Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[floride]

I was told a while ago that Renault Dauphines were used a London taxis or mini cabs, not quite sure which.

I am trying to find some pictures, any ideas ?

[Penman]

Hi
I am sure I remember them being used as mincabs back in the days when they were a pirate or unofficial operation.

Other places always had "Private Hire" vehicles but I think London only licenced "Hackneys" in those days.

[floride]

[JohnF]

When I joined Hertz in 1963 we had just bought out Tom Mellor Car Hire in Manchester and inherited 60 Dauphines. the swing axle back end really caused problems and on Monday mornings (until we got rid of them) a common telephone conversation went "Good Morning, oh you've had a bit of an accident have you? Tell me sir(or madam) where did you roll the Dauphine? Really horrible little monsters.

[Scotty]

[Dirty Habit]

Come on you "old un's" Altogether now......
"Penny Farthing a mile and travel in style"
_________________
1964 International Harvester

[52classic]

AIRC there is a Dinky Dauphine covered in advertising which is said to be a mini cab.

[poodge]

I remember the Dinky Dauphine.It had "Kenwood "advertising on it.
Worth a bomb if you could find a good one
Really,any car on swing axles would be a bit tricky if pressing on.Especially in the wet.Dauphines were no worse than many other cars of the period.Because they were so light,they had better performance than most English small cars of that era.I believe that would be the major cause of those accidents.
My enduring memory of Dauphines(and other French or Italian cars)was their propensity to rusting.My uncle's Dauph. had holes in the boot floor you could see the road through.No test in those days

[Geoffp]

Here's a rather large (sorry ) picture of the Dinky model in typical minicab condition

They came about because the company found a loophole in the law which meant that if you phoned for a cab then it wasn't plying for hire and the laws that applied to black cabs didn't apply to them Even today Birmingham minicabs have 'Telephone Bookings Only' written on the side.

Geoff

[Keith D]

I remember the "minicabs" in London back in the early/mid sixties. I'm pretty sure that they were actually "hire cars" not "hackney cabs".
The drivers used to park near a 'phone booth and you had to phone their base to book the car before getting into it. As you hung up, the driver phoned in and was told where to pick you up (You were standing beside his car still!)
It was a performance every time, but they cost only a fraction of the "hackney cabs" fees.
I had an uncle who was a regular cabbie (with the big black Austin) at the time and there was open warfare between the two groups. - Keith D

[Jim Walker]

Perhaps a little late to add to this thread, but the status of Mini Cabs (Private Hire Cars) seems to be misunderstood.

Even in Horse Cab days, the only vehicles allowed to stand or pick-up on ranks or stop when hailed were licensed cabs (later to be called Taxis), driven by a licensed driver. Uncontrolled Private Hire existed even then.

Private hire remained uncontrolled until the passing of The Municipal Provisions Act around 1974, which gave the right (but did not compel) Local Authorities to licence and test cars of approved types and subject drivers to such tests and medicals and checks they thought fit before issuing a drivers licence. The local PH cars around here are now currently required to have two stringent tests per year. A CBT check is required for drivers as well as a driving and knowledge test and regular medical checks.

Private Hire Cars are allowed only to carry passengers who have previously booked the vehicle in person, by phone or letter through the Operator's Registered Office. Booking via the driver's radio is not acceptable for immediate fares. In my locality infringement of these rules (if caught) usually results in fines and court costs approaching £1000.

I believe the "Taxi War" in London was largely because the Mini Cabs were acting as Mini Taxis, ignoring the fact that even then they were legally limited to pre-booked fares. Smaller vehicles and no testing or licensing fees meant they could vastly undercut taxi fares.

Jim. (ex - Taxi and Private Hire Operator)

P.S. A word of caution! If you do get in an unbooked private hire car it will be breaking the Law and as such will probably surrender the validity of its insurance, giving you no cover in the event of an accident. On the other hand, it is illegal to charge for an illegal act. So if you refuse to pay the driver..................?

[RTH]

Anyone remember or have information or photos of the Renault Dauphines modified by Jack Brabham Garages with 1220cc Coventry Climax engines , at the time?
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Richard