1971 Austin FX4
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Comments about this vehicle
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◊ 2016-09-14 18:24 |
Registration number: WLP 316 ✓ Taxed Tax due: 01 August 2017 MOT Exempt Vehicle make AUSTIN FX4 TAXI Date of first registration 29 April 1959 Year of manufacture 1959 Cylinder capacity (cc) 2178cc Fuel type DIESEL Export marker No Vehicle status Tax not due Vehicle colour BLACK But has newer features - 68+ slanted rear lights, shiny trim, possible vinyl roof. |
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◊ 2018-10-31 19:34 |
/vehicle_990867-Austin-FX4-1959.html . Magazine article on FX4 with pictures of WLP 316 claims it may be the oldest surviving FX4 in the world. But pictures show the early rear lights, not the 68+ format as here. Unless there's been a restoration back to original spec since 2015 ..... |
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◊ 2018-11-04 13:20 |
From "The Lady in the Van" appearance the straight push-button door handles are seen, so after 1971, new safety requirement with the burst-proof door latches. |
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◊ 2018-11-04 13:57 |
![[Image: 80791.jpg]](http://pics.imcdb.org/558/80791.jpg) source http://www.drivearchive.co.uk/vehicledetails.asp?CarID=80791Photograph (date unknown) of WLP 316 probably as originally registered - details correct for date of first registration. Either a complete body restoration on the 1959 chassis or I suspect the "WLP 316" applied to a completely different, newer vehicle to avoid a date-related suffix registration, but why choose reflective numberplates? |
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◊ 2018-11-05 14:22 |
"WLP 316" in its true 1959 form is also seen in Heathrow Airport's 2017 Christmas TV Advert at 00:57. Therefore seen again in its early form after the 'Legend' (2015) and 'Lady in a Van' (2015) appearances which feature the later (after 1971) version. So rather two different taxi cabs or complete body swaps on an older chassis/engine? -- Last edit: 2018-11-05 14:23:55 |
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◊ 2018-11-05 14:47 |
2013 photo of WLP 316 looking like a 1959 FX4 and captioned "Oldest known FX4" (so this has been recognised for a few years) - https://www.flickr.com/photos/ragtag04/8628597103/ . Another dated 2018 (presumably source for the drivearchive picture above) looking pretty much the same apart from added foglamp - https://www.flickr.com/photos/70063070@N08/29650094628 . So it looks like a ringer was used in these two 2015 film appearances, and the film people should be ashamed of themselves and apologise publicly. |
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◊ 2018-11-05 15:09 |
 ... and reflective number plates just made it worse and even more confusing! -- Last edit: 2018-11-05 15:10:24 |
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◊ 2018-11-05 15:55 |
The article (Classic & Sportscar, Dec 2018 issue) says the owner is Anthony Blackman, who seems to be an expert/restorer/collector of all sorts of London taxis dating back to a 1912 Unic he restored and sold on in 2009 and a 1938 Austin 12/4 Heavy Low Loader Taxicab Ricketts body (ELW 601) sold in 2017. He currently also owns UUV 521, an FX3 we have a few entries for. |
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◊ 2019-12-31 20:27 |
WLP 316 in probable 1959 form here and here. -- Last edit: 2020-02-02 00:20:05 |
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◊ 2020-01-04 02:42 |
.... and in 1971 form here and maybe here and even here. -- Last edit: 2020-02-07 00:34:07 |
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◊ 2020-02-07 11:53 |
So a prize is waiting for the person who spots the two taxis from 1959 and 1971 when they eventually appear together in the same movie. ... In the 2018 photo the foglamp is just seen hiding behind the over-rider! The foglamp was almost always fitted to the earlier taxis. |
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◊ 2021-05-29 22:10 |
/vehicle.php?id=1522380 DVLA now listing WLP 316 as 1959. (but this sighting as 1971 is unaffected). |
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◊ 2022-08-01 16:19 |
As a 1971 again. |
