South Africa, 1953 -- What am I sitting on?

[BernardKruger]

That's me on the front of this car, with my mom, in South Africa, 1953. This had to have been a vintage car even at that date. A few things puzzle me about it: Normally I would expect a little indicator light on the fender right where I'm sitting, but there clearly isn't one; note the 'wrap-around' detail of the running board where it meets the front fender; note the lines of that fender -- how it meets the running board without any curvature to the line. And the biggest mystery: I don't see signs of a front bumper; The front fender appears to extend beyond the radiator grille. Also, note the profile detail on the headlights. The outline of the filler cap below the hood is quite distinctive. Any help in identifying this car would be much a ppreciated! My grandfather liked buying Austins, but I don't think is one of them.

[Leif Holmberg]

There must a way to fix a better resulotion of the photo?

[dustycrusty]

It looks like a pre-war Fiat 500 "Topolino".

 

Edited December 14, 2020 by dustycrusty (see edit history)

[BernardKruger]

Aha! Thank you so much! I think you're absolutely right! That makes sense. My grandfather did have a predilection for little cars -- bought his wife a BMW Isetta in 1960.

[BernardKruger]

BTW, 'Topolino' is Mickey Mouse's name in Italian.