Highlights
- One of only 50 made; very few survive
- Golden Jubilee special edition
- Three owners from new
The Appeal
London Taxis International replaced the long-serving and familiar FX4 black cab with the TXI in 1997. Further development resulted in the launch of the TXII in 2002, with power from a Ford Dura Torq 2.4-litre diesel engine. To commemorate Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, LTI made a special edition of 50 gold taxis, individually numbered to reflect each year of Her Majesty’s reign.
Not all of the 50 gold specials were sold prior to the event, with unsold vehicles stripped of their Golden Jubilee livery and sold as regular taxis, making the few survivors even more rare and collectible.
25 of these specials took part in the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002, and there is also a (now very rare) Corgi model of the car.
LG 52 HMY is one of the few surviving examples of the special edition, and continued service as a London taxi until 2018.
The History and Paperwork
- Vendor believes only three of these survive
- Appeared in TV series ‘Vera’
- Current V5
- MoT valid until September 2022
The vendor has hardly any paperwork for the car, and knows very little of its history.
He acquired the car from a TV production company in the north-east of England, and among other TV appearances it featured in an episode of the crime drama Vera, starring Brenda Blethyn in the title role. The V5 records only three previous owners, and the vendor believes that only as few as three examples of this special edition Golden Jubilee model survive.
He acquired the car from a TV production company in the north-east of England, and among other TV appearances it featured in an episode of the crime drama Vera, starring Brenda Blethyn in the title role. The V5 records only three previous owners, and the vendor believes that only as few as three examples of this special edition Golden Jubilee model survive.
The car has a valid MoT which expires on 30th September 2022.
The Interior
- Serviceable taxi interior
- Integral child seat booster cushion in rear armrest
- Accessories to secure wheelchairs
As is inevitable with the interior of a long-serving London cab, this one shows signs of its age and mileage. While the driver’s seat is in remarkably good condition, having presumably been refurbished, the rear seats are more tired and the seat belts in the back show evidence of damp. All this probably needs is just a good clean, though.
The driver’s seat is supportive and comfortable and the controls fall to hand, although the dials are rather spartan, with only a speedo, fuel gauge and temperature gauge, plus a tiny LCD odometer.
Also in the back, there is an integral fold-down wheelchair ramp, and additional straps and clips to secure wheelchairs once on board. Curiously, there are what look like gaming console remote-controls stuck to the windowsills in the back. The centre arm-rest between the back seats unfolds to reveal a child seat booster cushion.
In the front, the dashboard and centre console are generally in fair condition, although there are holes in the plastic dash from where, presumably, the taxi meter was removed. The glove-box hinge has broken and needs care when closing.
The carpets in both front footwells are worn and have some stains, again as one would expect in a car of its age.
In the boot, there is a rusty and rather tired spare wheel, an original jack in its sleeve, and a spare set of drum-brake pads. There is also what looks like an additional extension for the wheelchair ramp in the back.
The Exterior
- Striking gold paint scheme
- Distinctive Golden Jubilee decals
- Wheels and tyres in very good condition
The car certainly turns heads, with its gold paintwork and Golden Jubilee decals. Closer inspection reveals that, as one might expect of a long-serving taxi, there are a few bumps and scrapes. There are some obvious scratches on the front nearside wing, and a few dings across the front. The front radiator grille has some damage.
There’s evidence of welded repairs on the sills, and in the boot, but these appear to have been done well. All four wheel trims look OK, and there is plenty of life left in the tyres.
The surround for the rear numberplate has some damage, and there are holes in the boot-lid where the taxi licence plate has been removed.
The Mechanics
- 2.4-litre Ford Dura Torq diesel engine
- 4-speed automatic transmission
- Engine bay all in good order
- Sound underneath
The car starts readily, and the engine sounds reasonably healthy for its age and mileage. The vendor recently drove the car back from the north-east of England to south-west London, and reports no issues at all.
Under the bonnet, everything looks to be in very good condition and the car will no doubt have been scrupulously maintained during its life as a London taxi.
Underneath the car, there is no evidence of leaks or of significant rust.
Summary
With so few of these special-edition TXIIs still around, this is a rare opportunity to purchase a part of UK royal history. Guaranteed to turn heads and start conversations, this is an interesting and unusual vehicle.
With only a few minor cosmetic issues to deal with, it must have enormous appeal to patriotic Brits, and will be bound to ride the current wave of appreciation for our Queen on her Platinum Jubilee.
With only a few minor cosmetic issues to deal with, it must have enormous appeal to patriotic Brits, and will be bound to ride the current wave of appreciation for our Queen on her Platinum Jubilee.
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