Before there was Uber or Lyft, there was Yellow Cab which was usually a Checker Marathon in the bigger cities. Technically, the for-hire vehicle was called the Checker Taxi and the Marathon was the version sold to consumers. But… more»
Checker
Apr 12, 2023 • For Sale • 19 Comments
Marathon Wagon! 1960 Checker Superba
The Superba was the consumer version of the Checker Marathon, which was largely sold as fleet purchases to taxi-cab services and the like. Only sedans and wagons were available, and this 1960 version of the latter may be one… more»
Apr 8, 2023 • For Sale • 13 Comments
The “Chagster”! 1982 Checker Marathon
Getting picked up in this 1982 Checker Marathon taxi and telling the driver to “Step on it” could render a unique car hire service experience. At first blush, it’s obvious that it’s hardly in what would be considered an… more»
Feb 19, 2023 • For Sale • 31 Comments
BMW Chassis Swap: 1981 Checker Marathon
Sometimes, a listing just demands more details than the seller offers. In most cases, it’s because vital details are missing, but in this instance, we just want to know how this project came into existence. This is a genuine… more»
Feb 10, 2023 • For Sale • 13 Comments
8-Door Wagon! 1972 Checker Aerobus
We’ve featured a few 8-door Checker Aerobuses here on Barn Finds over the years. They were made by Checker Manufacturing Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and were a great way to transport 12 passengers in comfort with room for luggage… more»
Jan 19, 2023 • For Sale • 41 Comments
Check It Out: 1976 Checker A-12E Limo
Most car people are familiar with the Checker automobile, the ubiquitous, boxy sedan that dominated the taxicab market in places like NYC during the ’60s and ’70s. If you are of a certain age, you may recall actually getting… more»
Dec 28, 2022 • For Sale • 39 Comments
Not a Taxi! 1967 Checker Marathon Wagon
When most folks think of the Checker automobile brand, a yellow taxicab comes to mind. And they would become quite prolific in the 1960s and 1970s in big cities like Chicago and New York. But Checker also sold a… more»
Aug 24, 2022 • For Sale • 14 Comments
Ride Share Pair: 2 for 1 Checker Cabs
If you’ve ever been to New York City or some other major metro area, chances are you’ve ridden in a Checker cab at least once. From 1961 to 1982, Checker Motors produced these bulky cars which mostly served as… more»
Jun 13, 2022 • For Sale • 48 Comments
The Only One Left? 1949 Checker A3
Most people think of Checker Motors for its iconic and long-lasting Marathon, which was ubiquitous as a taxi cab for decades, but few people know that there were cars before that. In this case, it’s a 1949 Checker A3… more»
Mar 20, 2022 • For Sale • 23 Comments
Stretch Limousine: 1970 Checker Marathon
The Marathon was the mainstay of Checker Motors out of Kalamazoo, Michigan between 1961-82. Most of them were built for fleet buyers, and many of those were taxicabs. This ’70 Marathon was rescued from a junkyard many moons ago… more»
Nov 16, 2021 • For Sale • 27 Comments
6 Doors Too Many? 1966 Checker Aerobus
Based on observation, it appears that two doors are preferred over four doors. If that’s the case are four doors then preferred over eight? Looking like something that would have been at home in the Beatles movie Help, is… more»
Jun 8, 2021 • For Sale • 31 Comments
Not A Taxi! 1971 Checker Marathon
The Checker Marathon was produced for more than 20 years across three decades. Most of them ended up serving in the taxicab industry, with limited sales to John Q. Public. These cars were built like tanks and had more… more»
Jan 5, 2021 • For Sale • 26 Comments
Never A Taxi: 1975 Checker Marathon
Anyone who’s ever ridden in the back of a Checker cab probably remembers how much legroom there was. Most of the Marathon workhorses that were built over a 22-year period went toward fleet use, most notably taxi services. By… more»
May 27, 2020 • For Sale • 18 Comments
Arizona 8-Seater: 1972 Checker Marathon A11
Taxi!! Do people even yell for taxis anymore? I would think that it’s mostly done by phone or app now, or maybe by waving a hand in the air or being in the right place at the right… more»
May 3, 2020 • For Sale • 31 Comments
One Of 413: 1967 Checker Wagon
One of 413 Checker wagons produced in 1967, it appears this vintage longroof was intended to tow from the beginning. It’s listed for sale here on eBay and is located in Toledo, Ohio. Surprisingly to me, the bidding has… more»
Mar 17, 2019 • For Sale • 37 Comments
1 Of 45: 1972 Checker Marathon 50th Anniversary
Nearly every automobile enthusiast recognizes the shape of a Checker Marathon. They’re usually yellow with a checkerboard stripe down the side, but this one could likely be the rarest among the rare. It’s a 1972 model, one of only… more»
