Museum takes the wraps off taxi that ferried French troops to battle Germans

The Museum of London has bought a 1908 example of the French-built Unic taxi, the famous cab of Europe and one of the first used in the British capital. The Unic was used before the homegrown black cab became popular.

In 1903 there was only one motorised taxi in London, but by 1908 the number had risen to 2000. The Unic was built by Richard-Brasier of Paris with the chassis from Georges-Richard.

The 12-14 horsepower four-cylinder model cost the equivalent of $11,000 in 1909. The tyres were extra. By 1914 the Unic was the dominant make of taxi in Britain.

The Museum of London's example was in service until 1922 and has its original meter. The three most famous taxis in the world are the black cab of London, the New York Checker and the Renault "Taxi of the Marne", which ferried French troops to halt a German First World War advance on Paris.