This story about London Cabs in San Francisco got started on February 14th -- Valentine's Day. But it wasn't until today, April 9th, that I got the inspiration to finally publish it. Until today, I did not have the right angle. Now, I believe I do.

Back in February, Mayor Newsom unveiled the first series of London taxis purchased last year by Luxor. The minute we heard the news we were thrilled. Another touch of European class added to our great city, we thought.

Inspired to share the news with our audience, I started the story as follows:

Now, you need not fly all the way to London to hale a "Black Cab." On Thursday, the city that brought you the cable car and Parisian outdoor toilets, unveiled fifteen of the bulbous taxis to add to its current fleet of 1,400.

Alas, I was wrong.

As I did my research, I learned that each of the London taxis brought to San Francisco would not be sophisticated black cabs.

Rather they would be bright orange. And not even "international orange" to at least match the Golden Gate Bridge.

To make matters worse, each cab is covered with advertising by a company that simply doesn't deserve to be promoted in this article.

In lieu of traveling in style on Valentine's Day in a fancy stretch limo, I had my heart set on proposing an alternative: the sexy new black cab.

The truth: This vehicle is fit less for gents and more for members of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Of course, if you don't live in San Francisco we invite you to come to our great city and see for yourself who is spending $500 per cab per month to get their name plastered all over these vehicles.

If I may, let me interrupt this story to say that when we first started publishing The Rugged Elegance Inspiration Network late last year, we made a pact that if there wasn't positive, inspirational news to report, we wouldn't report it, at all. So, my goal is to turn this London cab story into one that will inspire someone out there. My hope is that at least one classy operation, and I have one in mind, can save the London Taxicabs here in San Francisco.

But first, a little history...

In 1873, it was an Englishman Andrew Smith Hallidie who brought us the cable car, the only national historic "moving" landmark. And it is once again the British who bring us the London cab.

While the icons of the world's best taxi system were ordered last fall from England, Mayor Newsom had the honor of taking the first spin in one at the beginning of February 2004 after he and the S.F. Taxi Commission unveiled them at the base of the steps of City Hall.

Gavin isn't the only political leader in California to enjoy a ride in the world's only purpose-built taxi.

Governor Schwarzenegger bought one before he knew he would be commuting by limo to the State Capitol, every day.

Limo, London Car, or Hummer? Governor, it must be a tough choice.

The only difference between San Francisco's London cars and Arnold's is that Arnold's is black, like it should be.

While the outside may not feel like a town car or limo ride, at least the inside is roomy.

A family or group of five can comfortably and legally fit in one of the taxis. Luxor President John Lazar who bought nine of the cabs for San Francisco says, "Our new taxis boast more leg room than a first-class airline seat."

Not only are these cabs roomy and classy inside, they have added utility and longevity. Each features a wheelchair access ramp built into the floor of the vehicle, a built-in child seat, and an intercom system between the driver and passengers that is compatible with hearing aids.

These hardy vehicles typically last ten years longer than their competition, and they save on fuel costs because they use diesel.

You may also get to your destination faster if you hale a London cab. Compared to most cars which have an average 45-foot turning radius, these are designed to handle London's narrow streets. Their 25-foot turning radius will make it easier for your driver to pull a quick U-turn, if necessary.

One major difference: the driver's seat is on the left; not the right as in Britain. One minor change: the orange cabs have more padding on the seats. The better to manage the hills of San Francisco, I'm sure.

The Luxor Cab company will be driving nine of the 15 London taxis, including one that will be available for hire as an executive limousine. Royal Cab purchased six of the taxicabs.

Last May, after 2 years of diligent efforts London Taxis North America, Inc. received the Certificate of Conformity from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and an Executive Order from the California Air Resources Board certifying the compliance of the London Taxis exhaust and evaporative emission control systems.

At the beginning of February, the San Francisco taxi commission voted to change a regulation requiring taxis there to be replaced every three years. Under the new rules, the more expensive, but much longer-lasting London cabs can stay on the streets for seven years, according to Smith, who lobbied for the change.

The British flair includes generous headroom harkening to the days when gentlemen needed extra space for their top hats.

Taxi Commissioner John Barry, who became a big booster for the London taxicabs after a visit to Britain, says the public may not like the wrapped cars as much as the classic black. But they still have "class, comfort, convenience and navigation ability unparalleled in the world," he said.

Newsom says he'll wait and see what the public thinks.

"But I prefer not to see advertising wrapped around anything," the mayor said, "including our Muni buses.''

We were hoping San Francisco would have the class to keep the cabs black and not succumb to having them used as one more advertising venue. But perhaps it's not too late.

Now, here's the angle...

The British invasion of London taxis may have hit San Francisco's hilly streets. As British "invasions" go, there is no one better to lead the pack than Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic. If someone could just get to him before he heads out on his Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer around-the-world-in-80-days hot air balloon adventure. I propose that if he were to buy a fleet of these cabs, have them painted black (with a discreet touch of Virgin white near or on the door handle), he'd be hailed as the savior of the London cabs in the U.S., especially all points heading toward an airport that gets us on a Virgin airplane.

With Branson's foray into Reality TV and his upcoming show Branson's Big Adventure, perhaps he can get Fox to foot the bill and have one of his mobile telephones "installed" in each vehicle to boot. And while we're at it, let's encourage the billionaire mastermind entrepreneur to help this country bring back hats and gloves to go with our black cabs.

Richard, my bags are packed. I'm ready to go. All hail, the black London cab!

To learn more about the company in Chicago that has brought us these vehicles, please go to London-Fleet.com

Mike Furir Mike 619