Topic Title

Peel P50 THIS is the smallest car ever!

Holy Crap!
I'm gonna get one of those for my boy when turns 4.


-Redd

Hello Redd,

If you find one -- buy it! There are only 16 or 17 of these in existence. They were made on the Isle of Mann in 1965-66, and only ~50 were made -- and 35 or so were buried in a landfill in an attempt at insurance fraud...they are very rare indeed. I think the Peel Trident is even more kewl:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andy.carter/

Neil,

You might be interested in this web site, if you haven't already seen it.

http://www.microcarmuseum.com/index.html

Some pretty cool things, as well as stuff that is just odd to a fault.

[Mark F. Madura]

How do these pass the US safety crash standards?

Hello Jeff:

Here's a link to the manufacturers Safety page.
http://www.smartusa.com/is-the-smart-fortwo-car-safe.aspx

Here's a link to KickingTires Blog take on the Smart for Two.
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2007/01/more_on_smart_c.html

Given its small size, safety is a primary concern, especially when all you can see in your rear view mirror is "Peterbilt". I'm fortunate to have a short commute on local roads ( no highways ). My daily driver is a 1988 VW Scirocco my wife and I bought ( our first car ).



This car does not have many of the safety and convenience features which are common in most cars today including the Smart.

Anti-lock Brakes
Electronic Stability Control
Air Bags
Collapsible Steering Column

At 40 - 50 miles per gallon ( 16 - 20 kilometers per liter ) I'll nearly double the mileage I currently get.

MFM

Hello Mark,

Was the diesel Smart car available? It is unclear what engines will be available if/when Mercedes starts selling them (maybe next year?). The diesel I saw had a glass roof, and it had the frame at the top of the doors.

[Mark F. Madura]

Hello Mark,

Was the diesel Smart car available? It is unclear what engines will be available if/when Mercedes starts selling them (maybe next year?). The diesel I saw had a glass roof, and it had the frame at the top of the doors.

During some Q&A, one of the Smart reps made reference to a diesel version and a hybrid version. However, there is currently no ETA for the U.S. The hybrid version ( I assume it is only a prototype ) does not have air-conditioning because of the room required for the batteries.

Actually, here's a couple of links that make reference to Smart for Two prototypes including Gas/Electric Hybrid, Diesel/Electric Hybrid, Electric, and Gasoline/Natural Gas bi-fuel.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/12/smart_shows_die.html

http://www.hybrid-vehicles.net/daimlerchrysler-mercedes-smartfortwo.htm

MFM

Hello,

The world's smallest production car:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkAbGHz7xUQ

Top Gear is probably the 3rd best show on television.
Oh, and the car is pretty sweet, too.

Top Gear is probably the 3rd best show on television.

So what are the top two?

Do someone know the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller?

http://www.messerschmitt-kabinenroller.de/


Mark,
are you happy with your Smart?
I am driving one of the first models.
Built number 601, the one from my wife.
Since 2002 a cabrio for me.
In our little street there are eight Smart driver.

Martell

Top Gear is probably the 3rd best show on television.

So what are the top two?

1. It's always Sunny in Philadelphia.
2. NFL Total Access w/ Rich Eisen.
3. Top Gear

Do someone know the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller?

Yes. I used to drive one when I first worked for our national broadcaster. It was an interesting but truly horrible vehicle and totally unsuitable
for the intended job. We used to put it in for "service" as often as possible and go and get a 30cwt International out of the government carpool
to replace it. The Inter was a truly great vehicle and went like a rocket. The local ones had a 5 speed trans.
On the matter of trans, the Messerschmitt went backwards by stopping and reversing the motor, thus giving you four reverse speeds,
which was about three more than you needed.
There were a couple of Messerschmitt Tiger 500cc models running round Sydney then. They went like a rocket too, but probably not for as
long as the Inter would......

There were a couple of Messerschmitt Tiger 500cc models running round Sydney then.

One of my neighbors, when I was growing up, had one of these that my buddies and I would jump in and fly to "the store" or the comic shop right up the road.
That little beast was a ball to drive.

[Mark F. Madura]

Mark,

are you happy with your Smart?

Not yet. They might be available in the U.S. in January. I think they're being assembled in France. Maybe Jacques could check for me. We're getting our first snow for the season this morning. Great weather for a cabriolet.

MFM

Hello Nick,

Funny to read from Australia that they use the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller in the past.

Here is the new one from Switzerland.
From some Smart engineers:
http://www.cree.ch/
Something from the Netherlands:
http://www.carver-worldwide.com/Home/Index.asp?nc=1
and something from Germany:
http://www.jetcar.de/index.php?link=75

Martell