The P50 is a mini car produced by Peel Engineering, a British company, during the 1960s. Measuring 137 cm in length, 99 cm in width, and weighing 59 kg, it was listed in the Guinness World Records in 2010 as the “smallest car ever produced.”
The design of the P50 (Peel P50) is very simple, featuring a single door, a single seat, a single-cylinder engine, no trunk, and no reverse gear. However, it does come with a handle at the back, allowing the driver to step out and manually move it backward. Notably, this smallest car in history employs a three-wheeled design with two front wheels and one rear wheel, making it a precursor to three-wheeled vehicles.
By the early 2010s, the brand was revived under the new name Pendine Motors. The Peel P50 was also revived, now slightly renamed as the P.50, offering users the choice of gasoline or electric powertrains. Even more conveniently, users can receive their vehicle delivery from anywhere in the world and assemble it themselves.
Peel Engineering, the company that produced the P50, was founded by Cyrus Lyndon-Peel and Henry Kissack in 1965 on the Isle of Man, UK. In addition to producing the Peel P50, the company also manufactured another three-wheeled vehicle, the Peel Trident. Due to its small production scale, the company ceased operations in the mid-1960s.
The P50 and Trident were popular at the time due to their unique appearance, compact size, lightweight, and fuel efficiency, making them practical for short trips and urban commuting. Due to their limited production, these existing vehicles have become rare collectibles.
The P50 is a vehicle designed specifically for urban environments. Advertisements from the early 1960s described the car as only being able to accommodate “one adult and one shopping bag,” fully reflecting its convenience.
The only door of the P50 is located on the left side, equipped with a windshield wiper, headlights, and two turn signals. The P50’s length is 137 cm, width is 99 cm, and weight is 59 kg. The body comes in three color options: white, dragon red, and dark blue. It features a 3-speed manual transmission, with no reverse gear, as the vehicle has a very small turning radius and can be moved manually, hence the handle at the back. The engine is a very small DKW automotive engine, single-cylinder, with a displacement of 49cc, a maximum speed of around 60 km/h, and a fuel consumption of 2.8 liters per 100 km. DKW is a German brand and a precursor to the later Audi brand.
The car was sold for £199 in 1963 (equivalent to approximately 142 million VND based on the exchange rate in 2023). A total of 47 units were produced, with only 27 still in existence today. At a Sotheby’s auction in March 2016, a 1964 Peel P50 with the registration number ARX 37B sold for $120,000 (£80,000). The high value of this P50 is attributed to its historical story, including a period when it was used as an advertising vehicle to ascend the Blackpool Tower. Classic car experts also note that it may be one of the earliest models due to its unique specifications. Additionally, a preserved prototype of the Peel P55 exists, which, unlike the P50, features a three-wheeled design with one front wheel and two rear wheels.
In 2010, Peel Engineering Ltd. in Sutton-in-Ashfield, UK, began reproducing two classic models: the P50 and Triton. Besides the exterior design, the vehicles are similar to the original versions, including the suspension, steering, and drivetrain systems. Modern performance enhancements have been made, and of course, these new models come equipped with a complete rearview camera function. The new version of the car is available in two variants: a gasoline version equipped with a 49cc 4-stroke engine and an electric version featuring an electric motor and gel battery.
Both new and old P50 and Trident models are legally roadworthy in Europe, the United States, and other countries. However, they are now classified as “three-wheeled vehicles,” and new models are also exported to countries like Finland and classified as motorcycles.
The Peel P.50 has an assembly version priced at $12,700, featuring an electric motor with a power output of… 2.68 horsepower and a battery that allows the vehicle to travel 80 km on a full charge. Like its predecessor, the Peel P.50 meets public operating standards. If desired, users can even order a “turbo” version of the Peel P.50 with an electric motor nearly three times more powerful at 7.76 horsepower. The maximum speed of this version increases from 50 to 80 km/h. The assembly process for the Peel P.50 at home is claimed to be quite simple, requiring only common tools. For those who prefer not to exert effort, a ready-to-assemble version is available, but the price increases to $17,000. Engine versions range from 49 to 125 cc in capacity; however, the manufacturer recommends that users only use the lower capacity version to register the vehicle as a three-wheeled motorcycle. |
