Wednesday 21st October 1953

Austin, Standard and Ford all claimed to be producing the cheapest car on the British market. Austin’s contender was the two-door version of the A30, costing £475, (including tax), which was in fact £6 less than the four-door Standard Eight. Ford, however, who were said to have abandoned austerity motoring, surprised everyone on opening day of the London Motor Show by announcing a cut-price revival of the old Anglia, renamed the Popular. At £390 (including tax), Ford had the world’s cheapest 4-cylinder car.