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Call Sign July 2011
Some years ago I used to use a garage in the
Another true story from Geoff Levene
NW6 area. They did a crash repair for me and
when my regular garage shut down, I decided
"YOUR CAB'S A PILE OF SH*T!"
to go there.
It was run by Dave and his younger broth-
er Frank (not their real names for reasons that
will become obvious). Dave was a fairly pleas-
ant sort of chap, but Frank was - how can I
put it - an animal! Here I'll repeat what a
learned judge once said when passing sen-
tence on some miscreant also referred to as an
animal: "That is probably an insult to the
beasts of the field!"
The final straw for me came when I was
having the cab serviced one afternoon. As I've
said, I'd previously had a crash repair done
there, in addition to an overhaul and new diff.
As I stood in the yard, Frank sidled over and
said "Your cab's a pile of sh*t!"
Now I had no sentimental feelings about my
cab. Perhaps it was a pile of sh*t, but it was my
pile of sh*t and I was apparently paying him to
keep it that way! So I paid my bill, vowed not
to return and took my valuable business else-
where well to Kingsland Road actually.
Around 5 or 6 years passed. It was a Friday
afternoon and as I drove up Heath Drive there
nised from earlier visits introduced himself as
noticed the colour of his wheels and asked if
was a roar from the cab's nether regions - the
Adam. He soon had the cab up on the ramp
he drove for Dave and Frank?
unmistakeable sound of the exhaust blowing
and a new down-pipe fitted. I was impressed.
"Yes," he said, "Frank's a friend of mine."
through. I didn't fancy trekking over to E8 at
As I wrote the cheque, I mentioned that I used
I couldn't stop myself. "But he's such a hor-
that time on a Friday and I had other plans for
to go to this garage when Frank ran things.
rible so-and-so," I said and then saw the dri-
my Saturday.
"Oh that's my Father," said Adam.
ver's smile fade very quickly. In fact he looked
I knew I was onto a loser, but I thought I'd
I smiled. "I won't say anything then!"
as though he wanted to hit me!
try the place opposite Cricklewood Bus
Adam smiled back and said: "Don't tell me,
He could have said: "How dare you, I don't
Garage. I had already assumed that in those
he upset you too!" So I told him what'd hap-
know what you mean, Frank is a really nice guy."
pre-Sheldon Posner days they probably only
pened.
But he didn't. What he did say was: "He's
worked on their own taxis, and I was right.
"That's what everyone says," he replied,
changed since the heart attack."
There was a Kwik-fit nearby, but they didn't
"what can one say other than I'm sorry."
As Adam had said some years earlier: "What
have the part. There was just one
I felt a bit better knowing that at least it
can one say...?"
option...Dave and Frank's!
wasn't just me! A while later I was talking to a
Geoff Levene (K43)
A friendly young chap whose face I recog-
cab driver who had moved in nearby to me. I
Could this be the next London Taxi???
PLEASE TELL US YOU'RE JOKING!!!
Have you
This is the French U-Box, which has been developed by the D3
ever seen an
Group in a co-operation with Huntsman Advanced Materials.
uglier "taxi"
The idea was to show that it is possible "...to build an electric
in your life!!!
car incorporating environmentally sustainable components
employing series production techniques."
It was put on show at this year's JEC Composites show in Paris,
where the designers claimed that the U-Box can make extensive use
of carbon composites, as well as flax and basalt reinforcement com-
ponents, along with a new halogen-free, fire-resistant resin devel-
oped by HAM for the infusion process.
Flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are said to be integrat-
Keith Reading
ed into the composite structure, consuming up to 70% less energy
than conventional light sources and made using high-performance,
Professional Toastmaster
thin barrier coatings also designed by the same group at HAM.
Master of Ceremonies
Frédéric Robin, D3 Group General Director said: "It also
runs at minimal cost and we've already designed a taxi
Tele: 01279 465 938
version with a fully glazed roof to explore the city. Who
Mobile: 07774 860 374
knows, in ten years this could be the new London taxi."
Email: kgr.2@virgin.net
Call Sign may not know what any of us will be doing in 10 years,
but let's all pray that quite possibly the ugliest vehicle ever designed
10% discount for DaC drivers and staff
hasn't approached London Taxis and Private Hire for a licence!
Fellow of the Guild of
Dennis Latchett
Professional Toastmasters
Call Sign Online
