Peel P50 - MB -- Tell me I'm crazy.

[solorbob]

Okay all,
I've been tinkering with the idea of building a MB. I decided that I want to build a velomobile MB. I've been putting the pen to the paper working out some designs. Nothing I liked. I ran across the smallest production car yet, the Peel P50 produced in Peel, Isle of Man in 1962-1963. 50 of these little guys were made. It had a 49cc 3 speed moped engine in it.

I'm thinking I would like to take this design, and turn it into a velomobile MB.
Here's a link to wikipedia give some info on it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peel_P50

My riding conditions are mostly flat, around down riding. Top speed down town is 25 mph anyway, so I'm not looking to get this thing to that speed. I'm thinking between 15 and 20 would be fine where where I need to go. I have a 3 mile one way trip to work.

What does everyone think of the idea?

 

[motorbikemike45]

The Peel was little more than an enclosed, I person, fibreglass bodied, tadpole style three wheeled shopping cart. It looks a little like a shrunken minicar. Other than the poor aerodynamics, it sounds ideal for what you want. I wonder if you could find one and import it. It would be a standout at car shows. Smallest automobile ever produced. Cool.

 

[solorbob]

That's about what I made of it too. There are only a few registered still in the UK and even less in the US. I think the last one went for around 50K pounds. Not bad considering they were $199 pounds when they were released.

 

[DougC]

I'm not sure how exactly you could make one a "velomobile" at all, unless you're a dwarf. For any normal-sized person, there's no room to extend your legs to pedal the thing.

Top Gear did a test on one once, the video is online somewhere. Pretty funny stuff.
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[andyszyd]

According to wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peel_P50

this THING had max speed of 38 Mph, that's remarkable for 49cc engine three wheler supermini car!

 

[augidog]

ok, you're crazy

but no more crazy than this guy: http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/10/amphibian-velomobile-brings-pedal-power-to-the-water/

i love the lil' things, but at 6'5" i'd need a BIG velo'......and the concept is sound, especially when paired with the reasonable mechanical parameters you suggest...speaking of which, imo electric power would more than meet your speed & range needs

 

[wheelbender6]

I love watching the motorcycle time trial around the Isle of Man. Nothing like it.

 

[solorbob]

You right Augidog, that is one crazy velm. I got out the tape measure today and marked out the size of the P50. While I was setting on a regular folding chair, I was a bit high for the 47 height.

With a little creative engineering, I think I could make it work, but I'm thinking I would need to use a smaller back tire, or at least that's what I'm thinking.

 

[ibdennyak]

Pretty neat.....Hmm I've got that old hubmotor....Maybe I should finish my other stuff first.

 

[DougC]

Top Gear video-

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Top-Gear-Peel-P50_139353.htm
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