1959 Berkeley SE492 Convertible

"The company produced designs by Laurie Bond in the Berkeley Coachworks factory owned by Charles Panter who had been making caravans from glass fibre. The first cars were exhibited at the 1956 London Motor Show. Four models were made with the number in the name representing the top speed in miles per hour. Production stopped in 1960 and an attempted merger with Bond Cars come to nothing. The factory was later used by Kayser Bondor to make women's underwear, but it has now been demolished and the site turned over to housing. For 1957 the engine was changed to a 30 bhp (22 kW; 30 PS), Excelsior three-cylinder 492 cc with three carburettors. A four speed gearbox was standardised. The top speed was now 80 mph (130 km/h). A Foursome four seater was now available in a slightly wider body and a closed coupé version was also made. Top speed was now over 80 mph (130 km/h). The cars were successful in Motor Sport and Giovanni Lurani bought three which he took to Italy, fitted them with his own design of hardtop, and running them in the 750 cc GT class, one driven by Lorenzo Bandini finishing first in the 1958 Monza 12 hour race. Over 650 of the two seater and 16 four seaters were made."