Peel P50

Infobox Automobile


name = Peel P50
manufacturer = Peel Engineering Company
assembly=Isle of Man
production = 1963-64
50 produced [http://www.bbc.co.uk/isleofman/content/articles/2007/11/01/peel_p50_feature.shtml The small car with the big reputation] ]
class = Microcar
body_style = One-door coupe
layout = side engine, rear wheel drive [http://www.vincelewis.net/smallcar.html World's Smallest Car] ]
engine = DKW 49 cc, 4.2 hp, fan-cooled (convert|61|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on top speed)
transmission = 3-speed manual, no reverse
length = convert|134|cm|in|1|abbr=on
width = convert|99|cm|in|1|abbr=on
height = convert|120|cm|in|1|abbr=on
weight = convert|59|kg|lb|0|abbr=on
wheelbase = convert|1270|mm|in|1|abbr=on
successor =
designer = Cyril Cannell
related = Peel Trident

The Peel P50 was a three-wheeled microcar manufactured in 1963 and 1964 by the Manx Peel Engineering Company. It retailed for £199 when new and currently holds the record for the smallest-ever automobile to go into production. It was designed as a city car and 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 Capri Blue. The prototype for this model was referred to as the Peel P55 Saloon Scooter having one front wheel and 2 rear wheels - the opposite way round from the production Peel P50.

tatistics

At just convert|134|cm|in|1|abbr=on long and convert|99|cm|in|1|abbr=on wide, with a weight of only convert|59|kg|lb|0|abbr=on, the car holds the record as the smallest ever automobile to go into production.

The P50 used a convert|49|cc|CID|1|abbr=on DKW engine which gave it a top speed of approximately 61 km/h (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 claimed it was capable of an impressive 100 UK MPG (2.8L/100km, 83 US MPG). Despite its diminutive stature, the Peel P50 is street-legal in the UK. Some of the cars have been exported to other countries outside the UK, [ [http://www.rumcars.org/c-p50.html Peel P50 at Rumcars] ] although it might not be street-legal in these countries.

Availability

The original production run of about 50 cars were sold at retail for just under £200. As only about twenty Peel P50s survive, originals now command prices in the region of £35,000 to £50,000. However, reproductions produced by Andy Carter, Nottingham, UK sell for about £10,000. [ [http://www.coventrybikers.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=30457 Peel P50 replica construction] ]

"Top Gear" feature

On October 28, 2007, the car was featured in a humorous segment on the popular BBC motoring programme "Top Gear" on BBC Two, during which the 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) presenter Jeremy Clarkson was seen shoehorning himself into the car and driving through central London to work and through hallways of the BBC's offices. During the segment, Clarkson incorrectly stated that the tiny P50 was subject to the London congestion charge, unlike the much larger Lexus RX vehicle used as a camera platform, which qualifies for exemption from the charge on the grounds of its petrol-electric hybrid powerplant. [cite news |url=http://www.auto-it.co.uk/2007/10/small-and-perfectly-formed.html |title=Small and perfectly formed |publisher=Auto-it.co.uk |accessdate=2008-04-28] In fact the P50 also qualifies for exemption, under a provision allowing three-wheeled vehicles of less than convert|100|cm|in|1|abbr=on width and convert|200|cm|in|1|abbr=on length to enter the Congestion Charge Zone without charge. He also mentioned that the car would have been the best car ever made, had it only had a reverse gear. [cite news |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/CC-discount-motor-tricycles.pdf |title=100% Discount for Motortricycles |publisher=Transport for London |accessdate=2008-01-08]

ee also

*Peel Trident

References

External links

* [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andy.carter/ Peel Microcars] Peel microcars history and pictures.
* [http://www.peel-cars-p50.co.uk/ Peel Cars] photographs of 20+ Peel Cars at a rally in their hometown of Peel, Isle of Man.

* [http://www.microcarmuseum.com/video/p50.html Peel P50 Factory Movie]
* [http://home.clara.net/peterfrost/peel.html Peel] A little about the car and company.
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=patvUFyIa1I Jeremy Clarkson reviews the P50 on "Top Gear"]