Berkeley edition

[GreyGray]

Hiya,

I'm viewing a Berkeley next week and want some advice on identifying it as a genuine edition. I will of course check the chassis number sequence but were they issued with a certificate of authenticity when sold? Do they have a "xx of 400" plate anywhere? Thought I'd check.

Thanks
G

[MX-5 Lazza]

My first MX5 was a Berkeley. I bought it new in 98. They should all be 98 R reg.
Yes there should be a plate somewhere with xxx of 400. Mine was 181 of 400.
It should also have a Mono leather non-airbag steering wheel, grey & black leather seats with matching door panels, chrome rear brace bar, stainless scuff plates, colour matched front & rear mud flaps and a chrome boot rack. It also came with a black & grey key fob but I wouldn't be surprised if this is dead by now. Mine was after 5 years.
It's a UK only edition based on the base 1.8 so no electric windows unless its been refitted but should have power steering.

[miniman]

Lazza is on the money. Post up the reg - I had 2 Berkleys, it could be one of them!

ID plate is where the electric window switches would be. Lovely Momo wheel.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Berkeley also had a set of unique (I think) 15" alloys but these were heavy and fairly soft so it wouldn't be a surprise and no big loss if these have been replaced. I fitted a set of 15" OZ Superlegerra myself and just put the standard wheels back on when I sold it.

Poor picture with the original wheels:


Newer picture with the OZ wheels:

[miniman]

MX-5 by binaryimage, on Flickr

[FELIX_5]

Lovely edition this, the colour seems to be a bit marmite and divides opinion, but personally i love it! It was also the last of the mk1's being registered / produced in 1998.

[GreyGray]

Thanks for the replies, useful as ever.

The alloys have indeed been replaced by a set of gunmetal Wolfrace alloys. I'm not really a fan of them, but they'll do in the meantime. The superleggeras look really good! Food for thought... If they were unique to the model as you suspect, with only 400 models originals are unlikely to be found. Never mind. It's going to be a daily anyway and not a show queen.

I'll wait to see the colour with my own eyes but I quite like it!

Lovely pics btw. Where were they taken? Lakes?

Edited by GreyGray on Monday 6th October 13:03

[MX-5 Lazza]

Mine were both taken up in Scotland. 1st in 2001 somewhere around Applecross (I think) and the 2nd at Loch Etive at the very end of the Glen Etive road from A82 near Glen Coe/Ranoch Moor. Fantastic scenery around there and great roads

[Mattlan]

bit late but perhaps this can help?

UK special edition register :

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/Downloads/Download.aspx?fil...

[GreyGray]

Mattlan said:

bit late but perhaps this can help?

UK special edition register :

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/Downloads/Download.aspx?fil...

Would this link tell me the issue number (xxx of 400) of the exact car by registration? I've bought the car and I'm satisfied that it's genuine, but the plaque is missing. I'd like to get a replica made up and inserted with the correct issue number. I can't view the link above without paying for subscription.

Picking it up next weekend! Very excited!

Any help appreciated.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Mazda should be able to tell you.

[GreyGray]

Got it. Drove it. Love it!

Very different to what it's replacing - a 2009 Astra 1.9cdti. And I managed to find, in a bag in the boot, it's number plaque. I am the happy owner of Berkeley 399/400. I've also got a set of the original alloys and a hardtop in the correct Sparkle Green on the way from eBay.

How "last of the mk1's" were these Berkeleys? I'd love to know if mine, being 399/400 was one of the last made.

Due to work commitments over the next few weekends any drives will be tedious and short, but hoping to get out and about a bit more after that. Weather permitting...

[VladD]

399 of 400 is very cool. Probably one of the last mk1s. Again, if you ask Mazda and give them the VIN, they could probably tell you.

[MX-5 Lazza]

As above, the VIN will tell you. My Berkeley was one of the first sold, bought in Feb 98 (they were supposed to be available from March) but was 181 of 400 so don't read much into that number. 399 of 400 is pretty cool though

[MX-5 Lazza]

Forgot I had this...

[griffhnter]

My son's fiancé owns the 400th of 400 Berkley. I don't think the VIN numbers were sequential or in line with the Berkeley numbers.

[GreyGray]

As Lazza said, still pretty cool though! If he's ever in the North West, it'd be good fun to get some pics of them together. If he'd be at all interested in that sort of thing...

[berkatheberkeley]

I have number 396 a bit late (6 years) but thought I’d say!