The first Austin London Taxicabs were built in 1930 from Austin 12-4 bodies and were distinguished by their unusual height. They were called "high lots" and would easily accommodate a gentleman's top hat or bowler. During the mid-1930s, Austin lopped 6-inches off the cabs and the new versions were referred to as low loaders. The low loaders were huge successes for Austin as they were inexpensive, readily obtainable and easy to maintain.
This 1935 Taxi is a low loader and was for sale in the September 1978 issue of Hemmings. From the seller's description:
"1935 Austin London Taxi. Ground up restoration. Everything new. The finest unit in the USA. Must sell immediately. Best offer around $8,500. Pictures $1, SASE."
The $8,500 asking price would be around $31,000 today.
A rare American Austin FX3, wearing Yellow Cab livery. Remaining photos courtesy National Motor Museum.
Austin would continue to build cabs for many years and after WWII they produced the FX3 which would see production until 1958. The FX3 continued using the luggage platform located on the passenger side but the driver was enclosed completely with a glass partition, unlike the pre-war models. The "hire car" version would not have the platform, but would add a fourth door, and as a convenience to drivers, all FX3 models came equipped with a hydraulic jacking system. Early models would use a petrol engine until 1952, when economic realities forced a transition to a diesel engine as standard equipment. The FX3 was also marketed and available in the U.S. as seen in the "Yellow Cab" picture, but would not find much success on this side of the Atlantic.
Austin FX4.
After the FX3 had its run, the FX4 burst on the scene in 1958. Elimination of the running boards gave the 4 a much wider look though the body was only one-inch wider. The built-in jacking system and luggage platform were done away with and mechanically, they used hydraulic brakes and a Borg-Warner automatic transmission. The FX4 is the most popular London Taxi and was built for 39 years with over 75,000 produced. Black became the standard color for London Taxi cabs during this time.
An Austin FX3, in the more traditional black.
The FX3 and FX4 (among other British cab models) used the standard color of black because it was the least expensive for makers and cab companies during the postwar era up to the 1970s. Perhaps a tier below the red phone box, the double-decker buses or watching footy at Wembley, the black cabs are synonymous with London.
We featured a London cab in the June 2015 issue of Hemmings Sports & Exotics. Dave LaChance shed some light on a fleet of them that are available for hire in New York City.
from Hemmings Daily - News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/1PYRsnw
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