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
