Pedal Car Blog

I was doing a little research history on pedal cars the other day because I was considering buying one as a gift. These wonderful little pedal cars and ride on toys can be traced as far back as the late 1800s.

Pursued through the 1900s in the United States,  England, France and Australia, where these pedal toys were wide spread.

In the USA, pedal cars were made by companies such as Toledo with American National Automobiles and Murray with Steelcraft, both based out of Ohio. Model T Roadsters are a familiar pedal car ride with the Steelcraft stamp on it .

In the UK, it was Line Bros., with familiar Tri-ang who made the most popular pedal car in England. The J-40 modeled after the 1949 A-40. In France, there was Bon Marche` selling them before the war and Eureka after the war. Down under in Australia there was Cyclops whose pedal car designs were based on full sized US models at the time. 

As adults it can be very enjoyable surfing through history of these great little pedal toys, because for a lot of us it brings back cherished memories, when we were kids and our own special pedal car ride.  I am sure our children and grandchildren do not contemplate history of the sweet ride they just received.  You and I know, kids just want to pedal for fun.

Now for a pedal car query — What does the J in J-40 stand for?

We welcome answers in the form of comments if you choose.