1962 Peel P50

Our vendor tells us this charming P50  "is thought to be built on an original 1962 Peel Company body shell which was purchased directly from Peel Engineering Company in 2019.

"The car was then assembled in Ireland using a 2000W electric power train with automatic gearbox similar to that used in modern electric scooters. As in the petrol cars, there is no reverse gear.
This car is EU registered and the current owner is the first and only registered keeper to date."

To date the P50 has recorded just 35 miles of use, with it used many at shows and events, proving to as delightful in person as it was when a P50 was used by Jeremy Clarkson on an appearance of Top Gear where he drove a Peel P50 into the BBC head office.

The original Peel was available in three “factory” colours – Dragon Red, Ivory White and…..Blue. This is often referred to as Daytona Blue which although originally a Chevrolet Corvette launch colour, is the closest mainstream analogue to the Peel shade. It is this vibrant blue shade that this P50 exhibits, and the one most closely associated with the original Peels.

It is safe to say that Cyril Cannell only had straight edged drawing implements at hand when he penned the P50. Perhaps best described as an armchair with a roof, a screen and a small footwell to keep your slippers dry, the Peel was not concerned by faddish drag coefficients and the like. With just a handful of bhp on tap from the 49cc DKW engine, however, the aerodynamic properties of a shipping container weren’t a concern for anyone. And therein lays its considerable charm. Cyril was not one for high-falutin’ design cues, either. Exterior adornments extend to a cyclops headlamp, a windscreen wiper, some cone shaped indicators and taillights and a pair of chunky chromed handles. The original Peel featured just one at the rear of the vehicle which enabled the driver to exit via the one door and lift the rear of the car either as a substitute for a reverse gear or to fine tune a tricky parking manoeuvre, perhaps. Our vendor tells us that safety glass is fitted in all windows

Today the Peel P50 represents a pinnacle of the functionalism aesthetic, rubbing shoulders with products like the original iPod, the KitchenAid stand mixer, or the Eames chair in its adherence to the Bauhaus ethos. Weather or not that’s the look Cyril was originally shooting for remains lost in the mists of time.
 

In some ways the interior of the Peel P50 renders the exterior sophisticated by comparison. The majority of the visible surfaces present in the fibrous, un-pigmented, un-gelcoated form of the car’s fibreglass shell. The exceptions to this rule are smooth steel panel to the right of the driver and a body coloured panel that tops the steering column bracing. The latter is home to the Smiths speedometer, hauntingly calibrated up to 80 mph…..A three spoke, flat bottomed steering wheel is fitted, and the contoured blue seat and wrap around backrest have a distinctly tractor / lawnmower quality to them. The footwell is trimmed with some protective rubber matting. If it all seems vaguely familiar in here, it could be symptomatic of a misspent youth with too much time spent on the dodgems of one’s local peripatetic funfair. 

Much like the Peel’s exterior, however, the microcar’s cabin is a refreshing and appealing antidote to the overstimulation of Alcantara this, and haptic that. Like a brisk walk in the countryside with your ‘phone switched off, it provides a modern day reset for those with frenzied lifestyle.
 

This example was built to order in 2019, with a lithium ion battery providing the power.

No traditional gear box is fitted meaning that the Peel is as easy to drive as is possible – push the accelerator to go and push the brake to stop. Disc brakes are fitted to ensure the latter action is reassuringly effective. 
 

The Peel is road registered in the Republic of Ireland and the mandatory paperwork to accompany this status is thought to be included. With just 35 miles covered to date this is, to all intents and purposes, a new vehicle albeit built on a 1962 platform. 

Whilst the Peel P50 may not be the weapon of choice for a transcontinental road trip it is the perfect companion for a myriad of alternative situations. It would certainly be a fine choice as a conversation starter at any event or show, of course. It would also provide an interesting and imaginative alternative to anyone with any sort of campus to regularly traverse or negotiate. Its electric drivetrain would, of course, suit indoor and outdoor use and enjoyment. 

This example is a fascinating one given its reported, retrospective build up from an original Isle of Man body shell dating from 1962. In that regard it offers both some unusual provenance together with all the modern convenience and ease of use associated with an up to date electric drivetrain. The best of both worlds in the shape of the ultimate utilitarian automotive microcar. In this respect, and many others, the Peel P50 truly defies comparison. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of €12,000 - €17,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Dublin, Ireland. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.