I don't want to be off-putting with my barrage of questions, but to be honest I have not come across many people who are doing what you're scheming to do.. If you have any insight, or tips, or questions, or you just want to commiserate how damn tiny everything about the Berkeley is, come back and check in
--ccrunner[/quote]
Where to start?
I have a 1957 SE328, and it did not have any drivetrain when I bought it 6 years ago. My intention was to turn it into a vintage sports racer to run at smaller venues, such as Put-In-Bay, Pittsburgh Vintage Gran Prix, etc. Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that they will not let me race with them because it would not be true vintage racer(no provenance). When I came across your build log, a light bulb went off and I began to think about a different path forward, but which direction to take?
Reading through your log, I can't help but be surprised of how many similar thoughts that not just you and I have had, but several of the contributors as well. Lengthening the punt, a true 4 wheel independent suspension, proper brakes, converting to rear wheel drive, a proper fuel cell, even the LeMans style fuel cap! One thing that I have been toying with is converting the front end of the car to a front hinge style hood, like the older E-Type Jaguars.
Where I am indecisive is engine size. Increased power leads to increased reinforcement which leads to increased weight. Your trip to the scales surprised everyone! I have two Honda Valkyrie motors, which have 100 hp and 95 ft/lbs of torque, but they weigh 300 lbs! I would also have to have a substantial frame work to keep that big torque from twisting the car in half, not to mention that much weight forward would make it very difficult to get a proper balance for handling. But they are so darn pretty! Thus, I am starting to lean toward a small motor with 35-50 hp so I can stay with the aluminum/fiberglass monocoque. Also, I keep going back and forth between a more modern motor vs something vintage, like an older BMW airhead twin. Down side of vintage is availability at a reasonable price. I have even done some research on the possibility of an EV conversion.
Unfortunately, my build is on hold until I finish my home remodel, as I have a large portion down to bare studs and joists. I call it "finishing my broccoli before I can have my desert". Hopefully late spring will find me back in the shop!
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Do share!.. do you have a build log on it somewhere else? Maybe start one here? At very least, please share the main stuff here to help inspire others.. engine choice.. suspension sources.. tube frame(?).. what year is your Berk body? Slant or straight (vertical) doors? Almost an aside; I don't know if you've caught the vibe yet, but some of the purist Brits can get a little bent out of shape when we reconfigure one of these wee beasts... What the purist Brits do not do, however, is try and take one of these wee beasts out on an 8-lane expressway in 100 degree weather.. crazy? yes! Fun? Yes! 
It took most of a day to make these mods, and most of that day was spent bent over my super-fantastic bench vise wheel-truer-upper