Berkeley, a notable automotive brand that embodies innovation and elegance, has firmly established itself as a classic icon in the industry. Founded in 1956 by Charles Turner and Lawrie Bond, Berkeley made its grand entrance into the automobile world during a time of great post-war enthusiasm.

Turner and Bond infused their passion for lightweight sports cars into assembling Berkeley’s first-ever vehicle: the delightful little three-wheeler known as the “B60.” This compact car turned heads with its sleek design and exceptional performance. Not only did it captivate speed enthusiasts with its impressive top speed of 70mph, but it also attracted attention due to its affordability.

Though the B60 enjoyed success amongst avid racing enthusiasts seeking affordable thrills on the track, Berkeley saw an opportunity to broaden their horizons further. They unveiled their most popular model yet in 1957 – The “Sports SE328,” which boasted both style and substance unmatched by competitors. This aesthetically pleasing machine became renowned for blending comfort with superior performance; customers couldn’t resist her allure.

Despite initially positive reception from consumers worldwide, Berkeley faced hurdles along their journey. These arose primarily due to financial constraints resulting from higher production costs than anticipated and unforeseen competition within an increasingly crowded market.

Unfortunately for loyal fans of this remarkable brand who had eagerly awaited future releases from Berkeley’s lineup, they were met with disappointment when production drew to a close rather abruptly in 1960 under mounting financial pressures—a development that left many shocked at such an unfortunate turn of events.

Although no longer actively producing vehicles today under the name ‘Berkeley,’ we can still marvel at their incredible legacy through surviving models cherished by collectors worldwide. Their founder’s entrepreneurial spirit continues inspiring generations long after these magnificent machines ceased rolling off assembly lines over half a century ago—proof that true legends never fade away entirely—an eternal tribute to British engineering ingenuity exemplified by this small yet ambitious automotive venture.
Ultimately leaving us to wonder what extraordinary endeavors await in the future for enthusiasts of classic automotive excellence.

Main image via: By <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Glachlan&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" class="new" title="User:Glachlan (page does not exist)">Glachlan</a> – <span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Logo via: