Obviously I’m a massive fan of social media, but a late night conversation with someone who’s not quite converted yet led to this post.
In the conversation I was lamenting the fact that for the past 10 years I’ve wanted to own a Fairway taxi. One that looks like this:
Some people dream of Audi A4s, some want Maseratis and Lambourghinis – I want a good old London cab.
7 seats, diesel engine, turns on a sixpence (so easy to park), and just look at those curves!
For a while I switched my allegiance to a Chrysler Cruiser – it had the same retro ZZ Top type curves I wanted, but it didn’t quite do it for me (not to mention the petrol bills!), and so I returned to my beloved Fairway.
At the beginning of this year I decided that I should really do something about it, and tentatively began the search.
Taxi websites and forums didn’t help me – I phoned mobile numbers from the Exchange & Mart and Autorader, sent emails galore, and still came no nearer to my beautiful car.
Oh, don’t get me wrong – if I wanted to pay £10,000 for a second hand one then they’re around. But I don’t, really. I don’t drive much, and I don’t often drive far, so I’m quite happy to take an older car in the hope of paying less, as it will be our second car rather than our main one.
So I’m turning to Twitter, to Facebook, to blogging, to online networking, to connections of connections of connections and beyond, in the hope that someone somewhere can help me to find the car of my dreams at an OK price (less than £5k, preferably less than 3).
So, who do you know who:
- runs a taxi firm
- sells second hand cars
- has a taxi for sale
- knows of a taxi for sale
- might know of a taxi for sale
- might have some influence with someone who knows someone who knows someone with a taxi for sale
- and so on?
I’ll keep this blog updated with me search, and we’ll see how I get on – I don’t have to tell you that there will be mucho thanks and promotion for the person that helps me to get to my end aim, I’m sure 
A quick update – I’ve had a couple of peopl offer to help – one lady I knw from when I used to go drag racing offered to contact her contact, but no news yet, and someone I know from Better Networking offered to talk to his neighbour who sells taxis.
But I’m still looking!
I’ve got a 1997 P Reg one up for sale at the moment for £4,100. It’s plated for London and had to pass the stringent London taxi testing procedures, the tester said it was in very good condition underneath. The plate runs out in the middle of July 2010, and it is a good clean black cab. The interior is in very good condition too. No whines or rattles…
It runs on LPG which is half the cost of diesel and has been very reliable in the 18 months I’ve owned it. Starts first time all the time. It is euro 3 emissions compliant.
It has done 73,000 miles on the new engine and 2,500 miles since July 2009, it has an automatic gearbox, which is in really good condition.
I’m selling because I bought a newer cab (TX1), I suppose that’s progress for you.
If you are interested in seeing some photos of the cab email me or submit a comment.