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The Original Peel Story
Peel Engineering was founded on the Isle of Man in the late 1940s by Cyril Cannell, pioneering the use of glass-reinforced plastic to create lightweight, durable vehicle bodywork. By the early 1960s, the company’s expertise in compact, efficient design led directly to its most famous creation: the Peel P50.
P50 Heritage & Legacy
November 1962
Peel P50 Debuts
The world’s smallest production car debuts at the Earl’s Court Cycle and Motorcycle Show in London, immediately capturing international attention.
1963
P50 Production Begins
Peel P50 production begins on the Isle of Man, with the layout revised, reversing the design from a single front wheel to twin front wheels.
January 1964
Trident Launched
The Peel Trident launches as a two-seat companion to the P50, its bubble canopy giving it a playful, Jetsons-like futuristic appearance.
1974
Peel Engineering Co. Closes
Peel Engineering ceases operations, ending original production but cementing the P50 and Trident as enduring icons of British microcar ingenuity.
2011
First Modern Electric P50 Built
The first modern electric P50 is built, bringing the iconic microcar into the 21st century.
2014
P50 Kit Officially Launched
The first P50 kit launches, allowing enthusiasts to build faithful homages to the world’s smallest production car.
2016
P50 Convertible Invented
An open-top P50 convertible is created as a special commission, built as a gift for the Emir of Qatar.
2021
Factory Relocation & Expansion
Production moves to a larger dedicated facility, expanding in-house fabrication and assembly.
2023
Peel × Peel Digital Documentation
A complete digital 3D scan and reverse engineering project documents a Peel P50 in all it’s detail, ensuring long-term accuracy, preservation, and continuity for future builds.
2024
60th Anniversary of Peel Cars
Sixty years of the Peel cars, celebrating their cultural legacy and the first modern electric P50 to complete a lap of the Isle of Man TT course.
The Peel P50
The Peel P50 was conceived in the early 1960s as an ultra-compact, enclosed personal vehicle designed specifically for short urban journeys. It was not intended to be a touring car or a conventional family vehicle, but a practical alternative to a motorcycle or scooter—offering weather protection, simplicity, and minimal running costs.
The P50 was launched publicly in 1962 and entered limited production shortly afterwards. It featured a fibreglass body, a single front wheel, and extremely compact dimensions. Contemporary road tests noted its ability to make progress through congested city streets more quickly than larger cars, thanks to its narrow width and light weight.
Between 1962 and 1965, approximately 50 Peel P50s and 75 Tridents were produced. Cars were sold both on the Isle of Man and exported overseas, including to the United States and Canada. Surviving documentation shows that even at the time, the P50 was regarded as an unusual but thoughtfully engineered solution to urban transport constraints.
A Modern Continuation
P50CARS vehicles are modern hand-built continuations inspired by the original Peel P50 and Trident produced by Peel Engineering Ltd in the 1960s.
They are not original period vehicles, but faithful recreations designed to preserve the character, proportions, and spirit of the originals—built to be driven, enjoyed, and maintained today.