Wolseley Oxford Taxi

The Wolseley Oxford Taxi was the first new taxicab to be launched on the British market after the end of the Second World War.

The prototype, based on a Morris Commercial design, was built in 1940 and accumulated an estimated 100,000 miles on test before production finally started in February 1947. It was the last "new" design to be launched at the historic Ward End, Birmingham, plant which had been Wolseley's home since 1919. [http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?pfwardendf.htm History of the Ward End works.] ] Production continued until 1955 when it was replaced by the Austin FX3 which had been launched in 1948 but that was a more modern vehicle and was produced in larger numbers.

It was powered by a straight-4 1802 cc petrol engine that was still based partly on the design used in the 1920's Morris Oxford. The brakes were mechnically operated by rods and the back axle was worm gear driven. [cite book|author=Sedgwick, Michael|title=A-Z of Cars 1945-1970|pages=56|year=1986|publisher=Bay View Books|id=ISBN 1-870979-39-7]

Three versions [http://www.london-taxi.co.uk/taxi/taxicab-history.htm Taxicab makes and models.] ] were made:

*The Mark I (1947) had Artillery wheels
*The Mark II (1949) was a six light [A six light body is one with three windows on each side, usually one in each door and an extra one on the rear quarter.] version intended for the private hire business
*The Mark III (1950) was an updated Mark I with pressed steel wheels

Most were sold through the London dealership of Beardmore [ [http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?pfwardendf.htm Beardmore taxis.] ] . Approximately 1,800 [http://www.london-taxi.co.uk/taxi/taxicab-history.htm Taxicab makes and models.] ] were made.

Notes and references