In today’s era dominated by SUVs and MPVs, where spaciousness is a priority, it’s worth taking a nostalgic trip back to the 1950s and 60s when the automobile industry focused on compact mobility. During that time, car manufacturers sought innovative ways to design remarkably small cars.
These remarkably small cars came with intriguingly small fuel tanks. Here’s a list of the top 5 production cars with the smallest fuel tank capacities.
5. BMW Isetta
Fuel Tank Capacity: 12.8 Litres
Production Years: 1955 to 1962
Production Numbers: Over 160,000 Units
Starting off at number five is the BMW Isetta, a famous microcar made by the German car manufacturer BMW. It was produced in the 1950s and early 1960s. The BMW Isetta was originally developed by the Italian firm Iso SpA. The Isetta is considered a microcar due to its tiny size. It features a unique front-opening door that serves as the entrance and the steering column moves along with the opening door, allowing easy access in tight parking spaces.
The Isetta’s nickname “Bubble Car” comes from its distinctive shape, resembling a bubble with wheels. Early models of the Isetta were powered by a 250cc single-cylinder, four-stroke engine producing 12hp. Later a 300cc engine replaced the 250cc mill and produced 1hp more than the old engine. The BMW Isetta was rated for a top speed of 85 km/h.
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4. 1957 Fiat 500
Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.6 Litres
Production Years: 1957 to 1975
Production Numbers: Over 3.8 Million Units
The 1957 Fiat 500, also known as the “Fiat Nuova 500”, is an iconic small car manufactured by the Italian automaker Fiat. It is part of the “Cinquecento” family of cars, which gained immense popularity in Italy and beyond. The original Fiat 500 was an incredibly compact car, measuring only about 2.97 meters (9.7 feet) in length.
While it was most popular in Italy, the Fiat 500 was exported to various countries around the world. It gained a following in many European countries and beyond. The engineering was so simple that car spares were sold at local newsstands back in the day. The 1957 Fiat 500 was powered by a rear-mounted 479 cc two-cylinder air-cooled unit producing 13hp.
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3. Piaggio Vespa 400
Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.2 Litres
Production Years: 1957 to 1961
Production Numbers: Over 30,000 units
Well, Piaggio and a four-wheeler? That’s interesting! The Vespa 400 is a small, iconic microcar produced by the Italian manufacturer Piaggio in collaboration with French firm ACMA (Ateliers de Construction de Motocycles et Automobiles). The Vespa 400 was incredibly compact, measuring about 2.85 meters in length.
Unlike many microcars of its era, the Vespa 400 featured a four-wheel independent suspension system, which helped improve its ride quality and handling. The Vespa 400 was powered by a two-stroke, 394cc air-cooled engine, which produced approximately 14 horsepower. It was mated to a three-speed manual transmission.
Before we move to the car with the smallest fuel tank in the world. If you are thinking about buying any of these classic cars, here is a complete guide to registering a classic car in the UAE.
2. Peel Trident
Fuel Tank Capacity: 9.4 Litres
Production Years: 1965 to 1966
Production Numbers: Around 50 units
The Peel Trident is the second smallest production car in the world produced by the Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man during the early 1960s. The Trident’s body was made of fiberglass, which helped keep the car’s weight to a minimum and contributed to its fuel efficiency.
The Peel Trident had a three-wheeled layout with two wheels at the front and one at the rear. This design allowed for a tighter turning radius and further reduced manufacturing costs. The Trident was powered by a single-cylinder, two-stroke engine with a displacement of either 49cc or 98cc. The Peel Trident’s top speed was around 38 mph (61 km/h) for the 49cc version and approximately 45 mph (72 km/h) for the 98cc version.
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1. Peel P50
Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.5 Litres
Production Years: 1962 to 1965
Production Numbers: Around 50 units
The P50 was the first car produced by the Peel Engineering Company and it is known to be the smallest production car ever made. And judging by the new rules and regulations on the development of cars, this title will be held for good by the Peel P50. The microcar measures 1.37 meters in length and 0.99 meters in width with an unladen weight of 59kg!
The P50 is powered by a tiny 49cc two-stroke engine producing 4.2hp paired with a 3-speed transmission. It was famous for not having a reverse gear and the lack of this feature was exceptionally shown by the TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson in 2007, during the 3rd episode of the 10th season of Top Gear.
The Peel P50 remains a fascinating piece of automotive history, representing the creativity and ingenuity of microcar design during the 1960s. If you are looking for classic cars in the UAE, here are some interesting classic cars on sale in the UAE.
Hold on! We have one honorary mention. It is another classic car from the 1950s that had a small fuel tank and is a bit of an underdog.
Honorary Mention – Goggomobil T250
Fuel Tank Capacity: 10 Litres
Production Years: 1955 to 1969
Production Numbers: Over 280,000 units
The Goggomobil T250 is a fascinating little car that has captured the hearts of many automotive enthusiasts. The T250 was produced by Hans Glas GmbH, a German automotive company. However, the microcar was also assembled in Australia giving it high production numbers for a microcar of its time.
Its compact body and unique styling earned it the nickname “Egg Car.” Powering the Goggomobil T250 was a rear-mounted two-stroke, twin-cylinder 247cc petrol engine producing 13hp. The engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Here is a fun fact, the Goggomobil T250 was once part of American actor and comedian Jerry Lewis’s garage.
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