1965 Austin FX4 London Taxi Street Rod

Few vehicles command a double-take quite like this one. The Austin FX4 London Taxi is among the most instantly recognizable silhouettes on earth — more iconic to British motoring than any Jaguar or McLaren — and this 1965 example has been reborn as something entirely unexpected. Rescued from a slow decline in a North Florida backyard and reimagined over two painstaking years of hand fabrication, it now hides a thundering Buick 401ci “Nailhead” V8 beneath its beloved vintage lines. The result is a genuine conversation piece: a proper piece of automotive heritage transformed into a fully sorted American street rod, complete with left-hand drive, modern comforts, and a soundtrack no taxi ever had. For the collector who wants something no one else will roll onto the show field, this one-of-a-kind FX4 is a rare and thoroughly captivating find.

Engine & Performance

Thundering Buick 6.6L 401ci “Nailhead” V8 dropped neatly into the taxi’s engine bay, giving this FX4 a true American V8 heartbeat
GM 4BBL carburetor with a hi-flow air cleaner for crisp throttle response and effortless power
Proven Chevrolet TH400 automatic transmission delivering smooth, decisive shifts
Front power disc brakes with rear drums for confident, modern stopping capability
Power steering for light, easygoing control around town or on the open road
Dual stainless exhaust with mufflers for a purposeful, unmistakable rumble
Polished A/C compressor, 100-amp 1-wire alternator, GM radiator with electric fan, Monroe-Matic shocks, and the original Austin FX4 rear end for reliable, comfortable driving on today’s roads

Exterior

Genuine all-steel body finished front to back in bright GM Blue — freshly reworked metal throughout the build
Custom front bumper paired with a bold black grille for a distinctive, purposeful face
Modern LED Jeep headlights to brighten the road ahead on evening cruises
Chrome GM side mirrors adding a clean, finished touch
Black gloss 15″ Rally wheels with chrome beauty rings, wrapped in Hankook all-season tires for a handsome, planted stance

Interior

Full right-hand to left-hand drive conversion, purpose-built for American roads
1989 GM tilt steering column topped with a real wood-grain steering wheel
Custom-fabricated steel dash preserving the FX4’s character while housing modern amenities
Plush Cadillac leather front power-adjustable seats and a matching rear leather bench
Classic Auto A/C and heat with chrome dash vents for year-round comfort
Sirius XM digital radio, B&M floor shifter, suede door panels with custom manual windows, front seating center console, and new loop carpeting with floor mats
Thoughtful extras including an under-dash key kill-switch and a full-size spare with jack kit

Build Story

Discovered languishing in a North Florida backyard, this genuine 1965 FX4 was hauled home to DeBary, Florida in the summer of 2024
Over the next two years, the owner cut, fabricated, welded, and reshaped the taxi into a fully realized street rod while honoring its iconic profile
The ambitious right-to-left hand drive conversion and hand-built steel dash reflect the level of craftsmanship poured into every corner of this project
The finished car blends vintage London-taxi charm with genuine American V8 muscle — a true labor of love with a story worth telling

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