Berkeley Sports SE328 – 1958

Berkeley was Britain’s leading caravan maker in the 1950s. In 1956, Lawrie Bond approached Charles Panter of Berkeley Caravans with his new design. It was an ideal project for Berkeley who had developed considerable skills in the use of fiberglass and was looking for something to fill the gaps in the very seasonal caravan market. This compact sports car has a fiberglass body and is powered by a small two-stroke motorcycle engine that drives the front wheels. The Berkeley was popular as both a road car and a race car. The SE328 model was produced from January 1957- April 1958, with 1,259 being made. Approximately 551 were imported and sold in the United States in 1958.

Check out this episode of The Inside Lane for a tour of the Berkeley SE328: 

Specifications:
Manufacturer: Berkeley Cars Ltd.
Drivetrain Configuration: Front engine (mounted longitudinally), front wheel drive
Country of Origin: Great Britain
Engine: Excelsior, air-cooled, 328cc, two cylinders
Transmission: 3 speed manual
Top Speed: 65 mph
Years of Production: 1956-1960
Number Produced: 1,259
Original Cost: $1695