Berkeley SA322

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Much is made of the Lotus Elite and its ground-breaking fibreglass monococque body but this 1956 Berkeley SA322 got there first – a whole year before Chapman’s wunderkind.

The product of the fertile imagination of Lawrie Bond, built by a specialist caravan company and powered by a 322cc Anzani twin-cylinder two-stroke, the Berkeley seemed out of this world when it first appeared over 62 years ago. It still appears a little other-worldly today.

This is chassis number 0010 and is the oldest road-worthy Berkeley in the world, having been delivered to its first owner in September 1959. It is one of around 4,500 cars produced by Berkeley, but differs slightly from the production models in having a Smiths speedo and 3-speed gearbox with column gear-change. The car was fully-restored in the 1990s and has been used regularly by its enthusiast owner who tells us that is has “proved to be economical and fun motoring.” It is also the star of the Wikipedia page on the Berkeley car.

Our vendor reports that the car is in “totally original spec” and is fitted with a speedometer, ammeter and clock – petrol gauge being an optional extra! Although the Berkeley is nominally a two-seater there is a lift-out panel behind the seats which reveals a cavity large enough to take some luggage or a small child (although the child would have to be willing).

The car is tax- and MOT-exempt but was last tested in August 2012, when it passed with no advisories.