London Taxi 1996 LTI Fairway Driver – a British Icon.

In the United Kingdom, the name hackney carriage refers to a taxicab licensed by the Public Carriage Office in Greater London. Most black cabs have a turning circle of only 25 ft (8 m). One reason for this is the configuration of the famed Savoy Hotel: The hotel entrance’s small roundabout meant that vehicles needed the small turning circle in order to navigate it. That requirement became the legally required turning circles for all London cabs, while the custom of a passenger’s sitting on the right, behind the driver, provided a reason for the right-hand traffic in Savoy Court, allowing hotel patrons to board and alight from the driver’s side. The ubiquitous Austin/ British Leyland FX4 appeared in 1958 with a 2.2 litre diesel engine and automatic gearbox as standard. It remained, albeit heavily modified, in production until 1997. The FX4 was designed by Austin in collaboration with Mann and Overton (a taxi dealership) and Carbodies (a coachbuilder) It stands as one of the longest lived British motor designs. Carbodies bought the intellectual rights to the FX4 and produced the cab under their own name from 1982. When Carbodies owner, Manganese Bronze plc, bought Mann and Overton, a new company, London Taxis International, was formed with two divisions: LTI Carbodies, to make the cabs; and LTI Mann and Overton, to sell them, principally in London. Fairway Driver – Introduced in 1993, the Fairway Driver featured all-new front suspension and brakes, with discs on the front. It was powered by a Nissan 2.7 litre diesel, coupled to a Nissan 4-speed automatic box. The last Fairway rolled off the production line October 1, 1997. The one we own is a 1996 model so it is one of the last 100 or so to be built. It served for a number of years as a genuine London Black Hackney cab before being exported to South Africa.

Bentley MK VI – The Sports Saloon

The Bentley Mark VI was the first post-war luxury car from Bentley. Produced from 1946 to 1952, it was also the first car from Rolls-Royce with factory coachwork. The chassis and engine went on to be used as the basis of those in the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith of 1946 and Silver Dawn of 1949. The Mark VI used an F-head straight-6 engine 4.3 L A four speed synchromesh manual transmission was fitted with the change lever to the right of the driver on right hand drive. The 4.3 L was referred to as the 4¼ this vehicle is known as a sports saloon and delivers superb performance for the era. L The chassis used leaf springs at the rear and independent coil springing at the front with a control on the steering wheel centre to adjust the hardness of the rear springing. A central lubrication system allowing oil to be applied to moving parts of the suspension from a central reservoir was fitted. The 12.25 in (311 mm) drum brakes were assisted by the traditional Rolls-Royce mechanical servo. The factory bodies were made by Pressed Steel Ltd of Coventry and sent to the Bentley works at Crewe for painting and fitting out with traditional wood and leather. They featured rear hinged “suicide” doors at the front and a sliding sunroof. Ours is a 1947 Bentley Mk VI Standard Steel Saloon. Only 28 of the 4 1/4 litre model were imported into South Africa. Built in 1947 this Bentley MkVI was delivered new in February 1948 to South Africa. This vehicle has been recommissioned after many years of storage and is a pleasure to drive in. Restoration has been sympathetic to her age so that the patina earned over 64 years is not lost.

Daimler DS 420 Limousine – Decidedly Regal

The Daimler DS420, popularly known as the Daimler Limousine,one of 4116 ever produced worlfwide, is a large limousine produced by Daimler Motor Company between 1968 and 1992. The vehicles are used extensively as official state cars in several countries, including by the British and Danish Royal Families. The DS420 was the last purpose built limousine to be manufactured in the United Kingdom. DS420 Limousines have the most spacious room of any of the wedding cars around today, with its big rear doors and flat floors. Seating 2 to 7 passengers it will be able to accommodate most parties. DS420′s from the Royal fleet are still used daily and played a big part in William & Kate’s Wedding in 2011.Our Daimler Limousine was built in 1983 – and sold new in South Africa in early 1984. The interior of this DS420 Limousine is finished off in light tan material & leather and tan carpets with walnut trim.