Peel Trident - the smallest two seater car in the world!
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- Опубліковано 23 лип 2024
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www.isleofmanmotormuseum.com
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PEEL TRIDENT
Last week we looked at the Peel p50, this week we’re back with the Isle of Man motor museum borrowing the second three wheeled microcar put into production by Peel - the Peel Trident.
Another Cyril Cannell design, the Trident was on the face of it, a little more sociable. The new Trident was a two seater design made from 1965 to 1966.
Described as an occasional two seater, so perhaps not a permanent alternative to a motorbike and side car, the Trident was a new design but powered by the same engine as the Peel P50: the 49cc DKW engine giving 4.2hp.
It’s worth noting this is noted as being the world’s smallest two seater car and is 73 inches (185cm) long and 39 inches (99cm) wide. To give you an idea of the space around you, the seat inside for the two passengers is 31 inches wide, so if somebody hits this fibreglass shell, the odds probably aren’t in your favour.
There’s no in-built crash protection or even a vague crumple zone, so again, today’s test is not taking us out on the roads but rather a closed car park where the chances of us being wiped out by an SUV are limited.
Although it was only made for one year and less than 100 ever made, it’s somehow found its way into the Forza Horizon games, so it might be a familiar one to gamers watching out there!
You’ll see today that steering is a bit more normal on this one and it has a traditional steering wheel as you might expect on a normal car which then turns the two front wheels - which are coil sprung, undamped with a single wheel to the back.
We discussed the rise of microcars and three wheelers in the 60s last week in our P50 video, but in short, the petrol crisis and the taxation brackets for three wheelers putting them into the same lower tax bracket as motorcycles meant people were a little more openminded.
Microcars might seem daft little death traps today, but without cars like this testing out the limits, pushing the boundaries and exploring possibilities; I doubt we’d have anything like the Smartcars or the wonderfully wacky electric Ami.
Oh and if you’re wondering how you get in and out of this rather space age looking microcar, you have to lift from behind you and then push up. If I’m honest, the perspex was a lot heavier than it looked and I was quite concerned I was going to trap my fingers - so I had help from a third party each time I entered and exited the vehicle. Goodness knows how solo travellers managed! - Авто та транспорт
As an Australian I just keep thinking how quickly you would cook under that perspex dome. Mid-February, 38 degrees, cloudless sky. Done to perfection in about ten minutes 😊
yes..and dont hit a pothole!
It's all I could think of as well! 😄 However, it is madly fabulous to look at.
If it had stayed in production, a tinted bubble top or some other add-on shade/canopy sounds like a good idea. Conversely it would be warm in the winter provided you had a sunny day to trap the heat in, like a green house.
@@Hjerte_Verke I kind of want to put a knotted hankie on the top of the dome
Where's the beers go
Room for two, plus a bit of shopping or a takeaway. Perfect.
If only that mystery switch activated anti-gravity mode.
Room for a small child too 😅😅
It is an anti-roll switch.
It's like something from the Jetsons cartoon series I think in the 1970's and looks a lot of fun Steph.
Too perfect! Like a cross between a fighter jet and a ride-on lawnmower.
Wonderfully quirky and charming, great video!
It really does look amazingly retrofuturistic! Hats off to Peel for turning, what would essentially be a concept car, into a small production run. I guess people do compare the safety of these against a car, but perhaps it would be fairer to compare them to a scooter or motorbike, neither of which offers much in the way of crash protection?
Excellent review, great to see one of these driving around!
I've wanted to see someone's review of driving one of these for years! You looked like you had a great time, Steph. You are very lucky!
I laughed in the opening shot of the video Steph, thanks for posting 😊😂👍
I bought one of these circa 55 years ago. Drove it round Belfast for 6 months. Rolled it twice. I was a little bit crazy. Managed to get 4 people into it one evening! It was one of the many vehicles I destroyed, which also included an Honda S800 and a CB450 Motorcycle.
Well, now there is an explanation for rendlesham forest…. Knew it had to be something earthly…. :)
Oh wow! What a fab little groovy 1960s 'jetson' inspired little car.👍
The Trident is Pure Genius! I have known about this car since I was 14 I bought a classic car magazine back in the late 80's and there was a feature with micro cars. Most were owned by Andy Carter the Micro Car King. He created replicas, and you could buy the shell from him or a complete kit. The trident is my dream car!!
Well Steph, I think that was your cutest video so far. And the car's pretty sweet too! :) Now can you try it on the M25 in the rush hour...
Well Steph, that was hilarious ! I thought last week couldn't be beaten, but I was wrong ! You really do these videos so well, and no matter what you find to show us, you get it right, every time. Thank you so much for all the entertainment you give us. Take special care 🙂 X X
Such a cute little car!
Istg this woman manages to brighten up my day even here In Germany by doing these silly little vids😂❤️
Luvluvluv these tiny car reviews as of late.
Aunt Barbara adores you!
Very unusual I've not seen those before. I'm going to take in a trip to that museum after seeing these reviews. Thank you Steph.
They would still be safer than a motorcycle/sidecar combo like my grandfather had at the time
The Post-War need for micro cars really did throw up some very interesting designs and concepts, this being one of the more out there ideas. I wouldn't want to be in it on a warm day, I would pass out.
I love it! A microcar with a real bubble top ..needs to be photographed next to some Googie architecture! Thanks for the ride Steph , the sound of it reminded me a little of my old Vespas and the horn /kill switch housing is a dead ringer for the part used on Vespa scooters of the same era.
You could almost imagine Homer driving one of those! Yes I know he wasn't 'invented' then but it would be the sort of crazy thing he would do. Also the Jetsons of course, right for them. I agree with you Steph that if we had not had such cars then some of the modern 'micros' would not be here. A couple of family members had a 'bubble car' (I called it that as I can't recall which one it was, though not a Peel).They took a roundabout a bit too quick and the thing tipped over but the point is they more or less walked away and had a tale to tell for many years afterwards. People should realise that there was a lot less traffic on the roads then and it was a totally different driving experience. Anyway that wasn't a rant at anyone so thanks Steph for bringing us this great video, very enjoyable. 👍👍
Well, the Homer did have a bubble canopy, so yes, 100% plausible.
We love your joyous and professional posts...thanks xx
What a fab little car, reminds me of The Jetsons cartoons.
Just brilliant - Thanks for another great film Steph. Showed my daughter who couldn't believe these were real cars - another great slice of history.
It's very pretty looking,but sounds of engine are so tough.The capsle top shield looks like a mini spaceship.Very Interesting video!
That car went " Beep Beep, Beep!!!😮
What a great interesting video. Just seen that one of these sold for £100k - blimey! They are no more of a death trap than a bicycle really and we seem happy to let children ride those on our roads. Not forgetting the Sinclair c5 too! I’d love a go in one, maybe a replica thou seeing their value. Thanks
It looks like some kind of fantastic transport! Such a funny car!
Wonderful to see my two Peels that I acquired in the mid 70's, I purchased the Peel P50 in Birmingham and the Trident I acquired in Liverpool, I had a few spare DKW 49cc engines at the time so I used one for the Trident, I traded a spare P50 body for the Trident and so of course I used one of my spare engines, If he knew I had a few spare DKW 49cc engines at that time he would of wanted much more for the Trident body, I also displayed the Peel P50 on Southern television on a childrens game show called .Runaround' maybe it was around 1976-77, good luck with my old treasures and ENJOY.....
Oh my god did these belong to you?! I love that ❤️❤️❤️
They repeated a lot of episodes of Runaround a couple of years ago and it seemed to get a bit of a cult following but I didn’t get up early enough to watch it.
Wow, I love that… what an amazing piece of engineering. ❤
Another great video.
You make it look very easy to drive and quite sporty!
Steph , oh no , not again ... Way too late , Saturday night here (NY) , to catch your UK morning ... As adorable as you and the ride are , it's Good morning and Goodnight again ...Seriously , we have to stop meeting like this , maybe I need to move there ...
I am so glad you have prospered, congrats from San Diego CA, USA
On the British three wheel microcar theme, try and get hold of a Berkeley T60. There were a reasonable number of the built and it's a very interesting car indeed..
I had a Bond Mark D. Much bigger and safer, and all-aluminium body.
Wow! I have never seen one of these before…really interesting, thank you 👍just subscribed as I really like your style 😊
I wouldn’t have watched the video with another presenter, it would have been just a long series of childish jokes. But with you it gets the serious and factual treatment that it deserves. Great work as always.
The ultimate Bubble Car. Looks like it should be bolted on the side of the Bat Bike. Safer for Robin than his little open gocart.
Excellent content, you are looking great Steph 👍
Terrific video, really interesting content, and nice relaxed presenting style! I would love to drive one of these, looks a total hoot!!
Wow what a car brilliant Steph ❤
The lovechild of a blister and a greenhouse.
👍Thanks for sharing. I think this Trident looks more interesting than the P50. Maybe less practical with the big dome but more futuristic.
It's crazy how people can make this go super fast in Forza Horizon compared to IRL. It's so funny.
Very Jetson like, and looks like you enjoyed this Peel as well.
I rode in one back in 96 witb Andy Carter at a German micro meet, and loved every second of it. Always wanted one.. and i have had many many. Micros...
Great video, wonderful. My father was lucky enough to drive one many years ago. He always described it as 'A noisy greenhouse spaceship, that could kill you whilst you smile like a lunatic.' Do they have any Viking Sport models? Going back many years, but that was a ton of fun, again according to my late father. Thanks for the videos Steph.
Great video Steph
That might be fun for 10 minutes, but I wouldn't want to be in it for long on a hot sunny day, not that's been a problem here in the UK so far this year.
Great panoramic view.
Excellent presentation. Great history and description in detail on technology of the era applied. Cute little thing. That clear dome: Nice in cool dry weather. Boiled egg inside you drive that in summer in Texas. Hard boiled. But I like the odd thing. And it really is a quality video. I really enjoyed the hostess's excellent presentation.
I love it, 60's futurism. It is like Spaceman Spiff's flying saucer in Calvin and Hobbes.
Brilliant video !! love it😍
Jason Torchinsky's driven some really sketchy microcars on suburban Nashville stroads on his visits to the Lane Motor Museum there, but the way that Skoda in the parking lot loomed over things I don't blame you or the IoMMM for not hitting the road in the Peels.
It reminds me of the car in the 'Jetsons' cartoon show back in the 60s. If it were mine, I would dress up like an alien and drive it around town. What a hoot that would be!
When driving such a novelty, do you envision an entire group clowns riding with you🤔
Thanks For Showing Something Different Steph Good Video
Isn't Steph looking great?
Good to hear it was more stable to drive than the peel.
Absolute death trap but I love its bonkersness.
My 10 year old would love that.
"Microcar" seems a rather extravagant description.
That was so cool 😎 loved it.
You just joined the Jetsons Steph, was expecting you to zoom off into space 😄
I need one of those!
These always make me think of the cars in the Jetsons.
A very interesting little car. It sounds like my neighbours Harley Davidson :-).
Great video
One very cool video.
You never want your passenger to fart in your car but I feel like it would lead to a fight if it happened in this car.
Aww you look cute in that Steph😂😂🥰
Awsome hair-do!
I really, really wish someone would make a 1/18 diecast of this uncomfortable, dangerous, idiotic, beautiful car.
0:20 For a second there I thought you were going to say 100 miles per hour! 😂
So cool!
I want one !!!
I love these, I think it is because I always wanted to be in the Jetsons 🖖😄
Wouldn't take much to make operating this car easier, more rugged and more fun to drive, whether that's with a gas engine or electric. I'd love to see someone like Colin Furze, James Burton or one of the other makers on UA-cam tackle this.
Believe it or not, there used to be a vehicle almost that small in the US, the King Midget. New microcars were denied street legal certification after crash standards were implemented.
Wow looking good. And not talking about the car. Just re discovered your channel. Well done you. Cheers from old George and Jane. Ps I thought you might to try our Talbot Express Rambler GL Motorhome called Herb. However we sold it quicker than anticipated. Going to be collected from us sometime this week 😢. Cheers from old George and Jane Motorhome Adventures
The crumple zone is my body 🤣😂👍
Too cool for words 😄👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
I'll drive manhandled that peel until there's nothing else to peel 😆
You can definitely tell it's a British car by the lack of sun shading because I assume the sun rarely shines long enough for UV damage to be a thing. Personally as a Smart Fortwo owner? I love it! Cars should be as small as possible when they are being used as urban runabouts and it doesn't get much smaller than this!
Being 6'4" and north of 250lbs., I doubt I could squeeze into it. If I did I'd never get back out.
I knew about the Peel P50, but this one was new to me. I WANT ONE!!!!!! I imagine rolling into a car show, attired in an excessively revealing snug silvery space overall, possibly with purple underwear outside of it, and by my side a girlfriend in a silver space bikini, big purple hair and green skin! How come I have NONE of these!!!??? xD
Thanks for uploading! Greetings from Sweden
Both cars have “direct” steering, which is the same as having handlebars, except that the handlebars appear as a round steering wheel.
Also both cars a technically motorcycles, and as motorcycles go, they don’t have crumple zones.
Must get warm in there Ona sunny day 🤣
Wow! The Peel Trident looks like something The Jetsons would drive on their daily commute. 😂 Its quirky and clever!… It looks like the metal steering wheel is a handle as well, using it to open and close the rooftop. Great visibility when driving, but when it’s sunny outside it must get really hot in there, and I wonder if we had a heatwave is it possible the Perspex might melt. 🧐 🚗
It's completely nuts and unpractical but at least it has mad personality. 💙
Great fun feature that - think if a compartment was made to put a MARS bar or a MILKY WAY in (better not with that glass window melt the choc's) .
That is cool 😎
I think I can do without the experience of one of these.
What you need to test drive is a Lightburn Zeta. I nice trip to Oz will satisfy that urge. Made in a washing machine factory,, has 4 wheels and again a 2 stroke. 324cc. Came in sedan? ute and a Sports model with a big block 493cc engine. And switch it off a select reverse and 4 reverse gears. Wiki it!
They should call it TanCar. If it wasn't for the wiper, they could have done the entire dome in one spherical piece
It certainly made me smile. I must say that you are game for anything! However, I think I would rather be on my push-bike (pedal cycle).
That bubble is just like flying an F-16.
Awesome. I want one. 😅
On right hand drive autos is the accelerator on the right or left?
And I thought Crazy Václav's Place of Automobiles was just a Simpsons gag!
I still take this over the Aztec.
Only in England. Owned a Mini in the early 70’s. 10 inch rims. Was an interesting time.🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣😂🤣🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
With current technology it could be improved and would be an option for cities with up to 250,000 inhabitants. Better than having a pickup truck, with more than 160 hp, speedometer exceeds 240 km/hour but is only allowed up to 60 km/h