1949 | Austin J 40

The Austin J40 pedal car is a miniature replica of the Austin A40 motor car produced by the Austin Motor Company. The J40 was designed for children aged between three and six years old, and it quickly became a popular toy car in post-war Britain. The car was made from heavy-gauge steel. The J40 was available in a range of colours, including red, green, blue and yellow.

This example is presented in Old English White with red interior and a white steering wheel. These examples are highly sought-after and can be seen regularly at the Goodwood Revival. The only silent racing cars at the Goodwood Revival aren't Formula E cars that have snuck in unnoticed, they're the Austin J40 pedal cars of the one-make start-finish thrash that is the Settrington Cup. Powered by the children of the great and the good at the Revival, without anything close to a single horsepower, a licence to race or even drive, the racing is no less competitive. It's a fight down to the wire where slow and steady wins the race with energy reserved at the start fully deployed towards the end to take the win! Today, the J40 pedal car is highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts, and this example is presented to auction in excellent restored condition and is offered without reserve. Consigned by Fraser Smith