Driving the world’s smallest car across the country

Orchin, 31, is from a village in Wivelsfield, Sussex. The 1.80m tall man usually travels around the village on a Peel P50 which is only 134cm long, 98cm wide and 100cm tall. The fuel tank of a three-wheeler is also among the most modest in the world: only 5 liters.

P50 has only one chair and not enough room for Orchin to carry a backpack or small suitcase. When driving, this driver almost had to hold the steering wheel in his lap.

But as an auto collector, Orchin didn’t mind the P50’s setbacks. In 2021, he even made the journey across the length of England with a tricycle – which can only reach a top speed of 37 km / h.

“I’ve always had a passion for classic and unusual cars when I was a kid. There’s no one like that in my family,” Orchin said. In addition to the Peel P50, Orchin also had a 1914 Ford Model T and a 1968 Morris Minor.

Orchin wanted to buy a P50 because of the small car, but the price of 131,000 USD for the old car killed the idea. About four years ago, he bought a newer model – 2017 – for about $18,000.

Peel P50 was originally produced in the years 1962-1965. In 1974, the manufacturer dissolved and in 2010, the brand revived, helping the P50 enter a new phase. Although only sold in very small numbers (about 50 cars a year), the P50 is still shipped to date and even exported to a few markets other than the UK.

For decades, Peel P50 holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s smallest car. The current generation is equipped with a gasoline engine and the option of an electric motor instead if desired. Petrol engine of P50 with a capacity of 49 cc, 4-stroke with automatic transmission. The car has a fuel consumption of 2.4 liters / 100 km. Weight is only 49 kg.

On the road, the P50 is especially noticeable because of its compact size. “It’s a lot smaller than you think – everyone says that when they see the car with their own eyes,” Orchin said.

In 2021, he begins his journey with a total distance of nearly 2,400 km from John O’Groats (Caithness district, the northernmost of Scotland) on November 13 and arrives at Land’s End (west Cornwall, England) on December 4. The trip was done in exactly three weeks as the goal set, and helped Orchin raise 15,000 USD for disadvantaged children.

“I have many cars and none have attracted as much attention as this model,” Orchin said.

America – England (according to Sun)