A little piece of Manx motoring history has taken centre stage at the Isle of Man Motor Museum, with one of the most unusual vehicles ever created on the island now on permanent display.
The museum is celebrating the story of the famous Peel P50 with the prototype that helped pave the way for the tiny car which would eventually become known around the world.
Created by Peel Engineering during the 1960s, the prototype formed part of the development process which led to the production P50.
The production model was built in Peel between 1962 and 1965, with around 50 examples produced.
With its tiny dimensions, single-seat design and three wheels, the P50 was an extraordinary sight on the island's roads.
While the production P50 has achieved international fame, particularly following its appearance on the BBC's Top Gear, the prototype tells a lesser-known part of the story, offering an insight into how the concept developed before the final production car took shape.
Museum director Darren Cunningham said: ‘What makes the Peel P50 prototype particularly special is that it allows us to tell the story behind the story.
‘It shows the imagination and ingenuity that went into developing a car here on the Island and is a wonderful reminder of our own industrial and engineering heritage.’
The prototype now forms part of the museum's permanent collection and complements its existing display of one of each type of vehicle manufactured by Peel Engineering, alongside original factory tooling and moulds.
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The Peel Engineering story is part of a collection of more than 550 vehicles at the museum, spanning from the turn of the last century to the present day.
The collection includes cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, professional cars, TT and MGP racing machinery and hundreds of other exhibits.
The Isle of Man Motor Museum is open seven days a week until the end of September.
