The History of the Black Cab dates back to the 17th century. They were horse-drawn Carriages called Hackney Carriages (a carriage drawn by a Hackney which is derived from the French haquenee - an ambling horse or mare, the carriages were four wheeled).  Taxi is short for the taximeter invented in 1891 by Willhelm Bruhn, Cab is an abbreviation for cabriolet, a one horse two wheeled vehicle which replaced the carriages in the 1840s and 50s because of their greater maneuverability. They were mainly cabs designed by a Mr Hansom hence the Hansom Cab. The last horse-drawn cab left the streets of London in 1947. Cabs today still follow some of the rules set down in the horse-drawn era. The London  Cabs are still the only Cabs that are allowed to ply for hire on London streets (There are mini cabs available but they have to be arranged by phone).

                                            Hansom Cab of the mid 1800s

In 1897 electric cabs were introduced to London streets, they were called Berseys and nicknamed  hummingbirds because of their quiet humming sound. They were however considered very dangerous because people and horses could not hear them approaching. They proved to be unreliable and caused several accidents with one fatality. Public confidence evaporated and they were withdrawn by 1900.

The first petrol powered cab appeared in 1903 (a French built Prunel). Other vehicles were tried but failed including Rational, Simplex, Herald and an attempt to introduce 200 Ford Model Bs failed through lack of finance. But in 1906 500 Renault cabs, introduced by the General Cab Company  revolutionised the Cab trade in London. It was also in this year that the Public Carriage Office brought in more stringent rules for the condition of fitness and also the famous law requiring the Cabs to have a turning circle of 25 feet ( a law that is still in place today). Many earlier makes had to be withdrawn because of the new laws. The dealers Mann and Overton introduced the French built Unic which proved to be the most numerous Cab  and was the only cab available by the outbreak of the first world war. In 1907 Taximeters were made compulsory and hence cabs became known as taxicabs. The Unic ceased to be produced for the duration of the war with the factory being used for the manufacture of munitions. Many cab drivers also went into the services, the cab industry was hit hard.

                    1907 Unic

1919 saw the introduction of the Beardmore which was known as the Rolls-Royce of cabs with a Mk2 introduced in 1923.  Conditions of fitness requirements were reviewed in 1927 to try and attract more manufacturers. the laws were put into practice in 1928. Morris commercial introduced a cab earlier in that same year and in 1929 the MK3 Beardmore was launched. both of these cabs proved very popular. However Mann and Overton sponsored the building of the Austin cab based on the 12/4, it was called the 'High Lot' and immediately outsold the Beardmore and Morris. in 1934 the 'Low Loader' was introduced and became the most popular model of the decade. It was cheap and reliable and produced readily and at a high volume, the other manufacturers couldn't compete.

             The Austin Low Loader 12/4

An Argo Taximeter of the 1930s as fitted to the Austin 12/4

The Second World War severely damaged the trade again, the production of cabs was stopped for the duration. Many cabs were used as auxiliary fire vehicles. With low numbers of drivers, badly maintained vehicles and also severe petrol rationing there were not many cabs on the road.

In 1948 the Austin FX3 was introduced. Built by Carbodies in Coventry and financed and owned jointly by Carbodies, Austin and Mann and Overton. It first appeared with a petrol engine but had the option of a ferguson diesel in 1952, before Austin developed its own 2.2 litre diesel in 1954. It dominated the market until the late fifties.

                                                                    The Austin FX3

1958 saw the introduction of the Austin FX4 which was to become a transport icon and one of the worlds most recognised cars. it was in production for 39 years with seven different engine varieties. 1997 saw the end of the FX4s production with the fairway being the last model with still many plying the streets for hire today.. Over 75,000 were produced

.

The Iconic Austin FX4 London Cab

1987  saw the introduction of the Metrocab and was built by four different owners over the next twenty years. the body was made of fibre-glass and powered by a Ford Transit diesel engine. Production was ceased in 2006.

                                                          The Fibre-glass Metrocab

On the departure of the iconic FX4/Fairway the TXl was introduced boasting the same robust nissan TD27 Diesel engine as the FX4. The TXll followed with a Ford engine but proved unpopular and unreliable. 2006 saw a new model, the TX4 (TX4 was used rather than TXlll because the new vehicle met with the new Euro 4 emission standards) which was powered by a VM Diesel Turbo engine.

               The TXl Cab

2008 Mercedes Vito Cab has been brought into London by EcoCity Vehicles plc which breaks the monopoly of the LT1 cabs in London. It features a 2.2 Diesel Turbo.

2008 Mercedes Vito London Cab. with FX4 behind.

The taxi trade in London is the oldest regulated public transport system in the world.

Why not hire a piece of history today. Please go to the 'Request a Quote' page or 'Contact us' page for details. The best way to celebrate, Tour or arrive in style is a London Cab in 'the most English City outside of England".