have one passenger to enjoy the scenery…. lol
Don’t think these had Royal Enfield engines – Excelsior 2 strokes?
Looking closely at the eBay photos those sure look like Amal 13/16’s on a Royal Enfield 700..
Maybe a transplant?
Excelsior or Anzani engines early on; the b95 came with a Royal Enfield thus the tall grill opening, required to accommodate the larger four stroke.
Other more common versions had more tucked in and graceful hood lines enclosing sloped back headlight lenses somewhat evocative of an E Type Jaguar in miniature.
These are the models that most often came equipped with 2 stroke engines. A 2 cylinder 328 cc or more rarely a 492 cc Excelsior triple were offered, although an Anzani 2 stroke 2 cylinder of similar displacen5 to the Excelsior 2 cylinder .otor was first fitted on very early cars.
Shape of the body looks awkward to me but looks a little like an AC cobra, before they were cool. Afraid to start it?? Run, Forrest Run…….you could get hurt….
Cheers
GPC
I have a concern for the VIN plate in the photo. I don’t believe this is the actual Berkley VIN plate. In 1960 there were NO Federal motor vehicle safety standards in effect, all safety items like safety glass, seat belts, & padded dash covers, were voluntary additions by the manufacturers.
The first FMVSS laws were passed in 1966, and cars produced after 1-1-68 had to comply. I’ve imported many used vehicles into the USA over the last 50 years, and that plate was typically applied to a used vehicle when it was imported to the USA, to verify it met requirements.
By DOT and EPA regulations, if a car was made prior to 1-1-68, this plate is not required, and didn’t even exist in 1960. Hell, the title “Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards” didn’t officially exist in 1960.
While I’ve worked on several Berkley cars over the years, I’m not a Berkley expert, so I can’t comment if that commission number of 600 as an actual serial number for the chassis, however the Wikipedia Berkley page says the first B95 had the chassis number of SE492-670, ending with SE492-895. [The SE492 refers to the B95.]
Interested parties would be wise to do their due diligence should they plan on obtaining a title with a correct VIN.
If you look at the tag, it’s been trimmed down and from a different vehicle. Triumph used similar tags on their vehicles.
I would take a guess this one came from a different vehicle and put on. Good catch!
Denygfx,
That’s a good catch for you as well. I knew something was off, but should have realized it was also cut down top & bottom. I did a lot of Triumph restorations over the years, and yes, it’s a possibility it’s a TR 250 or TR 6 VIN. There is a repro VIN supplier in the UK that I know, so I’m gonna send him a copy of the plate & get his thoughts. Stay tuned for more . . .
Bill McCoskey, denyfx- I’ll bet STAPD (Small Town America Police Department) everywhere would appreciate the knowledge you two have, and I know as a BF reader you’d be the 1st I’d turn to with a question about VIN’s and vehicle forensics!
Nevada . . .
I’ve been advising both the Virginia and Maryland state motor vehicle agencies for 30+ years, and they contact me every few years or so when they need info on really difficult cases. As I live in the Washington DC area, a couple of times I’ve assisted the US Customs when they have questions on a rare vehicle being imported. I was also good friends with the head of the federal DOT’s legal division, and he knew I was willing to assist if asked.
Now that so much info is out there on the WWW, they don’t contact me very often, but the cred I get from helping out does come in handy when I need help from them! Most of the time I don’t charge for helping if it’s not a difficult task.
A long-time friend of mine in Virginia used to perform value appraisals for unusual cars, back when VA charged personal property tax on antique car values. As he wasn’t a state employee, to say thanks for his help, the VA DMV gave him a special set of license plates for his car; # 1278. Any plate number under 2000 is considered “Patronage Plates”, and if a cop runs the tag number it comes back with the vehicle info only, and the notation to “Contact the Governor’s office for more information”! He claimed to never get pulled over in Virginia for speeding!
If I was looking for a tiny sports car I’d go for a Bugeye Sprite any time. A two cyl. rig with parts missing and no title ? No way!
Can get in and out of our two Bugeye race cars but you wear this car.
You can’t or shouldn’t use this on any modern road unless you want to die !
You can’t use this on bike paths
You can’t use it at the golf course
You can’t use this in a gated community
WHERE can you use it ?
Put a Hayabusa engine in it, Ho Lee Chit that would be fun before you crashed and burned
In the 1990s I went to look at a Triumph TR3 in Independence Missouri. The guy had several Berkeleys. On a rack above he had several of just the bodies. The soft top I was interested in had a royal infield he claimed would do close to 100mph. The chain drive through me if now my regret. Wonder what happened to his collection?