THE BRUCE WEINER MICROCAR COLLECTION
Bruce Weiner, by his own admission, already had an interesting but unfocussed collection of motor cars when he unexpectedly became smitten by a BMW Isetta. This fascination with "bubble-car" design and technology led to the rapid acquisition of a Messerschmitt - and thereafter the interest became almost an obsession which motivated a search for more examples resulting in the exceptionally large and varied collection of microcars described here.
Virtually each microcar, when found, was subjected to a full restoration. Whilst modern technology was exploited to ensure the highest standards, great care was taken to preserve originality and to avoid flambuoyant "over-restoration". Thus the best practices in panel-beating and welding were followed during structural repairs, and each restored shell was preserved for posterity by chemically cleaning it before refinishing with modern paints. As a result a better standard of finish than the original has been achieved and the subsequent longevity of each car much enhanced. Careful reassembly using authentic materials, bespoke trim and upholstery has ensured an exceptional result in each instance. These restorations were undertaken by a small team, steeped in the concours restoration of British sports cars.
Today, the collection includes the well known models like the Isetta and the Messerschmitt but has also embraced many much rarer examples such as the very rare and exotic British (Brutsch) Rollers, a barely used Goggomobile coupe, a Tiger, T-60 Berkeley and Bond Bug - a truly exhaustive collection.
The microcars have been kept in roadworthy condition and regularly driven by their owner. That they all appear for sale together undoubtedly constitutes a unique event in microcar history and one which is unlikely to be repeated on the same scale in the future.
The collection also contains a fascinating number of model microcars, collected by Mr Weiner with equal enthusiasm and delight. These models cover examples of all types of microcars and are as equally coveted as their road going cousins.
The complete collection of cars and models is offered for sale "Without Reserve".
1959 BERKELEY SPORTS TWOSOME (TYPE SE 492)
Details
1959 BERKELEY SPORTS TWOSOME (TYPE SE 492)
Chassis No.311
Red with black interior.
Engine. Villiers three cylinder, two stroke, 492cc; Gearbox: four speed and reverse; Suspension: front coil and wishbone, rear swing arm; Brakes: hydraulic drums all round. Left hand drive.
Laurie Bond, the designer responsible for the Beverley, had a strong affection for front wheel drive microcars - hence the engaging two seat sports car of three piece glass-fibre varity construction. It was not long before customers asked for greater power and this arrived in the form of the B-90; this has a 49cc three cylinder engine and the 90 designation referred to the top speed. Two and four seat versions were available.
This 1959 example was owned by a keen Berkeley enthusiast in the USA before being purchased for the Weiner collection. Unrestored but nonetheless complete it was a non runner but, having had clutch repairs, now runs. Exciting to drive when fully restored, these much loved sports cars are still popular and have a loyal following. This one has a Kansas, USA title document and is known to the UK Berkeley Register.
Chassis No.311
Red with black interior.
Engine. Villiers three cylinder, two stroke, 492cc; Gearbox: four speed and reverse; Suspension: front coil and wishbone, rear swing arm; Brakes: hydraulic drums all round. Left hand drive.
Laurie Bond, the designer responsible for the Beverley, had a strong affection for front wheel drive microcars - hence the engaging two seat sports car of three piece glass-fibre varity construction. It was not long before customers asked for greater power and this arrived in the form of the B-90; this has a 49cc three cylinder engine and the 90 designation referred to the top speed. Two and four seat versions were available.
This 1959 example was owned by a keen Berkeley enthusiast in the USA before being purchased for the Weiner collection. Unrestored but nonetheless complete it was a non runner but, having had clutch repairs, now runs. Exciting to drive when fully restored, these much loved sports cars are still popular and have a loyal following. This one has a Kansas, USA title document and is known to the UK Berkeley Register.