Call Sign February 2008 - Page 18 - DAC’S MOHAMED IN FX3 VICTORY

M&O archivist Sue Hughes with Mo as they look up the record of VNF 150 For most Dial-a-Cab drivers, their taxi is a working vehicle they drive most days and replace every few years. Rarely do owners become so attached or emotionally involved with their vehicle that they heap huge quantities of tender loving care onto it or have the desire to restore it to its former glory - especially fifty years on! But regular readers will recall Mohamed Abed-Alaziz (N09) and his tussle with the AA, when their patrolman damaged Mo’s cab and he took them to court. In a robustly presented case, he won the day and with equal dedication and unending enthusiasm, Mo told Call Sign *of his love affair with Victoria, Manchester’s oldest and only surviving FX3 taxi from 50 years ago…* "My story starts back in 1997 when I first set eyes on an Austin FX3 taxi. I was so impressed that I wanted immediately to own one. All through the Knowledge, I dreamed of having my badge and owning one of these rare and historic vehicles. It was 2001 when I first saw this lovely looking cab on eBay. The vehicle was described as starts and runs. I couldn’t sleep for thinking about it, asking myself if it was the right time to buy one. Although my wife wasn’t keen on the idea, I went ahead and bought the taxi – Victoria – and brought it home from Dorking. I joined the London Vintage Taxi Association (LVTA) and soon discovered that I had a lot of work ahead of me. The Chairman at the time was DaC’s Keith White (A16). Everything on my FX3 was rusty except for the chassis. I visited a fellow member of the club and discovered that many parts were missing from Victoria. Then began the hunt to find the much sought after parts needed to restore her. I remember one occasion finishing taxi work on a Sunday at 2am and deciding to head for Cornwall to pick up some parts - not exactly round the corner! Parts were hunted for with vigour in auto jumbles, shows, eBay, magazines - and enthusiast Anthony Blackman! Never discouraged, I	DAC’S MOHAMED IN FX3 VICTORY *Manchester’s oldest cab returns thanks to Mo…*
	Proudly back to her original best - Victoria, Manchester's FX3
	was determined to bring Victoria back to life. After all, she’d clocked hundreds of thousands of miles. When I bought her, the seller told me I’d have no problem getting registration documents from the DVLA. I soon found out it was far more complicated than that. It became a lengthy battle with the DVLA to retain Victoria’s identity by means of the original registration number (VNF 150). It was important to me, a part of her history. After all, Victoria was the only surviving vehicle off the Manchester rank where she began her career. The body of the vehicle was supplied direct from the Austin Motor Company - Carbodies Ltd for the provincial market - to Manchester (she ended her career in Glasgow). The DVLA would not accept supporting evidence - an article from the Manchester Gazette, letters from the LVTA, Lord Montague of Beaulieu, my local MP, M&O, the Austin Motor Company, the founder of the LVTA and the Manchester Owner Drivers Association. After all this support, numerous letters and communications to retain Victoria's identity, even accepting an age related number in the interim - after 50 years they wanted to change her identity - the battle continued. I sometimes felt like giving up, but with full support and dedication from one of the LVTA founders, Derek Pearce, victory was eventually ours and the DVLA decided to grant us Victoria’s original registration! Since 1978, Derek Pearce has played an important role in the London taxi’s preservation and his assistance was invaluable. At the same time, my work on Victoria became complete. Taxis such as these are not like any car, they have worked for a living. They feed families and play a very	important role in people’s lives. Every nut, every bolt, every part and every bit of work done on her was like a vocation. She also took hours and hours of welding and the ‘lady’ is now absolutely rust free. The result is a beautiful cab with a history to be proud of. The cab cost Ł975 from new and is special because it was supplied direct to Manchester. Most cabs begin their working life in London and end their lives in the provinces. This is the only surviving one with a Manchester plate and that’s why it was so important to preserve her identity. If Victoria could talk, I am sure she would have so many stories to tell. One, for example involves an old penny that had dropped between the toolbox and luggage compartment. It remained there for many years. Who dropped it? Maybe it was your grandfather! I am now the proud owner of 3 historic taxis and they have become a huge part of my life, but part of the reason I decided to write this story is to thank the people who contributed to bringing Victoria back to her former glory, as without that help she could not be as she was before. It took time patience and persistence. So I sincerely thank the following: One of the LVTA’s founders, Derek Pearce; Anthony Blackman who provided me with guidance, parts and his knowledge for detail; Bob McPhail for his help with parts and advice: Danny Stephens for his marvellous electrical and mechanical work; current LVTA Chairman Doug Cheshire; Sue Hughes from M&O’s archives dept; Lord Montague of Beaulieu; George Simms of the Manchester Taxi Owners and Drivers Association and Mal Smith for parts and guidance…" *And from Call Sign, well done Mo. The AA had no chance against you…!*

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