Quote:
Originally Posted by islero  ID 351: Berkeley B95? Powered by an Enfield Twin engine. |
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ID:351 is a
1960 Berkeley B105.
The B95 had a 692 cc Royal Enfield Super Meteor four-stroke twin engine that put out 41 bhp @ 5500 rpm; 58 Newton-m torque @4000 rpm and pushed it to 95 mph (152 km/h).
The B105 was powered by a 692 cc Royal Enfield Constellation four-stroke Twin engine breathing through twin-carburetors. It put out 50 bhp @ 6250 rpm; 61 Newton-m torque @4000 rpm and could top out at 105 mph (168 km/h).
If you think that Alec Issigonis' Austin Mini was first to have a transverse engine and front wheel drive, think again.
Besides this engine and drive combo, the Berkeley had a complete compact fibreglass monocoque (or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) as the English put it). The hull was reinforced locally by lightweight aluminium sections.
Like a motorcycle it had a chain drive to the rear wheels. If the chain stretched, you had it. It would also chew up the differential box.
It had independent suspension on all four wheels, low CG, superb handling and braking.
Unlike most other microcars, a Berkeley was both cute and quick in acceleration !
A total of 200 Berkeley B95 + B105 cars were made.
Ram