Austin J40/ PATHFINDER Pedal Cars by Alwyn Brice

This celebrated British pedal car was produced from 1946 to 1971, an initiative on the part of Austin, which was looking to re-employ disabled miners.

A factory was set up in Bargoed, in Wales, and at its height of popularity in the mid-1960s, over 500 staff were involved in the assembly lines. The factory was a car plant in miniature and the sheet steel pedal car was made as realistically as possible, with pneumatic tyres, a working horn and front lights and a even an engine block with spark plugs and leads. It wasn’t aimed at the working classes, though: this vehicle cost around £25 in the mid 1960s. Never that common a sight on the pavements, the J40’s output peaked in 1960 when almost 1300 units were made; by 1971 this had dropped to just 268.

Its style aped that of the Austin A40 Devon, which was in vogue in the late 1940s. Rather like the Morgan, the endearing curves of the little car have probably contributed to its success, since the shape did not change over its long production span.

The J40 two-seater was complemented by the single-seat racing Pathfinder, although this latter was made in far fewer numbers. Reminiscent of the twin-cam racing Austin 7 of the 1930s, this is a lovely creation and justifiably prized in an age of plastic playthings. However, its abbreviated production span (1949-1950) means that today they are few and far between and prices are usually two or more times that of the best J40 models.

Some J40s ended up as penny-in-the-slot children’s rides whilst others found homes in travelling fairs and were used on elaborate roundabouts.

Restoration of these pedal cars is straightforward, though, and specialised dealers are able to offer parts and ancillaries. Getting a sound body, together with the correct boot and bonnet, is a good start. Earlier cars were of thicker gauge sheet steel but all the J40s will require two people to lift them.