Austin Pedal Cars, formerly the J40 Motor Company, is the only dedicated Austin J40 pedal car sales, service, restoration, and community specialist in the world. As owners of the Austin trademark, they produce the only official range of Austin pedal cars, spares and accessories. Burlen Ltd, best known as manufacturers of the world’s finest carburetters from Amal, SU, and Zenith, purchased an Austin J40 pedal car spares business from Roy Halford in 2020. Prior to Burlen acquiring the business, Halford had supplied Austin J40 parts and spares for almost 40 years.
Specialists in precision engineering to specific tolerances, Burlen engineers used a combination of traditional methods and modern machinery to manufacture a wider range of Austin J40 parts, with increased quality of fitment and everything in stock for immediate delivery. As a result, in April 2020, the J40 Motor Company was born. The Austin J40 pedal car was originally made in by the Austin Motor Company Limited, based on the 1948 A40 Devon and Dorset.
Each car was manufactured in South Wales at a specially constructed factory, opened in 1949 under the name of the Austin Junior Car Factory. A total of 32,098 Austin J40 pedal cars were made before production ceased in September 1971.
In September 2022 Burlen acquired the Austin trademark which allowed them to manufacture new pedal cars, parts, and accessories under the Austin name. A new company, called Austin Pedal Cars was launched and the renowned J40 Motor Company became a sub-division of Austin Pedal Cars operating as an Austin J40-specific parts and accessories manufacturer.
In autumn 2023 the company launched what it calls the Austin J40 Continuation, the first new Austin pedal car in over 50 years.
BAC (Briggs Automotive Company) Ltd was founded by brothers Neill and Ian Briggs, who both have extensive experience in automotive design and engineering, to develop and build the amazing Mono. Neill, who is Director of Product Development, has worked for Bentley and was the Engineering Manager at Ford. Ian, who is Design Director, worked with his brother Neill as a consultant designer primarily for Porsche, Mercedes and Audi, with additional experience in the aircraft industry. The brothers designed, developed and now manufacture the Mono which is a lightweight, ultra high performance, single seat, road legal sports car. They currently produce the second generation Mono and the limited edition Mono R at BAC's premises in Liverpool and these are exported worldwide.
Based in Ilminster, Somerset, Bensport Ltd have collectively over 100 years experience working with Derby and Crewe built Rolls-Royce & Bentley motor cars. Using this wealth of knowledge and expertise they have dedicated themselves to producing La Sarthe. A coach built car of their own design, built using the best of traditional and modern techniques. Sitting on a lovingly restored, original R-Type or MkVI chassis, this is the Grand Tourer we believe encapsulates the spirit of Bentley in the style of the 1950s.
n 1946, Rolls-Royce had replaced the 4 1/4 Derby Bentley with the new Mk6. With its independent front suspension and massively increased chassis stiffness, this car really did make the Derby Bentley feel very old. What if the factory had entered a car for Le Mans in the 1950s? They would have used the Mk6 or the later R-Type chassis. What would it have looked like, and could it have won? This was our inspiration for designing La Sarthe. The car we believe could have entered Le Mans in the 1950s and won. Inspired by racing and built with the care and attention the modern Bentley marque demands.
In order to recreate this halcyon era of exclusive motoring, Bensport have produced the La Sarthe, a beautiful, lightweight 2-door coupé body fitted to a fully rebuilt Bentley R-Type chassis from the mid 1950s. They plan to start a limited production run of the La Sarthe in 2014. The name is taken from the home of the 24 hours of Le Mans race.
Bentley Motors was founded by W.O.Bentley in 1919 when the first Bentley engine burst into life at New Street Mews, London. From these modest beginnings, W.O.'s company went from strength to strength through the 1920s, with an evolving series of acclaimed motor cars and a parade of racing triumphs to prove their outstanding performance. These laurels were capped with five outright victories at Le Mans between 1924-1930 and a sixth in 2003. If there were mission statements in those days, it could not have been expressed more eloquently than than in the words of W.O. himself, "to build a good car, a fast car, the best in class".
These words are just as relevant today as they continue to inform the company's beliefs, actions and ambitions for the future. Located in Crewe, Cheshire since 1946 and owned since 1998 by Volkswagen AG, Bentley Motors is dedicated to making responsive and powerful Grand Tourers with the stamina to cross continents at pace, and drive in refined comfort and style. They currently manufacture the, Flying Spur, Continental GT and Bentayga models.
Berkeley produced a range of unique sportscars at the Berkeley Coachworks factory in Bedfordshire between 1956 and 1960. They featured a composite chassis and the use of two stroke motorcycle engines, an idea that was so ahead of its time, that it was rediscovered some 40 years later.
Reviving the British manufacturing brand, industrial designer Martin Rees partnered with motorsport engineer Simon Scleater to re-open the doors of Berkeley Coachworks, located at Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, in 2020 to manufacture a range of low-volume, high technology vehicles.
They plan to launch two models in Spring 2021, the Bandit Roadster and GT, both available with petrol or electric powertrains.
Berkeley originated at the Old Warden airfield in the 1940’s, manufacturing vehicles using recycled aircraft components, and, given the founders’ combined experience in the aerospace and automotive world, Berkeley Sportscars will continue to re-establish links between both. Key technology and materials used in the road cars are tested in the extreme environment of air racing.
Berkeley Coachworks continues to stand for British Engineering excellence and innovation, and will retain its original focus on lightweight, high performance vehicles and classic, beautiful designs while adding a modern, fresh purpose to the brand’s 2020 story.
