SF bay area diesel taxi, LT1? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

greasybenz · #1 04-23-2007, 02:50 AM

Ive noticed this british looking car around but never was next to one to get a good look at it until today. Then i realize its a diesel! at first i thought it might have been a gasser that needed a tune up badly, until it accelerated and i could see and smell the black diesel smoke coming from the tailpipe.

No manufacturer markings on the vehicle. Only "LT1" on the hubcaps, searched on google "LT1 taxi" and came up with a bunch of caprice's

This fiat is the closest thing to it

Except the vehicle i speak of isnt old as this fiat. Just looks similar.

estod · #2 04-23-2007, 03:05 AM

Do a search for Austin & see if that doesn't ring a bell -- the Brits made a lot for taxis ...

dieselchatter · #3 04-23-2007, 07:59 AM

Might be a Riley. Bigger than the Fiat.

SwampYankee · #4 04-23-2007, 08:34 AM

Like this one Greasy? Austin did make diesel ones. Same body style from the late 50's through the 90's I believe. They got their money's worth from that designer.

Austin

stimbox · #5 04-23-2007, 08:52 PM

Here's the company that makes them.
http://www.lti.co.uk/

I've seen a lot of these cabs around the city.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi%3Ff=/c/a/2004/02/14/BAG0O517QI1.DTL

kerry · #6 04-23-2007, 09:00 PM

I wouldn't mind owning one of those.

greasybenz · #7 04-23-2007, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stimbox

Here's the company that makes them.
http://www.lti.co.uk/

I've seen a lot of these cabs around the city.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi%3Ff=/c/a/2004/02/14/BAG0O517QI1.DTL

Thats the one!

Now my new question is: how can we have these diesels in cali but we cant have TDI's or CDI's new?

Jim B. · #8 04-24-2007, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greasybenz

Thats the one!

Now my new question is: how can we have these diesels in cali but we cant have TDI's or CDI's new?

The answer in short, Ruben, is that these taxicabs actually passed, at a huge expense,all the necessary EPA, DOT, and CARB regulations needed to bring them here brand new. Evidently the investors thought the trouble and expense was worth it. These cabs are EXTREMELY expensive units.

http://www.londontaxisna.com/index02.htm

The TDI/CDI will have to have over 7,500 miles on them, and be purchased by California buyers as used vehicles in California, at this point.

greasybenz · #9 04-24-2007, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

The answer in short, Ruben, is that these taxicabs actually passed, at a huge expense,all the necessary EPA, DOT, and CARB regulations needed to bring them here brand new. Evidently the investors thought the trouble and expense was worth it. These cabs are EXTREMELY expensive units.

http://www.londontaxisna.com/index02.htm

The TDI/CDI will have to have over 7,500 miles on them, and be purchased by California buyers as used vehicles in California, at this point.

yeah thats how my mom bought her passat TDI..used. And from reading the articles, these things go for $51K!!!

And i see them beat up around town, especially in the van ness and downtown area. The cab drivers probably dont own the car if they beat them up.

Jim B. · #10 04-24-2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greasybenz

yeah thats how my mom bought her passat TDI..used. And from reading the articles, these things go for $51K!!!

And i see them beat up around town, especially in the van ness and downtown area. The cab drivers probably dont own the car if they beat them up.

Yeah, the SF cab drivers lease them, one shift at a time, from the cab companies. They have to pay the "gate", which I think about ten years ago was $100,(probably more now), which is the right to drive the car for one shift, plus pay for all the fuel they use. After that, they keep all the money they can make. If you are driving a SF cab and had a bad day, after you paid the gate and fuel, you could actually go home having lost money after working 8 hours. So, they really have to hustle to make money.

So, in that environment, they could care less about taking care of the car. They get beat to crap, really quick, and rack up the miles REALLY fast. The passengers don't care either, these cars get to be vomit comets before long.

It's why so many cabs are down by Union Square and lined up in front of the Fairmont and St. Francis Hotel, the drivers are all hoping for "Airport" fares, it's the easiest way to earn money. About $30-$45 for each one way trip to the airport.

Those cabs will lead a real tough life. It's a good thing Veteran's Cab didn't buy any, that company takes the worst care of their vehicles.

Boardmonger · #11 04-24-2007, 12:41 AM

So those are legal for sale new in california, thats pretty crazy that they can get them here, but MB cannot.

I wonder what it'd take for a regular owner to get one new. They look pretty nice, but it does have a ford engine.

greasybenz · #12 04-24-2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boardmonger

So those are legal for sale new in california, thats pretty crazy that they can get them here, but MB cannot.

I wonder what it'd take for a regular owner to get one new. They look pretty nice, but it does have a ford engine.

Yeah seems pretty crazy when considering these things go for the same price as a CDI would.

If its a british ford motor then its a quality product, the ford out in london is a completley different company then our american ford ie: no suvs and mostly diesel engines made by engineers in britain.