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HistoryYou are in: Isle of Man > History > The small car with the big reputation  The small car with the big reputationPeel's best known car, the P50, is recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records as the smallest road-legal car ever produced. P50 FactfileManufacturer - Peel Engineering Company Peel Engineering Ltd was established in the 1950's and was best known for the production of the P50 and Trident motorcars.  The Peel 50 The P50 still holds the record for being the smallest production car in the world. At the peak of production Peel Engineering employed 40 people. The company started off engineering fibreglass motorcycle fairings before moving into motor parts and boat hulls. The P50 was designed and built by Cyril Cannell and Henry Kissack, and launched at the 1962 Earls Court Motorcycle show. The car with its welded tubular steel chassis was the first to be manufactured on the island. A Zweiral Union single cylinder 49 cc engine powered the vehicle and the car had a three speed forward gearbox.  How many cars can do this! To reverse you would have to get out and turn the car yourself with a chrome handle on the rear. Its lightweight fibreglass body made it light enough for this to be an easy task. The P50 had the maximum speed of 40 MPH and was capable of 100 MPG. As the car is a three-wheeler, has an engine under 1000 cc and weighs less than 8 cwt, it is technically classed as a motorcycle, so no speedometer was fitted. The overall dimensions are, 4’4” long, 3’3” wide and 3’10” high. In 1963 the car retailed at £199.00 compared to around £250 for a good motorbike. With only 100 coming off the production line, they are worth a lot more today. The P50 was available in Daytona White, Dragon Red, Capri Blue and Sunshine Yellow.  What a line up Current owners tell of a number of variations to each individual vehicle, emphasising the hand built nature of the production line. P50s were sent to all parts of the world, including America. On its American test run the Bureau of Transportation Inspector rolled the car down an embankment, but as he escaped without a scratch, he passed the car as suitable for use immediately. The P50 shone in a variety of tests including a 15 mile road test in London, where it completed the route a full 30 minutes ahead of a saloon car of the day. A recent Top Gear episode showed how the car is just as effective today.  On the Steam Packet In 1965 the P50 was developed a stage further with the arrival of the Trident. The Trident with its distinctive bubble canopy was produced in four variations, single-seater, and two-seater, automatic and electric. To this day the Trident is still one of the most distinctive cars ever to take to the roads and proved very popular with young couples. Only two P50s remain on the island, one is privately owned and the second is on display at The Peel Transport Museum. In 2004 The Peel Transport Museum became aware of a 1962 P50 being sold in Cheshire. With generous help from The Manx Heritage Foundation, The Public Lottery Trustees, a great deal of fundraising and several anonymous donations they managed to raise the £10,500 needed to bring it home.  The P50, back in Peel It has been lovingly restored to its former glory and can be viewed in Peel. last updated: 20/03/2008 at 15:23 Have Your Saypixie DYLAN robbie cambell Scooby-Natz Jack Ian Guthrie ya miles pengwin Michael John Toy Dudley Angustown YATESY kev gorge murphy Jack Wilson jonathan miller dave Clanner what Hollabaloo Big Birr MONKEY Jordan Verlenich K8 Rickie D. Cook Jon Devon ben murray Benita. St Ninians Ollie and Ella Moreton Caitlin Bradley from St. Ninians Chris Main Daniel Jonas Alex mrtoybox.co.uk kieran cross tim amber james i Dominic Eyre grant henderson kelly Steve babigoldevil podge Alan james jazzod daniel bob kiwi kiwi michael DAZA theluucky iuliana baltoiu [email protected] james may jason mchugh [email protected] E.W_J Andy Millspaugh alexx rhys richard hammond iain Greg adam carl goffin phil joosep GR£@V$!£ michael rawson [email protected] Anna john me christine bob luke from east hull, UK matthew currell Duncan basil Justin zoheb zo zo karla las vegas usa Will Mark Edwards (BBC Isle of Man) Vicki faye ben salter Paul higgins thomas smith alexandra Batey Lydia Lasma Tom conor stonebridge karl wants a peel mobile Ross Pam Aaron Duter Geoff Binns Paul Sam Parker Bill Ball p50 lover steve Jo andrew simon crundell John H. kaycee lee bam Gary josh Mark liam dean b-rad sasha bob Jonny Ogo Helen Rees jack kayne Daneru Hollie Crazy Carol, Onchan William Frank Jan You are in: Isle of Man > History > The small car with the big reputation [an error occurred while processing this directive] |
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