Austin Fx4 taxi - Rat Rod or Hot Rod?

Hobbes · August 25, 2014, 03:17:07 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on August 25, 2014, 02:34:42 AM
That's amazing, the build pics are tremendous Harro, thanks for posting the link.

From them I can see what they did with the front suspension and it's very clever. Darn it, the whole THING is very clever!

I'm amazed it's not got more publicity as it was built in 2006, it certainly is one superb job of engineering.

yes, thought you might like that. The publicity for this build has been through 'Practical Performance Car' magazine, where Broomfield has a regular column detailing his progress. He's been working on this for ~20 years IIRC and as far as I know it still isn't finished. He's recently added two turbos

zenrat · August 26, 2014, 03:33:41 AM

AMT Chevy van judging by the chassis. Looks good. Can't wait to see it back together.

PR19_Kit · August 26, 2014, 04:15:28 AM

Quote from: zenrat on August 26, 2014, 03:33:41 AM
AMT Chevy van judging by the chassis. Looks good. Can't wait to see it back together.

VERY well spotted zenrat, dead right.

The long version as I couldn't get the Merlin and the driver into the short one at the same time.

zenrat · August 27, 2014, 03:53:43 AM

The short one is by Revell (as far as I know) and is a better kit as it has more detail.
AMT also did Ford vans while MPC did Dodges.
Did I post this here?

It's got twin blown V8s.

PR19_Kit · August 27, 2014, 07:10:37 AM

Quote from: zenrat on August 27, 2014, 03:53:43 AM
The short one is by Revell (as far as I know) and is a better kit as it has more detail.

Yes, and I think I've still got the body of mine, but the chassis is long gone after trying to squeeze the Merlin and the driver in there. At one stage I thought of hanging him off the back end, like a slingshot dragster but that really DID look ridiculous!

jcf · August 27, 2014, 01:26:08 PM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on August 27, 2014, 07:10:37 AM
... hanging him off the back end, like a slingshot dragster but that really DID look ridiculous!

Mickey T. would disagree.

PR19_Kit · August 27, 2014, 03:56:09 PM

But he's not driving a Merlin engined Chevy van!

At least Challenger 1 was streamlined, the van is birck with wheels......

McColm · August 28, 2014, 01:04:57 AM

I think Kit meant Brick, due to the shape. The FX4 isn't streamlined either, fuel consumption was around 12-15 mpg on an 8 gallon tank. Top speed 97mph. It probably would go a lot faster if it wasn't doubled skinned. Great turning circle, although depending on the model bought gaps appeared due to ill-fitted parts. Austin raided the spare parts bin when taken over by British Leyland so no two components were the same size, hence the gaps. Several companies took over the management to rectify this problem and come up with a new model the TX1 which used new parts and kept the Nissan 2.7L diesel engine. More refinements came with the TX2, then a gap the TX4 arrived. Under new management the Ford 2.4L was installed and a host of problems, with some catching on fire. Lack of power and price hike.
There was a promise that by the time the London Games arrived the new electric taxi would be on the streets as a showcase.
A few were built but not in great numbers, the Chinese have taken over the management and the Mayor has opened the flood gates for different makers such as Fiat, Mercedes and Datsun.