Peel P50 P50
The Peel P50 is the smallest production car ever made, holding the Guinness World Record at just 54 inches long, 41 inches wide, and 47 inches tall. Built on the Isle of Man by Peel Engineering Company between 1962 and 1965 (the listing indicates 1959, but production began in 1962), the P50 was designed as ultra-basic urban transportation, capable of carrying one adult and a shopping bag at speeds up to 38 mph.
The P50 was powered by a 49cc DKW single-cylinder two-stroke engine producing approximately 4.2 horsepower (some sources cite 4.5 hp). This tiny engine drove a single rear wheel through a three-speed manual gearbox with no reverse -- the car was light enough (59 kg / 130 lbs) to be physically picked up and turned around using the handle on the rear.
The body was constructed from fiberglass, with a single door on the left side and a Plexiglass windshield. There was no reverse gear, no conventional instrumentation (just a speedometer), and seating for only one person. The three-wheel layout (two at the front, one at the rear) classified it as a motorcycle in many jurisdictions, exempting it from certain vehicle regulations.
Approximately 50 P50s were produced, making it one of the rarest production vehicles in existence. The car gained worldwide fame after appearing on the BBC's Top Gear program, where Jeremy Clarkson drove one through the corridors of the BBC Television Centre, demonstrating that the P50 could navigate indoor spaces where no conventional car could go.
Today, original Peel P50s are extraordinarily rare and valuable, with prices typically ranging from $80,000 to over $150,000 for well-preserved examples. The car's combination of extreme rarity, record-setting size, and cultural fame (enhanced by the Top Gear appearance) has elevated it from a quirky footnote in automotive history to a genuinely significant collector car. Reproduction P50s are now produced and offer a more accessible way to experience the world's smallest car.
With only approximately 50 produced, every original P50 is documented. Verify authenticity carefully, as reproductions are now produced. The fiberglass body should be inspected for cracks. The DKW engine is simple but parts are scarce. The three-speed gearbox (no reverse) should shift smoothly. Distinguish between originals and modern reproductions, which are worth significantly less.
Built by Peel Engineering Company in Peel, Isle of Man. Approximately 50 units were produced between 1962 and 1965. Modern reproductions are available from Peel Engineering Ltd.