Berkeley Owners Group

The company produced designs by Laurie Bond in the Berkeley Coachworks factory owned by Charles Panter who had been making caravans from glass fibre. The first cars were exhibited at the 1956 London Motor Show.

Four models were made with the number in the name representing the top speed in miles per hour. Production stopped in 1960 and an attempted merger with Bond Cars come to nothing.

The factory was later used by Kayser Bondor to make women's underwear, but it has now been demolished and the site turned over to housing.


[edit] Models

[edit] Sports B60 and B65
Berkeley B60, B65 1957 SE328 coupé
Production 1956–1957
2000 approx produced.[1]
Body style(s) 2-door roadster
Engine(s) 322 or 328 cc two stroke twin, air-cooled
Wheelbase 68 in (1,700 mm) [2]
Length 122.5 in (3,110 mm) [2]
Width 50 in (1,300 mm) [2]
Height 43.5 in (1,100 mm) [2]

1957 SE328 2 seat tourer
SA328 fitted with a Honda CB400 super sport engine.The B60, initially was produced as the SA322 type, was a glass-fibre monocoque, two-seater open tourer initially powered by an Anzani twin-cylinder 322 cc two-stroke engine producing 15 bhp (11 kW; 15 PS). It was mounted transversely and drove the front wheels via a chain and three speed gearbox. The car had all round independent suspension by coil springs and in spite of the tiny engine gave remarkably good performance owing to its light weight (600 pounds - about 270 kg) and excellent roadholding. Girling hydraulic brakes with 7 in (180 mm) drums were used.

Although usually configured as a two seater with simple bench seat, it was possible to put a small child in the back. A removable hatch could be removed from behind the front seat revealing a compartment normally containing the spare wheel and some luggage space. This could be fitted with a basic seat and the spare wheel moved to a shelf in front of the passenger and under the fascia. Equipment was basic, even the fuel gauge was an extra.

After 146 of the SA322 cars were made a change was made to the SA328 model with a 328 cc Excelsior engine offering 18 bhp (13 kW; 18 PS). About 1300 were made, many being exported to the United States. 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.

The Motor magazine tested a 328 cc Berkeley in 1957 and found it to have a top speed of 62.1 mph (99.9 km/h) and acceleration from 0-50 mph (80 km/h) in 30.6 seconds. A fuel consumption of 58.3 miles per imperial gallon (4.85 L/100 km; 48.5 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £574 on the home market including taxes of £152. [2]

The last 10 cars were known as B65 and had a strengthened body and four speed gearbox. Top speed was just over 60 mph (97 km/h).