pretty much the same as today
nothing they were hopeless
It would depend on who you refer to as "they", but assuming you refer to British coins, British coins circulating in 1950 would include -Halfcrown (Two Shillings and Sixpence)(cupro-nickel)Florin...
e-10 is in all gasoline these days and will work fine in your old ford.
Transport? Planes, ships, trains, trucks, buses, trolleys, cars, boats, bicycles, roller skates and skate boards.