7 All kinds of cars

Chapter 7 All kinds of cars Every year the number of drivers multiplied- and so did their choice of cars. Two popular designs in the 1920s were the little Austin Seven and the larger Bullnose Morris.

In the 1930s, an Italian company, Fiat, made the world's smallest, mass-produced car. Inside, there was just enough room for two people. But then the nose had to be extended to make room for the engine. The car looked very cute. People called it Topolino, the Italian word for little mouse.

The world's best-selling car was originally the idea of the German dictator, Hitler. In 1933, he ordered Ferdinand Porsche to design a very cheap family car. Porsche went to Ford's factory in America for inspiration. By 1936, he had come up with a groovy, curvy design. The car was nicknamed Beetle because it looked like one.

In the 1960s, a British design stole the limelight. It was a small box-shaped car with tiny wheels, named the Morris Mini Minor, or Mini for short. Competitions were held to see how many people could squeeze inside. There's room for one more! Europeans loved Topolinos, Beetles and Minis. They were affordable, full of character- and easy to park.