David Long is the author of a number of popular and well-regarded books on the capital, including Spectacular Vernacular: London’s 100 Most Extraordinary Buildings and a sequel entitled Tunnels, Towers & Temples: London's 100 Strangest Places.
The classic London black cab is the Austin FX-4. It was introduced in 1958 and remained in production until 1996, a record for a British vehicle and unrivalled except by the Mini. In 1989 a version of the FX-4 went on sale in Japan badged as the ‘Big Ben Novelty Car’