History
This cab was put on the road in London in 1966 and was taken out of service in 1974. It was then stored for a while, then imported to Australia in the 1980’s, where it was kept in a dry garage until around 2012. Running restoration commenced a few years after that. I acquired the cab three years ago.
I’ve put a lot into this fantastic cab and am really sorry to be letting it go – I come from a long line of London cabbies and basically grew up in these taxis - but my personal health circumstances have changed and it’s time to let it go to be finished off by someone who will love it as much as I do. The parts supplied are all very rare – would cost thousands, if you could even find them. All required spare parts supplied with the cab.
Modifications
Recent work/parts
• Service – filters and fluids
• Flywheel machined
• New clutch (supplied and fitted)
• All 6 wheel cylinders replaced with BNOS parts
• Fuel injection system and pump overhaul
• New water pump supplied and installed (old pump retained; extremely rare and can be refurbished)
• New exhaust mounts all round
• New leaf spring bushes
• Handbrake adjusted
• BNOS self-cancelling indicator switch and toggle (not yet fitted)
• Clutch Slave Cylinder replaced
• Taxi Roof Lamp ‘For Hire’, with missing bulb plate installed and new interior switch, with rubber seal also installed
• BNOS speedo cable fitted
• 2 x rear interior light assembly supplied (from Aston Martin)
• Austin Emblem (very rare part fitted on rear bulkhead – impossible to find)
• Rechromed bonnet ornament, new bonnet badges, rear Austin script badge sourced and fitted
• AA and RAC bonnet grille badges
• BNOS roof indicator lenses fitted
• New quarter window rubbers supplied and installed
• New front brake flare pipe fabricated and fitted
• 4 BNOS Austin “A” hubcaps (four old spares included)
• “Sit Well Back” sign installed
• All window regulators refurbished
• Front and rear UK number plates fabricated in UK, with original license number (JUC 650D)
• Set of original 1966 Public Carriage Office Licence Plates (one on boot, one in rear cabin)
• Original Fare Table
• Reproduction 1966 UK Tax Disc
• Comes with receipts from last 10 years
• Comes with original Workshop Manual
• Comes with original jack
• Comes with set of 4 original imperial-measure Austin spanners
• 3 ignition keys and new leather Austin Key Fob
• Comes with a variety of London Taxi-based publications given to drivers; promotional books, Haynes Manual commemorative book, Abstract of Laws, Original Driver’s Handbook.
Work yet to be carried out:
• Rubbers and mounts to be replaced. JRG Automotive in Mornington know the cab and can perform the work, although any mechanic can do it – it’s pretty basic stuff. Parts all supplied are:
• Engine mounts
• Gearbox mounts
• Body mounts
• Axle bump stops
• Shock absorber bump stops
• Axle mounting cups/washers
• Pair of original front shock absorbers; not needed at the moment but rare spares for future use
• Upper wishbone rubbers supplied but not needed at the moment
• Some exhaust modifications required, from behind centre mount to tail pipe. Possible re-fabrication of this section – minor work. New mount has been installed onto the frame, but pipes need altering in order for system to fit under the diff.
• Two small patches of light rust on underside which will need welding – small job. Worth plugging two small cable holes in luggage compartment floor too.
• Partition/armrest for driver’s cabin – supplied but not installed yet – extremely rare!
• Driver’s door to be resprayed/wrapped (will not affect RWC)
• Retrimming – carpet, rear bench seat repair, rear headliner replacement, parcel shelf, interior partition pillar, driver’s seat to be restuffed. (Will not affect RWC)
• Suggest new tyres (must be tubed) as they will pass roadworthy but are from 2006 (spare wheel is from 1974!) (Will not affect RWC)
• Some paintwork cracks and very minor bubbling, nothing noticeable and no body rust (Will not affect RWC).
Interior trimming will really set this cab off, and could be used for weddings, events, promotional and filming use. This cab will be worth at least $30k+ when finished; it’s so close!
Sold as is, where is, no RWC. Inspections welcome; happy for you to send a mechanic to inspect if you wish.