Economy Cars

Europe specialized in the small, economical family car in the 1950s, producing a wide range of practical and often surprisingly civilized vehicles with much more space, pace, and comfort than their pre-war equivalents. However, some marques, such as Ford, bucked the modernizing trend by continuing throughout the decade to sell pre-war cars at rock bottom prices, undercutting the more advanced models.

Wolseley 1500, 1957

 

Origin	UK
Engine	1,489 cc, straight-four
Top speed	78 mph (126 km/h)

Morris recycled the Minor’s floorpan and fitted it with a bigger engine to make this upmarket Wolseley (also available under the Riley name); a popular car, it sold over 140,000.

Ford Prefect E493A, 1949

 

Origin	UK
Engine	1,172 cc, straight-four
Top speed	60 mph (97 km/h)

Ford added faired-in headlights and quality fittings inside to distract buyers from the car’s pre-war origins. The Prefect sold well in the car-starved UK of the post-war era.

Ford Popular 103E, 1953

 

Origin	UK
Engine	1,172 cc, straight-four
Top speed	60 mph (97 km/h)

A hangover from the 1930s, the 103E had rod brakes, a side-valve engine, three gears, and pre-war styling. It was basic and very cheap, and remained in production until 1959.

Ford Anglia 100E, 1953

 

Origin	UK
Engine	1,172 cc, straight-four
Top speed	70 mph (113 km/h)

Ford built pre-war cars through the 1950s, but this modern-looking sedan brought their small cars up to date. It sold well, despite having a side-valve engine and three gears.

Ford Anglia 105E, 1959

 

Origin	UK
Engine	997 cc, straight-four
Top speed	76 mph (122 km/h)

The 105E, the final model in the Anglia series, was right up to date with its ultra-modern, U.S.-influenced styling, oversquare, free-revving new engine, and slick, four-speed transmission.

Renault Dauphine, 1956

 

Origin	France
Engine	845 cc, straight-four
Top speed	66 mph (106 km/h)

The Dauphine was an update of the rear-engined, post-war 4CV. With a slightly larger engine, more space inside, and an appealing new body, it sold over 2 million in 12 years.

DKW Sonderklasse, 1953

 

Origin	Germany
Engine	896 cc, straight-three
Top speed	75 mph (121 km/h)

With its light, air-cooled, two-stroke engine and aerodynamic styling, the DKW Sonderklasse was faster than its small engine size suggested; later models could reach 88 mph (142 km/h).

Morris Minor Traveller, 1953

 

Origin	UK
Engine	1,098 cc, straight-four
Top speed	62 mph (100 km/h)

The attractive, practical, timber-clad Traveller was a popular addition to the hugely successful Morris Minor range. It had side-hinged rear doors and a rear seat that folded away to increase space.

Simca Aronde Plein Ciel, 1957

 

Origin	France
Engine	1,290 cc, straight-four
Top speed	82 mph (132 km/h)

Simca started by making Fiats under license, and the Aronde was its first new design. The body of this good-looking but expensive Plein Ciel coupe was built by Facel.

Nash Metropolitan, 1954

 

Origin	UK/USA
Engine	1,489 cc, straight-four
Top speed	75 mph (121 km/h)

Built in Britain primarily for the North American market, this little coupe was marketed at female drivers, as an about-town car for wealthy housewives.

Fiat 600, 1955

 

Origin	Italy
Engine	633 cc, straight-four
Top speed	62 mph (100 km/h)

The first rear-engined Fiat, with all-independent suspension and monocoque construction, the 600 was a quality small car with adequate space for four people.

Fiat 600 Multipla, 1956

 

Origin	Italy
Engine	633 cc, straight-four
Top speed	55 mph (89 km/h)

The well-packaged Multipla could seat six adults yet was only about 3.5 m (lift 6in) long. It pioneered the “MPV” (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) concept, which became especially popular in the 1990s.

Austin A40, 1958

 

Origin	UK
Engine	948 cc, straight-four
Top speed	72 mph (116 km/h)

After Prince Philip remarked on the dumpy look of Austin cars, the company called in Pinin Farina, who turned the staid A40 into this stylish sedan.

Skoda Octavia, 1959

 

Origin	Czechoslovakia
Engine	1,089 cc, straight-four
Top speed	75 mph (121 km/h)

Launched in 1954 as the 440, this Czech people’s car was good value, but the swing-axle rear suspension could cause problems when cornering for unwary drivers.

 

It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011