The Peel Trident marked a progression from the renowned Peel P50, which still maintains its Guinness World Record as the smallest mass-produced car ever. Boasting a marginally larger frame than the P50, the Trident was optimistically marketed as offering “saloon car comfort with scooter cost.”
Debuted at the 1964 Earls Court Motorcycle Show, the Trident showcased a novel body design while retaining the P50’s Zweirad Union single-cylinder engine and three-speed gearbox without reverse. However, it’s worth noting that the final six Tridents produced reportedly adopted the 98-cc engine and automatic transmission from the Triumph Tina scooter.
Equipped with the 49-cc package, the Trident achieved an advertised top speed of 38 miles per hour and an impressive reported fuel efficiency of 100 miles per gallon. This led to the bold claim that driving the Trident was “almost cheaper than walking.”
Featuring an innovative body built around a transparent plastic dome that tilted forward for entry, the Trident, while functionally a single-seater, was theoretically designed to accommodate two occupants.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
