NICK GEORGANO & BILL MUNRO
Londoners have a unique vehicle in their taxicab, for it is the only one in the world to be specifically designed for hire work in cities. Since the early years of the twentieth century London taxicabs have had to conform to very strict regulations of design laid down by the Public Carriage Office, which is operated by the Metropolitan Police. One result of this is their much appreciated turning circle of only 25 feet. The celebrated FX4 dominated the scene for years, now joined by the Metrocab and TX1, but a great variety of taxis have been made since the first electric cabs ventured on the streets in 1897. Before 1914 forty-five manufacturers submitted cabs to the Public Carriage Office, though the market soon became dominated by a few makes, Austin becoming the leading make in the 1930s. This album chronicles the development of the taxi and the growth of the cab trade.
Nick Georgano was born in London in 1932 and became a schoolmaster, during which time he produced the third edition of The Worlds Automobiles by G.R. Doyle and wrote a companion volume, The Worlds Commercial Vehicles. In 1966 he became a full-time writer and editor and in 1968 his major work, The Complete Encyclopedia of Motorscars was published. He has also edited other encyclopedias on motor sport and commercial vehicles and has written many other books on aspects of the history of motor vehicles including The Bentley, Electric Vehicles and The Humber in this series. He was Head Librarian at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu and is a member of the Museums Advisory Council.
