PEEL P50
The Peel range of 3-wheelers first appeared in 1962 at the London Motor Show. The Peel P50, was produced by Peel Engineering Company who were manufacturers of fibreglass fairings and boats at Peel on the Isle of Man. At just 53 inches (1.34m) long and 39 inches (99cm) wide the Peel 50 is currently the smallest 3-wheeler ever produced. With a top speed of 38mph and powered by a 49cc DKW engine it was designed purely as a single seat town car to carry one adult and a shopping bag.

The Peel 50 had no reverse gear, but at just 59kg (132lb) it was light enough to park manually using the handle provided at the rear of the vehicle.

Peel also produced a two seater 3-wheeler called the Peel Trident which also featured a clear "bubble top". Approximately 100 of each model were produced until the company ceased manufacture in 1965.
Built on the Isle of Man in 1963 by the Peel Engineering Company.

49cc engine
3 wheels
Single seat


Not as high as half a stable door, the P50 is easily dwarfed by a penny farthing bicycle!
Peel Engineering Company made less than a hundred of their P.50 model (shown here) in 1963-64, following on from a prototype that was actually both shorter and narrower, and with the single wheel at the front. That prototype was never completed to the stage of being driveable, but it nevertheless survives and is included on the Register of Unusual Microcars, appearing at the National Microcar Rally in September 2000. Production P.50 cars were all similar to the one pictured, though subtle variations did appear during the production run. Despite the minimal dimensions (4ft 5ins long, 3ft 3ins wide, 3ft10ins high), the Peel was a real car, intended for road use. Chassis were constructed of welded tubular steel, with bodies of glass reinforced plastic. Standard colours were Daytona White, Dragon Red, and Capri Blue.

The standard Peel P.50 power unit was a 49cc Zweirad Union (part of the German DKW combine) two stroke moped engine. The gearbox provided three forward speeds, with reverse travel being accomplished by lifting the car with the chromed handle provided at the back, and manhandling as necessary - an easy single handed job with a car so small. Wheels were a mere five inches in diameter, fitted with Avon Kart tyres.

A single seat, constructed in hammock form over a steel tubular frame, occupied most of the interior space. The foot controls were of normal car type, and a hand lever was provided to start the engine, with gear selection via a quadrant mounted lever on the steering column. Instrumentation was non-existent, with even the speedometer being considered unnecessary on such a small vehicle.

Peel P.50 cars have been exported to other countries during recent years, but most of the survivors have RUMCars registration.

▼세상에서 가장 작은 차, 들고 다니는 차, 필 P50▼
미니나 스마트 등은 세계적으로 유명한 경차 브랜드다. 최근엔 국내에서도 이 브랜드들의 차를 쉽게 볼 수 있다. 언뜻 생각하면 세계 최소형 차가 바로 미니나 스마트일 것 같지만 세계 기네스 기록의 공식 자료에 따르면 세계에서 가장 작은 차는 필 P50이다.



1962년형 필 P50

필 P50은 길이×너비×높이가 1,340×990×1,340mm로 1962년부터 3년동안 영국의 필엔지니어링사가 생산했다. 무게는 59kg의 초경량인 1인승 차로 배기량은 49cc이며 최고시속은 64km였다. 이 차는 그러나 많이 팔리지는 못했다. 소음이 심한 데다 기어가 3단으로 앞으로 갈 수는 있지만 후진을 할 수 없었기 때문이다. 만약 뒤로 가야 할 경우엔 운전자가 차에서 내려 차체를 들어올린 후 방향을 바꿔야 했다.



Peel