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The Peel P50 – The World’s Smallest Production Car Made Famous By Jeremy Clarkson

The Peel P50 was originally released in 1962 and sold until 1965, but it was put back into production in 2011 and it’s been in production ever since. Amazingly the little P50 is 100% road-legal in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

In 2010 the Guinness Book Of World Records recognized the P50 as “the world’s smallest production car,” but it’s probably most famous for the fact that Jeremy Clarkson drove on around the BBC offices in a 2007 episode of Top Gear.

Fast Facts – The Peel P50

The Peel P50 is one of the most famous microcars in the world thanks to both its inclusion in the Guinness Book Of World Records as the world’s smallest production car and for its appearance on Top Gear being driven by Jeremy Clarkson.
When it was released in 1962 the first version was powered by a 49cc DKW single-cylinder engine capable of 37 mph (60 km/h) and it was marketed as being able to accommodate one person and one bag of shopping.
The Peel P50 was produced by the Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man who also produced the slightly larger Peel Trident microcar.
In 2011 both the P50 and Trident were brought back into production by Peel Engineering with both petrol and electric versions offered.

The Peel P50 – The Smallest Production Car In History

In the automotive world there’s much attention paid to world records – which car is the fastest, which is the most powerful or the most expensive, which has the quickest lap time around the Nurburgring or which has the quickest 1/4 mile time.

Above Video: This 2007 clip from Top Gear made the Peel P50 famous to an entirely new generation of viewers.

The Peel P50 is more interested in the other end of the world record club, it’s well known that it’s the smallest production car in world history but it’s also one of the slowest, one of the least powerful, and one of the most fuel efficient cars of its era – with 100+ mpg being entirely attainable.

Peel P50 – Specifications

There are two primary generations of the P50, the original cars from the 1960s and the modern cars that have been built since 2011. Both look almost identical from the outside, it’s not until you look inside or look at the engine that you’re likely to start seeing the differences.

The original cars are powered by an air-cooled 49cc DKW single-cylinder engine mounted to the right side and there’s a small cutaway in the body to ensure it gets adequate cooling. The top speed is 37 mph (60 km/h) and owner’s have reported achieving 100+ mpg.

The modern version of the Peel P50 was originally released with three options, Gas, Eco and Fun. This was changed to Petrol or Electric soon after launch to simplify the product line.

The interior is incredibly spartan with just two pedals, a steering wheel, a shifter, and a speedometer to keep you company.

The petrol version is powered by a 49cc four-stroke engine and the electric model uses an electric moped motor combined with gelled-electrolyte batteries. The top speed of both cars is approximately 28 mph (45 km/h).

The P50 measures in at 54 inches (1,372 mm) long and 39 inches (991 mm) wide, with a curb weight of 59 kilograms (130 lbs).

The body is of fiberglass monocoque construction, with the suspension and other parts bolted directly onto it. In the modern version there’s two pedals, a steering wheel, a shifter, and a speedometer – though it’s unlikely you’ll ever receive a speeding ticket.

The Peel P50 Shown Here

The car you see here is one of the modern production versions, in fact it’s a 2021 model that has just 521 miles on the odometer. The listing explains that it has been dry stored in a heated garage and exceptionally well cared for.

It’s finished in blue which is the same color as the model driven by Clarkson in that famous Top Gear episode, which ensures you’ll have no small amount of fun recreating the scene.

This P50 is currently being offered for sale through live auction on Car and Classic, at the time of writing there are a few days left to bid. If you’d like to read more about it or register to bid you can click here to visit the listing.

Images courtesy of Car and Classic

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A Visit To The 2021 Goodwood Members Meeting With Freddie Mycock

This article was written by Freddie Mycock, a British writer and photographer, about his recent experience attending the Goodwood Members Meeting.

Historic engines let off belligerent smoky belches, blending a heady scent of fuel and engine grease with the autumnal smells of fallen wet leaves and earth soaked by English rain. Caught through the trees are exciting glimpses of the automotive engineering and design marvels of the 78th Annual Goodwood Members Meeting.

Hidden along picturesque rural lanes not far from Chichester, Goodwood is a country estate like no other. Most famous for motor racing, of course, it also hosts horse racing, the Eroica Britannia vintage cycling event and a flying school.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival motor racing events are both open to the public and blend a quirky passion for classic motorcar engineering with the quintessentially British glamour associated with the Duke of Richmond’s country home. The Members’ Meeting is only available to those who are part of the Goodwood Road Racing Club and it holds its own unique charm.

Freddie Mycock Goodwood Members Meeting 1

The Club is home to some of the most important cars in motorsport. It includes new production car entrants like the Gordon Murray T50, which launched on the day, and the racing is of the finest, most action-packed quality.

It could be argued that the standard of racing at the members’ meeting is of a higher form than the other Goodwood events, and drivers push their cars and themselves to the limit.

“There’s no question, this is an absolute jewel in the UK. There’s something for everyone here,” says David Coulthard, thirteen-time F1 winner during 1994-2008.

Entering the Members’ meeting is an overwhelming, immersive experience hitting all senses simultaneously. You are greeted with a cacophony of competing engine sounds: the hoarse, throaty five-cylinder snarl of an Audi Quattro S1, the percussive heavy machinegun sound of a stocky pre-war engine starting up – hitting not just your ear drums but your whole chest!

Freddie Mycock Goodwood Members Meeting 15

Your nose is woken by the smell of high-octane fuel, burning rubber and trackside bacon fry-ups. There’s a strong sense of purpose on the faces of artisan mechanics as they hurry past purposefully in oily overalls, grimy hands brandishing ancient hand tools alongside state-of-the-art technology.

People happily make their way to the trackside for the next race while others admire the cars on display around the outside of the track.

Unlike the Revival and Festival of Speed events this offers far better access as a member, allowing visitors to get close to all the vehicles. Here are drivers and mechanics, owners and fans all congregated around the precious assemblages – from alloys and exotic composites to hand beaten steel panels trimmed with vintage leather.

Freddie Mycock Goodwood Members Meeting 9

This automotive Aladdin’s Cave has something for every petrol head, whether it is shed-built single-seaters, retro tin-tops, Grand Prix legends, historic two-wheeled TT icons or the very latest examples of luxury automotive engineering like the show-stealing T.50 from Gordon Murray Automotive. But being around the pre-war cars in the paddock is an experience like no other.

The gritty, greasy texture of the carbon residue left by exhaust smoke on their body panels evokes an almost coal mine-like feeling.

My Sunday highlights were many and varied:

The Gordon Murray T50 demonstration – for the privilege of being among the first to witness something new. Seeing first-hand the McLaren MP4/6 that Ayrton Senna drove in 1991 – and to hear the swarm of hornets released by its V12 engine as it was driven by his nephew, Bruno Senna.

Freddie Mycock Goodwood Members Meeting 18

Watching a Ford Capri and Mustang fight it out for first place in the Gerry Marshal trophy. The raw brutish growls of the pre-war cars starting up for the afternoon sprint with a most incredible selection of classic rally cars, or the Hailwood trophy with classic bikes from the +1970s and 80s making their moves on what felt like every corner.

The battle for the Gurney Cup between rival GT40s. And of course seeing the capricious Beast of Turin with its 28 litre 4-cylinder engine, unofficially the world’s fastest car in 1913.

There is no break between races – once one is over, the next begins. Driving is precise, aggressive and tremendously entertaining. Special mentions must go to Jake Hill and Craig Davies battling it out lap after lap, Sam Hancock coming in second from a start in the pits, and Hughey Walker losing it while overtaking Ben Collins on the last lap.

Relentless masterclasses in heart and excellence, accentuated for the final race by the low orange sunset sharply illuminating the contestants, creating a poignant ambience at the end of a most memorable day.

The Members meeting is a phenomenal event, offering visitors the chance to see racing cars that are very rarely seen in person, let alone dashing flat out around a circuit.

This year’s event was postponed to October for obvious reasons, but next year’s Members’ meeting will go back to its normal springtime slot on 9th – 10th of April 2022. We look forward to a gasoline culture filled spring weekend then.

Follow Freddie Mycock on Instagram here.