Ægtepar købte en gammel London-taxi for to år siden og har ikke fortrudt - selv om den har nykker
Tonny Stenkilde fra Skovsby ved Vissenbjerg har været i London en enkelt gang.Det var med skolen, og det var helt tilbage i 1978. Men da han nåede panikalderen for et par år siden, spillede turen alligevel ind.- Hun hedder Maggie, og hun er lige blevet vasket, siger Tonny Stenkilde, da Stiftstidende lægger vejen forbi Skovsbyvej for at se nærmere på det køretøj, som med en mild underdrivelse er kommet noget på afveje.
- Da min kone og jeg kom i panikalderen, skulle noget ske, fortæller Tonny Stenkilde.Han og Else talte om at købe en motorcykel, men da ingen af dem havde kørekort, blev idéen droppet.- Vi snakkede også om at købe en sportsvogn. En MG eller en Triumph Spitfire, men helt ærligt: Det er der jo så mange andre, der gør, fortæller han.Og så dukkede minderne fra skoleturen pludselig op.- Allerede dengang syntes jeg, at taxierne i London var utrolig charmerende. Så jeg sagde til min kone, at sådan en ville jeg have, fortæller Tonny Stenkilde, som fik nogenlunde det svar, han havde ventet.- Vi nærmer os så småt sølvbrylluppet, så hun sagde: "Du er godt nok tosset." Men hun sagde også, at det skulle vi da gøre, fortæller Tonny Stenkilde.På nettet fandt han frem til et firma, som sælger de godt brugte vogne, og efter nogle mailudvekslinger slog han til og købte en taxi model Carbodie Fairway fra 1989 for 1000 engelske pund.Og egentlig burde han vel have været klogere.
- De kan ikke bygge biler
Tonny Stenkilde er uddannet reservedelsekspedient hos Domi i Vejen.Det var dem, der i sin tid solgte Austin, Morris og Leyland, så han ved et og andet om den engelske bilindustri.- Jeg kan huske, at vi solgte Austin Allegro, og når vi fik dem ind til service efter 1500 kilometer, var motorerne så utætte, at vi var nødt til at pille dem ud og få dem hovedrenoveret, siger Tonny Stenkilde, som også har bemærket, at flere af de legendariske Jaguar-modeller skal have justeret ventilerne allerede efter få hundrede kilometer.- Englænderne har helt ærligt aldrig været i stand til at bygge biler, konstaterer han.
Stædige englændere
Og så er de konservative på den engelske facon.Det skal forstås på den måde, at når de har lavet en fejl, så holder de fast i den, og det mærker alle, der har købt en London-taxi.- På de forskellige fora på internettet taler alle om problemer med vand i kabinen, fortæller Tonny Stenkilde, som forklarer, at det skyldes et princip, som englænderne har holdt fast i, siden den første taxi rullede ud fra Austins fabrik i Coventry i 1954. En af bilbranchens store udfordringer har altid været at gelejde vandet uden om bilen, så det ikke gør skade. Men her går englænderne ganske anderledes til værks.- De insisterer på at lede vandet ind i motorrummet, siger han og forklarer, at der ikke er noget galt med princippet.For under kølerhjelmen bliver vandet fanget af en tragt, som så leder det ned på vejbanen.Det er i det mindste tanken.- Problemet er bare, at tragten altid er utæt, og så løber vandet ind i kabinen, siger Tonny Stenkilde og vedgår, at det heller ikke taler til bilens fordel, at tophastigheden er beskedne 110 kilometer i timen, og at den ved den hastighed ikke ligefrem glimrer ved sine køreegenskaber, fordi servostyringen ikke strammer op, når hastigheden stiger. Den mindste bevægelse med rattet, og den flagrer rundt på hele vejbanen. Hun har bestemt sine nykker, men sådan skal det være. Jeg er nok lidt anglofil, smiler han.
Meget lidt ændret
For den engelske stædighed har nemlig også æren for, at den 19 år gamle taxi er bygget på præcis samme platform som modellerne fra 1950'erne, og at der i det hele taget er ændret meget lidt undervejs.- Der er altså en charme i, at den ser gammel ud uden at være det, og så kan alle relatere til den. Alle ved, at det er en London-taxi, og den får meget opmærksomhed, siger Tonny Stenkilde.Endelig taler det ubetinget til bilens fordel, at den har vist sig ganske driftsikker. Selv om den havde kørt i omegnen af 1,3 millioner kilometer, da Tonny Stenkilde hentede den på kajen i Esbjerg, og selv om han kører på arbejde i Odense i den hver eneste dag, så har der ikke været en eneste reparation i to år.Så han har ikke et øjeblik fortrudt investeringen, som inklusive fragt og afgifter og klargøring til syn er på omkring 60.000
kroner.
Og det har hustruen Else heller ikke.- Når Maggie ikke kan mere, så køber vi en London-taxi igen, siger han.
onsdag den 1. april 2009
A story from a danish Fairway owner.
Let me start with a small introduction of myself.
I’m a married man, aged of 49 years. I live in the country side of Denmark near the city of the famous storyteller H.C. Andersen called Odense.
In 2005 I did get the possibility to live out a longtime dream, namely to be the owner of one of the most known “symbols” of “god old” England. The black Cab.
After a small surf on the internet, I found the London Taxi Export, I started up with some e-mail to John Bradley, and to say it directly – I found that John was and still is a very professional businessman, so I made the decision to buy my own London Cab. Quickly the transfer was made and the Cab ready for shipment. I got an e-mail that the Cab was in the port of Harwich and ready to be transported with DFDS to Denmark.
A friend was so kindly to lent me a pair of “test plate” something which is a law in Denmark to have on the car, when it has not been approved by the customs.
Well, on the train from Odense to Esbjerg and huh, the small birds in the stomach were kicking, Here I was on the way to get my “lifedream” and all I knew, was that I had brought an used London Cab in black and that the Cab was able to drive from London Taxi Export to Harwich – THAT WAS ALL.
Getting to the port and pay for the transport – and I have the keys in my hand, and I looked in the large parking area and in the corner ---- stood she – my MAGGIE. Well, not completely black – she did have an add for Norwich bank in yellow on the side, but this was only made in some kind of folio, so it was easy to remove. Now was the time so start her up. Great sound and feeling, she started and was ready to go.
After a small repair – she did need new brakes and tires, she was ready to meet the Danish customs so that I could pay the duty for getting the Danish numberplates on the Cab. It was quite easy and without any problems a tall. Ok I was so lucky that I found a friend how had a cab which already was on Danish plates, so I got a copy of the registration document, in order to get all the details in place.
I decided to make a Danish web-site called www.London-taxi.dk in order to make the Cab visual for other danes. Maybe it was the cause that I get some e-mails and requests of driving weddings – birthdays etc.
It is so much fun to drive to a bride and pick her up, on her big day, driving her to the church and see the reasons from the groom and guests when they come out from the church, I have made the tradition to have a small tray with two glasses and a ½ bottle of champagne to toast to the bride and groom, this gives also the pair a chance to relax just a bit, before the party. This gives me a lot of good and positive times, off course I stay away from “focus” as it is the pair and maybe the Cab who should be in focus on this day.
Normally to a wedding “Maggie” is off course cleaned and polished – a very good friend of mine has made a decoration – formed as a rose which is place in the grill in front, the Danish national flag is placed in the rear windows and in the passenger cabin is placed a red carpet and a small basket with two glassed and the ½ bottle of champagne, which by the way I import from a company in Luxembourg, I found that this champagne matches the Danish taste.
You are so welcome to check out the web site www.london-taxi.dk and see some of the pictures from the various events
One of the different things she has taken part in, was being a “shoe-seller” in Copenhagen. A Danish company selling English shoes of the brand of Hudson was on the Copenhagen fashion week, and they though that it would be a good idea to have something “true” British as an eye catcher, and they asked me if I would help them, and I found the idea very good. It was a very funny week-end, a lot of people to watch and ask all the “normal” questions, like where did you buy it, how much, etc.
The cab “Maggie” is in fact used almost every day as my normal form for transportation. Ok – when it is snow and ice on the road, she stays inside in the garage and waits for better weather.
Now I have been the happy owner for more than 3 years and Maggie has shown all her sides. Mostly good but she have had the need of a new gearbox and just now she is awaiting a steering box. But in general she starts, runs every time I need her.
My life dream of having my own London cab has come true. In fact I could not think of not having a London cab, this means that when Maggie will retire, she will be replaced by another London cab, maybe the newer model, but my heart is to the FX4 – Fairway, but hopefully I have many years to decide in, meaning that Maggie will and must be mine for many years to come.
Finally I feel the need to give great credit to London Taxi Export and John Bradley for always be ready to help and deliver parts, when needed. It’s very professional and quickly answers from them. Also when helping other danes who will purchase an used Cab, in fact I have been taken part in helping two other danes to get their cab from London Taxi Export, and as always the services were very good and well done.
I’m a married man, aged of 49 years. I live in the country side of Denmark near the city of the famous storyteller H.C. Andersen called Odense.
In 2005 I did get the possibility to live out a longtime dream, namely to be the owner of one of the most known “symbols” of “god old” England. The black Cab.
After a small surf on the internet, I found the London Taxi Export, I started up with some e-mail to John Bradley, and to say it directly – I found that John was and still is a very professional businessman, so I made the decision to buy my own London Cab. Quickly the transfer was made and the Cab ready for shipment. I got an e-mail that the Cab was in the port of Harwich and ready to be transported with DFDS to Denmark.
A friend was so kindly to lent me a pair of “test plate” something which is a law in Denmark to have on the car, when it has not been approved by the customs.
Well, on the train from Odense to Esbjerg and huh, the small birds in the stomach were kicking, Here I was on the way to get my “lifedream” and all I knew, was that I had brought an used London Cab in black and that the Cab was able to drive from London Taxi Export to Harwich – THAT WAS ALL.
Getting to the port and pay for the transport – and I have the keys in my hand, and I looked in the large parking area and in the corner ---- stood she – my MAGGIE. Well, not completely black – she did have an add for Norwich bank in yellow on the side, but this was only made in some kind of folio, so it was easy to remove. Now was the time so start her up. Great sound and feeling, she started and was ready to go.
After a small repair – she did need new brakes and tires, she was ready to meet the Danish customs so that I could pay the duty for getting the Danish numberplates on the Cab. It was quite easy and without any problems a tall. Ok I was so lucky that I found a friend how had a cab which already was on Danish plates, so I got a copy of the registration document, in order to get all the details in place.
I decided to make a Danish web-site called www.London-taxi.dk in order to make the Cab visual for other danes. Maybe it was the cause that I get some e-mails and requests of driving weddings – birthdays etc.
It is so much fun to drive to a bride and pick her up, on her big day, driving her to the church and see the reasons from the groom and guests when they come out from the church, I have made the tradition to have a small tray with two glasses and a ½ bottle of champagne to toast to the bride and groom, this gives also the pair a chance to relax just a bit, before the party. This gives me a lot of good and positive times, off course I stay away from “focus” as it is the pair and maybe the Cab who should be in focus on this day.
Normally to a wedding “Maggie” is off course cleaned and polished – a very good friend of mine has made a decoration – formed as a rose which is place in the grill in front, the Danish national flag is placed in the rear windows and in the passenger cabin is placed a red carpet and a small basket with two glassed and the ½ bottle of champagne, which by the way I import from a company in Luxembourg, I found that this champagne matches the Danish taste.
You are so welcome to check out the web site www.london-taxi.dk and see some of the pictures from the various events
One of the different things she has taken part in, was being a “shoe-seller” in Copenhagen. A Danish company selling English shoes of the brand of Hudson was on the Copenhagen fashion week, and they though that it would be a good idea to have something “true” British as an eye catcher, and they asked me if I would help them, and I found the idea very good. It was a very funny week-end, a lot of people to watch and ask all the “normal” questions, like where did you buy it, how much, etc.
The cab “Maggie” is in fact used almost every day as my normal form for transportation. Ok – when it is snow and ice on the road, she stays inside in the garage and waits for better weather.
Now I have been the happy owner for more than 3 years and Maggie has shown all her sides. Mostly good but she have had the need of a new gearbox and just now she is awaiting a steering box. But in general she starts, runs every time I need her.
My life dream of having my own London cab has come true. In fact I could not think of not having a London cab, this means that when Maggie will retire, she will be replaced by another London cab, maybe the newer model, but my heart is to the FX4 – Fairway, but hopefully I have many years to decide in, meaning that Maggie will and must be mine for many years to come.
Finally I feel the need to give great credit to London Taxi Export and John Bradley for always be ready to help and deliver parts, when needed. It’s very professional and quickly answers from them. Also when helping other danes who will purchase an used Cab, in fact I have been taken part in helping two other danes to get their cab from London Taxi Export, and as always the services were very good and well done.
Jeg har siden, jeg var i London i 1978, haft en drøm, Om at eje og køre en ægte LONDON TAXI
Omsider er det lykkes.
"Maggie" blev født i juni 1989 på Carbodies bilfabrik i Coventry, England. Hun har kørt som Cab i London indtil september 2005,hvor hun gik på en velfortjent "pension".
I Marts 2006 købte jeg hende hos London Taxi Eksport, og efter en lille reparation, blev hun synet og afgiften betalt
. Karosseri: London Cab (modellen kom på gaden i 1954)
"Maggie" er en "Fairway", som betyder at passagekabinen er handicapvenlig, bl.a. med ramper til kørestol.
Teknik: Nissan 2,7 Diesel, med 3 gears automatik gearkasse med overdrive.
Hestekræfter ukendt !!
Og overraskende så kører "Maggie" faktisk mellem 11 og 13 km pr. liter.
Tophastighed: omkring 70 miles (ca 110 km/t)
Vægt: 1650 kg
Spec.: en London Taxi SKAL opfylde visse krav til passagerne.
F.eks. skal en ægte gentleman kunne sidde på bagsædet iført bowler.
Taxien skal også kunne vende på 25 fod. (7,65 m)
flere billeder på www.london-taxi.dk
Omsider er det lykkes.
"Maggie" blev født i juni 1989 på Carbodies bilfabrik i Coventry, England. Hun har kørt som Cab i London indtil september 2005,hvor hun gik på en velfortjent "pension".
I Marts 2006 købte jeg hende hos London Taxi Eksport, og efter en lille reparation, blev hun synet og afgiften betalt
. Karosseri: London Cab (modellen kom på gaden i 1954)
"Maggie" er en "Fairway", som betyder at passagekabinen er handicapvenlig, bl.a. med ramper til kørestol.
Teknik: Nissan 2,7 Diesel, med 3 gears automatik gearkasse med overdrive.
Hestekræfter ukendt !!
Og overraskende så kører "Maggie" faktisk mellem 11 og 13 km pr. liter.
Tophastighed: omkring 70 miles (ca 110 km/t)
Vægt: 1650 kg
Spec.: en London Taxi SKAL opfylde visse krav til passagerne.
F.eks. skal en ægte gentleman kunne sidde på bagsædet iført bowler.
Taxien skal også kunne vende på 25 fod. (7,65 m)
flere billeder på www.london-taxi.dk
Abonner på:
Opslag (Atom)