“The Rolls-Royce of Taxicabs”
Seeking to diversify its production away from armaments and shipbuilding at the end of World War I, William Beardmore & Co. developed a taxi that complied with the Metropolitan Police’s Conditions of Fitness stipulations. Production began at the Beardmore plant at Paisley in 1919. Many makes vied for business in London, with Austin ultimately becoming the predominant supplier, but the Beardmore Taxi gained a good reputation for sturdiness and reliability.
Following a boardroom upheaval, the Beardmore Motors division was moved from Scotland to Hendon, North London in 1929. After 1945, Beardmore ceased production of its own designs, only to resume in 1954 with a new design. Production totalled just 650 cabs until production finally ceased in 1966, but in common with its predecessors, the Beardmore cab was well regarded by those who operated it.
“The Rolls-Royce of Taxicabs”
Seeking to diversify its production away from armaments and shipbuilding at the end of World War I, William Beardmore & Co. developed a taxi that complied with the Metropolitan Police’s Conditions of Fitness stipulations. Production began at the Beardmore plant at Paisley in 1919. Many makes vied for business in London, with Austin ultimately becoming the predominant supplier, but the Beardmore Taxi gained a good reputation for sturdiness and reliability.
Following a boardroom upheaval, the Beardmore Motors division was moved from Scotland to Hendon, North London in 1929. After 1945, Beardmore ceased production of its own designs, only to resume in 1954 with a new design. Production totalled just 650 cabs until production finally ceased in 1966, but in common with its predecessors, the Beardmore cab was well regarded by those who operated it.