Rare 1959 Berkeley SE328

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The 1959 Berkeley SE328 is undoubtedly an oddball. They were produced in relatively low numbers and are scarcely seen on the road these days. The company produced about four thousand vehicles within its four years. Despite being rare, these cars are an affordable classic sports car option, which is becoming increasingly difficult to come by. Furthermore, the company represents an era of equal business opportunity. Tiny independent companies could enter the auto industry with some success; now, it’s very uncommon to come across a small, nonpartisan car company. The example at hand is available for auction on eBay. The bidding ends Sunday, February 2nd.

The exterior is finished in a Forest Green and presents well for the car’s age. The car wears basic steelies that the next owner could replace should they want to elevate its overall appearance. The SE328 is a tiny roadster weighing only about 700 lbs and measuring only 123″ long. It’s hard not to giggle at it’s adorable size.

The interior is in decent condition, all things considered. Even in the images, it’s apparent that although the car is a two-seater, squeezing a passenger in for most adult-sized people would be uncomfortable. The car could use a more comfortable seating option should the next owner choose to customize the car further.

The car is said to be in good running condition. The engine has been replaced with a Honda engine. The seller notes they are unsure of its size. The brakes are functioning. The wiring is incomplete, though the lights and instruments are installed. The car is said to be using the donor motorcycle wiring currently. The car needs some work to be road-ready, but it has some of the restoration work finished and is a great, affordable option for someone looking for a petite classic car project. If this car fits into your life, bid on eBay before the auction ends on Sunday.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    Jay Leno says these guys are a bunch of fun. This one with the upgrade engine should be a hoot to drive. All that said, the paint color on the body and wheels does nothing for it and should be a bright color to go along with it’s comic book facade.

    Like 7
    • john

      I doubt Jay could fit in this cool vehicle…

      Like 4
      • PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

        I don’t know about that. The most recent video of him showed a slimmed down Jay. Probably on the Ozempic.

        Like 2
      • bobhess bobhessMember

        Saw Jay in his on a car show not long ago. Don’t know if he got in by himself or they used an engine hoist to get him in.

        Like 0
  2. Terrry

    Looking at the engine, I believe it’s a 400cc motorcycle engine. I wonder if a Hayabusa mill would fit? Lots of fun then! If only I could squeeze my fat a$$ in.

    Like 3
  3. Bultaco

    The Berk makes a bugeye Sprite look huge. They’re really cool little cars, but I’d be afraid to drive one on busy roads with today’s huge cars. Perfect for driving around a small town or resort community though!

    Like 7
    • Kenn

      “Today’s huge cars.” How young are you? Park any of today’s cars beside a 50’s car of most any marque – though a Lincoln, Cadillac, Buick or Olds would be the most impressive. You could put this toy in their trunks.

      Like 3
      • DayDreamBeliever DayDreamBeliever

        If by no other standard than mass, today’s cars are huge compared with the Berkeley. Virtually impossible to find anything under 3000 pounds, and that’s stuff like a Miata or a Fit. In a dust-up with a current vehicle, this one would not fare well at all. That of course isn’t to say that I am against driving such pieces of rolling history, but reality must be considered.

        Like 1
  4. Joey MecMember

    Very ‘Sprite-ish!’ If you want to call it anything… These cars today bring more ‘SPM’s’ that anything (Smiles per Mile). I live in rural Vermont and this would be a fun driver on the 40-45mph back roads…. not a a highway car by any means today!!

    Like 5
  5. Beyfon

    I may be proven wrong, but I think Sara’s suggestion to replace the steelies may make for a very significant project. The centers are the actual brake drums, and the rims are bolted to the outer diameter. Not sure that there are many wheel options that would fit.

    Like 5
    • bobhess bobhessMember

      I wouldn’t change the wheels out, just paint another color. Michelle might know for sure but l think they were painted silver from the factory.

      Like 3
      • Michelle RandStaff

        Yes, silver from the factory. You can change the wheels, but like changing anything on a Berk, it is not easy.

        Here is a story about changing a Berk:

        https://tommyscars.weebly.com/berkeley.html

        Like 0
  6. erik Johnston

    I bought a fixer one of these, a 57 i think. Did that about 12 years ago. All the girls thought it was so neat. Chick magnet. never finished it, but Unique. I’ve had so many cars ,boats, cycles. Through the years with a lot of cool stories. People that know my history say I should write a book. Problem is anybody reading it would think its made up. Boy in the late 70s-uptill now I’ve had some really interesting stuff. Times have caught up and that don’t happen much anymore. Have I got stories.

    Like 5
    • JohnMichael

      If you do I’d like to read it. I’m writing one myself but on the spiritual side of things and it’s going to raise some eyebrows for sure with all the things I’ve experienced.

      Like 1
    • Solosolo UK Solosolo UKMember

      Over the years people said that having known of many of my exploits over the years that I should also write a book, so eventually I did, but it took me about 5 years to write due to many things happening at the same time. When I had finished, and had it printed and bound, I put it away for a few months before eventually reading it, upon finishing it I decided that although it was still very interesting to me as I had fed a lot of my family life into the thread, I figured that anybody else would find it very boring, so I put it in a cupboard and I am the only one that has read it. I suppose somebody in the family will read it after I am gone but whether they read it from cover to cover is debatable!

      Like 0
  7. Anthony H. Tellier

    “The seller notes they are unsure of its size.” It’s ’bout this long. No reverse, I’d wager.

    Like 3
  8. Roger K Stamps

    I believe the original engine was a 2 stroke which could by flicking a switch be made to run backwards, providing 4 reverse gears. Making an engine swap and losing the reverse facility not a sensible option. Some oddball cars such as The AC Petite and the Invacar used the Burman 3 speed and reverse gearbox as did the Noble. I am certain that Michelle can sort it all out. Somewhere I Have a book on 3 wheelers and their 4 wheel versions. If Michelle should visit the UK our local Bubble Car museum at our Boston would please her, she could also see The Pilgrim Fathers Memorial. Keep SmilingRoger.

    Like 3
    • RobM

      The Berkeley had a reverse gear. The engine did not run backwards. You’re thinking of the Sachs 200 engine as used in the Messerschmitt and Nobel.

      Like 3
    • jwaltb

      Just a note- Sara is the reviewer, not Michelle…

      Like 3
      • bobhess bobhessMember

        Michelle owns at least one of these and has a library in her head that would astound you.

        Like 0
    • Michelle RandStaff

      I will make a note! We are often at Beaulieu and Goodwood.

      Like 0
  9. Malcolm Boyes

    Beyfon is right about the wheels.On my T60 ( three wheeler..same car up to the back of the doors and then one wheel in the back..waaay cool).I painted the drums a different colour than the rims and it looked really good. There are Berk hubcaps with spinners out there but they are rare.The Berkeley Enthusiasts Club out of the UK is a great, fun source for all things for these lovely cars.BTW it is pronouned BARKLEY not BERKley (Its British after all)

    Like 3
  10. Rick

    Considering the low number of these cars that were exported to the USA it’s surprising how many have recently been showing up on BarnFinds.

    Like 1
  11. Troy

    I get the obscurity of this thing in the States but the crazy guy in me wants to buy it the get a Honda pioneer or two from co part as donor rigs instal a roll cage and just make it a little off road machine then take it to Red necks with paychecks in Texas and flip it for profit

    Like 1
    • jwaltb

      Gross.

      Like 1
  12. jwaltb

    Cool car! My family had an original Mini, so 123” doesn’t seem so short-

    Like 1
  13. Roger K Stamps

    The original engine in this car was a 2 stoke with a dynastart. So a flick of a switch reversed the polarity causing the engine to run backwards, so yes the Berkley 328 did have a reverse gear. The Trojan vans had a normal gearbox with reverse but would accidentally run backwards upon starting.

    Like 0
    • RobM

      You are correct that the 328cc car had a Siba Dynastart, however that only rotated the engine forward. There was an Albion 3 speed transmission, which had its 4th gear converted to provide a reverse gear. To engage reverse, one would push the shift lever to its furthest forward position. The engine did not start backwards. Check the owners manual (yes, I have one!).

      Like 4
  14. Kim

    I’ve commented on Berkeleys before but I can’t stay out of the conversation to fact check. I have two of them, one original that was my father’s. A 400cc engine is about the limit that this chassis can stand because for starters the front (driving) suspension is built from 1/4” thick strap metal. Very light weight. 50 or more horsepower would turn those strap metal A Arms into pretzels. Also the body is built out of fiberglass with sheet aluminum in the inside that is riveted to the body to improve longitudinal stiffness. There is no frame so a roll bar is useless with nothing to bolt it to. The car is built like a boat. For those reasons the resto-rod Berkeley I’m building will be a custom frame chassis and suspension with the Berkeley body attached in a more conventional way. The body is the only carryover from Berkeley. This way the car will have a roll bar that actually protects the driver, and it will handle the horsepower that I have planned for it. Rear wheel drive and yes, a reverse gear that the motorcycle adaptation likely lacks.

    Like 1
    • Michelle RandStaff

      What he says. The car is not suitable for larger engines without a lot of modification. Actually, they are barely capable with their own engines, breaking chains with abandon and burning up internals thanks to poor exhausting and ignition. I’m hoping mine will run down the hill and back up occasionally.

      They are so light that we never needed a jack – just heave it around.

      Like 0
  15. kenzo

    Sale ended with 1 bid. Don’t know what the bid was though as I had to sign in & I can’t, Not a member of something. But it is marked sold! Somebody got a fun car :-)

    Like 2
    • PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

      SOLD for $3,800.

      Like 1
  16. Malcolm Boyes

    These are super fun cars, a little fragile but you drive them at the limit all the time..they stick like $hit to a blanket on corners.Mine had the 328 and it would cruise at 65. Did a couple of 400 mile round trips in it, with two other Berks..and people love them…that Maserati/E Type look from the front..cozy inside but perfect with the right date!!

    Like 0

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