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About the Peel P50
The Peel P50 is the world’s smallest production car, originally built in the 1960s on the Isle of Man and now continued with modern engineering to the original design.
Yes, it holds the Guinness World Record as the smallest production car ever made, over 60 years after its original production.
The original Peel P50s were built by the Peel Engineering Company (1948 – 1974), a boatbuilding and fiberglass firm, in the picturesque seaside town of Peel on the Isle of Man, an island in the British Isles, where the cars take their name from. The concept was invented by the company’s owner, Cyril Cannell.
The Peel P50 prototype debuted in November 1962 at the Earl’s Court Cycle and Motorcycle Show in London. Official production began in spring 1963 and continued until 1964.
About 50 original Peel P50s were built in the 1960s, with around 30 believed to still exist today. Most are owned by collectors and rarely come up for sale, making the Peel P50 one of the rarest and most sought-after vehicles in the world.
Original Peel P50s are highly valuable due to their extremely limited production and strong collector demand. Surviving examples have sold at auction for $176,000 in the USA in 2017 and £111,000 (around $150,000) in the UK in 2022 for an early example, making them widely regarded as the ultimate microcar by collectors.
The Modern P50s
They are modern continuation P50 cars built using tooling taken directly from original parts, including bodyshell moulds taken from the original Peel P50 featured on Top Gear, identical in form to the originals with modern engineering improvements.
Modern P50s are hand-built in London, UK using original-pattern tooling and carefully recreated components, just a short distance across the Thames from the birthplace of the original designer, Cyril Cannell.
They are identical in shape, size, and layout to the original cars, built using original-pattern tooling with subtle modern engineering and safety upgrades.
They feature improved materials, modern brakes and electrics, with four-stroke engines offering easy electric start and simpler use, and electric versions providing quiet, low-cost charging at home, while remaining the world’s smallest production car.
Yes. Modern P50 cars are available in both gas-powered and electric versions. The electric models offer easy, fun use while retaining the original charm of the P50, while the four-stroke gasoline versions provide a more traditional driving experience. Both appear identical inside and out, with the differences only under the hood(bonnet).
Yes, every P50 is hand-built to order in the UK using original-pattern tooling, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques. Many original components have been faithfully recreated, including the bodyshell, suspension, wheels, steering wheel, lights, seats, and interior trim.
Yes, our modern P50 cars typically hold their residual value exceptionally well, with many reselling close to or above their original purchase price. Their rarity, uniqueness, and limited production contribute to strong long-term desirability among collectors.
Technical Specifications
The Peel P50 has one seat, one door, and one headlamp, and was designed for one adult and a shopping bag. Despite its compact size, most people will likely fit comfortably. The tallest person to fit inside was 7 ft 2 in (218 cm), and the heaviest weighed around 30 stone (420 lbs / 191 kg).
The Peel P50 is 54 inches (1,370 mm) long, 41 inches (1,040 mm) wide, and 48 inches (1,220 mm) tall, and weighs around 230 lbs (104 kg). Early marketing materials originally listed the weight as 130 lbs (59 kg), which was later corrected.
The original Peel P50 could reach around 38 mph (61 km/h). Modern P50s with standard 50cc gasoline engines or electric versions are typically limited to around 28–30 mph (48–50 km/h) to comply with moped classification regulations, while larger engine versions and higher-powered electric setups can reach speeds of 50 mph+ (80 km/h+).
The original Peel P50 did not have a reverse gear and instead featured a handle at the back, allowing the car to be lifted and turned around by hand. Modern electric P50s all include reverse gear, while gasoline models vary by engine. All our P50s retain the original rear reversing handle as a nod to the classic design.
The original two-stroke Peel P50 achieved around 100 miles per gallon. Modern four-stroke versions improve on this significantly, typically achieving well over 120 miles per gallon, while the electric P50 offers around 50 miles of range with a 3–4 hour charge time.
The original Peel P50 used a small two-stroke moped engine made by DKW, while modern P50s are available with four-stroke gasoline engines with electric start or DC brushless electric powertrains.
Ordering, Shipping & Support
Our P50s are available as both kits for self-assembly and fully built cars. The kit option is ideal for enthusiasts who want the enjoyment of building their own world’s smallest car, while the factory-built version is perfect for those who want a hand-crafted, ready-to-drive P50 built by our team.
P50s can be ordered directly through our website or by contacting our team. A deposit is required to secure your build slot, with the remaining balance due prior to completion and shipping.
Each P50 is individually hand-crafted to order in limited numbers, with strong demand driven by their rarity and heritage. Lead times vary by specification and production schedules, typically extending over several months or longer, with regular updates provided throughout the build.
Assembly typically takes around 50 hours for someone with basic mechanical experience and good practical skills. While expert knowledge isn’t required, some hands-on experience is recommended as the P50 is a road-going vehicle. Many customers enjoy the build as a fun project with friends or family members, including parent–child builds.
All our Peel P50s, including both our kit and factory-built cars, come with internationally recognised 17-digit VIN numbers that meet US and international requirements.
The original Peel P50 was road legal in the UK and USA in the 1960s, and modern P50s are road legal in many regions today. They are usually registered as mopeds or three-wheeled motorcycles, and many have been successfully registered across the UK, USA, Japan, Europe, and beyond. We provide documents and support to help with registration and licensing worldwide.
In most areas, a standard car license is usually sufficient, with some regions requiring a moped or motorcycle endorsement. Minimum driving age is typically around 16 in the UK and USA, and lower in parts of Europe under moped or light quadricycle rules.
Yes. We offer three worldwide shipping options: sea freight, air freight, and door-to-door courier service, with deliveries across the globe. Sea freight typically starts from around $300, while courier services begin from approximately $1,200 depending on destination.
Our P50s are carefully packaged in custom-built wooden shipping crates, just like the original Peel P50s were shipped in the 1960s, ensuring safe worldwide transport, with regular international deliveries to places such as New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the USA, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Yes. P50 cars include a limited warranty covering parts and workmanship. We offer a worldwide spare parts service and ongoing support for all our P50 cars, including original 1960 Peel P50s, along with international shipping.
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