World’s smallest car, Peel P50, hits the road again

Car enthusiasts looking for a car that’s big on style and perfect for London’s busiest roads should head for the Regent Street Motor Show on November 2. One of the stars of the day will be the world’s smallest ever production car, the Peel P50, as driven by Jeremy Clarkson on BBC’s Top Gear.

Normally housed at top attraction Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London in nearby Piccadilly Circus, the tiny single seater is making a rare trip outside for one day only. One of 50 original Peel P50s ever built (only 26 remain), the Ripley’s P50 is thought to be worth in excess of £50,000. Visitors to the motor show will even be able to have their picture taken sitting inside – if they fit, that is – as well as ask questions of experts from Peel Engineering.

The P50 holds the record for being the smallest road-legal car ever produced, measuring just 134cm (52.8 inches) long and 99 cm (39 inches) wide and weighing only 59kg (130lb). Small enough to fit inside a VW camper van, it has a single-cylinder 49cc engine and is equipped with a three-speed manual transmission and no reverse gear. To mark its contribution to the show, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London is offering motor fans discounted entry on the day (50 per cent off on individual tickets when presenting the Motor Show programme).

Other exhibits on show at the attraction include a full size woollen Ferrari knitted by art school Lauren Porter from Hampshire, which contains more than 12 miles of yarn; and locks of hair from the head of motor pioneer Henry Ford.