These cars have gone down in history as the most compact production automobiles in the world, and this record remains unbeaten.
In the 1960s, two unusual cars appeared on the roads — the Peel P50 and Peel Trident. Despite their tiny sizes, they have gone down in history as the most compact production automobiles in the world, and this record remains unbeaten.
Red Peel Trident and blue Peel P50
Both models were equipped with three wheels with a diameter of just 13 cm, one door, and an interior that barely fit the driver (who was also the sole passenger). However, there was space under the seat for a small amount of luggage — for example, a travel bag.
The engine in the Peel P50 was motorcycle-based: two-stroke, 49 cc, which allowed for a speed of up to 61 km/h (although the officially stated speed was 45 km/h). Originally, there was only one headlight, which added to the car's resemblance to a motorized rickshaw.
Due to its dimensions (P50 length — only 1.37 m, weight — 59 kg), the car could literally be rolled along like a suitcase. Owners boasted that they could easily navigate traffic jams and park even in the tightest of spots.
It's no wonder that the Peel P50 and Trident were quickly dubbed "toys for grown-ups." However, in 2007, Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear proved that they could be driven for real.
At a height of 198 cm, he managed to squeeze into the cabin and drove through London, causing excitement among the audience.
The Peel Trident model (1964) was a development of the P50 idea. It was dubbed the "flying saucer" due to its dome-shaped design, but it certainly didn't reach the level of a real UFO.
Both small models cost around £199 (approximately £4000 in today's money) and could accelerate up to 61 km/h. Today, they are considered the prototypes of urban micro electric vehicles — who knows, perhaps models like these will become relevant again in the future.