Saleofcar.com :BERKELEY

BERKELEY Berkeley SE-328 Roadster Racer ROAD RACER (1959)
for sale

Price: US $999.00

Description:

She turns 60 years old in just a couple more years~ A M A Z I N G
ONLY
1259 of these were factory produced in England
. This is one of the last 57 cars made at the Biggleswade Factory ;-) This example has only
4573 total original
miles
since its production. As you can imagine with scarcity and these being snapped up by collectors, it is becoming almost impossible to find one. Mostly now seen in Museums or at various car club events. The Berkeley SE328 is an English factory produced vehicle. This Berkeley was equipped with rare racing appointments and is
U.S. clear title and street legal
. She drives like a super fast slot car! ***Come to Vegas, have a great time, and take this beautiful piece of history home and be the only one with something this unique and stunning. ***I have set the reserve considerably lower than what these vehicles have been bringing in past recorded sales. The racing equipped models are now almost impossible to find.
*** I WILL SELL TO INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS~ PLEASE CONTACT ME FURTHER. ***
I will provide links to car clubs and parts suppliers to winning bidder. *** Click on any of the pictures within the description to be taken to a photobucket of more pictures. The Berkeley was a very popular British sports car~ This is an example of the Deluxe SE-328 with racing appointments: including driver headrest and aerodynamic fin, headlamp rock guards, recessed tail lamps and more. here Its constructor, Laurie Bond was one of the more successful designers of mini cars in England. In 1956 he joined with Charles Panter, owner of Europes largest manufacturer of caravans, who wanted to offset seasonal sales variations by producing a car. Production began with 3 prototypes, which were seen being tested with enthusiasm around the neighborhood of Biggleswade in the late summer of 1956. Stirling Moss drove one at Goodwood in September, and the public saw the new Berkeley en masse at the Motor Show. In the spring of 1957, after some 163 cars with the Anzani motor had been produced, a switch was made to the 328cc Excelsior twin. This gave a useful increase of 3 horsepower and more importantly, a much better reliability record. This Berkeley is an original factory produced with original 328 Excelsior Deluxe with dual carbs. The year saw many racing successes. In 1958 the new Berkeley Cars Ltd. Company showed the 328 Standard, 328 DeLuxe (twin carbs and better trim) at the Earl’s Court Motor Show. This Berkeley only has 4573 original documented miles and is truly a beautiful example set up for road rally racing (and is street legal to drive wherever you want to go). The history pegs production ran in England at the factory Jan 1957-April 1958 and approx. 1259 of these cars were produced ~
this is one of the last SE328 made and is Chassis No: 1365 with original Engine No: 10277
(chassis numbers started at No: 164). This Berkeley has a clean title and can be registered and driven on the roads here in the U.S. When I purchased this car the body was in excellent condition as also the engine and drivetrain. We carefully restored the car into the beautiful condition you see it in today. If you have seen one of these in a museum here in the U.S. or perhaps at a road rally race in the UK, then you know how beautiful these vintage roadsters are.
To find one with racing equipment is truly rare, especially in restored condition.
Tinted headlamp rock guards allow light beam and can be easily removed if you prefer the more street-style look. I purchased the car from the family who had owned the car for the last 43 years and only drove it in parades. It was brought into the U.S. not long after its production. The history: Berkeley Cars Ltd /ˈbɑːrkliː/ of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England produced sporting roadsters with motorcycle-derived engines from 322 cc to 692 cc and front wheel drive between 1956 and 1960. This is an example of the the SE328 model with a 328 cc Excelsior engine offering 18 bhp (13 kW; 18 PS). The production run ran from Jan 1957 to April 1958 with chassis numbers from 164 to 1422, this car is chasis #1365 (making it one of the last 57 cars produced) * some being exported to the United States where it sold for approximately $1600 (equivalent to $13.5 thousand today). The manufacture touted the number 70, meaning it could reach 70 mph and had an average fuel economy of 70 mpg. The SE328 enjoyed considerable success and press exposure through their involvement with lightweight motor racing, and their famous drivers included Pat Moss who drove one in the 1958 Liège-Brescia-Liège rally for cars up to 500cc. The Berkeley team – a works-supported entry of six cars including BBC commentator Robin Richards – led as far as Slovenia. This SE328 is equipped with driver headrest, brand new seating surfaces and tonneau cover. New paint with clearcoat was applied. Tuning the carbs, cleaning all lines and tank. New wires, plugs, coils etc. Originally imported into the U.S. and registered in California and slight modifications were required by the DMV for U.S. registration. Hence you will note the recessed tail lights and outside chrome blinker housings.
*Standard SE328 without the racing enhancements are bringing $23k-$30k in excellent condition.
You can click on any of the pictures within the description and that will take you to a photo bucket of various other pictures of the car and other pics of Berkeleys in races and other info. Parts are still available for the SE328 and I will provide excellent resources to the winning bidder. I have the complete workshop manual for this car on PDF. Click on any of the pictures to see more images of the car and some fun racing photos and more ;-) 1959 Berkeley SE328- Deluxe Serial number: 1365 Engine number: 10277 A sporting roadster with Siata-like styling. SPECIFICATIONS Manufacturer: Berkeley Cars Ltd. Origin: Biggleswade. England Motor: Excelsior 2-cyl. . 2-stroke Twin Amal Carbs Displacement: 328 cc Length: 10 ft. 3 in. Independent Suspension Front wheel drive Molded Aluminum chassis Fiberglass body. formed in two sections.
The chasis and components are aluminum as you will note looking at the polished floors in the interior cabin.
The interior features full gauges, emergency brake, choke, cigarette lighter, foot activated high beam switch. There is also a nice aluminum tray which runs just below the dash and extends a couple feet back to the firewall which offers excellent storage area. Identification (Serial) No. 1365 *one of the last 57 cars produced. I have a lot of photos to submit to the winning bidder so you can see the resto process. When I purchased the car I rented a 16 foot box truck and it fit inside with room to spare so if you are thinking of transporting the vehicle this is an easy solution.
***
Please keep in mind your bid is binding through ebay. If you have a feedback rating of less than 3 positives, or if you have any negative feedback contact me first prior to bidding.
***I will sell to international buyers but payment terms are the same (you can contact me through ebay with any questions regarding)
I am happy to store the car in my climate controlled locked garage until winning bidder can arrange pickup and or shipping. I will accept a $500 PayPal deposit w/in 24 hours of auction close and remaining balance is due within 3 business days of close of auction. If you have any questions please feel free to ask and I will respond as quickly as I can. ***Note: The original horn has been removed and shown in pictures with the paperwork. It will need a good interior inspection and cleaning. The headlamp guards are easily removed if you desire that look without them. The chrome blinker lights need wires hooked up. As you will see in the pictures I also have a chrome spare rim for the car.
_{update: 2016-05-24}