Introduced for the 1949 season, the E494A was a face-lifted version of the pre-war Anglia and, with its 'sit up and beg' design, its pre-war roots were clear.

Facing stiff competition from the new Morris Minor, which had modern full-width styling, independent front suspension and a four-speed gearbox, the Anglia with its separate chassis and only three speeds, felt old. As the cheapest British saloon however, the Anglia offered motoring on a budget with over 100,000 having been built by 1953.

Having been replaced that year by the new 100E Anglia three-box saloon, the E494A had a second lease of life as the stripped back Popular 103E, which stayed in production until 1959.