Peel P50
Peel P50 | |
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rear wheel drive[2] | |
Related | Peel Trident, Peel Viking Sport, Peel Manxcar |
Powertrain | |
Engine |
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Transmission |
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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The Peel P50 is a three-wheeled microcar originally made from 1962 to 1965 by the Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man, and then from 2011 to present.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
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).
Statistics
At 54 in (137 cm) long and 39 in (99 cm) wide
1962–1966
The original P50 used a 3 cu in (49.2 cc) DKW single-cylinder engine, which gave it a top speed of approximately 37 mph (60 km/h), and was equipped with a three-speed manual transmission that had no reverse.[3] Consequently, turning in a confined area could be achieved only by pushing, or lifting the car using the handle on the rear and physically pulling it round. The makers and users claim fuel consumption of 100 mpg‑imp (2.8 L/100 km; 83 mpg‑US).
In 1963, as a publicity stunt, a Peel P50 was taken to the top of Blackpool Tower in the lift and driven around the observation balcony.[8]
At least one prototype, the Peel P55 Saloon Scooter, has also survived. Unlike the production Peel P50 (along with all developments and replicas thereof), this prototype used the less stable layout of a single wheel at the front and two at the back.
Approximately 47 Peel P50s were sold at £299 each.
On 15 February 2013 at the Bruce Weiner RM Auction a genuine 1964 Peel P50 (Registration number ARX 37B) achieved in excess of US$120,000 (£80,000).
Since 2011
In 2011 businessmen Gary Hillman and Faizal Khan went to the
In 2018 it was reported that Peel Engineering sells around fifteen P50s annually, plus ten or so continuations of its bigger sister, the two-seat bubblecar Peel Trident.[9] The conventional piston engined P50 is more requested in the UK, priced at £14,879 – whereas greater demand for the Peel comes from the US, where the electric model (at £13,679) helps owners to comply with emissions regulations.
Legal status
The original Peel P50 has always been road-legal in the UK, though the many replica versions are classed as
See also
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "1964 Peel P50". www.audrainautomuseum.org.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Top Gear. "Tiny A-Peel". Series 10 Episode 3. London: BBC Worldwide. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
- ^ Currie, Bob (23 May 1963). "Fresh air and fun". Motor Cycle. 110 (3128). Iliffe Specialist Publications: 622.
- ^ New Peel P50L a drive in the world's smallest car Autocar, 2019-03-13
- ^ "PEEL P50". Register of Unusual Microcars. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
- ^ "Maailman pienin auto - Pirteä Peel P50" (in Finnish). Archived from " the original on 30 March 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
External links
- Peel Engineering Ltd.
- P50CARS.com order form
- Peel P50 Factory Movie
- Peel Cars – photos from the 2005 reunion in Peel of cars from all round the world
- Peel Owner's Club
- Alex Orchin: The UK in the world's smallest car