Austin FX4 BRITISH Taxi GREAT Project Car + more

Hi,

I have a vintage British Taxi that I believe is about a 1958 - early 1960's. I'm almost sure it's either a 1958 or 56. There is a metal plate with a serial number on it, but part of one of the numbers is slightly obliterated. It can only be one of few numbers.

I've done quite a bit of research on it, and did glean some information. They did not do any changes for many years to the body style, and so I'm confident of the range of years I've mentioned.

Although it has no motor, as far as I can see, pretty much all of the original parts are there. It does have some corrosion in the areas that are common to this vehicle. I found that information on-line as I checked out every site there was on these taxis. It was a common place to get rust along the lip area along the top edges. There's some along the bottom edge.

I'll name all I can remember from the top of my head, and will provide more later as we talk about it. I've tried to sell this a couple times before, and don't have the list handy at the moment.

A little details on the personal ownership history of it. I've had it in my possession for about 4 years now. It was left behind, and before that it was garaged for about 2-3 years by the person who left it with me. I knew this personally, and saw it there myself. I have no papers on it. It was given to the person who left it with me in future trade for the installation of an engine. I'm pretty sure that didn't happen. The guy who gave it in good faith had 2 of these taxis, and wanted to either restore both, or use one of them for parts for the other. It was for him and his wife. The guy wanted it gone because he was going through a bitter divorce, so the car project got scrapped. I'm pretty confident that there will be no lien surprises to get the papers in your name. I've got a California license plate on it with a sticker from 1990.

I also know a little bit about how the DMV would handle it. I've called them. You will fill out a form, and DMV does a search to see if there is any parties of interest. When the title is clear, then they will allow you to put it in your name. I'm sure it will be clear. The fee is usually low, especially on a project car. I've talked to friends who say it helps to let the clerk know the story. I have no problem writing a letter on your behalf. And the lower value you put, and what you have paid for the vehicle, will make it little or nothing. I've had friends tell me they paid only $25. I can work with you on that.

Okay, with that said, here's the details:

The steering wheel, and stick shift are in place, but the dash is ripped out. The toggle switches are there, and so are all or most of the gauges.

The two front seats are there, but I think there may be a rip or two. The jump seat and back seat are in really decent condition. The headliner has a rip in it. I'm sure you'll want to replace it anyway due to its age. The floor boards aren't too bad, but the hardware strips along the running boards are shabby.

The ashtrays, handles, levers, etc. are there. There is some corrosion on them, but easily can be rechromed. The sliding window is intact and slides but the beading on it has bubbles. The exterior taxi light is on top, as are the 'rabbit ear' lights. In fact, it is the 'rabbit ear' lights that helped me indicate the age...that is mentioned in the sites I have found. The interior light fixtures are there, but I'm sure you'll have to do some rewiring.

There's even a Cavern Club ripped poster in it, a fare chart, and meter. I'd keep the poster in it. Too bad it doesn't feature the Beatles...it would be way more than the taxi itself. Then I wouldn't even be selling this. The Cavern Club is where the Beatles got their debut.

All the windows are intact. All 4 tires are there, including a spare, however they are old, and of course will need replacing. The hub caps are all there. The trunk lid is on, and opens up pretty good for its age, but it creaks. All the door handles are there.

Most of the door panels are there. Most of the doors open fairly easily, but creak with age. The passenger front door is a bit difficult to open from the outside, but opens from the inside alright. I think the heater is in it.

The motor mounts appear to be there, and there are two batteries in it, that I'm sure are dead. I think the transmission is there, but I'll have to ask my friend again. I'm not the most mechanically-minded person.

The rest we can discuss. The car is parked very near to my residence, and all we need do is walk over to it, and you can check it out. I can also have my friend get any more details that might help so that you don't waste your time in coming.

After it was garaged for a few years, I've kept it covered all this time, and haven't allowed it to get any further corrosion.

Please know I'm an honest person. I got burned pretty bad on this entire deal, and won't burn you. I do want to get a fair price for it, so please be fair in your offer. I know times are economically difficult for everyone right now, but I'm not desperate as of yet. It might be a project car, but I do know that it's quite expensive to go out and find individual vintage parts. On this one I don't think you'll have to get that many. One thing nice about having a car with no motor is that you can be versatile, and I'm sure there are several types that could be acclimated to this taxi....maybe you could make it a green earth-friendly type.

I think for the right person who has a great business idea, it could be a gold mine. Surely once you get it going, you have the potential to make thousands off of it. There are many possibilities I've thought of myself. Once restored, you could rent it out for a wedding taxi, or limo service. You could use it as is to advertise your business. Some of my own ideas are to use it in a British pub or restaurant, and convert it into a booth. What fun it would be to be able to let your customers reserve that one special booth to dine in...maybe for a little extra charge, or do a drawing for your customers who will feel special to get to be the ones to sit in it. Another idea I had was to use it as a store front at a swap meet. Who wouldn't want to walk up to it, and check it out. You could put your wares in there, and have it on a trailer. Pull a fold out table in front of the doors, and put some vintage fabric over it to match the time period, and put some cool antiques on it for sale, and they will come.  It could pay for itself until you get the money to restore it. You could put in portable shelves that won't hurt the architecture. When it's time to pack up for the day, just pull in your table, and close the doors, and drive off instead of waiting in line for all the other cars to leave.

I'd considered all these ideas for myself to get my 'blood money' back, but I don't need the vibes it brought into my life. It's time to move on and let you enjoy it! It's really cool, and in spite of the bad vibes, I'm also sad to part with it. In my research for the past few years I've seen some in the condition of mine go for several thousand, and I've seen some go for very cheap. I am willing to see what will happen. If I don't sell it this time, I might just keep it around, and restore it as a later investment.

Cash only will be accepted.

Please feel free to write me with questions, and let's discuss the possibilities.

Thanks so much!