Peel P50
| Peel P50 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The Peel P50 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Peel Engineering Company |
| Production | 1963-64 (50 produced)[1] |
| Assembly | Isle of Man |
| Designer | Cyril Cannell |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Microcar |
| Body style | One-door coupe |
| Layout | side engine, rear wheel drive[2] |
| Related | Peel Trident |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | DKW 49 cc, 4.2 hp, fan-cooled (61 km/h (38 mph) top speed) |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual, no reverse[1] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1,270 mm (50.0 in) |
| Length | 134 cm (52.8 in) |
| Width | 99 cm (39.0 in) |
| Height | 120 cm (47.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 59 kg (130 lb) |
The Peel P50 is a three-wheeled microcar manufactured in 1962 and 1965 by the Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man. It retailed for £199 when new, and currently holds the record for the smallest-ever automobile to go into production.[1]
Designed as a city car, it was advertised 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 only one headlight. Standard colours were Daytona White, Dragon Red and Dark Blue.
Statistics
At 54 in (1,372 mm) long and 41 in (1,041 mm) wide[3] and with an unladen weight of 59 kilograms (130 lb), the P50 holds the record as the smallest ever to go into production.[3]
The P50 used a 49 cc (3.0 cu in) DKW engine which gave it a top speed of approximately 61 kilometres per hour (38 mph), and was equipped with a three-speed manual transmission that had no reverse gear. Consequently, turning in a confined area could only be achieved 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).[1]
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 50 Peel P50s were sold at £199 each.[1]
Legal status
The Peel P50 was and is road-legal in the UK, being in the "three-wheeler" category, less than 8 long cwt (900 lb; 410 kg). Cars were exported to other countries,[4] sometimes being classified as a moped, e.g. the P50 that went to Finland.[5]
Appearances in the media
On 28 October 2007, the P50 was featured in a segment of the BBC motoring programme Top Gear on BBC Two, during which the presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, entered the car and drove through central London to work. Clarkson, who is 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) tall, demonstrated that it was possible, although difficult, for tall people to get into the P50. Upon arriving at the BBC, he drove past the car parks, between bollards, to the front of the building, after which he pulled the P50 behind him to his office. He then drove the P50 through the corridors of the office building and used a standard passenger lift to get to a meeting, which he attended inside the P50. At the end of the meeting Clarkson drove out of the building and stated that, if the car had a reverse gear, it would be the "ultimate in personal mobility".[3]
On 16 August 2010 two entrepreneurs who had bought the remains of the Peel company appeared on Dragon's Den with a P50 to demonstrate to the Dragons. The pair eventually received an investment from James Caan.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "BBC Isle of Man - History - The small car with the big reputation". Douglas, Isle of Man: BBC Isle of Man. 20 March 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- ^ "The World's Smallest Production Car - The Peel P50". Vince's Worthwhile Website. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- ^ a b c Top Gear. "Tiny A-Peel". Series 10 Episode 3. London: BBC Worldwide. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- ^ "PEEL P50". Register of Unusual Microcars. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- ^ "Maailman pienin auto - Pirteä Peel P50" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2009-04-11.
Ripley's Believe it or Not 2009 Edition, Ripley's Books (2009)
External links
- YouTube video Road-tests, many details and original footage. High quality production, 5.5 minutes.
- Peel Microcars Peel microcars history and pictures.
- Peel P50 Factory Movie
- Peel A little about the car and company.