Anyone who's been to Britain (and even many who haven't, poor souls) will recognise a London taxi at a glance. Aside from the distinctive shape they're most often black. Except when they're pink. A London-based customer, testing "LTI Vehicle's" claim that it will make cabs in any color, had one condition when ordering his new taxi – it must be in candyfloss pink. LTI's Steve Everton said: "We laughed when we first got the order but immediately got to work mixing the colours. We're really pleased with the final result and it's created quite a stir in the factory. I dare say it will create a stir on the streets of London as well." No word on why the customer requested pink except, perhaps, to flatter his female riders or, more likely, to stand out on crowded Regent Street.
The most intelligent taxis on the face of the earth, London cabs have changed little over the decades, though the current TX4, launched in 2006, comes with a distinctive restyled front grille, cleaner Euro IV compatible VM engine, anti-lock brakes as standard and remodelled suspension. During the years when my family and I lived in London (thanks to a job transfer from New York) we loved those cabs with their spacious interiors, tight turning circles, and drivers whose lengthy training included memorising a book called The Knowledge. Can you imagine a prospective North American cabbie spending a year on a motor scooter, learning every street and and alley in his or her town? We should be so lucky.
When i visited London around the end of 1963 I remember London taxis with no left front seat, just a flat floor for luggage, etc. I also think I remember that there was no left front door, but I could be dreaming this.Can you confirm, or am I going nuts. Harley
April 16, 2007 @ 10:56 pm