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TAXI Launches at the Transport Museum
31 January 2019
A new, free exhibition has launched in Coventry to celebrate taxis – and the team behind it want to know people’s favourite memories of taking a cab.
‘Taxi: The Story from A to B’ was officially opened at the Coventry Transport Museum by Councillor John Blundell, the Lord Mayor of Coventry; Curator Patrick Murphy; and LEVC Chief Executive Chris Gubbey.
It features a range of taxis, many of which have links to Coventry, from the earliest carriage through to LEVC’s zero emissions electric taxi, and the TX eCity, which is built at Ansty Park in the city.
As well as charting the evolution of the taxi from a manufacturing and engineering point of view, the exhibition uncovers the part they play in people’s everyday lives.
Stories can be shared with Coventry Transport Museum by emailing marketing@culturecoventry.com or on social media using #CoventryTaxi.
Ruark Jon-Stevens, Marketing and Communications Manager of Culture Coventry, said: “We had a very successful launch event with a range of key figures from across the city and with many people who have played and continue to play a major role in the taxi industry.
“TAXI includes fantastic exhibits that show how taxis have changed over time and the huge role that Coventry has had to play in manufacturing and engineering.
“There are also some wonderful documentaries on show that highlight some of the stories behind taxis in the city and we are really keen to capture more of those throughout the duration of the exhibition, particularly through social media.”
Cllr Blundell, the Lord Mayor Coventry, said: “This is a wonderful celebration of a big part of Coventry’s manufacturing heritage. It’s incredible to think that the taxi developed in the city has gone on to become a global icon.
“My praise goes to everyone involved in the Taxi exhibition for producing such as fantastic record of the vehicle’s past, present and future.”
Curator Patrick Murphy said: “The whole project started in 2017 when I undertook an artist residency at Coventry Transport Museum.
“Part of that was concentrating on an untold story or a hidden gem and that is where the idea came from to look at the taxi, from the very first beginnings of the early vehicle right through to the work is going on at LEVC today.
“Through this work, we highlight that Coventry produced an electric taxi as early as 1897 – which had a range of 30 miles and could only travel nine miles an hour!
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to be able to pull out some of those stories and the links to Coventry and its people in this exhibition. It has been made possible by great support from Coventry Transport Museum, LEVC and many others.”
For more information on the free exhibition go to www.transport-museum.com/events/1382/taxi_the_story_from_a_to_b
