For more than 20 years, Checker Motors supplied major U.S. cities with flocks of taxi cabs. The Checker “Taxi” was produced between 1961 and 1982, and some may still be in service today because they ran forever. The seller’s 1978 edition is nothing like it was during its “Yellow Cab” days, including possession of a new and blueprinted 396 cubic inch V8. Located near Kansas City, Kansas, this powerful box on wheels is available here on craigslist for $37,000. How does T.J. keep finding tips like this for us?
The Checker Taxi and Marathon (the version sold occasionally to John Q. Public) were built like Sherman tanks. They were spacious, simple, and changed little during their two-decade run. Propulsion was usually supplied by Chevrolet, and we’re guessing the seller’s Checker started life with a 305 V8 and a TH-350 automatic transmission. Most of these vehicles saw hundreds of thousands of miles of use before finding their way to the junkyard. Their heavy service is why you don’t run across one of these very often, at least in this condition.
This Taxi/Marathon looks nothing like it did way back when. Instead of bright yellow paint (in most cases), it sports a grey/blue finish, which we’re told is older. There is no rust, so the machine seems to present well. The odometer reads 28,500 miles, but that easily could be 128,000, 228,000, or more. Still using its break-in oil, this Checker’s 396 V8 is a piece of art and probably took a small fortune to build and have blueprinted. The horsepower output isn’t known.
Replacing the original TH-350 is an automatic TH-400, which may be as fresh as the motor. We’re told the beast runs and drives great, and we can’t help but wonder how fast this heavy machine would be able to turn in quarter-mile numbers. This vehicle is likely the most expensive Checker you’re likely to run across, so the question will be “Is it worth it?”
I really like Checkers. These were cars, that were built like trucks!!! The fact that a Joe Average could actually buy one for themselves is something else. I would have to say this is the first one I ever saw with a big block Chevy in it!!! Just picturing a Checker Marathon smoking the tires off the rims at a stop light is kind of hilarious. Love what they did here. And the car looks solid too. I’ve always wanted a Checker. This would be a good possible candidate for sure.
You still haven’t seen one with a big block.
Steve R
I wonder what the difference was between the Checker “taxi” version and the Marathon – I would imagine that the Marathon had a few creature comforts and an upgraded upholstery.
This has a small block, if the seller got that wrong it calls into question everything else in their description, if they can’t tell a big block from a small block, what are the odds it has a TH400? Even if it had a GM Blueprint engine, what does that mean, did the company Blue Print engines build it or is it the generic version meaning the engine was “blueprinted” by a random machine shop.
It would be hard to see this bringing $37,000 if the description was accurate, there is no way it’s worth that based on what’s action the car.
Steve R
Looks like the valve covers actually say “BluePrint” on them. I definitely agree it looks more like a small block too.
Maybe, but plastic stick on emblems are pretty common on cheap Chinese chrome air cleaners and valve covers, you see several trailers at every large swapmeet selling similarly equipped chrome dress up items.
After seeing how inaccurate the sellers description is, he needs to produce documentation for what is actually in the car.
Steve R