Description

The Berkeley Foursome was a rare and unique variant in the lineup of microcars produced by Berkeley Cars in the late 1950s. Introduced in 1958, it was the company’s only attempt at creating a four-seater model, aiming to expand its appeal beyond the traditional two-seat sports car market.

Built on an extended version of the monocoque fiberglass chassis used in other Berkeley models, the Foursome maintained the lightweight construction that defined the brand, yet it offered increased interior space to accommodate two small rear seats. While still compact by most standards, the added practicality of four seats set it apart from the company’s other offerings.

Under the bonnet, the Foursome was typically powered by a 328cc Excelsior twin-cylinder two-stroke engine, delivering around 18 horsepower. Like its siblings, it used front-wheel drive and a motorcycle-style sequential gearbox, with either three or four speeds depending on the configuration. Performance was modest, but adequate for city driving and short trips, especially given the car’s low weight and nimble handling.

Stylistically, the Foursome retained the rounded, minimalist Berkeley design, with small chrome accents, a wide grille, and compact dimensions. The added length needed to accommodate the rear seats slightly altered the proportions compared to the two-seater models, but it remained sleek and low to the ground.

Only a small number of Berkeley Foursome cars were ever produced, making them quite rare today. While it wasn’t a commercial success, the Foursome is notable for its ambition—it was one of the earliest attempts to combine sports car styling with four-seat practicality in the microcar segment. Enthusiasts today value it for its uniqueness, rarity, and the clever engineering it represents from a short but innovative period in British motoring history.