When you think of the most expensive cars to go to auction you think Mercedes, Ferrari and the usual line up of esteemed colleagues they tend to rub shoulders with. But in terms of what you get for your money, this must be up there as a contender.
The need for smaller cars, particularly in our cities, has seen the 60’s microcar make a comeback, if only as a novelty. However, a Peel P50, widely considered the world’s smallest car, has sold at an auction in Florida for a whopping £120,000.
The RM Sotheby’s auction in Amelia Island had the car estimated between £50,000 and £100,000, but the little motor ended up surpassing this with ease, selling for $176,000 U.S dollars.
The P50 remains the only production vehicle to be built on the Isle of Man and was originally conceived during an attempt to find the smallest possible dimensions for a fully working vehicle. The Manx motor went on display in 62 at Earl’s Court during the Cycle and Motorcycle Show, but was so popular it soon went into production, although this was only limited.
Of the 50 made, there is only 27 or so still in existence. The one that sold in Florida was a top notch example having been extensively restored by the Bruce Weiner Microcar museum and what a thoroughly good job they’ve done with it!
The P50 in question was the last to take the stage at the auction in Florida and in comical showman fashion, drove on to a great round of applause. A move that perhaps helped ramp up the price tag as the bidding was supposedly a fierce affair, ending with the world record price ever paid for a Peel P50.
The P50 isn’t quite the life of luxury, with just one headlight and the ability to only go forwards with no reverse gears. It’s also not the quickest thing around and the 49cc moped engine will only take the three wheels up to 38mph.
However, it might stop you getting a speeding ticket (just) and it will also save you on fuel, as the economic little P50 will do 100 miles to the gallon. Not too bad at all, although for £120k, we can think of a few other things we would rather spend it on.
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