JC
Part of things
Posts: 815
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Jan 16, 2015 12:23:22 GMT
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is that really a taxi body? Or just the chassis with a fibre body? love em, there is a chap who has modded a fair few on rods n sods, well cool. Omg! Why would you do such a thing! Now I've found that site.... how am I going to get any work done today!!!!
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Jan 16, 2015 12:35:07 GMT
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is that really a taxi body? Or just the chassis with a fibre body? I think the full thing was a 1956 FX3 Austin Taxi - it's a had a fair bit of work done though & it's in the US of A! So it would have looked like this:
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Last Edit: Jan 16, 2015 12:36:51 GMT by joem83
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Jan 16, 2015 12:35:44 GMT
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/\ Haha The others take away the charm that it was originally a taxi a bit too much for me but that one is spot on IMHO
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,719
Club RR Member Number: 94
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Jan 16, 2015 12:41:46 GMT
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Why oh why did I open this thread!! I want a bloody FX4 now!!!!
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a
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VIP
South East
Posts: 8,293
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Jan 16, 2015 13:26:56 GMT
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The wheelchair access requirement killed a lot of the working cabs off. The older models could be converted but it meant they would be out of action, and the owner therefore not earning, for a couple of weeks so a change to the later TX1 became more viable. At one time there were taxi specialist with yards full of older models selling them for a pittance. I paid £125 for a Land Rover engine one which had a MOT but slightly crunched wing (lights still OK). Even sound versions were only something like £500-600 ! LEZ is what removed them from London streets. London Cabs are not allowed to be more than 15 years old.
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whysub
Part of things
Posts: 65
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Jan 16, 2015 13:41:56 GMT
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Remove the rear seats and you can get a motorbike in there. Easy with the wheelchair ramp most of them come with. And you still have the two flip down seats (although not the most comfortable seats in the World). Cool as a cool thing when turning up at track days.
I got to use one for a while (a 2002 FX4) which was fine as long as you are not too tall, as the bulkhead stops the seat going back very far. Metro (?) instruments and switchgear, decent heater and air con in the one I used. Easy 80 mph cruising on motorways, 50 mpg achieved. This one was manual too, and the 2.5 Transit engine.
Can't think of any reason not to buy one - a 7 seater, great turning circle, cheap servicing and parts (see the archways in the E3 area of London), and with some thought out insulation, not too noisy.
Think I want one now!
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mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,350
Club RR Member Number: 84
Member is Online
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Jan 16, 2015 13:52:09 GMT
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That works waaaay better than it has any right to. Splendid effort!
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JC
Part of things
Posts: 815
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Jan 16, 2015 15:19:52 GMT
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Why oh why did I open this thread!! I want a bloody FX4 now!!!! omg that's amazing! I had an idea, years back, that one of these would make an awesome hotrod project, but I had no idea how much could be achieved!
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Jan 16, 2015 15:59:52 GMT
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Jan 16, 2015 16:38:22 GMT
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This thread made me think of this monstrosity Cobbled together by the Leepu and Bernie Chop Shop Chip Shop
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Jan 16, 2015 16:39:31 GMT
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Why oh why did I open this thread!! I want a bloody FX4 now!!!! That tick's ALL the right boxes.
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Jan 16, 2015 18:30:46 GMT
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They seem to end up in Belfast. Down-at-heel, but still very active, they're still a major part of Belfast's public transport. So much so that they've become part of the touristy-ness of the place.
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Jan 16, 2015 19:26:51 GMT
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I have a fairway
Reliable is an understatement. Rust is also an understatement. Torque converter blew out and cost £800+ Wings cost about £300 and I think the steel ones are out of stock. Only fibre glass ones available iirc. There are a lot of ball joints and the bearing always want fettling with. Steering box will leak, a kit is available. There's a sump nut on the fuel tank for when someone borrows it and fills it with petrol! They're not comfortable. They're pretty noisy tbh. A boosted one would be perfect. Headlights will try to fall out at some point as the fixing points rust! All panels, even the sills are bolt on.
There is a lot more to know about them.
The only reason I won't get rid it mine is that I know it will start! Other then that they're not all that
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Went to view the cab last night she's a beaut. Its a 1997 Nissan 2.7 diesel. It's been resprayed black with sparkley bits in it. Some rust on the doors but underneath looks pretty solid. Started first time. They've had all the seats recovered in leather and it's got lots of service history. The price has gone down too, they need the space to store their campervan. Just need to find some where to store it
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May 13, 2015 19:45:05 GMT
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I'd buy one tomorrow if I could, I grew up with fx4 taxis my dad was a London cabbie for thirty years, spent many a weekend helping with oil changes, brake overhauls and clutch changes every year, I loved my dads first cab EYK 442J it's not around anymore, if it were I'd buy it back.....we have many pictures of his fx4s and me dad wont have a bad word said about them, especially his Perkins powered cab, the Nissan engined ones he wasn't to keen on, you will find that most of the later fx4s if owner driven will have been very well maintained, London cabs were and are still strictly vetted every year by the carriage office....i want one now!
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Last Edit: May 13, 2015 19:45:50 GMT by Mercdan68
Fraud owners club member 1999 Jaguar s type 1993 ford escort
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May 13, 2015 20:05:12 GMT
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Mine, a 1995 when sold had done 500k miles and drove lovely, autobox was smooth. There's 6 track rods so one always needs changing lol. They always start no matter what
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May 14, 2015 14:29:44 GMT
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Just need to find somewhere to hide/park it so my missus doesn't find out ... Yet
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May 14, 2015 15:18:36 GMT
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Opened up a can of worms here now! Sentiment has got me wanting one now! Spoke to my dad about this thread today, he said get one if you can get a tidy one
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Fraud owners club member 1999 Jaguar s type 1993 ford escort
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Aug 11, 2015 11:24:25 GMT
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So I have finally heard back from the company with the taxi. They initially wanted £1200 with MOT. the car has now lapsed the MOT and they wanted £800. I emailed a cheeky offer this morning that was accepted.
Whoop Whoop!
MOT booked, insurance quoted. Taxi owmership here we come.
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MK2VR6
Posted a lot
Mk2 Golf GTi 90 Spec
Posts: 3,328
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Aug 11, 2015 11:43:54 GMT
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Great outcome. Photos of collection needed!
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