You’ve probably seen the Top Gear segment where Jeremy Clarkson drives a Peel P50 around the streets of London and inside the offices of the BBC. This exposure helped elevate this obscure microcar into the public eye alongside Messerschmitt and Isetta bubble cars. You can add a 1964 Peel P50 to your collection with this one listed on Hemmings in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada for $75,000.00 OBO.
The seller says that the car came into his family through his father who bought it on a whim from a ship supply store where it had been traded for refrigeration equipment by a Russian fishing vessel. It sounds like the family used it as a kiddie car, eventually cutting the roof off to permit taller drivers to buzz around the neighborhood. He further says that it has not been driven since 2002.
Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man designed and built the three-wheeled P50 along with their marine and motorcycle fiberglass specialties in 1963 and 1964. They were powered by a 49cc single cylinder DKW air cooled engine putting out a bit over four horsepower. Power was sent to the rear wheel via a three speed transmission with no reverse gear. Top speed was quoted as 38 miles per hour.
The P50 for sale here is described as a project vehicle that is missing items such as the sliding side windows and door frames, but the engine is said to turn over freely. The seller claims that a list of replacement parts was made and sourced from the UK prior to the passing of the gentleman who owned it. Peel Engineering, Limited in the UK is manufacturing a modernized version of the P50 and would likely be the only source of parts unique to the classic P50.
The $75,000.00 asking price seems to be based on the fact that one was recently sold by Sotheby’s at their Amelia Island auction for an astounding $176,000.00. The seller also claims that their P50 was not known to the collector world and theirs brings the total known to exist to 27. If one of our Barn Finds readers flies out to buy this car, they may be able to bring it back as checked luggage.
That thing looks fun! I think I could build 10 of them for that price.
No kidding.. 75k for this? Crazy
For that kind of money, I think I’d rather buy a replica kit…
Or maybe an “Elio” IF it ever reaches production.
Intrinsic value… somewhere between squat & doodley. This is a vehicle sale where I simply cannot even imagine a money is no object situation where I would actually pull the trigger. I take that back. If I had a tractor-trailer load of money & the current owner was in dire need of funds I’d buy the thing. But I wouldn’t bring it home.
Jeremy Clarkson drove on an old episode of Top Gear. That was hilarious, as is the price for this one. Even removing a zero from the price I’d think it would be a very hard sell.
Remove 3 zeros and I still wouldn’t be interested.
For $75k the seller might need a Steve McQueen connection.
If I owned one of these, I would need to name it Emma.
Clever.
Or Banana!
I saw a video of one of these being driven through the halls, elevators and offices of a large building in Great Britain(?). It fit just fine everywhere he took it, but had no reverse gear. Highly amusing…I want one.
I always liked microcars. Not sure if he’s going to see 75k but I’ll bet whatever he gets will surprise a lot of people.
The banner headline should read, “So little for so much”.
Reassuring to know crazy prices are not USA specific.
That thing makes an Isetta look like a luxury car🏎
$25K tops!. It will take some time, cash and effort to bring it back to its old glory.
Those selling for large amounts are typically in good ORIGINAL conditions.
Give me American made King Midget in Athens Ohio. Here is my 1963.
That 32 Plymouth looks like a real good deal, doesn’t it?
That price made my eyes “peel”.
Nobody’s mentioned sex’a peel .. ..
Let’s see here…
What amounts to a 2-cycle moped drive-train, in a tiny fiberglass box with two front wheels.
38 MPH?
Downhill, with a tail wind.
Nonsense