There is nothing more familiar on earth than the sight of a New York taxi except, perhaps, a London one.

Their shape has changed over the years but the ability to carry four passengers plus their luggage has not and, indeed the Austin version has continued to be the mainstay of the fleet through the 1930s and, indeed, upto the present day.

The High Line version, named due to its height and its ability to accommodate top-hats, eventually became the LL or ‘Low Loader’.

Interestingly, the word ‘taxi' was derived from the French word 'Hacquenée' meaning 'horse for hire', hence the term ‘hackney cab’.

As you would hope when acquiring a vintage taxi, this fabulous example came from a retired taxi driver some four years ago.

It first went into service in 1933 and was retired in the mid-1950s.

Needless to say, it has covered a fair few miles and, like all taxis, has undergone a rigorous maintenance schedule in accordance with the Hackney Carriage Licensing Office and their public liabili...