


An ode to the London cab : Austin FX4 taxi at 60.
Sixty years ago, sales commenced of a taxi so radical in design that not a few cabbies in the capital regarded it with a degree of suspicion. Where were the running boards? Why was there no opening windscreen, so essential for ventilation, demisting or for assisting visibility while driving through the stereotypical London fog?
Furthermore, how would the automatic gearbox cope with the rigours of urban motoring? And where was the luggage platform alongside the driver’s compartment?
The new Austin FX4 together with the Routemaster bus, it was symbolic of post-war change in the capital.
In the late 1950s, the British Motor Corporation (BMC) boasted of the FX3 that “You see more Austin taxis on the streets of London than any other single make of cab”.
Work on its successor commenced in 1956, and in 1958 hit th ranks. The FX4 would use the chassis and the 2.2-litre diesel engine of the older model together with coachwork that managed the difficult achievement of combining the traditional with modernity – the Austin FX3 may have debuted in 1948, but its appearance still harked back to the late 1930s while its successor looked as up-to-the-minute as a Soho expresso bar; albeit with a slightly more dignified air.
The FX4 went out of production in 1997 but this early Nineties example is still going strong in 2009. Behind is a Metrocab taxi – it was more spacious than the Austin, but failed to overtake it as the archetypal ‘London taxi’
From an operator’s perspective, the driver’s compartment was still lacking in space, but the seat was adjustable for height, and you could specify a comparatively elaborate heating system. Communication with the passengers was via a circular disc in the partition, while the first FX4s lacked a rear-view mirror to ensure the fares’ privacy.
“Bunny ear” flashing indicators were mounted in the roof; these had been introduced on the late-model FX3s as the previous semaphore trafficators were prone to being used as unofficial grab handles by departing punters.
Early FX4s suffered from an array of teething problems, not least being that the bonnet was prone to flying open when the cab encountered a pothole. The Borg Warner automatic transmission was not universally popular, as there were complaints about its effect on performance and running costs.
London life: an FX4 encounters a punk on Westminster Bridge in the early EightiesCredit: Alamy
An additional issue was that many drivers were wholly unused to an automatic gearbox and by 1961 BMC offered an optional four-speed manual ’box. There was also a lack of soundproofing, as the Public Carriage Office regarded it as a potential fire hazard.
By 1968 the last FX3s were on the verge of departing London’s taxi ranks and the FX4 now comprised almost all cabs within the capital. A facelifted model introduced in that same year saw the replacement of the “Bunny Ears” indicators with conventional items, an angled division (to afford the driver more legroom) and the very welcome introduction of sound-deadening material.
An FX4 picks up a fare in Eccleston Street, Belgravia, in 1970. Note the Mk1 Ford Transit on the right.
BMC had developed a replacement model, codenamed ADO39, but this was cancelled following the company’s merger with Leyland, and the now virtually iconic taxi would have to continue in production for several more years.
In the event, the Fairway Driver, the final incarnation of the 1958 Austin, would cease production in 1997, and even today the FX4 is still regarded as the archetypal “London Taxi”.
Perhaps its most charmingly off-beat tribute to the FX4 is the 1965 musical Three Hats for Lisa, featuring British cinema’s favourite adopted cockney cabbie Sid James, along with a singing and dancing trio of passengers. Take it away Joe…
Source : Telegraph, Wikipedia.

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CabbiesDoKilamanjaro Go Topless At The Charity Cab Wash, Along With GoWashMyCar
The CabbiesDoKilamanjaro along with GoWashMyCar, are today at the Iron Lung for a charity car wash event in aid of the Cabbies Charity For Military Veterans.

London cabbies take hundreds of sick children on a trip of a lifetime to Disneyland Paris
The 25th Anniversary trip of the Magical Taxi Tour left canary Wharf, after the Big Breakfast with a convoy of 100 Taxis bound for Disneyland Paris on Friday 28th September 2018.
The trip is an annual event organised by the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers and fully funded by donations and sponsorship, has become the highlight of the London Taxi calendar.
Children suffering from a range of chronic illnesses and life limiting conditions are treated to a magical trip to Disneyland where they are thoroughly spoilt the whole weekend.
The amazing convoy can stretch up to 3 miles long when travelling and is supported by the City of London Police, Gendarme Nationale, London Ambulance Service and the AA.
This event is all about the children and giving them a weekend that they will never forget, they are left wanting for nothing. Travelling from Canary Wharf to Disneyland with the Police Escort really makes these children feel very special.
Saturday the children get to enjoy the delights of Disneyland where their fast pass allows them to beat the queues for the rides and attractions.
As this was the 25th Anniversary, 3 London Taxis were allowed to take part in a special pre-parade in the Disneyland park which obviously attracted lots of attention and the children were given VIP treatment in a special area to view the parade.
Saturday night everyone is treated to the children’s gala party, held this year in the New York Hotel with food, a disco and of course the Disney characters who join in with the party and dance the night away with the children.
This year’s trip was a truly fantastic weekend and extremely befitting for the 25th Anniversary of the Magical Taxi Tour.
Sunday was the long drive home with many of the children sleeping in the taxis, tired from a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.
Sadly 2 of the committee members decided to retire this year so many thanks go to Mike Saunders and Malcolm Linskey for all for their hard work throughout the years serving the committee and making the possible for the thousands of children lucky enough to have invited. Do have a peek at this site to know more about the responsibilities of retired people in this society.
Also Phil Davis decided it was time to stand down from the role of Chairman of the charity but remain on the committee and take a back seat, Phil works tirelessly to make this event happen every year so we are glad that he has decided to stay and help out for the foreseeable future.
Of course this trip would not be possible without all of the drivers who offer their time and taxis free of charge every year, 5 of whom have undertaken all 25 trips a couple of whom have decided that the 25th was their last due to their age, thanks goes to all of these big hearted people who go out of their way to make this very special for all of the children.
Here’s looking forward to next year’s Magical Taxi Tour and many more.
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