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Trailer Justified! 1958 Berkeley 328

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Thanks to long time submitter Peter R. for this great find! For once, I won’t complain that someone left the car on the trailer when putting it up for sale–there are no wheels or hubs included with the auction, so it has to be on a trailer or dolly to move it around! There are some pretty neat points about this project, though, and the price should be decent as well. It’s on the trailer in Jamul, California and is listed for sale here on eBay, with bidding at $1,400 and no reserve–so someone’s going to purchase this little gem!

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Berkeleys, as we’ve covered before, were quite quirky when new. Extremely lightweight and small, the fiberglass/metal structure featured motorcycle engines, front wheel drive and a three or four wheel configuration. This one appears to have undergone a partial refurbishment in the 1960s-1970s but then after the owner passed was stored since then.

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The seller states that the body (apart from the hood) has been sanded smooth and has minimal damage–there’s a chip out of a front wheel opening and some fiberglass work to be finished at the hood opening. You can get an idea of how small this car actually is from this shot–I doubt there are many 6-footers that would fit under the original top.

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It looks like there was a plan to install another engine and transmission, and the originals were probably discarded as they aren’t coming along with the auction. This picture also illustrates how some aluminum panels have been added to strengthen the structure of the car. As to what to install here? I guess that would be up to you! Certainly many different motorcycle and small car engines have been installed in Berkeleys, and it appears this one may have been headed towards receiving a Honda 600 drivetrain considering that gauges from that car have been installed.

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I’m intrigued by the quality of the modifications here; it appears that whomever was doing the fabrication did a pretty good job! Are you the one to finish this project? Let us know your thoughts, and what drive train you would install if you had it yourself!

 

Comments

  1. Avatar Sebastien

    suzuki hayabusa 1300 with turbo!!!! then you just need an electrical reverse gear…

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  2. Avatar Joe Haska

    I hope someone steps up for this, and makes it the special car it could be!

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  3. Avatar Jeff

    LS power..build a chassis…bam….a rocket

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  4. Avatar Black Cat

    Looks like a good starting point to build a nice, little, DIY vintage racer, for not too much money. That would allow one to keep it more original, than not. I’d be on this one, if not for the Mk1 Spitfire in my garage, and other project cars also awaiting revival. ‘Hope she goes to someone like minded, and that the last owner’s plans come to fruition in some form.

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  5. Avatar Doug Towsley

    No, the pictures DO NOT show the size,,, guys, these are Micro cars, My buddy had one, Aka “Sir Edward”. His had a heavily hot rodded Honda CB550 in it with head work, cams, improved carbs and ignition. It was painted white with blue stripes. Eddy was a Big big man, and looked like McGilla Gorilla driving it. But it was a screamer. He would often take it out to the All British Field meets (These cars are British in Origins) and often competed in the slalom racing. I cant ever recall him losing. Often he would slam down his beer, and quip, “Time to go earn my trophy!” The Minis and other cars HATED to see him show up. He was a dominant force at any slalom race he showed up at and extremely competitive. If anyone appeared fast, he would obsess over the car until he was confident the threats were vanquished. His son Andy still has it. I have pictures of it back in the day.
    Me??? I would go 1200cc Buell motor, but thats just me.

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