Little cars have been a staple in the world of hot rodding since the whole thing began. It was basic sense that had guys in the 1930s and 1940s repowering little cars with engines from larger automobiles to go faster and generally starting with something small meant that when you started going faster there would be less stress on axles and other components as well. Even today we often see pro street style Nash Metropolitans and other tiny cars with massive power to the point of being cartoonish. Believe it or not, those things don’t do a heck of a lot for us. They are largely useless and while they look impressive sitting still they (with rare exception) don’t really do a lot on the street or the track. The car below, this 1958 Anglia however is awesome. It is awesome because it was built by someone who wanted to use it and who built a really fun and unique car, not a cruise night hero. We’re in love with this thing.
According to the detailed ad on eBay, the current owner has had the car for something on the order of 15 years. Through that time the Anglia was mostly a pro street machine. He decided to “undo” that look and set the car up with a gasser theme. We think he nailed it. Although you wouldn’t have seen lots of 1958 Anglia gassers on strips back then, this thing looks the part and with the roof lopped off seems even more unique.
The skinny Cragar fronts are cool but the chrome reverse wheels in the back with the pie crust slicks are absolutely sublime. Those are some BIG tires back there but they are in awesome proportion to the rest of the car so it just looks right. No, the car was not built a convertible, the owner chopped the roof off himself and added the roll bar to stiffen the thing we’re guessing.
The engine is a super mild small block, there’s an overdrive automatic in this car and seating for two.
What’s not to love?!
Check out the photos below and then hit the eBay link for this 1958 Anglia!
Beautifully made, with pie-crust slicks and stunning attention to detail – but I can\’t help imagining a giant spoilt brat charging out of the trees and after eating the two onlookers for a snack, climbing into the car and making broom broom noises.
With the poor owner/builder trapped under its giant stinking butt….