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Visit our 2017 Show Listings at EVENTS 2017
To Advertise your 2018 Events e-mail us at
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Social Media
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As well as our main website we post regularly on our sites related to Showroom Classics, Auctions & Events News
TODAY WE FEATURE
BRIGHTWELLS AUCTIONEERS
Wednesday 29th November 2017
Leominster Classic Motoring Auction Centre
Easters Court, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0
1951 AUSTIN J40 PEDAL CAR
Austin pedal cars were made by the same Austin Motor Company that made full-sized cars in Longbridge, although the miniature versions were made in a specially constructed factory at Bargoed in South Wales.
The pedal car factory opened in July 1949 and was called the Austin Junior Car Factory. It was actually paid for by Government funds and was run on a not-for-profit basis and purely for the employment of disabled coal miners, around 250 of whom worked there at any one time. The cars were made from scrap off-cuttings of metal from the Longbridge car factory and were built and painted in more or less the same way as the motorcars.
The J40 was a very well-equipped toy of excellent quality and was probably the best pedal car on the market at the time. It featured real working headlights and horn, detachable wheels with Dunlop pneumatic tires, a dashboard and leather-cloth seating. It had an opening bonnet and boot and also a lot of good quality chrome, namely both bumpers, hub caps, grille, boot handle, and centre bonnet moulding complete with the Flying A ornament – later dropped on health and safety grounds (yes, they did exist even then!).
At launch the J40 cost £27 plus £6 purchase tax, about three weeks’ wages for a working man. Although most were sold to indulgent parents, a fair few were sold to Local Authorities to teach road safety to school children and many were also fitted to roundabouts at fairs.
Thought to date from around 1951, this particular J40 has had just one owner for the last 50 years or more and has at some point been fitted with an electric motor of some sort. In otherwise original condition it has built up a charming patina over the years and although all parts to restore these cars are readily available, it is a moot point whether restoration would improve or spoil it.
With Christmas looming it would make an excellent present for some lucky grandchild, or could perhaps be entered into the J40 pedal car race at next year’s Goodwood Revival?
SELECTED By IDRIS THE SQUIRREL
TODAY WE FEATURE
Wednesday 29th November 2017
Leominster Classic Motoring Auction Centre
Easters Court, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0
Austin pedal cars were made by the same Austin Motor Company that made full-sized cars in Longbridge, although the miniature versions were made in a specially constructed factory at Bargoed in South Wales.
The pedal car factory opened in July 1949 and was called the Austin Junior Car Factory. It was actually paid for by Government funds and was run on a not-for-profit basis and purely for the employment of disabled coal miners, around 250 of whom worked there at any one time. The cars were made from scrap off-cuttings of metal from the Longbridge car factory and were built and painted in more or less the same way as the motorcars.
The J40 was a very well-equipped toy of excellent quality and was probably the best pedal car on the market at the time. It featured real working headlights and horn, detachable wheels with Dunlop pneumatic tires, a dashboard and leather-cloth seating. It had an opening bonnet and boot and also a lot of good quality chrome, namely both bumpers, hub caps, grille, boot handle, and centre bonnet moulding complete with the Flying A ornament – later dropped on health and safety grounds (yes, they did exist even then!).
At launch the J40 cost £27 plus £6 purchase tax, about three weeks’ wages for a working man. Although most were sold to indulgent parents, a fair few were sold to Local Authorities to teach road safety to school children and many were also fitted to roundabouts at fairs.
Thought to date from around 1951, this particular J40 has had just one owner for the last 50 years or more and has at some point been fitted with an electric motor of some sort. In otherwise original condition it has built up a charming patina over the years and although all parts to restore these cars are readily available, it is a moot point whether restoration would improve or spoil it.
With Christmas looming it would make an excellent present for some lucky grandchild, or could perhaps be entered into the J40 pedal car race at next year’s Goodwood Revival?
ORIGINAL SOURCE
SELECTED By IDRIS THE SQUIRREL
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