History

1933 Austin 12/4 London Taxi

ALY 781

First registered on 9th November 1933 in the name of George Andrews of 43 Cowley Road, Brixton, an owner driver, the taxi remained in the same family until at least 1953, working in London until then and driven by Mrs Andrews during the war. It is estimated to have covered more than one million miles by the time it came out of service. In 1962 ALY 781 was purchased by an hotel owner in British Columbia, Canada where it was used to transport guests short distances. In 1990 it returned to the UK.

The Taxi, one of around 2,200 built, was based on the Austin Heavy 12/4 chassis with, in this case, the body being built by Goode & Cooper of Brixton, a very long established firm of coachbuilders, originally building horsedrawn coaches in the 19th century. The style was known as the ‘Upright Grand’ because of its tall, upright style of a piano, being over 7feet tall. This particular model was also known as the ‘Twin Top’ or ‘TT’ due to it having the innovation of syncromesh on the third and fourth gears.

The vehicle has its original engine and gearbox which have been repaired over the years rather than replaced. The same also applies to its ancillary equipment such as dynamo and starter etc. which all bear the date 1933. A large amount of the leatherwork remains including the ‘jump seats’ which still bear the original Goode & Cooper badges. Insurance certificates dated from 1943 are still located in the driver’s cab.

Today, there are only 20 or so ‘Upright Grands’ left in existence and this Goode & Cooper is one of only two known remaining.

 

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Darroch Place, Armstrong Road,
Brockenhurst,
Hampshire SO42 7TA
(Viewings by prior arrangement only)
Telephone: 01590 623590

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©Genevieve Vintage Car Hire

Chauffeur Driven Cars for Weddings

●  Vintage Car Mechanic Maintained  ●

●  Experienced Drivers  ●

●  Established 1987  ●

Based in the heart of the new forest, since 1987 Genevieve Vintage Car Hire (Registration #2275727) has built up an enviable reputation for reliability and quality in the provision of chauffeur driven vintage, veteran and classic cars for weddings in the Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset areas.  .

The fleet currently numbers 11 and includes rare and imposing vehicles such as a 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Salamanca Cabriolet Collapsible and a 1929 Rolls-Royce 20 Landaulette.

The cars are maintained by vintage car engineers and driven by knowledgeable and skilful enthusiasts.  Period uniforms are usually worn with the older cars.

No more than one wedding per day is undertaken by any one car and with the number of cars in stock we will always have a spare car and driver, in the very unlikely event of any mechanical failure on the day.