Austin J40 Pedal Car

Description

• AT AUCTION – Please click HERE
• Long term ownership
• Full restoration c30 years ago

Finding a meticulously restored J40 Austin Pedal car like this is a rare treat. This one has the added bonus of very long term ownership and a lovely back story. Whether you’re a collector or seeking a unique gift, this J40 is a must-have.

History 

When Austin boss Sir Leonard Lord came up with the idea of the vehicle in 1946 they put together a team to design a pedal car after creating a hand-built prototype.

The J40 was based on Austin’s 1948 A40 Devon and Dorset, and production started in 1949, with the help of Government funding, at the Austin plant in Bargoed in South Wales.

The factory was staffed by local miners disabled by pneumoconiosis, who built the cars using scrap metal. The Bargoed factory is thought to be the first in the world where every employee was registered as disabled. By 1953, 150 men were employed at the factory with more than 31,000 pedal cars sold before production there ended in 1971.

In recent years, interest in the Austin J40 pedal car has been boosted by the annual Settrington Cup race at the Goodwood Revival

Austin Pedal Cars now produce new versions and supplies new parts for the classic J40 which is a bonus as it means these little gems can be maintained for future generations to love and enjoy as a first foray into classic ownership.

This J40

Who better to tell the story than our vendor who has owned this little beauty for over 30 years

“Bought from a guy who worked at the Coventry Motor Museum in late 1993.. in a really horrendously bright yellow hand painted state! 

My late hubby had one in Sky Blue when he was a child, so I tracked this one down to surprise him. At the time we owned a top class accident repair business so I arranged for lads to do secret overtime to get it perfect and it was given to him as a Christmas present. (Our image gallery shows the strip down to bare metal and respray.)

It’s not perfect now.. there are a few bits to do. Unfortunately the steering wheel got snapped and the back bumper got damaged, so I got a friend to hand make one.  But replacement parts are available to buy online. The wiring for the lights etc is in a bag with some screws etc. I have a battery but think it may be past it’s sell by date!

The pedal car sat in a bedroom then garage and it’s now in my dining room but as I don’t have any small people in family now, it’s time for it to move on and find a new home.”

Please note this is too heavy for our vendor to move easily hence the photos at angles. The dimensions are 5ft long and 95lbs (43 kg).

Summary

There is delightful diversity to the classic car world. Be it speed, luxury, handling or nostalgia or all of them put together. Or something else entirely. Such as the brilliant Austin Pedal Cars J40. Aided no doubt by the annual race held at Goodwood with a Le Mans style start these little pedal-powered wonders have simply never been cooler. Reports suggest around 32,000 were produced it’s anyone guess how many are left. We’d guess few with this kind of provenance.

Vehicle Location–Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11: it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendors.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Austin J40 Pedal Car? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So, we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we. The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at team@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to get back to you, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

We will always strive to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available. However, we can’t claim to be perfect. Your own analysis is very important, and we are here to help and answer any and all queries you may have prior to purchase.

We positively encourage buyers to view each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding.

If we do take a physical, as opposed to a remote, look at any of the vehicles on our platform, they are not those of a qualified vehicle inspector or other professional. As with all vehicles of a certain age, localised paint repairs are common. This specifically applies with classics.

So, please, unless we state explicitly to the contrary, please assume that classic vehicles on our platform could have had remedial bodywork of any kind at some point in its life.

Two final comments on images and photos.

These images have been supplied by vendors. Camera technology has and continues to improve significantly, but please note and understand that image and sound quality does vary. If you would like our vendor to provide more images, please ask us and we will contact them for you.

If you are at all unsure, just ask us. It is what we are here for.

Finally, please note that vehicles are sold as seen and a returns policy is not applicable. This is the norm for used items acquired at auction.

Our Terms and Conditions are here and our FAQS can be found here or contact us: team@evoke-classics.com

Got one you’d like to sell? Please feel free to get in touch to have a no obligation chat with us: Contact The Evoke Team