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Berkeley's barchetta - A Royal Enfield-powered B95
The Berkeley was a tiny, front-wheel drive sports car built by British caravan manufacturer from 1956 to 1960. Its pert looks and cheeky performance set it apart from other low priced hybrids of the time. Our publisher drove and wrote about one of the first examples in 1958, and in the July issue of The Automobile re-acquaints himself with the marque in the form of an immaculate Royal Enfield-powered B95.
Visit www.theautomobile.co.uk
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I nearly bought one of these in the 1970s (maybe '76) from a cycle shop opposite where I worked. Can't remember how much the guy wanted for it. Around the same time I was offered an Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite for £75. This was more interesting to me, but it needed the splines renewing to get it through its MoT, and they were £25 each at the time, plus there was some work to do to the engine. So I bought a Honda CB250 G5 and got my first serious girlfriend because I stopped when she waved to me one day! Yes, bikes could win girls back then. Have passed up a lot of classic cars since then, but the Berkley has always appealed because it was so rare and quirky. Thank you for sharing.
That beautiful... Rev counter... I know I'm weird... Love Berkeleys, I would like a B90 as my fave version.
Definitely the best looking of the minicars, and with that (Constellation?) engine I'll bet it goes well too!
Ahhhh.... (weeping tears). I had a red B105, top speed 105mph, Nex - I had twin Amal 1 3/16" carbs on her, and 10:1 pistons plus loads of mods to correct everything on Berkekeys that broke. Pirelli P3's too - the go-to tyre at that time. She was an absolute dream to drive - went like the proverbial shit off a shiny shovel. Gave me 50.8 mpg driving back from Belfast to London. Blip the throttle hard and she'd suck back through the exhaust with the sound of ripping calico. Handling was stunningly good - true go kart stuff. 271 JKE was her number - I've been trying to trace her, but no luck so far. She remains to this day the absolutely most exciting car I've ever driven (more weeping).
@dburgess287
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Robin, According to the DVLA, road tax check website, the vehicle is currently on SORN and that the last logbook for it was issued in 2018 (usually with a change of ownership) What condition it is in though I have no idea, but at least it doesn't appear to have been scrapped.
If a R.E. engine vibrates, then it’s not been put together properly. All Enfield twins were dynamically balanced at the factory and were renowned for their smoothness in comparison to every other manufacturer of vertical twin motorcycle engines.
11 years well spent she is lovely. Beautiful colour too . My first car was a bond gt4s that I ran for many years. 200 quid on the road . They both come from a time when motoring was interesting !
In Southern California had a Berkeley of about the same vintage but it was powered by an Excelsior 2-stroke, 2-cylinder engine with an exposed chain drive. The chain drive featured a fiber gear that would wear out every 1000 miles, requiring a new gear be fitted, not an easy job. The Excelsior engine had a built-in generator/starter motor combo mounted at one end of the crankshaft. The gas tank was where the battery is in this one. With a capacity of 2 gallons (IIRC) it allowed a run of between 150 and 200 miles between gas stops. Same gearbox. Might have kept it with this engine but instead I passed it onto my younger brother in High School and bought a '62 MGA. I quickly learned to buy fuel at truck stops because they never bothered to charge me for the little bit (pint) of oil needed with each tank of gas.
@asd36f
3 жыл бұрын
Ron, That would be the B60 - named because the top speed was 60mph.
What a lovely man Old school gentleman
My first car was a blue 1958 Berkeley. It had problems with charging the battery and no one could fix it. I finally sold it and got a 1952 Mercury 2-D coupe. The Mercury was a great car.
Wonderful piece of British engineering. Stylish body too.
A HONDA CBR600 mill would shoehorn into there...
@PrimoStracciatella
3 жыл бұрын
A simple 471cc CB500 twin with 48 hp would do, too. No reliability issues, lots of torque and a low redline.
Lovely. 😎🇬🇧
Wow. Fuel gage is all over the place!
I had a T60/4, 3 wheeler, 328 Excelsior engine, and supposedly would seat 4-which it did on a couple of occasions when we were young and stupid. This would have been in 1967-8.
It sounds like my vw pole 3 cylinder 14tdi lt runs smooth past 20000 rpm its the num now to make cars with less cylinders fiat 500 twin air is on axample
Imagine this,or a three wheeler with a Hayabusa(!)Has anyone seriously modified one? I have seen them racing with Cooper S engines but quite heavy.With a modern bike engine they would be totally mental!
Nice car! but the camera guy could use a little work the camera was on you jacket a lot of the time
@bigwheelsturning
3 жыл бұрын
The camera person had no idea of what to point the camera at. Waste of time.
@PrimoStracciatella
3 жыл бұрын
It would have been nice to see - the car.
@BattlecatRed
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, that was a bit disappointing...
Nice one Mike. I don't remember my B95 being so loud. I expect it was though lol. I believe it is still around, XMJ 907, any ideas ? Adrian ( currently driving a Panhard once again )
what is the top speed at new
where i can find one please ?
Nice car and one hell of a rebuild. But you got to fire your camera man. We need to see the car, not your crotch. Happy trails.
Very AC in its rear end
I have a 1959 Berkeley b95 left hand drive I need to sell
Beautiful car look me up if you wish to sell!
video just for looking à old man ! ! !
Point the camera at what he is talking about NOT at him. I understand there are night school courses on basic film making!
Learn to use a camera or don’t