Here's the image of what it started life as... and for a good article on London Taxis showing up at car shows: http://www.classicaldrives.com/50226711/londons_iconic_taxicabs_spotted_in_classic_car_shows.php
The shifter is particularly cool, looks like a 3 or 4 foot long socket wrench extension with a 1 1/2" short impact socket. That is somethign I don't remember seeing used as a shifter in a rat rod or custom before... my compliments!