The artisans of Goodwood Revival: Austin Pedal Cars

Revival visitors year on year can’t help but find themselves heading to the High Street to find the vibrantly liveried Austin Pedal Cars stand sooner or later. This magnetic offering pulls at so many heartstrings that it’s no wonder that automotive fans of any age end up admiring the ranks of glorious small-scale Austin J40s that are powered entirely by small feet.

Merriman shared with us just what makes this little car showroom a must-visit spot at Revival.

“I think the sight of 20 to 30 beautifully restored miniature vehicles appeals to children and the child within most adults, and we know that we are a popular spot for Instagram pictures,” he explained. “As a company, we also supply parts for classic cars so, even before we acquired the Austin Pedal Car company back in 2022, we were very involved with the event, but we certainly turn a lot more heads these days!”

When SU Carburettors brought Austin Pedal Cars into their portfolio it was because they have a passion for maintaining British-made engineering. “We keep classic cars on the road, making sure that they’re still loved and enjoyed, and it’s no different with these little people-powered cars,” said Merriman.

“We absolutely love to see so many of our restored and maintained Austin J40s taking part in the iconic Settrington Cup each year at Revival — that really makes all the hard work to keep them operational and beautiful worthwhile, and we’re pleased to add to the Revive & Thrive ethos keeping these beautiful vehicles in action and not in landfill.”

The cars are still UK made. Some are restored from very poor states and others are made new to a customer’s specifications, sometimes for racing, sometimes for play, and sometimes purely for display in a home or office setting. Austin Pedal Cars ship their products all over the world as they have an enthusiastic global fanbase.

Merriman says the company receives many heart-warming stories about inherited Austin J40s which have been passed down the family and which might be showing some wear and tear.  

The original Austin J40 pedal cars were manufactured by The Austin Motor Company with production taking place between 1949-1971 at the Austin Junior Car Factory in Tir-y-Berth, Bargoed, South Wales. The factory operated as a not-for-profit initiative designed to give work to coal miners disabled by respiratory disease. They were made using automotive-grade steel and off-cuts of scrap metal recycled from the Longbridge Austin car factory.

These miniature versions featured an opening bonnet and boot, working headlights and horn, detachable wheels with pneumatic Dunlop tyres and a leather or cloth interior. Over 32,000 original J40s were made during that time period which are now sought-after collectibles.

The Austin Pedal Car company often receive commissions for specially liveried versions of the cars including a bright yellow one for an insurance company and an American hot rod style featuring glittering red paint.

“On average,” Merriman concluded, “we have around 100 or so cars in varying states of restoration or build in the workshop at any given time. We really enjoyed working with The Repair Shop’s Dominic Chinea last year as he restored a car to be raced at Goodwood and are always looking forward to coming to Revival to talk to our customers, both old and new, about their own projects.

“Keeping these wonderful little cars in great condition so that they can bring joy for many years to come is our aim and we really enjoy sharing our passion over Revival weekend.”

Photography by Kirsty Jayne Russell.

Saturday tickets and 3-Day passes for the Goodwood Revival have now sold out, and Friday and Sunday tickets are limited. 

If you’re not already part of the GRRC, you can sign up to the Fellowship today and save ten per cent on your 2026 tickets and grandstand passes, as well as enjoying a whole host of other on-event perks.