1965 Peel Trident

Reg. no.

Currently Registered in Ireland

Chassis no.

E143Engine no.

8041600472 6The Isle of Man has a rich history of motorsport, but the distinction of the island’s only vehicle manufacturer falls to the Peel Engineering Company, based in Peel on the west coast.

Specialists in fibreglass construction, Peel made both fibreglass boats through its subsidiary West Marine, and sports fairings for motorcycles – a good business to be in on the Isle of Man.

In 1955, a prototype four-wheeled microcar was produced, the Manxcar.

Powered by a 250cc Anzani engine, it never entered production, but the seed was sown.

In 1962 production of the 49cc P50 microcar commenced, followed two years later by the Trident.

First unveiled at the 1964 Earls Court Motorcycle Show, the Trident featured a new body design but used the P50’s Zweirad Union single-cylinder engine and three-speed gearbox without reverse.

When featuring the 49cc engine, it achieved an advertised top speed of 3...