1961 Renault Dauphine Minicab

1961 Renault Dauphine in London for a Day, Short Movie, 1962

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dsl ◊ 2018-03-26 22:14	The 1961 London Minicab Wars: "Between 1957 and 1961, Dauphines were assembled at Renault's Acton plant and one powder blue example was driven by the Queen. Most notoriously, however, in July 1961 the Dauphine became Britain's first ever mini-cab. A shrewd gentleman named Michael Gotla argued that the 1869 Carriage Act only applied to cabs that "ply for hire" on the streets and that, by contrast, minicabs would respond to calls phoned to the main office. Given that the Dauphine was somewhat cheaper to run than an Austin black cab this invariably resulted in cheaper fares – and fights with traditional cabbies." - Link to "www.independent.co.uk" "March 6 1961 was the day that competition started for London taxi drivers due to a few Ford Anglia 105Es. Fifty years ago, London’s taxi cab was a black Austin FX3 or FX4, but that was going to change due to Carline Cabs – the pioneer of the minicab. Carline found a loophole in the 1869 Carriage Act, because they believed that this only applied to taxis that “ply for hire” and their Anglias would simply respond to calls phoned to their office and the job would then be given to the driver. The 12 Anglias carried 500 passengers in the first week – Carline’s fares were less than black cabs – and drivers gave a better service to London’s outer suburbs. In the suburbs, which is still true today, it is very unlikely passengers can book a licensed taxi door-to-door. Tom Sylvester then ordered 25 black and white liveried Fiat Multiplas. It was a four door, long-wheelbase version of the 600 and despite being well under 14 feet long it was a genuine six-seater. Renault Dauphines then entered the fray run by the car rental firm Welbeck Motors and they became the public face of the minicab. Welbeck’s managing director was Michael Gotla. Gotla placed a £560,000 order – an enormous sum of money by the standards of today – for 800 bright red Dauphine minicabs and he planned to sell advertising space on the Renaults’ doors for an extra £75 per week. Welbeck minicab’s success even entered the toy world with a Dinky model of the company’s Dauphine being produced. Press comment was positive with The Times writing – “The reaction of the hard-done-by travelling public to the coming of minicabs is – the more the merrier!” On June 19 1961 dialling Welbeck 0561 meant a smartly dressed minicab driver in his beige corduroy suit and forage cap could pick you up in deepest Woolwich or Finchley and drive you in their minicab for only 1/- per mile. Their professional appearance and better value fares threatened London taxi drivers who had spent four years learning “The Knowledge”– and a small fortune on buying an Austin FX4 black cab.FX3s chased Dauphines along Charing Cross Road and, in the “Battle of Belgrave Square”, the David and Goliath scene of a single Multipla boxed in by black London taxis did nothing for the public image of the London taxi driver. Gotla stated that six of his drivers were beaten and another 15, together with their wives, were threatened and that his cars were regularly damaged." from https://cab4now.com/london-minicab-history/ It all collapsed after a High Court ruling in May 1962 stated that some minicabs were plying for hire and therefore were breaking the law. But by then it probably didn't matter as all the Multiplas and Dauphines had rusted away .... The original Dinky model (#268) and its modern revival by Atlas Editions in a partwork series

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dsl

◊ 2018-03-26 22:14

The 1961 London Minicab Wars:

"Between 1957 and 1961, Dauphines were assembled at Renault's Acton plant and one powder blue example was driven by the Queen. Most notoriously, however, in July 1961 the Dauphine became Britain's first ever mini-cab. A shrewd gentleman named Michael Gotla argued that the 1869 Carriage Act only applied to cabs that "ply for hire" on the streets and that, by contrast, minicabs would respond to calls phoned to the main office. Given that the Dauphine was somewhat cheaper to run than an Austin black cab this invariably resulted in cheaper fares – and fights with traditional cabbies." - Link to "www.independent.co.uk"

"March 6 1961 was the day that competition started for London taxi drivers due to a few Ford Anglia 105Es. Fifty years ago, London’s taxi cab was a black Austin FX3 or FX4, but that was going to change due to Carline Cabs – the pioneer of the minicab. Carline found a loophole in the 1869 Carriage Act, because they believed that this only applied to taxis that “ply for hire” and their Anglias would simply respond to calls phoned to their office and the job would then be given to the driver. The 12 Anglias carried 500 passengers in the first week – Carline’s fares were less than black cabs – and drivers gave a better service to London’s outer suburbs. In the suburbs, which is still true today, it is very unlikely passengers can book a licensed taxi door-to-door.

Tom Sylvester then ordered 25 black and white liveried Fiat Multiplas. It was a four door, long-wheelbase version of the 600 and despite being well under 14 feet long it was a genuine six-seater. Renault Dauphines then entered the fray run by the car rental firm Welbeck Motors and they became the public face of the minicab. Welbeck’s managing director was Michael Gotla. Gotla placed a £560,000 order – an enormous sum of money by the standards of today – for 800 bright red Dauphine minicabs and he planned to sell advertising space on the Renaults’ doors for an extra £75 per week.

Welbeck minicab’s success even entered the toy world with a Dinky model of the company’s Dauphine being produced. Press comment was positive with The Times writing – “The reaction of the hard-done-by travelling public to the coming of minicabs is – the more the merrier!” On June 19 1961 dialling Welbeck 0561 meant a smartly dressed minicab driver in his beige corduroy suit and forage cap could pick you up in deepest Woolwich or Finchley and drive you in their minicab for only 1/- per mile. Their professional appearance and better value fares threatened London taxi drivers who had spent four years learning “The Knowledge”– and a small fortune on buying an Austin FX4 black cab.FX3s chased Dauphines along Charing Cross Road and, in the “Battle of Belgrave Square”, the David and Goliath scene of a single Multipla boxed in by black London taxis did nothing for the public image of the London taxi driver. Gotla stated that six of his drivers were beaten and another 15, together with their wives, were threatened and that his cars were regularly damaged." from https://cab4now.com/london-minicab-history/

It all collapsed after a High Court ruling in May 1962 stated that some minicabs were plying for hire and therefore were breaking the law. But by then it probably didn't matter as all the Multiplas and Dauphines had rusted away .... :whistle:

The original Dinky model (#268) and its modern revival by Atlas Editions in a partwork series

[Image: renault-dauphine-minicabatlas-dinky.jpg]

1961 Renault Dauphine Minicab

1961 Renault Dauphine in London for a Day, Short Movie, 1962

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