There was a time, just after the second world war when car manufacturers competed to make the smallest car in the world. Much like mobile phones in the 1990's, owning the smallest car you could find was a symbol of status and cool. Micro cars filled the street of Europe, starting with the Isetta in Italy, branching out to Heinkel micro cars in Germany and culminating in the Peel P50 in the UK.
Where the Smallest Car in the World Came From
Peel Engineering Company produced micro cars on the Isle of Man between 1962 and 1965. The tiny car was built with the same engine as a motorcycle and was designed to seat 'one adult and a shopping bag'. One of the most extraordinary features of the Peel P50 was that, as it did not have a reverse gear, if a driver wanted to get it out of a tight spot, they'd have to lift the car manually and roll it by hand to its new place.
The tiny little car retailed for only £199 when it was released back in the 1960's which would be close to a couple of thousand pounds these days. With only 50 cars produced at the time though, when the car went out of production, it inevitably became a bit of a collectors item. Here in 2011, there are though to be only 20 original Pell P50 cars still around. When a fine example of the smallest car in the world does pop up for sale at an auction, it will fetch something in the region of £35'00 to £50'00. Now that's a sound investment.
Micro Cars Today
In 2010, a new company formed under the name of Peel Engineering Ltd and began making replica's of the world's smallest car. Unfortunately, the new version doesn't come cheap and costs almost as much as buying an original.
Luckily, there are some fine examples of the Peel P50, as well as the Peel Trident, that have been preserved in near perfect condition and are now in display in motor museums. In the UK, the Peel P50 is displayed at Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, and at the Bubble Car Museum in Leicestershire.
Firm Following
Something as extraordinary as the smallest car in the world, which has defended that title for almost fifty years, is bound to attract an army of fans. Micro car enthusiasts and especially Peel P50 and Peel Trident owners have formed many a club where they can wax lyrical about their passion without the missus complaining. Micro Maniacs is the UK's biggest club for tiny car lovers.
Natalie Ashett - I write about the the things that I see and I write about them the the same way as I would say it. I write because I love to share ...
Join the Conversation