London’s Iconic Black Cab: A Brief History

London’s iconic black cab, also known as the hackney carriage, has been a staple of the city’s transportation system for over a century. The first black cab was introduced in 1907, but it wasn’t until 1930 that the design we know today was established. The LEVC TX, the latest model of the black cab, has a heritage stretching back to 1930, with over six generations of taxis.

The Early Years

In the early 1900s, taxis in London were mostly horse-drawn carriages. However, with the advent of the automobile, motorized taxis began to appear on the streets. The first black cab was introduced in 1907 by the London Taxicab Company. It was a four-seater vehicle with a 10 horsepower engine and a top speed of 12 miles per hour.

In 1925, a new Tory government extended the tariffs that had been introduced to pay for the war onto commercial vehicles. This made the dominant French Unic taxis intolerably costly, so dealer Mann & Overton asked Austin to return to the market with a new model. Austin reused the chassis from its old ‘heavy’ Twelve car, keeping the 27bhp four-pot but regearing the four-speed gearbox and, to get a tiny turning circle, the steering.

The Austin FX3

In 1948, the Austin FX3 was introduced. It was the first taxi designed specifically for use in London. The FX3 had a distinctive look, with its rounded body and large windows. It was powered by a 2.2-liter diesel engine and had a top speed of 50 miles per hour.

The FX3 remained in production until 1958 when it was replaced by the FX4. The FX4 was similar in design to the FX3 but had a more powerful engine and improved suspension. It remained in production until 1997 when it was replaced by the TX1.

The TX1

The TX1 was introduced in 1997 and was the first black cab to be designed with wheelchair accessibility in mind. It had a ramp that could be lowered to allow wheelchair users to enter the vehicle. The TX1 was also the first black cab to have a diesel engine that met the Euro 3 emissions standards.

The TX1 remained in production until 2006 when it was replaced by the TX4. The TX4 had a similar design to the TX1 but had a more powerful engine and improved suspension.

The LEVC TX

The LEVC TX, introduced in 2018, is the latest model of the black cab. It has a range of up to 80 miles on electric power alone and a total range of over 400 miles with its petrol range extender. The LEVC TX is also the first black cab to meet the new London Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) standards.

The LEVC TX has a heritage stretching back to 1930, with over six generations of taxis. It is a testament to the longevity and adaptability of the iconic black cab.

Lancia’s Aprilia Masterpiece

In 1937, Lancia introduced the Aprilia, a pillarless saloon that set a new record for aero, at 0.47Cd. The Aprilia was powered by a 1.4-liter V4 engine that produced 45bhp. Despite its humble power output, the Aprilia had “decidedly brisk” performance, thanks to its “astonishingly low” weight of 890kg.

Another rarity was its fully independent suspension, which gave it both “exceptional comfort of riding” and “most satisfactorily safe-feeling” handling. It was Vincenzo Lancia’s final car – and what a car.

UK Government Fails to Deliver on Road-Building Promise

In 1935, the UK government announced a £100 million fund for a massive road-building plan. However, by 1937, when another 500 vehicles were joining the traffic each day, very little progress had been made. Only £6.45m had actually been spent in the first two years. Far more was going into national armament.

In hindsight, it was probably a good thing that more money was spent on national armament than on road-building. The outbreak of World War II in 1939 would have made any road-building plans obsolete.

Conclusion

The black cab has been a fixture of London’s transportation system for over a century. From its humble beginnings as a horse-drawn carriage to the modern LEVC TX, the black cab has evolved to meet the changing needs of the city. Lancia’s Aprilia masterpiece and the UK government’s failed road-building promise are reminders of the challenges and opportunities that come with progress.