1979 Austin Car Bodies FX4 Fairway London Taxi Diesel with Overdrive

Description

I have owned this 1979 Austin Car Bodies FX4 Fairway London Taxi 2.7 Nissan Diesel Automatic with Overdrive since 2009 and I am selling as I have reached the age, where I need to downsize collection of British vehicles at the pace I want to, rather than having to.

With the TD27 diesel engine and overdrive, the taxi will cruise comfortably at 60 MPH returning over 30 MPG in normal driving conditions.

To start, you turn the key to the ignition, which causes the glow plug to activate. After a few seconds, a relay will click and the ignition can be moved to the start position. The taxi starts easily, the engine is smooth. The vehicle transitions easily between gears, with an overdrive operated by a switch by the gear stick for higher speed cruising.

Vehicle has powered steering, sunroof electric windows on all 4 doors and central locking.

This vehicle was designed to be a taxi, in the city of London in the United Kingdom, as such has several unique features listed below:

Vehicle can carry 1 driver and up to 6 passengers, with sliding glass partition between front and rear cabin.

Plenty of headroom, so that you can wear a top hat in the back.

3 seat bench in rear, with 2 occasional use fold down rear facing seats.

The rear bench seat also can fold up to allow more storage.

The front passenger seats folds down for occasional use, so normally space can be used for luggage storage.

Is wheelchair accessible with special seat belts and entry ramp stored in trunk when not in use.

PA system between driver and passenger compartments.

The taxi can do a full turn in 25 feet.

Be prepared when driving for people to smile and wave as you go by with many people telling you stories of the trips to London and traveling in one of this taxi's.

These vehicles were supplied new with a VIN chassis number and also a body number, as it was not uncommon for bodies to be replaced during their working life.

The VIN chassis number located on the front chassis cross member is FX4DR24595X, and this is shown on the clean title in my name. The title show the make as Car Bodies, who took over the manufacture of the Austin FX4 from British Leyland. The body number is on a plate on the left hand front side of the engine bay.

I have owned this vehicle since 2009, using it mainly for car shows, parades, family weddings and local drives in that time.

I have service history showing over $30K has been spent on maintenance since 2005, when the vehicle was imported into the USA.

Recent work includes new inner and outer rockers supplied by Motaclan in the UK, welding repairs also to floors and firewall. The vehicle will also come with workshop manuals, driver handbook, a maintenance kit and a selection of spare built up over the years.

The vehicle is 46 years old, so the imperfections are listed below, with photos included:

There are several rust bubbles under the paint and vinyl roof.

Center console around electric window switch is cracked.

Rear electric windows are slow to close.

Milometer stopped at 200,000 miles, so true mileage is unknown.

Vinyl roof stitching failing in a couple of places.

There is no air conditioning fitted to this vehicle.

Vehicle and title will not be released until funds have been cleared by my bank.