Austin J40 thumbnail 1
Austin J40 thumbnail 2
+8
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

Austin J40

Pedal Car
1959 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Open top car made from red painted metal with a brown plastic seat, white painted metal steering wheel and driving control panel. The bonnet opens to reveal a panel representing the engine.The two head lamps are battery operated and can be attached to electrical connections under the bonnet. The boot opens. The car has rubber tyres with metal hub caps.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleAustin J40 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Metal and plastic
Brief description
Metal child's pedal car 'Austin' made in England in 1959
Physical description
Open top car made from red painted metal with a brown plastic seat, white painted metal steering wheel and driving control panel. The bonnet opens to reveal a panel representing the engine.The two head lamps are battery operated and can be attached to electrical connections under the bonnet. The boot opens. The car has rubber tyres with metal hub caps.
Dimensions
  • Overall length: 152.5cm
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
Child's Austin pedal car, 1959 This car is very realistc. It has battery-operated head lights and when you open the bonnet it looks as if a real engine is inside. Made in England.
Credit line
Given by Mr R. Sergeant
Object history
Given by Mr. R. Sergeant, England 1959. [77/23]
Historical context
The shape of the J40 pedal car was based on Austin's 1948 A40 Devon and Dorset. The factory in which they were made, at Bargoed in South Wales, had been established in 1949 with UK government funding for the employment of disabled coal miners.
Production
More than 32,000 Austin Junior Forty (J40) pedal cars were made between 1950 and 1971, at the Austin Junior Car Factory at Bargoed in South Wales. They were constructed from scrap off-cuttings from Austin's factory at Longbridge.
Subject depicted
Collection
Accession number
MISC.22-1977

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 25, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSON