Footnotes

• Beardmore Motors Ltd. took over the old Arrol-Johnston factory, Underwood Works at Paisley, for production of its early taxicabs, but from 1932 moved production to London, a logical step bearing in mind the main market for its sturdy products. Although post-war business concentrated on the marketing of the Nuffield Oxford taxicab, in 1954 the company began manufacture of its own Mark VII cabs, initially powered by the 1,508 cc Ford Consul engine, the first London cab to have column gear change. The larger 1,703cc engine, which this cab has, came a little later and the aluminium-panelled coachwork was crafted by long-established coachbuilders, Windovers of Hendon. Production continued until 1967, the Mark VII gaining a fourth door in 1965, enclosing the luggage area. In later years production moved to Metro Cammel’s Birmingham factory and this cab was one of the very last to be built there.
  It was operated in London by an owner driver until 1978, later restored and returned to London in 1985, by now in preservation, where it won a 1st prize for the best vintage cab. It has made several film and TV appearances and is in demand for weddings. The present lady owner has used the cab as a promotional vehicle for her Edinburgh tearooms. It is presented in red and black livery with red leather interior and, although believed to be in generally good order, it has seen little recent use and will benefit from the usual careful re-commissioning. It comes with a Swansea registration document