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1964 Peel Trident

In the Guinness Book, its forerunner, the Peel P50, is still named the smallest production automobile ever - while this Peel Trident holds the world record of the smallest two-seater car ever serially manufactured. From October 1963 to December 1964, plastic boat builder Peel - located on the Isle of Man (Irish Sea) - made only 47 single-seater P50 (53 inches longer), followed by just around 80 Tridents (72 inches) in the next two years.

The main business of Peel Engineering Company, located on the Isle of Man, was making fiberglass models for motorcycle fairings and boat hulls. In 1955, Peel entered the car market by producing two styles of microcars in limited numbers (approximately 60 of each). The Peel Trident, equipped with a 49 cc DKW scooter motor and 3-speed transmission, was the larger model. Performance was modest but more than adequate for the 5-inch front tires. it gets about 100 mpg. The fiberglass body consists almost entirely of a forward-hinged section with a transparent plexiglass dome that serves as a roof and a flat glass windshield. The §teering column, also hinged, rises with the canopy. The total weight of the car is 330 pounds making it easy to push since there is no reverse. The only ventilation is the small sliding side hatch. This is undoubtedly the smallest 2-seater ever made. There is even a small amount of trunk space available.

There is no reverse gear and the turning radius is 8 feet. The Trident fits two people and their limited luggage. The engine is a VESPA and the fuel economy is an astonishing 100 miles per gallon.

by Lane Motor Museum

Coupe
Chassis number: E127
Engine number: 80416004771

Peel Engineering, Ltd. built the P50 in 1963 and 1964, in the town of Peel on the Isle of Man. These diminutive fiberglass single-seater vehicles were a marvel of space and efficiency. It is believed that around 55 examples were built, with the majority being sent to the United Kingdom three dealers - Kings of Leeds; Car Distributors Ltd. in Cardiff; and Two Strokes Ltd., Church Road, Stanmore, Middlesex.

Production of the Peel P50 came to an end in 1964 when the production of a two-seater passenger version called the Trident began in late 1964. Production would continue until early 1966 with an estimated 86 examples built. Currently, around 10 to 15 examples are known to exist. The first ten Peel Tridents, five red and five blue, were sent to Two Strokes Ltd.

It is believed that this example is one of those 10 early cars built. It measures 72 inches long and is powered by a 49cc DKW fan-cooled engine driving the rear wheels by chain via a three-speed gearbox.

This Peel entered the current owner's uncle's care when it was just a few years old. It was acquired from him in the late 1990s and was restored between 1998 and 2002.

by Dan Vaughan