Lot Ended
Description
From a deceased estate; long-term ownership; highly original with a
wonderful patina
In production
from 1950 – 1971, the J40 pedal car was manufactured at the Austin Junior Car
Factory in Bargoed, South Wales, as a not-for-profit initiative to provide
employment for disabled coal miners.
Modelled on
the 1948 Austin A40 Devon and Dorset, the J40 was built like a real vehicle
using steel off-cuts from the main Austin factory in Longbridge. Authentic
details included an opening bonnet and boot, a handbrake and detachable wheels
with pneumatic Dunlop tyres.
Under the bonnet
was a dummy engine complete with four faux spark plugs and leads to give
children a realistic mechanical experience, while the dashboard housed an
imitation instrument panel with a 70mph speedo. The seats were upholstered in
material similar to the full-sized Austin Devon and it had a working horn and
battery-operated headlights.
Around 32,098 J40s
were made in total and survivors are highly collectible today. They even have
their own dedicated race, the Settrington Cup, held annually at the Goodwood
Revival.
On offer here from a deceased estate,
this particular J40 has been in the current ownership for many decades. The
30071 serial number stamped into the boot floor indicates that it was built in
c.1968. It also has a nice Great Yarmouth-issue dummy number plate, LEX
1.
As you can see in the photos, it is in highly original condition with
that priceless patina that only comes from decades of light use.
Yes, it could be turned into a show queen with a
fresh coat of paint, but before you rush into anything like that, just remember
– they are only original once…
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com