THE GUIDE TO VINTAGE BRITISH TAXIS
With thanks to Merle Pierce of the International section
of the LVTA, 
Call Sign
continues the first-ever A-Z guide to every British vehicle that has ever
been used as a taxi or designed for use as a taxi...
Bedford
Although Bedford produced several taxi prototypes based on its small vans,
none ever got anywhere near a production line.
Belsize
In 1907 Belsize introduced a 14/16 HP taxicab. Taxis became - and
remained - a major part of the company's commercial output. When post-war
production was resumed (WW1), only the taxi and vans based on the 20 HP 4
cylinder engine were offered. Production was discontinued in 1925.
Bersey
Between September 1897 and December 1898, 70 Bersey electric storage
battery cabs, nicknamed 'Hummingbirds', were put on London streets by the
London Electrical Cab Company with Walter C. Bersey as General Manager.
They were built by the Great Horseless Carriage Company, fitted with
larger batteries was constructed by the Gloucester Railway Wagon Company. Breakdowns, coupled with the high cost of batteries and tyres, made operations unprofitable and the company was closed down in August 1899. A single Bersey is preserved at Beaulieu.
Birch
In 1955, cab operators Birch Brothers Ltd. developed a prototype cab (SJJ
111) based on Standard running gear with body by Park Royal Vehicles. It
never made production.
Brasier
The Brasier 10/12 HP vertical twin-engined car with 3 speed transmission
was marketed as a cab from 1908 to 1913. As WW1 started, so the Brasier
finished!
