Shuzo wrote:CC, I would imagine windshields are very hard to come by at its current width. Considering how tiny the Berkley is, do you think it would make sense to make it wider? adding 6-10" to allow somewhat more current suspension components and a common windshield. In a larger project, does adding about 25 inches of wheelbase behind the cockpit and in front of the rear wheels to allow a mid mounted motorcycle engine seem like a reasonable reuse of the body? How much foot room do you have? It looks like a transverse bulkhead separates the engine and front wheel wells from the cockpit. thank you for your time
Hi Shuzo.. All good qs for such a small car/ project.. You're right, the windshield (and windshield frame) are hard to come by.. Here in the US, they can be bought from a Berkeley enthusiast named Kevin Kalman in North Carolina.. His prices are fair and he'll treat you right.. It makes a ton of sense to widen this body.. If I had to do it again, I would have widened mine by about 7".. doing so would make fabbing the suspension MUCH easier, and it would of course result in more cabin room. An inch is a mile on this tiny car. Widening it would also offer more options for an alternate windshield.. I've thought this body would look great with an early Porsche Speedster windscreen split @ center and narrowed to fit a widened Berk body- the lines in these disparate bits would flow wonderfully once combined..
I would not lengthen the body any more than I'd widen it to try and preserve the proportions (a 25" stretch would be a lot on this car).. I think it would look good lengthened about 5" and widened about 5-7" total (I'd add the length @ the doors).. These conservative numbers will keep it in 'microcar' territory, while making the build much easier as you try to fit components.. A mid-mounted bike motor(?).. Depending on your skill set, it could be done (as can anything), but it would be very challenging, and would result in a pronounced rear weight bias, which is ok, but I don't think you'd ever get the car balanced front to rear if you sought to.
Finally, how much foot room? I've worked hard to increase the room for the driver in my Berk (seat notched rearward into the body/ firewall pushed forward).. The effort has paid off, as my car will now accept a driver up to about 6'4" (I'm 6'2", size 12 shoes).. it was a fair amount of work to do, but it's made a huge difference in my comfort and ability to drive this modded car (over a Berk with a stock firewall/ interior).
If this body does not sell and I end up keeping it, I will very likely widen/ stretch it once I retire and I have more time to build (which is not for several more years).. They're funky little cars, but they're also low-risk to mod and make your own as they're not very valuable.. This one will be a fun project for a builder who is ok with being well outside of the vintage car norm
--ccrunner
