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April, 2005 |
         
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The Three wheeled
Berkeley T60 was launched in August 1959 and became the most successful
model produced with a declared 1700 being made by the time bankruptcy closed
the company in Feb 1961. The success of the T60 can be attributed to it's
attraction to motorcyclists who were allowed to drive it on their motorcycle
licence due to it's light weight and being classified by the British
government as a motorcycle combination. It had better handling and
looks than any other three wheeler at the time which obviously made it a hit
with the sporty and style conscious motorcyclist. Developed from the SE328 four wheeler and using the same Excelsior 328cc twin engine it was available as a hard top and as a soft top, the most common being the soft top. The rear wheel was mounted on a single sided swinging arm which is mounted on large plates bolted either side of the fibreglass moulding underneath the rear seat. This arrangement meant that the car was longer than the Se328 which resulted in the T60 having more storage space than the four wheeler and it can easily swallow all your holiday and camping kit for two people without any of it showing (I know I do it all the time). The suspension was the same coil-over-shock used at the front fitted to the back keeping parts commonality with the other cars. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE T60 PICTURE GALLERY In July 1960 the Berkeley T60/4 was announced with a
redesigned rear end making space for two (small) adults in the back turning
the T60 into a four seater. This was achieved without altering the
wheel base and the rear suspension was redesigned to make it stronger, as
was the front suspension. The T60/4 was also fitted with a fibreglass
windscreen surround rather than the T60's brass and chrome affair.
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This site was last updated Sunday, 03 April 2005