The Epic Journey of Hard Hearted Hannah

Imagine stepping into a humble London black cab, not for a quick trip across the city, but for a globetrotting adventure spanning continents and setting an unprecedented world record. This is the extraordinary tale of 'Hard Hearted Hannah', a 1992 Austin FX4 taxi that became the unlikely protagonist in 'It's on the Meter', an expedition conceived from a simple question: how high could a taxi meter possibly go? What began as a whimsical thought among friends transformed into a gruelling, yet exhilarating, journey of over 43,000 miles, pushing the boundaries of endurance for both man and machine, all while raising significant funds for charity.

The 'It's on the Meter' expedition stands as a monumental testament to human ingenuity and perseverance, redefining the capabilities of a vehicle typically confined to city streets. This article delves into the fascinating history, the challenges faced, the unique vehicle that made it all possible, and the remarkable distance covered by this iconic black cab.

The Genesis of an Unprecedented Expedition

The seed for this extraordinary journey was planted in 2008, when three friends – Leigh Purnell, Johno Ellison, and Paul Archer, all having met whilst studying at Aston University – found themselves in a taxi, pondering the hypothetical limits of a taxi meter fare. This seemingly casual conversation quickly escalated into a serious inquiry: what was the highest taxi meter fee ever recorded? Their research revealed a standing record of 21,691 miles (34,908 km), set way back in 1994. This discovery ignited an ambition within the trio: to not just beat the record, but to utterly shatter it.

The team meticulously planned a new route, initially envisioning a journey from London to Sydney, estimated to cover a staggering 32,000 miles. With their audacious goal set, the next crucial step was acquiring the right vehicle. Their choice was unconventional but fitting: a 1992 Austin FX4 taxi, affectionately named 'Hannah', purchased for a mere £1,500 on eBay. With their chariot secured, they began the arduous process of securing sponsorship to fund their ambitious undertaking. The expedition officially departed from the London Transport Museum on 17 February 2011, with notable support from figures like Boris Johnson, then Mayor of London, and the renowned explorer Ranulph Fiennes, lending a significant public profile to their endeavour.

Meet Hannah: A Black Cab Like No Other

The expedition vehicle, a 1992 Austin FX4, was christened 'Hannah' after the song 'Hard Hearted Hannah', a tune about a woman who dislikes men and enjoys seeing them suffer. This name, perhaps a whimsical nod to the challenges the taxi would inevitably inflict upon its male occupants, soon became synonymous with the record-breaking journey itself. Despite its robust appearance, Hannah was far from a turn-key solution. The team acquired the vehicle with an estimated 300,000 miles already on the clock, and they candidly admitted that it broke down, 'every other day'.

To prepare Hannah for the epic undertaking, extensive modifications were essential. While the team humorously claimed the Nissan 2.7 litre Turbo Diesel engine was the only part of the car not to have broken, attributing its reliability to its 'Japanese-made' origin in contrast to the rest of the 'English-made' vehicle, nearly everything else received an overhaul. Key external additions included a winch for tricky terrain, a snorkel for water crossings, and a robust roof rack and roof box for carrying vital equipment. Internally, the taxi underwent significant transformation: the partition between the driver and passengers was removed to create a more open cabin, a front passenger seat was added, and the rear-facing rear seats were taken out, making space for supplies and a sound system to keep spirits high during long stretches of driving. The car's brakes, suspension, cooling, and electrical systems were also comprehensively overhauled and updated, preparing Hannah for the unimaginable stresses of circumnavigating the globe.

A Route Redefined: Navigating a Changing World

The 'It's on the Meter' team embraced the philosophy that "taxi drivers always take all the longest way around," and their route was designed to embody this, encompassing over fifty countries. The journey commenced from Covent Garden, London, heading to Dover for a ferry crossing to France. From there, Hannah traversed Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and into Finland, where the team ventured to the Arctic Circle and witnessed the mesmerising Northern Lights. This initial European leg was not without incident; the team faced a brief arrest in Moscow, a taste of the unpredictable challenges that lay ahead.

The route continued through Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, Monaco, Italy, and San Marino. Originally, the plan involved heading down to Sicily for a ferry to Tunisia, but due to the ongoing conflict in Libya, the route had to be swiftly revised, sending the team through the Balkans instead. This unexpected detour led them through Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Greece before reaching Turkey in April 2011. Further political unrest, specifically demonstrations in Syria, necessitated another route modification, directing the team through Georgia and Armenia before returning to Turkey and descending into Iraq.

The challenges intensified in Iraq, where Hannah's radiator burst in northern Kurdistan. Yet, demonstrating remarkable resilience, a replacement was ingeniously built at the Arbil auto bazaar, allowing the journey to continue into Iran. Near Qom, the team faced a tense situation, being detained and questioned by the secret police after inadvertently camping next to an artillery installation. Visa complications also arose, requiring Archer and Purnell to fly to Dubai to secure Pakistani visas, while Ellison, who already had his, pressed on through the Baluchistan desert alone. Reunited in Pakistan, the team pushed through India, Nepal, and into Tibet. It was in Tibet, in August 2011, that the 'It's on the Meter' expedition officially broke the previous record of 21,691 miles, a monumental milestone.

The journey continued through China, arriving in Laos in September 2011, then on through Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, before Hannah was shipped from Singapore to Darwin, Australia. Upon arrival in Australia, the vehicle faced strict quarantine fines, but once released, it travelled through the Northern Territory and down the East Coast, reaching the intended destination of Sydney on 10 December 2011. At this point, the team made a pivotal announcement: they had secured a new sponsorship partnership with Smartphone Taxi ordering-app company GetTaxi, and with this new backing, they would extend the expedition, aiming to drive Hannah back to London, effectively circumnavigating the world.

Circumnavigation: The Unexpected Second Leg

The decision to extend the journey transformed an already epic trip into a true global circumnavigation. Hannah was shipped from Sydney to San Francisco over Christmas 2011, allowing the team a brief respite back in the UK. After lengthy delays at Oakland Port, the taxi was finally released in February 2012, and the team embarked on the cross-USA leg, driving from California to New York. In March 2012, Hannah was air-freighted to Israel, from where it was shipped to Greece. The final push involved travelling north through Russia, then through the Baltics and Eastern Europe, passing through Germany, Luxembourg, and France. The car was then taken back to the United Kingdom via the Channel Tunnel, finally arriving back at its starting point in London on 11 May 2012.

For the USA leg, Hannah was not alone. The team met Jon Anders in Pakistan and, in a light-hearted moment, joked that if he bought a Yellow Cab, he could join them for the American section. To their surprise, Anders took them up on the offer, purchasing a Ford Crown Victoria which was affectionately named 'Skinny Margarita' after an old advertisement attached to its roof. This second taxi became an integral part of the final leg of the journey, adding another layer to the expedition's unique narrative.

The Team Behind the Wheel and a Purposeful Journey

The extraordinary 'It's on the Meter' expedition was the brainchild and tireless effort of three friends: Leigh Purnell, Johno Ellison, and Paul Archer. Their shared vision and unwavering determination were the driving force behind every mile covered and every challenge overcome. Their story is one of true friendship, collaborative problem-solving, and a relentless pursuit of an ambitious goal.

Beyond the personal challenge and the pursuit of a world record, the expedition also carried a significant charitable purpose. The team chose to raise both awareness and funds for the British Red Cross. Their decision was driven by the Red Cross's crucial fundraising work both within the UK and worldwide, as well as the global support network the organisation could offer the team during their travels. Through their incredible journey, the 'It's on the Meter' expedition successfully raised a remarkable £20,000 for the British Red Cross, demonstrating that adventure can indeed serve a higher purpose.

Record-Breaking Feats and Financial Milestones

The 'It's on the Meter' expedition, featuring 'Hard Hearted Hannah', not only broke a world record but shattered it, travelling more than double the distance of the previous record holder. The journey culminated in an astounding final mileage and a taxi fare that truly beggars belief.

The sheer scale of the journey, covering such a vast distance in a modified taxi, is truly remarkable, solidifying 'Hard Hearted Hannah's' place in history as a symbol of adventurous spirit and human endeavour.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hannah's Epic Ride

Here are some common questions about the 'Hard Hearted Hannah' taxi expedition:

• How many miles did 'Hard Hearted Hannah' travel?
  'Hard Hearted Hannah' travelled a total of 43,208.4 miles (69,537.18 km) during the 'It's on the Meter' expedition, setting a new world record for the longest taxi journey.

• What was the inspiration behind the expedition?
  The expedition was conceived in 2008 when the participants, travelling by taxi, wondered what the highest taxi meter fee had ever been. This led them to research the previous record and plan a journey to surpass it.

• What modifications were made to the taxi?
  The 1992 Austin FX4 taxi, Hannah, underwent extensive modifications including the addition of a winch, snorkel, roof rack, and roof box. Its brakes, suspension, cooling, and electrical systems were overhauled. Inside, the partition was removed, a front passenger seat added, rear-facing seats removed, and a sound system installed.

• Did the team face any major challenges?
  Yes, the team encountered numerous challenges, including being arrested in Moscow, detentions by secret police in Iran, a burst radiator in Iraq (which was repaired locally), and needing to revise their route multiple times due to political conflicts and demonstrations in Libya and Syria. Visa issues also posed significant hurdles.

• How much did the nominal taxi fare amount to?
  The nominal taxi fare for the entire record-breaking journey reached an astonishing £79,006.80.

• What charity benefited from the journey?
  The expedition raised both awareness and funds for the British Red Cross, successfully collecting £20,000 for the charity.

• Is there a book about 'It's on the Meter'?
  Yes, a book titled 'It's on the Meter: One Taxi, Three Mates and 43,000 Miles of Misadventures around the World' was released in 2016, chronicling their incredible adventure.

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