Loads of Mods: One Family 1973 Checker Marathon

During the 1970s and 1980s, it was almost impossible not to see a Checker Taxi running around in major metropolitan cities. But also during this period, a consumer-oriented version, the A-12 (or Marathon), was also available. But you had to order yours directly from the factory, so their sales paled compared to that of the commercial version. This 1973 edition of the Marathon was purchased when new by the seller’s father, and it’s been in the family ever since. With a heavily modified drivetrain, this Checker is available here on craigslist where the seller has not set a price. Instead, he/she will entertain offers until one comes in to the family’s liking. You can view the Checker in Olympia, Washington. Here’s another noteworthy tip from “Curvette”!

Checkers were known for their durability and roominess, which made them ideal for public service. The seller’s father picked this one up in Kalamazoo, Michigan (where Checker’s manufacturing took place) early in 1973 and drove it home to California. There it stayed until 2010 when he passed on, and the seller took possession and moved it to Washington State, where it resides now. At the time, its Chevrolet 250 cubic inch inline-6 had 425,000 miles to its credit.

Around 2018, the seller began to rebuild and modify the vehicle. And a significant list of changes was documented in the listing, making this one of the most detailed ads you’re likely to ever find on craigslist. At the top of the list is the Chevy ZZ6 350 cubic inch V8, which was transplanted, rated at 405 hp. If you’re a gearhead, you should check out the listing and see the thousands of dollars’ worth of components and services that were performed.

The seller refers to this car as a project, though it certainly seems much better than that. While the body and paint are good, there are some imperfections here and there. The headliner needs to be replaced. There is some lifter noise from the V8. A few other items are mentioned, but they hardly seem noteworthy, so the car can probably be driven while you knock them off the list one at a time. In summation, this car is far more advanced than any Checker Taxi you ever rode in.