Myth Buster Austin J40
Debunking the most common old wives’ tales
1 THe ‘J’ sTaNDs FOr JOy
The four prototypes of Austin’s pedal cars, built by disabled Welsh miners, were known as JOY I, II, III and IV, because, according to Austin boss, Leonard Lord, ‘This car is going to bring joy to one or two kids.’ However, the ‘J’ officially stood for ‘Junior’ while the ‘40’ referred to its styling being based on the A40 Devon. It didn’t stop them being any less joyous, of course.
2 THey were MaDe FrOM aUsTiN OFFcUTs
The first ones were, but as Harold Musgrove, factory manager during the mid-1950s noted, ‘they underestimated the Welsh miners. There was no chance that it was possible to produce from off-cuts – it was mass production. Bang bang bang! Off-cuts would have meant sorting and altering the feed into the machines. The miners were too fast for that.’
3 sOMe were sOlD wiTH MOTOrs
As sold by Austin, all J40s were pedal-powered. However, this didn’t prevent several aftermarket conversions from using batteries or small petrol motors. However, Austin itself only built a couple of electric J40s. One was used by apprentices around the works for fun and could apparently reach 20mph. The other was done for a disabled boy whose father worked for Longbridge security.
4 THe FacTOry clOseD wHeN J40 PrODUcTiON eNDeD
The J40 factory, in Bargoed, South Wales, opened in summer 1949. J40 manufacture came to an end in September 1971, but the plant survived for another 28 years, making chassis, engine, detail and trim pressings for real British Leyland, Austin Rover and Rover Group vehicles.