| Peel P50 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Peel Engineering Company and Peel Engineering Ltd. (UK-based) |
| Production | 1962–1965[1] 2010–present (EV) 2011–present (Petrol) |
| Assembly | Peel, Isle of Man (1962–1965) Sutton-in-Ashfield, England (2010–present) |
| Designer | Cyril Cannell |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Microcar |
| Body style | 1-door coupé |
| Layout | Side engine, rear wheel drive[2] |
| Related | Peel Trident, Peel Viking Sport, Peel Manxcar |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission |
|
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Peel Manxcar |
| Successor | Peel Trident |
The Peel P50 is a three-wheeled microcar originally made from 1962 to 1965 by the Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man, and then from 2010 to present. It was listed in the 2010 Guinness World Records as the smallest production car ever made.[4] The original model has no reverse gear, but a handle at the rear allows the very lightweight car to be maneuvered physically when required.
Designed as a city car, it was advertised in the 1960s as capable of seating "one adult and a shopping bag." The vehicle's only door was on its left side and equipment included a single windscreen wiper and one headlight. Standard colours were Daytona White, Dragon Red, and Dark Blue. The 1963 model retailed for £199 when new (about £4433 in 2021). The company produced 50 P50s, of which 27 are known to still exist, one of which was sold for a record US$176,000 at a Sotheby's auction in March 2016.[5]
In 2010 Peel Engineering Ltd. in England reinstated manufacturing of the P50 and Trident models from its premises in Sutton-in-Ashfield, England.[6] Externally this car is very similar to the original, with the same dimensions and kerb weight as the original, but with mechanical differences in the suspension, steering, and drive-train, and a fully functioning reverse gear, ensuring they are road-legal under today's rules. Production included petrol models with a 49 cc four-stroke engine and electric models with an electric moped motor and gelled-electrolyte batteries. The top speed of both cars is about 28 mph (45 km/h).
- ^ "BBC Isle of Man - History - The small car with the big reputation". Douglas, Isle of Man: BBC Isle of Man. 20 March 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
- ^ "The World's Smallest Production Car - The Peel P50". Vince's Worthwhile Website. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
- ^ "1964 Peel P50". www.audrainautomuseum.org.
- ^ Craig Glenday, ed. (2009). Guinness World Records 2010 (56 ed.). Guinness World Records Limited. p. 162. ISBN 978-1904994497.
- ^ "Peel P50: Tiny car that sold for big bucks". www.driven.co.nz. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Sutton-in-Ashfield firm wins order for new microcars". BBC News. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2017.