cars

Checker

USA · Founded 1922

The company that built the American taxi. For decades, the yellow Checker was synonymous with New York City.

Heritage

Checker Motors Corporation spent 60 years doing one thing exceptionally well: building taxis. While other manufacturers chased styling trends and model-year changes, Checker built the same basic car for 26 years because it worked. The Marathon's body-on-frame construction, massive doors, and bulletproof drivetrains were designed for one purpose — surviving urban abuse. When you picture a yellow NYC cab from any movie between 1960 and 1990, you're picturing a Checker. They didn't build exciting cars. They built monuments to durability.

Checker Vehicles (1)

1975 Checker Marathon

$8,000-25,000 Car

Engine: 350ci Chevrolet V8 (common), various inline-6 options

Power: 145-175 hp (emissions-era)

Trans: 3-speed automatic (standard)

Years: 1960-1982

The Checker Marathon was the taxi. For 60 years, Checker Motors did one thing exceptionally well: build taxicabs. While Detroit chased styling trends and planned obsolescence, Checker kept building the same basic car because it worked. The Marathon's massive doors could open wide enough to load a gurney or wheelchair. The jump seats turned it into a six-passenger vehicle. The body-on-frame construction survived urban abuse that would kill lesser cars. When you picture a yellow NYC cab from any movie made between 1960 and 1990, you're picturing a Checker. They didn't build exciting cars. They built monuments to durability.