London Black Taxi model
This collectible souvenir pays tribute to the London black taxi, complete with the British Museum logo and a scene of iconic London buildings.
The famous 'black cab' is universally recognised as a symbol of London. It is characterised by its hooded design and 25ft turning circle, which means it can 'turn on a sixpence' - a feature that as initially designed because of the small roundabout entrance of the famed Savoy Hotel (one of London's trademarks). Black cab drivers have to pass a test called The Knowledge to demonstrate that they have an intimate knowledge of the geography of London streets and important buildings.
There were private hire vehicles in London as early as the 17th century, but these came in the form horse-drawn carriages. The first car versions, or 'hackney-carriages' as they are known, were introduced in the 1880s, and their design has remained an iconic symbol of London. From 1930 onwards, all London black taxis have been built by British manufacturers; the best known among these are the FX3 and FX4 from Austin (as shown here).
This British-Museum branded model measures 12cm x 5cm x 4cm and comes in a gift box.
- Product Code: CMCP44070
- Dimension: 12cm (long) 5cm (tall) 4cm (wide)
- Details: British-Museum branded
- Weight: 0.46 Kg
This collectible souvenir pays tribute to the London black taxi, complete with the British Museum logo and a scene of iconic London buildings.
The famous 'black cab' is universally recognised as a symbol of London. It is characterised by its hooded design and 25ft turning circle, which means it can 'turn on a sixpence' - a feature that as initially designed because of the small roundabout entrance of the famed Savoy Hotel (one of London's trademarks). Black cab drivers have to pass a test called The Knowledge to demonstrate that they have an intimate knowledge of the geography of London streets and important buildings.
There were private hire vehicles in London as early as the 17th century, but these came in the form horse-drawn carriages. The first car versions, or 'hackney-carriages' as they are known, were introduced in the 1880s, and their design has remained an iconic symbol of London. From 1930 onwards, all London black taxis have been built by British manufacturers; the best known among these are the FX3 and FX4 from Austin (as shown here).
This British-Museum branded model measures 12cm x 5cm x 4cm and comes in a gift box.
- Product Code: CMCP44070
- Weight: 0.46 Kg
