..size it...

Downsizing is the new in-word in the automotive industry, and we don’t mean using it in the General Motors’ boardroom.
With the growing concern for the environment and scarcity of resources, car companies these days are told to look into downsizing as a means to achieve better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
But to be honest, all efforts are gigantic is size when compared to the three-wheeled Peel P50 which was manufactured between 1962 and 1965.
With enough space for a single driver’s seat, one-door and a tiny 49cc 4.2hp single cylinder engine, the Peel P50 still is the smallest production car of all time.

(from left) Caan, Hillman and Khan, note the size of the Peel cars with the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

And it has been reported that the Peel P50, together with its “sporty” version, the Peel Trident, would be making a comeback as an electric vehicle.
The Peel name has been revived by car enthusiast Gary Hillman together with business partner Faizal Khan and funding from James Caan, who has a 30 per cent stake in the operation.
However don’t expect to see the Peel sharing the same parking lot with your Kancil anytime soon as Peel Engineering would be making just 50 special limited edition Peel Cars and according to the website, more than half has been sold at a whopping price of £12,499 (RM60,789).
To give everyone an idea of what £12,499 is; that money could get a British household a well-spec Honda Jazz.
That said the Peel sounds more of a retro paraphernalia rather than a serious competitor to the likes of BMW’s MINI or the Fiat 500.
But then again the Peel P50 would be axed immediately by modern safety legislations.
Furthermore there is no indication the website of the company producing anything more than a limited run of the car and it looks like the company is content on selling Peel memorabilia.
This tiny car was made famous by British television show Top Gear where the lead host famously drove it through an office building, without damaging anything!