Salisbury-based Burlen Ltd, known world-wide as a manufacturer of quality Amal, SU and Zenith carburetters, has acquired the Austin J40 pedal car spares business from long-term owner Roy Halford. The company can now supply a range of J40 pedal car parts and spares, manufactured in-house using traditional and modern manufacturing methods and parts will be immediately available from stock.
Now famous for the children’s Settrington Cup at the
Goodwood Revival, the Austin J40 pedal car was originally made in England by the Austin Motor Company Ltd. Each car was manufactured in South Wales at a specially constructed factory, opened in 1949 under the name of the Austin Junior Car Factory.
The business operated on a not-for-profit basis, existing purely for the employment of disabled coal miners who sought a new vocation after injury. Pedal cars were made from scrap metal taken from the Longbridge Austin factory, each built and painted in the same way as the actual cars would have been.
Standard features included working headlights and horn, detachable wheels with Dunlop tyres, a realistic facia panel and leather or cloth seating. In addition, each car had an opening bonnet and boot, chrome bumpers, hub caps, grille and boot handle. A total of 32,098 Austin J40 pedal cars were made before production ceased in September 1971 with cars being shipped world-wide.
Many featured in films for road safety or were used as fairground rides, but most were sold to families to be enjoyed by children, despite the purchase price equating to two weeks of the average salary at the time.
Today the J40 pedal cars are as sought after as a full-sized classic car with valuable restoration-ready examples continuing to be discovered in sheds around the world.
Mr Halford said “Since 1983, I have supplied spares parts for the Austin J40 pedal car, but the time is right to ensure a bright future for J40 spares while the full-size classics in my garage beckon. It has taken a long time to find the right company to take over the business, as it was vital to ensure continuous manufacturing, quality production, good customer service and an understanding of the importance of the J40. Burlen are best placed to develop the business for the next generation.”
Demand for parts and spares comes from around the world with an appetite for personalisation, as well as restoration and general upkeep. Burlen can supply a full range of spares and parts and has plans to extend the range in the future.
A new development for the J40 business is the ability to browse and purchase parts and spares on-line at
www.j40motorco.com.
Burlen managing director Mark Burnett said: “Burlen is delighted with the purchase of the J40 business as it fits our business ethos of supplying hand-made products to the classic car and motorsport communities. We are passionate about traditional and modern manufacturing, quality production, ease of purchasing and the highest levels of customer care.”