Berkeley Cars

AUTOMOTIVE BADGES SET
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BERKELEY SET
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The Berkeley automobile was a collaboration between designer Lawrence "Lawrie" Bond and the Berkeley Coachworks factory owned by Charles Panter, and based in Biggleswade which at the time was one of the largest manufacturers of caravans in Europe
At the time Berkeley had developed experience in the manufacture and moulding of GRP )Glass ReinforcedPlastic) and were looking for a project to fill the gaps in the seasonal caravan market.. The early cars were an immediate success on the home market, and several derivative models were spawned over the four years of car production.
The caravan market collapsed towards the end of 1960, and Berkeley's poor cash flow forced the company into liquidation on 12 December 1960, taking its car manufacturing activities with it. After having produced about 4100 cars of various types, the workforce was laid off shortly before Christmas that year. An attempted sale of the company to Sharp's Commercials Ltd (manufacturer of the Bond Minicar) came to nothing, and the company's assets were liquidated in 1961.

Many Thanks for a fan'dabi'dozi 27,385,600 views

Shot 27:07:2014 at Silverstone Historic Festival REF: 103-135

Tags:   Berkeley British Badge Badges Automobilia Silverstone

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Berkeley Foresome (1951) Engine 492cc 3 cylinder Two Stroke Production 20 (approx)
Registration NUmber 2243 HJ
Berkeley B95 (1959-60) Engine 692cc S2 OHV Production 178 approx (includes B105)
Registration Number TVS 992
BERKELEY SET
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Powered by a four stroke Royal Enfield Constellation parallel twin engine. The B95 and B105 were launched at the 1959 Geneva Motorshow. with the 40 bhp (30 kW; 41 PS) Super Meteor engine in the B95 and the 50 bhp in the B105.which could reputedly exceed the magic 100 mph
Announced in October 1958, this model was wider and longer than its more numerous sibling the Twosome.and differed structurally in that the rear swinging arms were lower and external to the body, and the spare wheel was mounted at the rear of the car. The list price of the Foursome was £700 including Purchase Tax, with an additional £28 for the optional hardtop

Many Thanks for a fan'dabi'dozi 27,385,600 views

Shot 27:07:2014 at Silverstone Historic Festival REF: 103-136

Tags:   Berkeley British 1960's Sportscar Microcar Silverstone 2243HJ Biggleswade Royal-Enfield

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Berkeley SA322 (1956-57) Engine 322cc Transverse two stroke twin Production 163
Registration Number 485 UXP

BERKELEY CARS SET
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The SA322 was Berkeleys first production sports car, announced in September 1956, and produced from the October. In late 1956 Stirling Moss drove one at Goodwood and the car was launched at the 1956 Earls Court Motor Show (i was there), one year ahead of the Lotus Elite, which was also of fibre glass monocoque construction.
The two seater tourer consisted of three large mouldings with no conventional chassis. Equipment was minimal with even the fuel gauge listed as an optional extra.
The car was powered by a twin cylinder British Anzani two stroke engine of 322cc and 15bhp mounted transverseley driving the front wheels via a chain mated to a three speed gearbox.

Shot at the VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone 20-21 April 2013 REF:90C-645

Tags:   Berkeley British 1950's

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Berkeley SE328 (1957-58) 492cc Excelsior transverse two stroke
Production 1259
Registration Number 166 ERA
BERKELEY SET
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The Berkeley automobile was a collaboration between designer Lawrence "Lawrie" Bond and the Berkeley Coachworks factory owned by Charles Panter, which at the time was one of the largest manufacturers of caravans in Europe.
Berkeley had aquired considerable experience working with GRP and the colaboration gave the company the oppertunity to fill the gaps in caravan production. What Panter and Bond wanted to achieve was "something good enough to win World 750cc races... but cheap, safe, easily repairable and pretty.
The cars proved an instant success, especially in US export markets and sevral models were launched in the companies short history. But the caravan market collapsed towards the end of 1960, and Berkeley's poor cash flow forced the company into liquidation on 12 December 1960, taking its car manufacturing activities with it. Berkeleys first model was the Berkeley's first production car was the 'Sports' (type SA322) produced 1956-57 with a 322cc engine.

The SE328 followed in 1957 now powered by a 328 cc Excelsior engine offering 18 bhp many were exported to the United States where it sold for approximately $1600 . Thge company claimed a maximum speed of 70mph and a 70mpg fuel consumption. The export model was differentiated by having separate headlamps whereas on the home market they were faired into the wings, although the export type lamps could be specified. Early cars were column change reverting to later cars being floor change, a Deluxe version was also available with polished wheel trims with spinners, a tachometer and twin carburettors.
They were also raced in lightweight motor racing with Pat Mosswhoi drove one in the 1958 Liège-Brescia-Liège rally for cars up to 500 cc as on of the regular drivers

Many thanks for a fantabulous 42,644,647 views

Shot at the Silverstone Classic 14-15 July 2015- Ref 109-172

Tags:   Berkeley British 1950's SE328 Sportscarr Bond Panter Excelsior Silverstone-Classic 166ERA

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Berkeley B95 (1959-60) Engine 692cc S2 OHV Production 178 approx (includes B105)
Registration Number TVS 992 (Greenock)
BERKELEY ALBUM
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Powered by a four stroke Royal Enfield Constellation parallel twin engine. The B95 and B105 were launched at the 1959 Geneva Motorshow. with the 40 bhp (30 kW; 41 PS) Super Meteor engine in the B95 and the 50 bhp in the B105.which could reputedly exceed the magic 100 mph The engines featured Berkeley-design primary chain cases to accommodate a Lucas Bendix starter motor, an external Lucas dynamo mounted above the gearbox, and a duplex (or double-row) chain drive to the differential. Kerb weight increased to 402 kg
At its launch, the B95 cost £659

Diolch am 79,884,857 o olygfeydd anhygoel, mae pob un yn cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr.

Thanks for 79,884,857 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated.

Shot 05.01.2020.at Bicester Heritage Centre, Bicester, Oxon 144-623


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