Berkeley Bandit: Sportscar that never was returns with a biobased twist

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In the United Kingdom, a short-lived sportscar whose cost of design was the death knell for its maker more than 60 years ago is being resurrected as an electric vehicle with renewable components.

According to the Robb Report, minor automaker Berkeley Cars had expected the Bandit to turn it into a household sportscar name, but the company went broke in 1960 before it could put it into production.  Although only two prototypes of the Bandit were ever produced, many motorheads saw the roadster as “ahead of its time.”

The newly launched Berkeley Bandit will be “heavily influenced” by the original roadster and will also be available with an internal combustion engine. Both models will feature a chassis that replaces carbon fiber with fax as well as “sticky tree resins.”

“Our continuing investment into forward-thinking technology matches the desire and purpose of the original Berkeley Coachworks brand and we aim to deliver a fresh, forward-thinking and purposeful approach to iconic sportscar design and the unique driving experience the Berkeley Bandit delivers,” the automaker’s managing director Simon Scleater said in a statement.

Sixty Bandits will be built, with prices ranging from $50,000 to $75,000.