Austin FX4

The Austin FX4 (also: BMC ADO6 ) is still regarded as the classic black London taxi. Although there was no equivalent provision, the majority of the vehicles were delivered with black finish. Over the years, the FX4 has been sold under various brand names.

Construction and appearance

The Austin FX4 was the successor to the Austin FX3, which was produced from 1948 to 1959 and also considered in his time than the classic London taxi. Like the FX3 was also the FX4 from Austin, in cooperation with "Man and Overton " ( a taxi dealership), " Carbo This " constructed ( a wheelwright operation). The design team included Albert Moore from Austin Engineering Department, Jack Helberg from Carbo This and David Southwell of Mann and Overton. The original design was by Eric Bailey (Austin ) and Jake Donaldson ( Carbo this ). For the appearance of the model produced only a few changes were necessary.

Like the FX3 also had the FX4 a separate chassis ( which had over the FX3 experienced few changes ). As a stiffening of the body served the partition between the driver and passengers.

The first FX4 with the approval number VLW 431 came on the market in July 1958; the official presentation took place in the same year.

History

When the FX4 came on the market, he had a 2.2-liter diesel engine from Austin and an automatic transmission from Borg Warner. From 1961 there was given during the manual transmission from the Austin Gipsy. Starting in 1962, a 2.2 - liter petrol engine could be ordered. The vast majority of FX4 used in London, were not equipped with a diesel engine and automatic transmission.

In 1968 took place a facelift. The vehicles were now equipped with small brake lights and roof-mounted direction indicators, which had the name "bunny ears" ( rabbit ears ). The rear fenders were changed and were the taillights of the Austin 1100. Likewise, indicators were front mounted below the headlights. The "bunny ears" disappeared later.

In 1971, the 2.2-liter diesel engine was ( 2178 cc ) replaced by an enlarged 2.5 liter engine variant. This model was called Austin FX4D.

Originally the FX4 was fitted with chrome bumpers with bumper horns, which have also been claimed to be the same as the Ford Consul. 1979 forms for the chrome bumper horns were worn, so from this time bumper horns of rubber were used. The chrome bumpers were retained.

The FX4 Carbo This

In 1982, the company Carbo This, which had already made ​​the FX4 for Austin for a few years, the model rights and made the taxis now under his own name. Because of difficulties with the emissions of the old Austin engine was no longer manufactures and sells production equipment to India. This Carbo chose the diesel engine of the Land Rover with 2495 cc and 68 hp ( 50 kW) as a replacement. The new model was called Austin FX4R. The FX4R received some improvements over its predecessors, such as power steering (indicated by small bulges on the lower parts of the hood ) and better brakes. The performance and reliability of the FX4R was very moderate.

Some customers replaced the Land Rover engine through the Perkins diesel Mazda with 2977 cc capacity and so were given a very powerful car. The FX4R with Perkins engine but it was rumored that he was very loud at high speeds, causing cracks in the chassis.

Another possibility at the time was to equip old chassis with new bodies and the 2.5-liter diesel engine from the exported to India manufacturing plants. Because these vehicles based on old chassis, they received approval numbers with the letter Q instead of the usual names in the UK according to the year of construction. Therefore they were called FX4Q or "Q- Cabs ". They did not have power steering, but were significantly cheaper than the FX4R. These vehicles were indeed made ​​at Carbo this, but sold by " Rebuilt Cabs Ltd.. ". 2006 there were probably one or two Q Cabs in London in use.

The LTI FX4

In 1984 the London Taxis International ( LTI) of the Manganese Bronze Ltd. established, with the already Carbo and this man and Overton.

LTI revised the FX4 for FX4S and built the Land Rover diesel with a displacement of 2.5 liters. The previous toggle switches were replaced by rocker switches and the passenger compartment was revised so that now there were five passengers instead of four as in the earlier models place. The chrome bumpers were replaced by black drawn steel.

Some observers consider the FX4W which was suitable starting in 1986, for passengers with wheelchairs, as a separate model. In this vehicle, the left rear door could be opened by 180 °, and the partition wall was movable. Usability for wheelchairs was also possible by conversion of already delivered cars. Disabled suitability was from 2000 for all taxis in London provision, which many older taxis were pulled from the market, since the conversion was too expensive.

When introduced in September 1987 FX4S Plus, at this time very old-fashioned Smiths instrument sets were replaced by those of other models of the Austin Rover Group. The suspensions are improved.

In February 1989, the fairway was released. He had a Nissan diesel engine with 2.7 liter displacement that made the FX4 to a fast and reliable car. The brakes were the engine performance however not appropriate, so that there were some accidents. The redesign of the braking system was expensive, since for London taxis a turning circle of a maximum of 7.6 m is required. GKN redesigned the brakes and suspension, so that despite the tight turning circle disc brakes could be used on the front wheels. In older FX4 new disc brakes were upgraded by replacing the entire front axle. The Fairway Driver was the last FX4 model. The last copy was given the number "R1 PFX ", ie " RIP FX " ( Rest in peace, FX), was delivered on 1 October 1997 and now has a place in the" National Motor Museum " in Beaulieu.

Successor to the FX4 was the TX1.

The FL2 Hire Car

The FL2 Hire Car was a FX4 version for private people and had a taxi sign on the roof. He could be ordered as a guest vehicle with better equipment ( including air conditioning ) for hotels and shops. It was sold as a private limousine, such as the Duke of Edinburgh or at Steven Fry.