By David Whyley
2024 review by Amy Forster-Smith
This remarkable tome on the history of Austin’s J40 and Pathfinder pedal cars is nothing short of epic and it is no wonder it carries a hefty cover price. One cannot imagine how long it took to not only research and compile the wonderful stories and complementing images that are shared inside this book, but also the cost in reproducing the 1,000 or so images.
The exhaustive detail delivered throughout is a delight and not as overwhelming as might be supposed from such a heavy book. Beautifully rendered photographs are carefully juxtaposed with written content and fascinating archival images – indeed much attention has clearly been given to the layout of every page.
The author has set about the work with a great amount of thought. Beginning with the very early ethos and ideas for the pedal car, it weaves its way through the design and development processes, the details of the early department and factory (including its workforce) and finally the car’s launch and advertising. The pedal car’s amazing popularity is discussed along with the production records and racing history, before finishing with an exploration of the resurgence and rebirth of the J40. A particular joy is the wonderfully atmospheric photography in the stunning profiles towards the end of the book.
The subject matter is not only broad but also has real depth – copies of notebook pages, designs, plans, maps, newspaper clippings are combined with historic and freshly-commissioned photography that gives dimension to a rather niche topic. The personal contact the author has had with factory employees – and even with some of the original “JOY 1” development team – stands out particularly; the oral history, especially from ex-miners who were employed in the Welsh factory of Bargoed, greatly enriches the read.
With the upsurge of interest (and prices!) of Austin pedal cars, Whyley’s book is a must-read for enthusiasts of this miniature car, but it also holds relevance for those interested in motoring history. Clearly this book is the culmination of a lifetime of careful research and achieves what it sets out to do: to “re-evaluate” the J40 and Pathfinder from being just toys and elevates them to iconic status. A job very well done.
Publisher: Porter Press International https://porterpress.co.uk/
Price: £85
Description: Hardback in dust jacket(268 x 230mm), 488 pages; colour and black & white images.
ISBN: 978-1-91308-928-3
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