The recent Open Day at the PCO
was unique in several ways. Firstly, it was the first time that the doors of this
establishment had ever been thrown open to the public either at Penton Street or earlier
at Lambeth Road. Secondly, the catalyst for the organisation of the event by the PCO had
been an approach by the LVTA to visit with some of our cabs. Thirdly, the resulting
display of twelve historic taxicabs together with the latest offerings from both LTI and
Hooper, was possibly the most comprehensive display of motor cabs ever mounted, spanning
as it did the years 1912 to 1998.
The oldest cab was a Unic (LF 5795) owned by Antony Blackman which he
repatriated from Texas in 1995. The cab had been bought from Vauxhall Bridge Motors in
1932 and presented to the Mayor of Fort Worth as a retirement present, which makes a novel
change from an engraved clock and a tapestry by the Women’s Institute! Antony also
presented a 1933 Austin ‘High Lot’ which has a straight chassis frame, being
superseded by the Austin Low-Loader, on one of which we had to demonstrate how to carry
out roadside repairs; it was that or tow it back to Chertsey! |
A 1912 Unic makes what must be it's first visit to the PCO yard.
Alan Withey brought along his Morris Super-Six, the only
type of cab to gain a plate with a six-pot engine and known affectionately as the
‘tar spreader’. Shame about the floor at the PCO! The immediate post-war period
was represented by Frank Harrington’s superb Nuffield Oxford, the type being axed
upon the merger with Austin to protect the FX3 - the new British Motor Corporation finding
it being in competition with itself! Bob McPhails example, with the BMC 2.2 diesel,
captures the atmosphere of these cabs perfectly.
We were graced with two Mk7 Beardmores, a 3-door and the last 4-door to
operate in London and the rare sight of a Series 2 Winchester. This is a |
beautiful restoration by Jeff
Lemon but one only has to sit behind the wheel to realise why they never hit the big time.
I brought along my 1970 prototype Metrocab which older drivers may remember
being on trial at the General for a couple of years. It had never gone down well at the
Yard, having been given 58 stops and considered unsafe to road-test on its first
presentation for type approval and getting 34 stops just 5 months into its first plate.
Nothing changes - the thing defiantly blew a front wheel-cylinder as I pulled out of the
yard to drive back to Woking.
No display would be complete without an FX4-type but Ian Cooper’s is a
little bit different being an FL2 Hire Car which was used in central London and maintained
by a cab garage for the owners. Our display, which was set up under cover in the main
building, was very well received by both the trade and members of the public and we hope
that the event will be repeated. Short of holding driving tests, this is an ideal venue
for a London taxi trade show with ample room for trade and charity stands in a central
location.Keith White (A16) |
