Peel P50
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Automobilhersteller : |
Peel |
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Modell: |
P50 |
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Jahr: |
1962-1965 |
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Art: |
Micro |
The Peel P50 is a three-wheeled microcar originally manufactured from 1962 to 1965 by the Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man. It was listed in the 2010 Guinness Book of Records as the smallest production car ever made. It had no reverse gear but a handle at the rear allows the very lightweight car to be physically manoeuvred 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.
At 54 in (1,372 mm) long and 39 in (991 mm) wide and with an unloaded weight of 59 kilograms (130 lb), the P50 holds the record as the smallest car ever to go into production.
The P50 used a 49 cc (3.0 cu in) DKW engine which gave it a top speed of approximately 60 km/h (37 mph), and was equipped with a three-speed manual transmission that had no reverse gear. 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.
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 £199 each.
