{"product_id":"signed-the-austin-pedal-car-story-the-fascinating-history-of-austins-j40-and-pathfinder-from-1946-to-present-day","title":"SIGNED  The Austin Pedal Car Story - The fascinating history of Austins J40 and Pathfinder from 1946 to present day","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSIGNED BY AUTHOR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eISBN: 9781913089283\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Austin J40 pedal car is a miniature motoring marvel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe level of interest over the years in these diminutive Austins is way beyond anything that the three-man design and development team could ever have imagined when they hand-built the prototype of Austin Chairman Leonard Lord’s ‘little idea’ in 1946.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver 70 years after the first production example rolled off the South Wales factory line – in 1949 – interest in the Austin J40 remains strong today, boosted by the annual Settrington Cup race for J40s at the Goodwood Revival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe intriguing story of secrecy, innovation and social responsibility – perhaps unique in the history of the motor industry – is told in fascinating detail in this lavishly produced book, which provides a social history intertwined with the story of Austin’s diminutive Pathfinder and J40 pedal cars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLavish production, large-format, and extensively illustrated with over 1,000 images, including a wealth of previously unpublished photographs detailing: the Bargoed factory, the evolution, history, production of the pedal cars; the social impact of the factory, set up to rehabilitate former miners; period advertising and use of the cars for road-safety education and for fairground rides; plus specially commissioned studio photography of cars today.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFascinating and authoritative text from respected Austin pedal-car expert and historian Dr. David Whyley.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed tables covering production data, specifications, and paint colours for Pathfinder and J40 pedal cars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInsightful interviews with numerous people involved in the design and production of the pedal cars, and with owners across the years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe discovery of the long-forgotten special J40 given to King Charles III as a young prince, which now resides in the Royal Collection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComprehensive chapters covering: the pedal cars’ roots and evolution; the Bargoed, South Wales factory; the workforce; Austin J40 racing, in period and today; the use of the pedal cars in road-safety campaigns around the world; details of the prototype cars, plus production Pathfinders and J40s; stories from owners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Porter Press International","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47628883984604,"sku":"9781913089283","price":300.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0814\/8297\/3404\/files\/2_11031_e__63960.1698280165.1280.1280.jpg?v=1772108836","url":"https:\/\/automotobookshop.com.au\/products\/signed-the-austin-pedal-car-story-the-fascinating-history-of-austins-j40-and-pathfinder-from-1946-to-present-day","provider":"Automoto Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}