When I was a kid, a London taxi was one of the more instantly recognizable classic vehicles. Similar to the double decker bus, you instinctively knew when you were looking at the genuine article courtesy of its black paint job and suicide-style doors. For as long as I can remember, they were considered one of the coolest vehicles you could own if you were a British car fanatic, which is why it’s so surprising to see one listed here on eBay as a discarded project. Does anyone in California recognize this vehicle from a long-suffering British car fanatic’s driveway?
Since these were strictly used as taxis overseas, someone went through the trouble of importing this genuine article and then either attempted to start a restoration or perhaps bought it in this sort of condition. Like taxis used stateside, these vehicles were put through their paces and rarely used with care and caution; instead, they were like our version of the Ford Crown Victoria or Chevy Impala, built to be used, bruised, and abused. Austin produced around 75,000 FX4s, so it’s not exactly rare in its home country.
The interior of this former British taxi appears surprisingly complete, which does make me wonder if the roughshod paint job is the result of someone beginning to strip it down for a respray. The cabins were spacious, with a rear bench that could accommodate three passengers and two fold-down jump seats stored against the center bulkhead and still accounted for here. The driver had no real privacy up front and a conventional manual transmission. The selling dealer notes that, per most of its donated projects, it doesn’t run and they have no means of testing it.
But with a durable 2178cc Austin diesel engine, it will likely run again – right? Of course, with such a long production run, the engine could be one of a few different variants, but a ’66 model should make around 55 horsepower. If you poke through the gallery of the interior photos, you’ll see the Taximeter is still in place, which apparently is what gave taxis their name in the first place! So, lots of original details still here despite looking very forlorn at the moment. Hopefully, a sympathetic British car enthusiast gives this Austin taxi another shot at living. Bidding sits at just $250 with no reserve.
“Ello, mate, where are ya’ scarpin’? Here’s your chance to be a Musher, with your own Flounder & Dab, during the Kipper season, if any, sorry if my Cockney isn’t up to snuff, I think they are very entertaining. These, I felt, were the “Checker” of Britain, and probably equally as durable. Not sure “Taxi Driver” would have the same zing with an Austin. Funny, that heater is right out of my MGB, and who knows what else, so bundle up. Again, 55hp isn’t much in a 1600kg( 3527lbs) vehicle, not including big mama, but what’s the busy old bubble, chop chop, eh? ( how did I do, Solo?)
Hi Howard, I don’t know what’s happening here as I have tried to answer you 3 or 4 times now but my comment, with a photo, just won’t post. Not even sure that this one will either.
Worked for a company that tried to redesign these for the US market, having fallen in love with the concept in London.
Used a Panther drivetrain on an enlarged platform.
After 2,500 or so units, company shut down. Oh, well. Was a fun run for a bit.
Hi Howard. Not bad for a Yank I suppose, at least I could understand what you were trying to say, however, I’m not a Cockney as I was born in the far North London town of Enfield and when I was 14 emigrated to Rhodesia and South Africa where I spent 60 years, so I consider myself more a South African than a Pom! Now I’m coming up 87 I am back in the UK, for better or worse, (Currently for the worse considering what our Prime Minister is doing to the country!) As for the London taxi I always wanted one as with a family of 7 including 4 grandchildren, I figured a 7 seater would be a good idea. That was until I drove one only to find that it couldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding, especially when the 7 of us were in the taxi on it’s trial run! I should have known as when in SA I bought a 1930 Austin Heavy Twelve tourer which had the same 1700cc petrol engine as the taxi. It was so gutless that my mates 1927 Model A Ford just walked away from it! I swapped it for a 1960 Austin Healey 3000 that needed a small amount of restoration work to finish it off but considered that I made a great deal as I had paid $7,000 for the Austin and sold the Healey for $39,000 6 months later! I drove another London taxi many years later which had a Nissan diesel engine and that was much better but the family had grown up by then,
Funny, I had a 66 Beardmore taxi on craigslist in Boston for 6 months. I sent the link to Barn Finds, they didn’t pick it up, eventually it sold to someone in eastern NY. I did a little better than this did price wise. I think mine being gas was a help. Definitely a shrinking market on these.
Taximeter? Cool, learn something new everyday!
Yep, I’m coming up 87 in August and I still learn something new every day!
I had an uncle who ordered two of these from England. No, it wasnt Uncle Vito, Rick W.
I never knew why he bought them. They sat in his garage for 40+ years. He never did anything with them. My cousin sold them after he passed in 2000.
I can only think:why? Having been subjected to a ride in one of these monstrosities,I can’t understand anyone buying one for pleasure! Their price new compares with that of the average Town Car or Coupe de Ville! As for the motor? It rattles and smokes and can barely move this wart on wheels! An absolute abomination! I’m sure Ford would have had a better idea!
Sold for $610.00
Did you need to learn and be tested on “The Knowledge” in order to purchase it?
A guy came into our shop with a set of injectors for one of these. They had a major water-in-fuel problem because those nozzle tips were SHOT! Repaired then and sent them out. Never saw the guy again.
This would be a neat car to have. Full restoration; paint it black and enjoy it…
If my dermatologist bought this Austin, would he be a Taxi……dermist?!??