Weymann's Ltd, later Metro-Cammell Weymann, had built the
Beardmore Mk 7 taxi until 1966. It was not, therefore, a surprise that they sought to replace it with their own design. However, it was a surprise that it took them so long to get a replacement into production. The basic design of the vehicle dated back to at least 1970, when a prototype had been caught undergoing trials in Westminster, London. The overall profile of that vehicle closely matched that of the Metrocab launched 17 years later, although the original front grille, taken from a 1970
Ford Cortina Mk II, had been superseded by more contemporary parts by the time the vehicle entered production , the headlamps and radiator grille from the
Ford Granada (Europe) Mk 2, the taillight units and door handles from the
Escort Cabriolet, and the dash moulding, steering wheel and instrument pack from the
Austin Rover Maestro/
Montego. It featured a particularly low floor to make entry and egress simpler. Deliveries of the new vehicle began in February 1987; the cost new was £13,950. One of the main suppliers for parts for the Metrocab was
Reliant, to whom their taxicab manufacturing business was sold by MCW in 1989. The vehicle remained in production with
Metrocab, the new company. In 1997, the Series II Metrocab was announced with many cosmetic changes, in particular a new grille, bumper and light design. The Metrocab featured a range of different badges, reflecting its varied ownership; originally with the MCW logo, it then featured a Reliant badge, before the full Metrocab name was displayed on the leading edge of the bonnet in a similar style to Land Rover as part of the Series II facelift.
Prince Philip sometimes used an
LPG-equipped Metrocab around London. Metrocabs were also employed as
patient transport vehicles by the
London,
Mid Glamorgan,
North Yorkshire, and
Royal Berkshire ambulance services.
Vehicle features The vehicle had many notable features for a taxi. The chassis is from galvanized steel and the bodywork was constructed from
fibreglass. it also had a seven-passenger seat option, and
wheelchair access. Due to their fibreglass construction and virtually bulletproof engine, many of these early vehicles were still in daily use over 20 years later. Spare parts and workshop advice is available from a small number of specialist repairers. ==Metrocab TTT==