A model of a London Taxi filled the No.13 slot in the Budgie Miniatures collection. It first appeared in 1957 as Morestone Esso Series No.13 Austin Taxi and was a success from the start remaining in production for 8 years.

 

Based on the Austin FX3 Taxi Cab, it was a conventional casting of body and base with metal wheels. The driver and the near-side luggage compartment were cast with the silver painted base. 

 

All London cabs were black in the 1950's so this was the colour of the model and there was no change during its lifetime. Silver trim was applied to the grille, headlights, fog-light, front and rear bumpers, the roof sign, and occaisionally to the 'For Hire' meter.

 

A couple of changes took place to the Taxi. The first was to the base which was recast at some time with larger lettering and wider axle channels. Metal wheels continued to be used.

 

There was also a change to the silver trim. Previously this had been hand-applied but later spray-applied trim was used and only on the grille and front bumper.

 

Finally there was a switch of the type of wheel from unpainted metal to grey plastic.

 

Sold initially in the Esso Petrol Pump boxes, the Austin Taxi was also part of Morestone's 1958 Noddy Garage Set.

 

From 1960 the Austin Taxi was re-issued by Budgie in yellow blister-packs (listing both 'Morris & Stone' and later 'Guiterman' as manufacturers) and it was included in both Gift Sets Nos.8 and 12.

 

Budgie also issued it in 'Mobile' Vehicle Series boxes and later in 'Modern' Vehicle Series (type 1) boxes.

 

The real Austin FX3 Taxi was replaced in 1958 by the very different FX4 Taxi so the Budgie Miniature model started to look a bit dated not long after it appeared.

 

It was finally withdrawn in 1965.