The World’s Shortest Cars: From Classic to Modern

Who says small cars can’t be cool? The other day, I was at my usual cafe on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street in Ba Dinh, Hanoi, when a tiny car pulled up. I say tiny in comparison to the “giants” parked nearby, but it was actually quite charming. Curious, I asked the cafe owner about it and learned it was a Peel P50, a strong contender for the title of “world’s shortest car.”

That little encounter sparked my curiosity. The phrase “shortest car” conjured up endless questions. Do we really know everything about these miniature vehicles? From their history and unique features to their pros and cons, and the fascinating stories surrounding them… all will be revealed below.

A History of Adorable “Little Guys”

Few people know that the first cars ever made were quite small. In the early 20th century, when the automotive industry was in its infancy, building a car was a feat in itself, and a compact size was a major advantage.

Peel P50 – The “Tiny Legend”

However, it wasn’t until 1962 that the world saw one of the shortest production cars ever made: the Peel P50. Produced by Peel Engineering in the UK, the Peel P50 was only 134 cm long, 99 cm wide, and 120 cm tall, even shorter than the modern Smart Fortwo. Weighing just 59 kg, the Peel P50 could easily be moved by hand thanks to a handle on the back.

A red Peel P50, one of the world's smallest cars.

Other “Tiny Titans”

Besides the Peel P50, the world has seen the birth of many other microcars, such as:

• BMW Isetta: The famous German “bubble car” with a length of just 2.28 meters.
• Messerschmitt KR200: The unique three-wheeled car with a fighter-plane-style cockpit, measuring only 2.13 meters long.
• Subaru 360: The Japanese “ladybug” car with a length of just 2.99 meters.