While many microcars developed in the years following Word War II were expedient, frugal machines that paid little mind to style or comfort, some enterprising individuals saw room in the market for small cars that were well-engineered, affordable, and attractive.

Captain Raymond Flower, an Englishman and former racing driver, was one such individual.

Flower, along with his two brothers and a design engineer from Kieft Cars, Gordon Bedson, were involved in several automotive projects under the name of Phoenix in Cairo, Egypt.

These came to naught with the overthrow of King Farouk and the resulting Suez Crisis, so the brothers returned to England.

Their idea of a small, economical car took root with the established firm of Henry Meadows (Vehicles) Ltd. In 1956, Bedson worked with the Meadows designer to create a prototype car nicknamed the Bug, which sported unconventional styling complete with gullwing doors.

Meanwhile, the great Giovanni Michelotti at Vignale was tasked with desig...