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Details
3,770 miles from new
1960 BERKELEY T60 THREE WHEELER
Registration No. 707 KVK
Chassis No. T60919
Engine No. B12120
Red with red interior
Engine: Excelsior twin cylinder, two stroke, 328cc; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: front, independent coil springs with wishbones, rear, swinging arm; Brakes: three wheel hydraulic. Right hand drive.
Charles Panter of Berkeley Coachworks was approached to build a micro sports car in 1955, by none other than Lawrie Bond of Minicar fame. Panter's experience with glassfibre construction, as seen on his caravans as early as 1948, put him in an ideal position to construct the GRP unitary chassis, and the result was an independently-sprung, ultra-light car that could capitalise upon even the 15 horsepower developed by its tiny 322cc engine. Problems with supply led to a switch from Anzani to Excelsior engines, and a small increase to 328cc. The SE328 was an excellent performer and won heartfelt praise from press and public alike. Remarkably given the market for microcars in the late Nineteen Fifties, it was 1959 before Panter decided to modify the rear end of the car, and the three-wheeled T60 was unveiled in October. It was an instant success, selling around 1,850 units in just over a year. Unfortunately the caravan market collapsed towards the end of 1960, and Berkeley's slumping sales forced the company into liquidation, taking its car manufacturing activities with it.
The car offered for sale here is another gem of the collection. Having covered just 3,770 miles under its four ownerships (including the Sharpes), it has spent the majority of its life stored on a rack at the Sharpe family home and is described as being impressively complete and original. Both the red GRP bodywork and the red interior have survived in excellent condition, and the car would need only a minor recommissioning before returning to the road. It is sold accompanied by its original old-style buff logbook.
1960 BERKELEY T60 THREE WHEELER
Registration No. 707 KVK
Chassis No. T60919
Engine No. B12120
Red with red interior
Engine: Excelsior twin cylinder, two stroke, 328cc; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: front, independent coil springs with wishbones, rear, swinging arm; Brakes: three wheel hydraulic. Right hand drive.
Charles Panter of Berkeley Coachworks was approached to build a micro sports car in 1955, by none other than Lawrie Bond of Minicar fame. Panter's experience with glassfibre construction, as seen on his caravans as early as 1948, put him in an ideal position to construct the GRP unitary chassis, and the result was an independently-sprung, ultra-light car that could capitalise upon even the 15 horsepower developed by its tiny 322cc engine. Problems with supply led to a switch from Anzani to Excelsior engines, and a small increase to 328cc. The SE328 was an excellent performer and won heartfelt praise from press and public alike. Remarkably given the market for microcars in the late Nineteen Fifties, it was 1959 before Panter decided to modify the rear end of the car, and the three-wheeled T60 was unveiled in October. It was an instant success, selling around 1,850 units in just over a year. Unfortunately the caravan market collapsed towards the end of 1960, and Berkeley's slumping sales forced the company into liquidation, taking its car manufacturing activities with it.
The car offered for sale here is another gem of the collection. Having covered just 3,770 miles under its four ownerships (including the Sharpes), it has spent the majority of its life stored on a rack at the Sharpe family home and is described as being impressively complete and original. Both the red GRP bodywork and the red interior have survived in excellent condition, and the car would need only a minor recommissioning before returning to the road. It is sold accompanied by its original old-style buff logbook.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.