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imageIt’s rather fitting that the smallest car in the world comes from one of the smaller countries in the world.

The Peel P50 is in the Guinness book of records as the world’s smallest production car.

Manufactured in the Isle of Man in 1964 there were a couple of different models of the tiny auto and there have been a few modifications since.

At just 53 inches long and 39 inches wide the Peel whips around with a top speed of 40 miles per hour.

With a single windshield wiper, single headlight, three wheels (2 in front, 1 in back) the P50 isn’t exactly a family, luxury car but, in it’s day, it was economical and gets a whopping 100 miles to the (2-stroke) gallon!

Because it has 3 wheels and a 49cc engine the P50 is classified (in the UK) as a motorcycle.

There are no indicator lights, you’d have to use arm signals. The driver-left window doesn’t open so you’d have to do your hand signals out of the other window.

Reverse isn’t one of the 3 gears – there is a handle on the back of the car and at only 130lbs the car was made light enough to pick up and turn around. image

The Peel Trident is the ‘luxury’ model of the Peel range. It is a 2-seater model with two headlights and a bubble domed top and an open windshield.

 

 

British TV Car show Top Gear did a review of the P50 – it’s really funny and well worth taking 10 minutes out of your day to watch.

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