Spares company Leacy Classics has acquired Milton Keynes-based London Taxi Group (LTG) for an undisclosed sum and has gained 21 taxis ready to restore in the deal.
An example of the Fairway taxi introduced in 1989 is among the taxis acquired by Leacy Classics ready for restoration
The fleet includes a 1950s MkVII Beardmore, a 1960s FX4, and a 1970 Winchester – one of two ever built with Perkins diesel engines. The purchase follows on from Leacy’s acquisition of classic Mini spares specialist Min-Its (CCW, 4 Nov).
A spokeswoman for Leacy told CCW: ‘We will be taking orders from customers that want to purchase the classic taxis and restore them. The taxi is a ubiquitous British icon, recognisable everywhere and loved by everyone. Many of our foreign customers are massive anglophiles.’
The majority of the classic cabs are in Category 3 condition. The restoration work would cost a minimum of £3000 on top of the purchase price, going up to £9000 for an ‘excellent’ standard or as high as £16,000 ‘for a vehicle that looks like it’s been delivered straight out of Carbodies’.
Birmingham-based Leacy has been stocking parts for MG, Mini, Triumph, Austin-Healey, Morris Jaguar and Ford for more than 35 years. The business also has its own workshop to cater for general maintenance to full classic car restorations.
Leacy confirmed it is looking to acquire more classic parts companies in order to grow. The business plans to hit a £10 million turnover by 2018 and the company has taken on an extra 20 staff as part of the LTG acquisition.