Austin FX4 Price Guide

The Austin FX4 is the London taxi. The black cab that defined the capital’s streets for four decades. Produced from 1958 to 1997, it is one of the longest-running vehicle designs in British history and remains the image that the world associates with London transport.

The Car

The FX4 was designed by Austin in collaboration with Mann and Overton (the taxi dealership) and Carbodies of Coventry, who built the bodies. It used a variety of diesel engines over its life, from the original BMC 2.2-litre to the Nissan TD27 that powered the final cars. The famous 25-foot turning circle was achieved through a specially designed front suspension with extreme steering lock. All FX4s were rear-wheel drive with a partition separating driver and passengers, and the interior height was sufficient for a gentleman to sit upright in a top hat – a specification that reportedly dates back to an early Edwardian licensing requirement.

Buying

Ex-service FX4s are plentiful and affordable. The condition varies enormously; a London taxi that has covered 300,000 miles on the city’s potholed streets will be in very different shape from a provincial example. Rust attacks the body comprehensively. The diesel engines are robust but agriculturally noisy. The FX4 has found a second life as a novelty vehicle, promotional tool, and surprisingly practical urban runabout for anyone who does not mind the attention.