Skip to main content

‘World’s Smallest Production Car,’ the Peel P50, for sale on eBay

Peel P50
Image used with permission by copyright holder

You, too, could own a piece of motoring history with this Peel P50 replica, the Guinness Book of World Records’ “World’s Smallest Production Car,” now up for sale on eBay.

Top Gear fans might recall when Jeremy Clarkson drove the Peel P50 through the offices of the BBC (video at end of story). Just imagine, for $26,000, you, too, could have some hilarious micro-car hijinx.

Peel P50
Image used with permission by copyright holder

According to the eBay seller’s description, this replica was purchased in Europe and shipped to the U.S.. Once it hit stateside, it was completely restored, while also receiving some upgrades, including a digital speedometer.

Recommended Videos

Powered by a 200cc Honda engine, this little car features many modern amenities, including a three-point seatbelt, a high- and low-beam single headlight, manual windshield washer, and a courtesy light mounted inside just above the windshield.

Peel P50
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The seller is also including a 1963 Czech PAV single-wheel trailer in the deal, which has also been fully restored. The hitch on the trailer has been apparently inclined so that the trailer banks into turns. On the inside, the trailer features its own electrical system so it can be self-powered at car shows and such.

$26,000 might seem a bit steep for a micro-car but we press you to find not only another Peel P50 for sale in the States but also one in such great condition.

We asked the Digital Trends brass if we could get it for inner-office transport. After the laughter subsided, the answer was a firm “no.”

Here’s TopGear’s hilarious video about the P50:

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Mini’s infotainment system is very charming, but still needs work
Main screen of the Mini infotainment system

When you think Mini, you probably don’t think of infotainment. Personally, I think of the British flag taillights, the distinct exterior, and the surprising room on the inside. But after driving the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman over the past week, infotainment might well be something I think of more often when it comes to Mini. It’s charming.

It also, however, suffers from all the traps that other legacy automakers fall into when it comes to software design. Mini has something on its hands here — but it still needs some work.
Bringing the charm
The first thing that stood out to me about the system when I got in the car was how fun it was. That all starts with the display. It’s round! No, it’s not curved — the screen is a big, round display sits in at 9.4 inches, and I found it plenty large enough for day-to-day use.

Read more
Plug-in hybrids are becoming more popular. Why? And will it continue?
Kia Niro EV Charging Port

There's a lot of talk about the idea that the growth in electric car sales has kind of slowed a little. It's not all that surprising -- EVs are still expensive, early adopters all have one by now, and they're still new enough to where there aren't too many ultra-affordable used EVs available. But plenty of people still want a greener vehicle, and that has given rise to an explosion in hybrid vehicle sales.

That's especially true of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be charged like an EV and driven in all-electric mode for short distances, and have a gas engine as a backup for longer distances or to be used in combination with electric mode for more efficient driving.

Read more
EV drivers are not going back to gas cars, global survey says
ev drivers are not going back to gas cars global survey says screenshot

Nearly all current owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, and 92% of them plan to buy another EV, according to a survey by the Global EV Drivers Alliance.

The survey of 23,000 EV drivers worldwide found that only 1% would return to a petrol or diesel car, while 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they had to replace their car.

Read more