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Engine Valve Mechanism. Rotary Air Valve Engine Valve Mechanism
1958 Berkeley S492 Sports The Berkeley was a Lawrie Bond design, a compact sportscar with a GRP body, and powered by a small two stroke motorcycle engine driving the front wheels. In 1956, Lawrie Bond approached Charles Panter of Berkeley Caravans with his new design. It was an ideal project for Berkeley, who had developed considerable skills in the use of GRP, and were looking for something to fill the gaps in the very seasonal caravan market. The tiny Berkeley sports car was a real surprise in 1956 when it was introduced. The first Berkeley cars used a 322cc British Anzani motorcycle engine fitted with a Siba Dynastart to provide both battery charging and electric starting. The Anzani engine was already used by various small motorcycle manufacturers such as Cotton and Greeves. It was a very clever little two stroke engine which incorporated an inlet valve mechanism in the centre of the crankshaft. The early cars had a sloping edge to the front of the doors and a diagonal mesh grill and featured a column mounted gearchange working a 3 speed plus reverse gearbox. Later cars had revised doors with vertical front edges. The body was strengthened, suspension was revised and the bench seat replaced with individual driver and passenger seats. The gearchange was mounted on the floor and the gearbox now had four speeds. Unfortunately for Berkeley the bank that was funding the company got nervous and called in a loan, probably due to other companies in the caravan industry failing. This left Berkeley unable to continue, so in 1961 the company was wound up. Ironically, examination of the company's trading position in later years showed that the company was probably viable. Berkeley
The Berkeley was a Lawrie Bond design, a compact sportscar with a GRP body, and powered by a small two stroke motorcycle engine driving the front wheels. In 1956, Lawrie Bond approached Charles Panter of Berkeley Caravans with his new design. It was an ideal project for Berkeley, who had developed considerable skills in the use of GRP, and were looking for something to fill the gaps in the very seasonal caravan market. The tiny Berkeley sports car was a real surprise in 1956 when it was introduced. The first Berkeley cars used a 322cc British Anzani motorcycle engine fitted with a Siba Dynastart to provide both battery charging and electric starting. The Anzani engine was already used by various small motorcycle manufacturers such as Cotton and Greeves. It was a very clever little two stroke engine which incorporated an inlet valve mechanism in the centre of the crankshaft. The early cars had a sloping edge to the front of the doors and a diagonal mesh grill and featured a column mounted gearchange working a 3 speed plus reverse gearbox. Later cars had revised doors with vertical front edges. The body was strengthened, suspension was revised and the bench seat replaced with individual driver and passenger seats. The gearchange was mounted on the floor and the gearbox now had four speeds. Unfortunately for Berkeley the bank that was funding the company got nervous and called in a loan, probably due to other companies in the caravan industry failing. This left Berkeley unable to continue, so in 1961 the company was wound up. Ironically examination of the company's trading position in later years showed that the company was probably viable. washing machine isolation valve isolation valve sea water butterfly valves nibco stainless steel ball valves valmatic plug valve rotary hydraulic valve angle valve installation |