• Home
  • Makes
  • History
  • Maintenance
    • Engines By Make
    • Engine Components
    • Electrical & electronic
    • Gearbox & Drivetrain
    • Induction & Exhaust
    • Suspension Types
    • Tyres wheels Brakes
    • Vehicle Body types
  • Trivia
  • Register
  • "log in"
Sports Cars
Britain
1950s

 Berkeley Sports SE328

 (1957 to 1958)
Berkeley Sports SE328 (1957-58)
Production Jan 1957 – Apr 1958 1259 approx produced.
Body style 2-door roadster
Engine 328cc transverse two stroke twin, air-cooled
Wheelbase 68 in (1,700 mm)
Length 122.5 in (3,110 mm)
Width 50 in (1,300 mm)
Height 43.5 in (1,100 mm)

 

 After 163 of the SA322 cars had been manufactured, a change was made to 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, many being exported to the United States where it sold for approximately $1600 (equivalent to $13.1 thousand today). The manufacture touted the number 70, meaning it could reach 70 mph and had an average fuel economy of 70 mpg. 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 from Jan 1957 to about chassis number 476 in June 1957 still used a column gear change. During their production run a Deluxe model was offered which was bodily the same but featured polished wheel trims and spinners, tachometer and twin carburettors. The chassis plate was similar to the Anzani type on the early cars but was later changed to a printed type fitted to the bulkhead above the brake master cylinder. The printed type chassis plate had type ‘SE328’ printed on it. Most of these cars had the three-speed gearbox similar to the Anzani except for the mounting flanges. All of the cars had the sloping leading edges to the doors.

Berkeley Sports 328

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 (equivalent to £10.3 thousand today).

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, but slow climbing in summer heat found their weakness and Pat ended up being towed back to Italy by another Berkeley. None of the Berkeleys finished the event.

Berkeley Sports history

Related items
Britain 1950s | Vehicles launched in 1957 | British Sports cars | Air Cooled | Sports Cars

Manuals

Download: Workshop manuals Tech Guides exclusive to registered users.

  • Berkeley Previous 8 / 10 Next

1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s  1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s

  1. You are here:  
  2. Motor Car
  3. Makes and Models
  4. B
  5. Berkeley
  6. Berkeley Sports SE328 (1957-1958)