The Austin Pedal Car Story

The fascinating history of Austin’s J40 and Pathfinder from 1946 to present day The Austin J40 pedal car is a miniature motoring marvel. The level of interest over the years in these diminutive Austins is way beyond anything that the three-man design and development team could ever have imagined when they hand-built the prototype of Austin Chairman Leonard Lord’s ‘little idea’ in 1946. Over 70 years after the first production example rolled off the South Wales factory line – in 1949 – interest in the Austin J40 remains strong today, boosted by the annual Settrington Cup race for J40s at the Goodwood Revival. The intriguing story of secrecy, innovation and social responsibility – perhaps unique in the history of the motor industry – is told in fascinating detail in this lavishly produced book, which provides a social history intertwined with the story of Austin’s diminutive Pathfinder and J40 pedal cars. - Lavish production, large-format, and extensively illustrated with over 1,000 images, including a wealth of previously unpublished photographs detailing: the Bargoed factory, the evolution, history, production of the pedal cars; the social impact of the factory, set up to rehabilitate former miners; period advertising and use of the cars for road-safety education and for fairground rides; plus specially commissioned studio photography of cars today. - Fascinating and authoritative text from respected Austin pedal-car expert and historian Dr. David Whyley. - Detailed tables covering production data, specifications, and paint colours for Pathfinder and J40 pedal cars. - Insightful interviews with numerous people involved in the design and production of the pedal cars, and with owners across the years. - The discovery of the long-forgotten special J40 given to King Charles III as a young prince, which now resides in the Royal Collection. - Comprehensive chapters covering: the pedal cars’ roots and evolution; the Bargoed, South Wales factory; the workforce; Austin J40 racing, in period and today; the use of the pedal cars in road-safety campaigns around the world; details of the prototype cars, plus production Pathfinders and J40s; stories from owners. Austin Pedal Cars is the only company to manufacture Austin branded pedal cars, parts, accessories, and merchandise and is the home of the Austin J40, offering a full range of in-house manufactured products designed to keep the classic Austin J40 pedalling for generations to come. Austin Pedal Cars operates its spares and restoration division from its Salisbury Headquarters and a pedal car showroom at Bicester Heritage which will be the home of their brand new J40 Continuation Car. Specification 280mm x 220mm | Jacketed Hardback | 488 pages | Over 1,000 images | ISBN: 978-1-913089-28-3 Publisher: Porter Press International | Publication date: September 2023 | Author: David Whyley