01-04-2012, 02:29 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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The PRC.
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Classic London Taxi - Last Chance
It looks like this could be the last year that anyone gets to ride in the "traditional" London taxi, the FX4.
Production stopped about 15 years ago and because of a new rule, any taxi over 15 years old will have to be retired - as a taxi - when it reaches that age. Now as an "ecomodder" this seems to me to be a stupid rule - there are quite a few out there giving reliable service, many with millions of miles on them. The numbers of them aren't enough to make a serious impact on air quality so why should they be retired ?
Seems like such a waste.
A few people have seen sense and adopted them as personal transport. (clickable pics)
The new one is the TX4, which Stephen Fry took round the USA a few years ago - it has a Nissan diesel engine.
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01-04-2012, 04:41 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Banned
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I have a feeling it would get higher mpg and be more reliable than a Checker Marathon. But will it seat nine friendly people?
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01-04-2012, 05:07 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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...beats walking...
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...how long ago did Checker cease production?
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01-04-2012, 08:33 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Banned
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1981 or so.
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01-04-2012, 09:13 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Pop has a picture from the Stars and Stripes of a London Cab, full of soldiers, driving up on the beach at Normandy during the D-Day landings.
It's a cartoon  .
regards
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01-04-2012, 09:44 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Pishtaco
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There goes another glorious part of London history, along with red phone booths. I was greatly impressed with the classic London cab's roominess and utility. IIRC, they could seat 7. The driver, 3 forward facing rear seat passengers, 1 front seat passenger, and 2 rear-facing jump seat passengers.
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Darrell
Boycotting Exxon since 1989, BP since 2010
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? George Carlin
Mean Green Toaster Machine
49.5 mpg avg over 53,000 miles. 176% of '08 EPA
Best flat drive 94.5 mpg for 10.1 mi
Longest tank 1033 km (642 mi) on 10.56 gal = 60.8 mpg
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01-05-2012, 01:48 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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NightKnight
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The FX4 is a good looking car... not necessarily 'sexy', but it has a solidly built look, with pleasant curves so it doesn't look too utilitarian... Well designed and quite unique... very unfortunate that they are forcing them out of service.
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01-05-2012, 06:12 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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The PRC.
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Development story of the FX4 is here for thos interested.
The older FX4's are rare now, but like anything gradually disappearing I hadn't noticed just how rare they had become.
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[I]So long and thanks for all the fish.[/I]
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04-03-2013, 11:24 AM
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#9 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Such a shame to see that go 
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04-04-2013, 10:04 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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It's all about Diesel
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I like these classic London taxis. Their style is better than the average minivans, and their maneuverability is also great.
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