The parts of the mould were bolted together
and production began on the two prototypes. The moulds were produced to such
a high gloss finish that there was no need to spray finish the Taxi afterwards,
they were gelcoated to the required finish colour. The mouldings were then
produced for the interior, which when complete were all attached to the rolling
chassis.
Specialist Manufacturers
of Glass Reinforced Plastic Components
In
1970 ship builders Cammell Laird approached Henleycraft to produce two prototype
London Taxi cabs. A small wooden model was supplied as a basis for producing
a complete fully functional taxi.
This model was taken to a design studio for the draughting of engineering
drawings for making timber patterns of the outer body shell and interior panelling.
©
Henleycraft Ltd 2008
On receipt of the drawings our pattern maker
manufactured the outer body pattern from timber. As there were many undercuts
the pattern was then section up with parting boards to enable each GRP mould
panel to be removed once cured.
Then the construction of the interior pattern
was produced. This was covered in various areas with an imitation leather
material, when reproduced in GRP gave the appearance of a luxury leather finish
with the ability to be easily cleaned and the added durability of the GRP.
The patterns were then passed on to the
mould making department. They were prepared with release agent, the gelcoat
(the tough outer finish) was applied and layer by layer the fibreglass cloth
was added. These layers of cloth were impregnated with a polyester resin and
consolidated using the hand lay up method. Once cured each GRP panel was removed
from the pattern and prepared ready for the production of the prototypes.
The chassis was then delivered to Cammell
Laird for extensive trials in London. They became the for runner to the now
familiar 'Metro Cab'. These prototypes are still in existence today travelling
around the country to be displayed at vintage car and transport shows.
One of the many satisfied customers making
The Times news paper in 1970.
Taxi Project
