World’s smallest car up for auction this week

This Peel P50 could be your £30k summer project

You can buy a lot of things for £30,000. A trip to the World Cup final. A nice timeshare in Marbella. Even a pristine Lotus Elan.

Or you could purchase this pocket-size Peel P50.

A true icon of the ‘60s, this rare Isle of Man-made microcar is set to go to auction with Brightwells this week – and estimates suggest it could fetch £30k.

That’s despite being in need of a thorough restoration, shipping with no documents and wearing a pretty awful custom paint job.

Why the price tag? Read on to find out.

1960s transport solution

The Isle of Man’s Peel Engineering Company started building the diminutive P50 in 1962 as a tiny solution to urban mobility.

Limited leg room

At just 1.4m long and less than 1m wide, in 2010 it was recognised as the world’s smallest production car – and could transport just a single adult with a very small amount of luggage.

Pedestrian performance

The mini machine weighed a mere 59kg and had a top speed of just 37mph, achieved thanks to a 49cc engine mated to a three-speed manual transmission.

No going backwards

There was no reverse gear; instead, occupants had to exit via the car’s single door – on the left-hand side – and manoeuvre the vehicle with a handle at its rear.

Low numbers

Produced for just three years (until its rebirth in 2010), a mere 50 of the original P50 were built, of which fewer than 30 are believed to still exist today – including this 1963 example, set to go to auction with Brightwells in Leominster this Wednesday, 11 July.

Wrong kind of respray

This particular P50 was bought in 1978 by the current owner. The purpose? A gift for his daughter, who would later put the microcar to use as part of an A-level art project – which explains its questionable paint job.

Full of hot air

After its artistic experience, it was subsequently used at local shows, where it was filled with balloons as punters guessed the inflatable capacity of this properly compact car.

Mystery machine

As for the rest of its potted past? Not much is known. With no documents to speak of, chassis E113 possesses something of an uncertain history – though time has certainly made its mark on this micro machine.

Without a wiper

While it still has its original DKW engine and reversing handle, along with many other original elements, the car as a whole looks worse for wear – and that starts with the missing windscreen wiper.

Small car, big potential

Still, if you’re feeling brave this rare microcar might be worth a look. Well-restored, these small vehicles can fetch big prices: a pristine Peel P50 sold at auction for more than US$160,000 in 2016.

Handy runaround

And, remarkably, the P50 is still road-legal in the UK – so, once you’ve restored this little three-wheeler, you’ll be able to trundle down to the shops.

Brave investment

So, if you’re looking for a summer project that could net you a big return, it might be worth considering this little P50. The low estimate for Wednesday’s auction? A trifling £25,000.