The Imperia-Abadal model was manufactured by Imperia under Abadal license
Abadal Vehicles
The Abadal was a Spanishcar manufactured between 1912 and 1923, named after Francisco Abadal. Considered a fast luxury car, it was closely patterned on the Hispano-Suiza and offered in two models. One had a 3104 cc four-cylinderengine while the other had a 4521 cc six-cylinder engine.
Soon after the inception of the Abadal line, the Belgian company Impéria began building Abadals under license as Impéria-Abadals. In 1916 Abadal acquired the Buick agency, and Barcelona-built Abadals after that year had Buick power units and featured custom coachwork. These cars were called “Abadal-Buicks”. M. A. Van Roggen (formerly of Springuel) took over the Belgian operation soon after, and built around 170 more Impéria-Abadals. Among the models produced were a 2992cc 16-valve four-cylinder OHC sports model and three prototype 5630 cc straight-eights. The company ceased automobile production in 1923.
Francisco Abadal (nicknamed Paco) was a Hispano-Suiza salesman and racing driver in Barcelona. He began this enterprise in 1912, and upon its cessation became an agent of General Motors in Spain. General Motors’ plans in 1930 related to a prototype named the Abadal Continental never materialised.
Abadal 25 HP 1914
Abadal-Buick 1923
Abadal Y-12 aero-engine
Abadal also produced the Abadal Y-12 aero-engine, a multiple bank in-line engine with twelve cylinders in three banks of four arranged in a Y.
References
Jump up^Burgess Wise, David (1979). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Automobiles. London: New Burlington Books. ISBN0 906286 16 6.
Impéria Automobiles was a Belgian automobile factory, active from 1906 until 1948. The factory in Nessonvaux, Liège, Belgium, had a rooftop test track since 1928.
Imperia 7-25 CV from 1932
History
Imperia TA-9 BS 1938
1948 Imperia TA-8 Sport
Standard Vanguard convertible built by Imperia
Impéria was a Belgianautomobile manufactured from 1906 until 1948. Products of the Ateliers Piedboeuf of Liège, the first cars were designed by the German Paul Henze. These were four-cylinders of 3, 4.9, and 9.9 litres. The next year, the company moved to Nessonvaux, Trooz municipality, and began production in the old Pieper factory. Impéria produced a monobloc 12 hp (8.9 kW) in 1909. In 1910, the company merged with Springuel.
The Nessonvaux factory began producing Impéria-Abadals from about 1916. In 1921, it built three ohc 5.6-litre straight-eights. These were quickly replaced by an ephemeral ohc 3-litre 32-valve four-cylinder which had a top speed of 90 mph (140 km/h). This was followed by an 1100 cc slide-valve 11/22 hp four designed by Couchard, one of the first cars ever built with a sunroof. Its engine rotated counterclockwise, and its transmission brake also served as a servo for those on the front wheels. In 1927 a six-cylinder of 1624 cc appeared; this had been available in three-carburettor Super Sports form from 1930.
In 1925, the company hired Louis de Monge as chief research engineer. Some of his work included torsion bar suspension and automatic transmissions. De Monge left in 1937 to join Bugatti, where he would design the Bugatti 100P racer plane.
Around and on top of the factory buildings, there was a test track over 1 km long. The track was built in 1928. The only other rooftop test tracks were on Fiat’s Lingotto plant, opened in 1923, and Palacio Chrysler in Buenos Aires, opened in 1928.
Over the course of four years, Impéria took over three other Belgian car manufacturers: Métallurgique (1927), Excelsior (1929), and Nagant (1931). From 1934 until the company folded it built mainly front-wheel-drive Adlers with Belgian-made coachwork. The company merged with Minerva in 1934, but they split in 1939.
In addition to its production in Belgium, Impéria made a number of cars in Great Britain; these were assembled at a factory in Maidenhead.
From 1947 to 1949 Impéria built its last model TA-8 which combined an Adler Trumpf Junior-type chassis with an engine originally intended for the Amilcar Compound.
After 1948 Impéria assembled Standard Vanguards under license and also built a unique convertible version. After Standard decided to set up a new factory in Belgium, the factory was left without work and had to close doors in 1957.
The Imperia GP was going to be sold in 2013. The car was designed by Denis Stevens. The Imperia GP roadster would have had PowerHybrid motorization technology developed by Green Propulsion.
Pictures from my collection:
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
References
Jump up^Pegasus, newsletter of the Bugatti Association, issue 23
The Berkeley automobile was a collaboration between designer Lawrence “Lawrie” Bond and the Berkeley Coachworks factory owned by Charles Panter, which at the time was one of the largest manufacturers of caravans in Europe. It was an ideal project for Berkeley, who had developed considerable skills in the use of Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), and were looking for something to fill the gaps in the very seasonal caravan market. What Panter and Bond wanted to achieve was “something good enough to win World 750cc races… but cheap, safe, easily repairable and pretty.”
The early cars were an immediate success on the home market, and several derivative models were spawned over the four years of car production. Export markets, most notably the United States, were exploited and the cars earned a reputation for fun, if fragile, sports motoring on a budget. Recognising the threat posed by the newly introduced Mini and Austin-Healey Sprite in the late fifties, the company started to develop are a more conventional model with the support of Ford.
The caravan market collapsed towards the end of 1960, and Berkeley’s poor cash flow forced the company into liquidation on 12 December 1960, taking its car manufacturing activities with it. After having produced about 4100 cars of various types, the workforce was laid off shortly before Christmas that year. An attempted sale of the company to Sharp’s Commercials Ltd (manufacturer of the Bond Minicar) came to nothing, and the company’s assets were liquidated in 1961.
The factory was later used by Kayser Bondor Ltd to make women’s underwear, but it was demolished in 2002 and the site turned over to housing. A road named ‘Berkeley Close’ in the housing estate provides the only obvious link to the car factory.
Today there is an active owner’s club (the Berkeley Enthusiasts’ Club), which provides a range of parts and services aimed at preserving the remaining few hundred cars known to survive worldwide.
Berkeley’s first production car was the ‘Sports’ (type SA322), announced in September 1956 and produced from October 1956 to January 1957. Production began with two prototypes (registered RMJ395 and RMJ946), which were seen being tested with enthusiasm around the neighbourhood of Biggleswade in the late summer of 1956. Stirling Moss drove one at Goodwood in September, and the car was launched to the public at the 1956 London Motor Show – one year ahead of the Lotus Elite, which was also to be of fibreglassmonocoque construction.
Bond’s attractive 2-seater open tourer design capitalised on Berkeley’s GRP experience, and consisted of three large mouldings (floor or ‘punt’, nose, tail) with no conventional chassis. The front edges to the doors slanted forward so that when the doors were opened they hinged upwards and then closed by themselves. Although usually configured as a two-seater with simple bench seat, a hatch could be removed from behind the front seat, revealing a compartment normally containing the spare wheel and some luggage space which could double as a basic seat for a small child. Equipment was basic, even the fuel gauge was an optional extra.
Power was provided by a British Anzani twin-cylinder 322 cc two-stroke engine producing 15 bhp (11 kW; 15 PS) and mounted transversely, driving the front wheels via a chain and three-speed gearbox. The engine was already used by various motorcycle manufacturers such as Cotton and Greeves, but in the Berkeley was fitted with a SibaDynastart to provide both battery charging and electric starting. It was a very advanced two-stroke engine which incorporated a rotary inlet valve mechanism in the centre of the crankshaft. The gearbox was a three-speed Albion HJR5, utilising a steering column-mounted gearchange.
The car had all-round independent suspension by coil springs and in spite of the tiny engine gave remarkably good performance owing to its light weight (kerb weight 605 lb (274 kg)) and excellent roadholding.Girlinghydraulic brakes with 7 in (180 mm) drums were used.
The identification plate was a plain stamped alloy rectangle fitted on the engine bay side wall just above the Dynastart and marked SA322 B1 etc. (Sports Anzani 322cc Berkeley Chassis number 1).
After 163 of the SA322 cars had been manufactured, a change was made to the SE328 model with a 328 cc Excelsior engine offering 18 bhp (13 kW; 18 PS). The production run ran from Jan 1957 to April 1958 with chassis numbers from 164 to 1422, many being exported to the United States where it sold for approximately $1600 (equivalent to $13.5 thousand today). The manufacture touted the number 70, meaning it could reach 70 mph and had an average fuel economy of 70 mpg. The export model was differentiated by having separate headlamps whereas on the home market they were faired into the wings, although the export type lamps could be specified.
Early cars from Jan 1957 to about chassis number 476 in June 1957 still used a column gear change. During their production run a Deluxe model was offered which was bodily the same but featured polished wheel trims and spinners, tachometer and twin carburettors. The chassis plate was similar to the Anzani type on the early cars but was later changed to a printed type fitted to the bulkhead above the brake master cylinder. The printed type chassis plate had type ‘SE328’ printed on it. Most of these cars had the three-speed gearbox similar to the Anzani except for the mounting flanges. All of the cars had the sloping leading edges to the doors.
Motor magazine tested a 328 cc Berkeley in 1957 and found it to have a top speed of 62.1 mph (99.9 km/h) and acceleration from 0-50 mph (80 km/h) in 30.6 seconds. A fuel consumption of 58.3 miles per imperial gallon (4.85 L/100 km; 48.5 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £574 on the home market including taxes of £152 (equivalent to £12.5 thousand today).
The SE328 enjoyed considerable success and press exposure through their involvement with lightweight motor racing, and their famous drivers included Pat Moss who drove one in the 1958 Liège-Brescia-Liège rally for cars up to 500cc. The Berkeley team – a works-supported entry of six cars including BBC commentator Robin Richards – led as far as Slovenia, but slow climbing in summer heat found their weakness and Pat ended up being towed back to Italy by another Berkeley. None of the Berkeleys finished the event.
In late 1957 a new derivative model was introduced, using a 30 bhp (22 kW; 30 PS), Excelsior three-cylinder 492 cc engine with triple carburettors. This engine configuration was made possible by the vertically split crankcase of the Excelsior engine and modular crankshaft and barrels, which made adding a central cylinder relatively easy. A four speed gearbox was standardised. The top speed was now 80 mph (130 km/h). The production ran from October 1957 to March 1959 with chassis numbered 1 to 666. From about October 1958, in order to coincide with the introduction of the ‘Foursome’ (see below), they were renamed the ‘Twosome’. Also at the 1958 Motor Show a Fixed Head (or Hardtop) was announced and displayed that had external as well as the usual internal door handles, but there are no records that this body style actually reached production.
It is probable that cars pre chassis number 120 (approx), about April 1958, had similar bodies to the early Berkeley “Sports” cars. Cars from about April 1958 to the end of production had vertical front door edges and internal door hinges, as well as body moulding and a few mechanical changes. Early cars were fitted with the four speed TR gearbox whilst later cars had the larger and stronger VR gearbox.
The cars enjoyed some success 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.
Reliability, always questionable with the air-cooled two-strokes, became more of an issue with the extra heat generated by the triple, and there are many recorded reports of warranty claims. At one point the US authorities appear to have stopped a shipment of Berkeleys at the dock pending rectification of what they considered a serious design issue. There seems little doubt that profitability of the Berkeley programme was impacted as a result of these claims and the aggressive export drive to markets not familiar with the eccentricities of British sports motoring.
Announced in October 1958, this model was wider and longer than its forebears and differed structurally in that the rear swinging arms were lower and external to the body, and the spare wheel was mounted at the rear of the car. The type reference is supposed to be SE492/4 but one has the reference B.100. The chassis numbers are D1/1 to D1/19 but then again one example has D1/100, this particular car could be the prototype since it appears in publicity pictures.
The list price of the Foursome was £700 including Purchase Tax, with an additional £28 for the optional hardtop (equivalent to £14.7 thousand and £587 today).
The B95 and B105 models were launched at the 1959 Geneva Motor Show and boasted more power from twin-cylinder Royal Enfield 692 cc four-stroke engines, with the 40 bhp (30 kW; 41 PS) Super Meteor engine in the B95 and the 50 bhp (37 kW; 51 PS) Constellation unit in the B105 which could reputedly exceed the magic 100 mph (160 km/h). The engines featured Berkeley-design primary chain cases to accommodate a LucasBendix starter motor, an external Lucasdynamo mounted above the gearbox, and a duplex (or double-row) chain drive to the differential. Kerb weight increased to 402 kg (886 lb). B95 engine numbers have the unique prefix ‘SMTB’, while B105 engines are prefixed ‘SMUA’.
The prototype car was SE492 chassis number 638, which was modified to add bracing to withstand the extra power and weight of the four-stroke engine, a taller bonnet (US hood) with large grille to accommodate the engine, and unfaired headlights. In mid-February 1959 this car spent two weeks at the Royal Enfield factory, during which time it covered 500 miles of general road use and 1,000 mi (1,600 km) of endurance testing at MIRA.
By the time of the press release announcing the launch of the B95 in March 1959, a further 2,500 mi (4,000 km) of road and track tests had also been carried out by Berkeley factory drivers. Perhaps to address the reputation for breaking down that the two-strokes had developed, especially in export markets, it was emphasised by the factory that during this testing there had been no involuntary stops or any form of mechanical failure, and that further testing would be performed until a total of 15,000 mi (24,000 km) had been completed.
At its launch, the B95 cost £659 (equivalent to £13.8 thousand today). Chassis numbers followed on from the SE492 series, and chassis number 670 (the earliest known B95) was registered at the end of March 1959. The first B105, chassis number 686, was delivered about one month later. Series production continued to chassis number 835. A separate batch of about 12 cars (chassis numbers 850 to 861) appear to have been made for Mantles Garage in the summer of 1960, which utilised some chassis parts and the bucket seats of the T60.
About 178 B95 and B105 models were made in total, of which approximately 15 to 20 cars were sold to export markets.
In October 1959 the Q range was announced, with longer and wider bodies the same dimensions as the Foursome. The wheelbase went up from 70 inches (1,800 mm) to 78 inches (2,000 mm) and the track from 42 inches (1,100 mm) to 46 inches (1,200 mm). The Qs were four seaters (just), although the QB version dispensed with the rear seat to give extra luggage space. The only ‘official’ mention comes from the Autocar magazine’s Motor Show edition of October 1959, when it appears that Berkeley’s stand featured a red soft-top QB95 and a blue QB105 with a black hard-top. From this single reference it is assumed that Berkeley built at least two models of this series, although none are thought to have survived.
Surprisingly late-on in the British microcar boom of the 1950s, Berkeley’s only three-wheeler model was not introduced until September 1959. It was an instant success in the UK where three-wheelers could legally be driven on a motorcycle licence, so were suitable for a motorcyclist with family. Another advantage was that the purchase and road tax fees for three-wheelers cost considerably less than four-wheeled vehicles. Thus at its launch, the T60 only cost £400 (equivalent to £8.39 thousand today).
They were fitted with the 328cc Excelsior Talisman engine like the older SE328, and the four speed and reverse type VR gearbox, and were available as both soft and hardtops. The chassis plate, mounted on the bulkhead above the brake master cylinder, was the printed SE328 type but with ‘T60’ stamped in the chassis number block along with the chassis number. Chassis numbers run from 1 to approximately 1800. The first 600 cars (approximately) had a bench seat with an umbrella-type pull handbrake and aluminium reinforcement sections in the punt body section. Cars thereafter had steel punt chassis sections, bucket seats and a floor-mounted handbrake lever.
In their road test of October 1959, The Motor Cycle magazine described the car as “a fascinating, front-wheel-drive sports car which combines economy with liveliness and superb cornering.”
Drive was still to the front wheels through a four-speed gearbox, but a trailing arm replaced the swing axle independent suspension of the four-wheeled cars. The very last cars had a revised ‘unit’ front and rear suspension layout, presumably to stop the bridge over the differential from breaking and the rear damper top mount detaching itself from the car.
The T60/4 was produced from October 1960 and are mechanically and outwardly similar to the late T60. It was the same length and width as the standard T60, but differed in having extra room in the back for two seats, the additional space being created by a revised rear body moulding, thus creating proper seats in the back for two children. The rear bench seat was fastened to the car and the centre backrest had a bulge in it because of the revised rear wheel arch. The Car was available in both soft-top and hardtop forms. These cars used the revised front and rear suspension layouts used on the very late T60’s.
The T60/4 had its own series of chassis numbers, prefixed “T60.4” and followed by a serial number. About 50 were made.
Both variants of T60 were in production at the time the company was declared insolvent in December 1960.
The B65 was announced in September 1960 to compliment the T60, B95 and B105. They were bodily the same as late SE492, complete with the lower front right hand side bulge in the punt to accommodate the larger 492cc engine, but were fitted with the 328cc Excelsior engine. Although logically these cars should have run from chassis number 1422 to 1520, it seems more likely that chassis numbers ranged from 1500 to 1520. Very few of these cars are known to exist and the ones that do seem to suggest a production run of about 20 cars or less. The type reference marked on the chassis plate is B65.
For 1961 the intention was to move into the mainstream sportscar market with the Bandit designed by John Tojeiro. This was to be powered by the 997 cc Ford engine (as in the 105E Anglia) with Berkeley-designed MacPherson strut front and independent rear suspension. The car had a complex sheet steelchassis, braced by a GRP floor which was riveted to it, and boasted 8in diameter Girlingdisc brakes at the front. This made the design more conventional than earlier models, but still retaining a distinctive design and relatively light weight.
The cost of the development programme exacerbated the financial difficulties facing the company at the end of 1960, and despite active involvement in the project from Ford the Bandit failed to survive Berkeley’s insolvency. Only two prototypes were produced; the original Motor Show and press car registration number 700CNM, which has since been restored, and a second prototype car registered YRX292, which had a 1340cc Ford Classic engine. This car was sold in Dursley in 1966 and was last seen in Swindon in the late 1960s.
The car was to have sold for £798, equivalent to about £16 thousand today, which would have made it more expensive than the Mini and Austin-Healey Sprite.
Replicas
In the 1980s a new company was formed in Syston, Leicestershire, to restore Berkeley cars. By 1991 it was using the original moulds to make new body panels and in 1993 complete T60 cars were being made with a new ladder type chassis. A choice of engines was available, including Mini, Citroen 2CV and motorcycle units.
In the late 1980s, in Auckland, New Zealand, a few cars called the ‘Ibis Berkeley’ were made that paid homage to the Berkeley—but using Mini front and rear subframes and a fibreglass monocoque 6 inches wider. Sold as complete body units to accept Mini parts by Ian Byrd and Tim Monck-Mason, these were advanced little cars using carbon fibres and foam beams. This later became the WASP looking more like a scaled down Cobra.
BERKELEY CARS were produced between October 1956 and December 1960 by Berkeley Coachworks at their Hitchin Street, Biggleswade factory in Bedfordshire.
Designed by Laurie Bond of Minicar fame, the original Berkeley “Sports” introduced in 1956 was a lightweight two-seat sports car powered by a 322cc Anzani two-stroke twin producing 15 bhp. Initial difficulties with supply and performance resulted in a change in January 1957 to the Excelsior Talisman Twin two-stroke of 328cc, with a 20% increase in power to 18bhp.
The car was unique at the time of its launch in that it employed not only a transverse engine and front wheel drive, but a complete fibreglass monocoque hull reinforced locally by lightweight aluminium sections. Endowed with exceptional road holding by virtue of its all independant suspension and low centre of gravity, superb handling and braking, public demand, particularly from America resulted in a search for a more powerful engine. The Excelsior MotorCycle Company supplied the answer in the form of a 492cc three-cylinder version of the Talisman. With over 30 Bhp available to propel 6’12 cwt, performance now matched the looks of the car. The car could now cover the quarter mile in 22.4 seconds.
In an attempt to expand the appeal of the Berkeley a four-seat version, achieved by lengthening and widening the basic shell, was introduced and called the Foursome. Although powered by the same 492cc engine that was proving very popular, the Foursome failed to attract the buyers and only 17 were built. In terms of out and out performance the Royal Enfield powered B95 and B105 cars, introduced in 1959, were the best yet. Producing over 40 bhp (and 50 bhp for the B 105) and bags of torque, the twin cylinder four strokes could rocket the Berkeley to over 100 mph if the intrepid driver had the nerve. In October 1959 the rarest of the production cars were launched – the “Q” cars. These were Q and QB versions of the B95 and B 105. These larger bodied cars were commensurate with the 1958 Foursome bodies, The Q models were occasional four-seaters, the QB models were described as “roomy two-seaters” with extra luggage capacity.
Although around 2,500 four-wheeled Berkeley’s were produced by far the most well remembered, and now most common version, was the three-wheeled T60.Conceived as a basic model and employing the 328cc Talisman twin engine, the T60 was an overnight success and held great appeal for the ex-motorcyclist looking for car type transport powered by an engine/transmission he was familiar with. A 2+2 version the T60/4 was developed for the small family and was launched in September 1960.
Throughout their short career Berkeley’s built up an enviable reputation in the field of competition. On rallies, driving tests and full-blown racing circuits the little Berkeley’s defied all attempts by the handicappers to keep them from the front. Superb brakes, leech-like roadholding and chuckable handling ensured what they lost on the straights they rapidly made up on the corners. International recognition came from the string of successes achieved by Count “Johnny” Lurani’s team of 492 cc cars at Verona, Monza and in the Mille Miglia.
Financial pressure from unsympathetic banks, economic unease and credit restrictions were to combine to bring this once highly successful caravan concern to an end.
The Bandit, an altogether more conventional vehicle employing a steel chassis and a Ford Anglia engine but retaining all of Berkeley’s reputation for performance pointed the way for the future. Sadly it came too late to save the firm. Only two prototypes were produced of a car which, given a little time and development, could have assured continuing success for Berkeley cars.
References
Jump up^‘The Berkeley – a moulded miniature’ Autocar September 14, 1956
Jump up^‘The Berkeley Car’ The Motor, Sept 12th 1956
Jump up^“50’s Superbomb!” Sporting Cars February 1983
Jump up^Wotherspoon, Nick (1993). ‘Lawrie Bond – the man and the marque. Oxford: Bookmarque. ISBN1-870519-16-7.
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In an attempt to expand the appeal of the Berkeley a four-seat version, achieved by lengthening and widening the basic shell, was introduced and called the Foursome. Although powered by the same 492cc engine that was proving very popular, the Foursome failed to attract the buyers and only 17 were built.
In terms of out and out performance the Royal Enfield powered B95 and B105 cars, introduced in 1959, were the best yet. Producing over 40 bhp (and 50 bhp for the B 105) and bags of torque, the twin cylinder four strokes could rocket the Berkeley to over 100 mph if the intrepid driver had the nerve. In October 1959 the rarest of the production cars were launched – the “Q” cars. These were Q and QB versions of the B95 and B 105. These larger bodied cars were commensurate with the 1958 Foursome bodies, The Q models were occasional four-seaters, the QB models were described as “roomy two-seaters” with extra luggage capacity.
Conceived as a basic model and employing the 328cc Talisman twin engine, the T60 was an overnight success and held great appeal for the ex-motorcyclist looking for car type transport powered by an engine/transmission he was familiar with. A 2+2 version the T60/4 was developed for the small family and was launched in September 1960.
The Bandit, an altogether more conventional vehicle employing a steel chassis and a Ford Anglia engine but retaining all of Berkeley’s reputation for performance pointed the way for the future. Sadly it came too late to save the firm. Only two prototypes were produced of a car which, given a little time and development, could have assured continuing success for Berkeley cars.
Myn Transport Blog 