The Special Parts list also notes a 1938 Taxicab.  These were called General Cab and made from 1936 - 38 in  USA,   using many body parts from respective Chev sedans and coupes with axles from Chevrolet 3/4 ton trux & hubcaps from GMC.  (Chev & GMC small truck axles differ only in that Chev uses ball bearings and GMC uses taper bearings.)    These photos are from Doug Bells Book.  General cabs are numbered 1936 = 0-16, 37 = 0-17, 38 = 0-18.  The ones rebadged Chevrolet were 37 = 170 (Without trunk as in Bell's picture) & 172 (Like my gray one.)  The 38 numbers are 180 = trunkless fastback & 182 = Trunk.  The model number is 37-1323 with trunk.  The European Imperial used passenger axles and thus model number 37-1023 and 37-1223.

They were available in trunk or fast back bodies.
 
 

Drive shaft extension is painted yellow.                    The backseat had no armrest like the sedan.  It did have
The trunk is 37 design.                                                  a grab bar and finger pinch protector.  There was an
                                                                                    additional grab handle on the door.

Note the height of the upper rear door hinge.  The rear door is made from 2 rear sedan doors cut top to bottom.  The front doors were made from a Coupe lower and a sectioned Coach at top.
 The 127" WB allowed room for a jumpseat in the rear.  You won't find footroom like that in a modern car.

 

      If you read the body style literally this is a 3/4 ton sedan.  The Fisher body plate reads 37-1323.  The axles are those used on a 3/4 ton truck which makes little sense in front as it uses the same size brakes and wheel bearings.  An adapter is necessary as 1924 - 54 trux had the U- bolts spaced at 24" and 37 - 40 passenger cars were spaced at 26".

    The door Jams were Gunmetal (214) so that's the color I painted it.  The wheels were black so I restored to original.  There was no paint code on the ID tag.
(Another personal touch (and mistake) was to install a 3 speed transmission back to back where the torque tube extension was located.  I didn't do my math.  An overdrive of 0.595:1 and 0.34:1 in a heavy, underpowered car is a poor idea.)

The Literature  shows a Taxi model with partition drivers seat to allow for luggage to ride shotgun.    This would make sense with the fast back model.

    These specs concure that the Limo/taxi used Passenger car engine and transmission (85 HP) and 3/4 ton rear axle (Spiral bevel [not hypoid] 4.11).  I notice that they list turning raduis rather than Diameter.   A 44' diameter is clumsey compared to the 36' of the 112" WB cars.  The rear springs have a few extra leaves in them.
 
 

 .  In Europe it was called the Imperial Sedan and I would like to converse with others who have similar vehicles.  The Ad says Touring Sedan.  They were available as Straight axle or Knee action with passenger car axles hense:  37-1223 and 37-1023, respectively.

Look Close!! Are those radial tires sold new on a 37 Chevrolet?    Note that all European  37 Chevs were sold new with fender lights and trafficators (turn signals on cowl).
 
 

        Why would any one want a Chev Limo when they could have a Cad or Buick?  For hauling passengers, why not get a Burb?

    In 1938, the Taxi weighed 3300 lbs. and cost $1076 for fastback and $1102 for Bustle back with trunk.  A Burb only cost $834 and would haul the same number of passengers.
    I believe that production of the General Cab and Chevrolet Taxi/Limousine from 1936 - 1939 are incorporated in these figured.  I do not believe the European Imperial Sedans are included.  I wish to thank David Hayward and Ken Kaufmann and their website for these figures.

UNIT SALES OF YELLOW TAXICABS

YEAR QUANTITY CORPORATE CHANGES

1915   40          Yellow Cab Company of Chicago

1916   499

1917   458

1918   384

1919   500

1920   1,072     Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company of Chicago

1921   1,502

1922   5,206

1923   8,207

1924   4,462

1925   3,336     Yellow Truck & Coach Mfg. Co. (Sept. 1925) Chicago

1926   4,396

1927   2,598

1928   2,198     Moved to Pontiac, Michigan

1929   2,143

1930   2,587

1931   1,830

1932   398

1933   2,500

1934   0.

1935   0

1936   3,104

1937   460

1938   521

1939   19

1940   0

TOTAL 48,420
 
 

    The Fitzjohn took a 1935 - 197? Chevrolet sedan or wagon, cut it in the middle and added 2 extra seats and appropriate springs.  In 37, they could be on Standard or Deluxe chassis.  The roof rack is a structural part of the vehicle.  Note the steps between the 3rd and rear door on the right side to access the roof  rack.

Above is Fitzjohn brochure.^  Below is Silver book. v

Below  are Specs from Fitzjohn brochure.    Points of interest:  First paragraph starts with sedan.  Paragraph 9 indicates the 3/4 ton tires.

 Here's a 1950 Fitzjohn from Chevrolet Brochure. 
 
 

Sorry, Still under construction!!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Check out the Burbs >>

Repair tips
 Coach
 Touring
Sedan Delivery
Coupe Pickup
Coupe
Sedan
Bus
Flxible
Station Wagons
 Check out some other 2-Doors >>
 Back to carz >>
View trux >>
 Back Home >>>