After World War I a rush of very cheap, very crude, little vehicles known as “cycle cars” appeared, but these were killed off by proper cars in miniature such as the Austin Seven and Citroen 5CV. This pattern was repeated after World War II, with the appearance of tiny “microcars.” Many were three-wheelers with little motorcycle engines, and they were a common feature of 1950s’ roads. When proper baby cars, such as the Fiat 500 and original Mini, were launched, and living standards rose, microcar owners traded up and sales fell away.