The following photosets are tagged 1958 - click on the thumbnails for more images and descriptions of each vehicle
What a great car! Immediately after World War Two, there was a serious lack in cheap and reliable vehicles. The Ford Popular aimed to fill this gap, and when launched in 1953 was Britain's cheapest car. The name 'Popular' had previously been applied to the 1930s Ford model Y, and there is some visual similarity between these models. Production of the Ford Popular 103E lasted until 1959, when it was replaced by the more modernistic looking Popular 100E.
The Morris Minor was launched in 1948, redesigned in 1952 (when Morris merged with Austin to form BMC) and again, as series III Morris Minor 1000 in 1956. This example was registered in May 1958 and is a good example of a series III Minor, with its 948cc petrol engine, which had a top speed of 75mph, reaching 0-60 in 31.3 seconds. The characteristic central 'stripe' down the centre of the Morris Minor's bonnet results from an overly narrow prototype. By the time this was noted, tooling production had begun, and replicated the error! It was only fixed by adding in the extra 4" strip beneath the Morris hood ornaments. 1950s Morris Minors were fitted with trafficators - the turning indicators that preceded flashing indicators. These are located (on this vehicle) between the front and rear windows.
Beautiful old Volkswagen type 1 modified panel van - naturally with split windscreen, as was the case on all Transporters pre-1967. Converted into a camper van, really great to see it still up and running, and taking people on holiday! Produced at VW's Hanover plant in 1958.
