With the youngest classic J40 being 53 years old, and the oldest up to 75 years old, a buyer of a classic J40 pedal car has to be sure of its condition.

At Austin Pedal Cars we have inspected and appraised hundreds, if not thousands, of classic J40 pedal cars, and our vast experience of doing this allows us to accurately describe, and value, the wonderful range of classic J40 models we offer for sale.

Every classic J40 sold by Austin Pedal Cars will undergo full condition evaluation. After which our expert workshop team completes a full overhaul of the pedal and electrical system to ensure perfect functionality and safety. This includes the servicing (to include upgrade or replacement as required) of the wheel bearings, hubs, pedals, pedal rods, road wheels, tyres, innertubes, brake, axles, stub axles, steering rod and connections, wiring, battery, horn and headlights. Please note that parts are not routinely re-painted during this process.

Any Austin J40 that has undergone this process will be covered by our own 6-month Austin Pedal Cars guarantee. Cars that have been subject to an Austin Pedal Cars factory restoration will come with a 12 month guarantee.

When offered for sale, every Austin Pedal Cars classic J40 is given a category ranking to help the buyer to fully understand the condition of the car they are interested in purchasing. Condition classes are chosen depending on the condition of the bodywork, brightwork and interior.

Note: Class E cars – pedal cars sold that require a full restoration – are not subject to service and overhaul process and are sold as seen.

Class A - Concours condition

·  Highest levels of paint quality

·  Perfect bodywork and interior

·  Beautifully functioning pedal, steering and brake systems

·  Faultless electrics

·  Flawless chrome and brightwork

·  New tyres and inner tubes

A perfect example of our concours condition cars is our Premier Restoration Green car shown here.

Class B - Excellent condition

·  Only very minor blemishes to paint or body work - limited to swirl marks in the paint and very small scratches that do not go deep into primer or down to metal work

·  Occasional minor denting to the bodywork - generally no larger than 20mm width and very low depth

·  Chrome and brightwork in excellent order, with only minor blemishes or unevenness

·  Seating materials in very good order, with only minor marks likely.

Class C - Good condition

·  A higher level of patina – buyers to expect many more blemishes to paintwork including longer scratches, some that penetrate to the primer level/ bare metal

·  Denting should be expected on more than 2 separate panels and generally of a larger size and depth

·  Some surface corrosion may be showing, and paintwork may have been subject to an amateur respray

·  Bodywork filler may be evident in places

·  Brightwork may have surface corrosion and show signs of heavier use

·  Some non-essential parts may be missing

·  Seating materials likely to show signs of wear and tear

Class D - Well used

·  A significant level of patina due to use (or neglect)

·  Bodywork may have significant damage or corrosion and could include some cracking to metalwork or holes due to corrosion or ‘home-made’ additions

·  Many panels will be scratched and dented

·  Brightwork will be corroded, damaged or missing

·  Bodywork filler is likely

·  Seating materials are likely to show high wear, rips and tears·  Some parts will be missing or damaged beyond repair.

Class E - Total restoration

·  Requires a complete restoration to all areas

·  Corroded or damaged bodywork requiring welding or panel making

·  Pedal system incomplete or damaged and requiring full strip and rebuild

·  Some parts will be missing

·  Brightwork corroded beyond repair or missing

·  Electrics missing or requiring complete overhaul

·  Seating material missing or worn beyond repair

·  Tyres likely missing or worn through·  Many new parts required to complete the rebuild

It should be noted that it is possible to mix condition classes. For example, a car may be listed as B/C and should therefore be expected to show elements of both the Excellent Used and Good Used classes.

Each car is given a full detailed description as a part of its individual listing.

Our experts are happy to talk through any car, followed up with photographs and videos of the overall condition, if required. 

Austin Pedal Cars offers a factory restoration service, bringing J40 pedal cars back to life to the exact specifications required. More details can be found in our restoration section.