TAXI!: The History of Checker Cabs & Cars

[@johngraves6878]

I was a taxi driver for a year in Los Angeles. It was actually a pretty fun job. When you're on the radio, the way you confirm an order from the dispatcher is you say "Check, check", which is a term of affirmation. It's a nice, crisp way of saying "affirmative." Also, you're "checking" to see if you got your passenger. Taxi drivers themselves are "checkers." Perhaps Ed could do a video on all the different types of cabs around the world, one country vs another, that sort of thing.

[@memorimusic420]

Imagine playing checkers while checking to see if you need to say check check on the radio 🤯

[@DalyTheThird]

@@memorimusic420Then check checking a radio check while playing checkers waiting for your fare in the driver’s seat of a Checker. All of this after doing your pre-trip inspection before your shift after checking in with your dispatcher and making sure all your pre-trip checklist items have been checked. That’s not to mention what kind of suit one would be wearing.

[@memorimusic420]

@@DalyTheThird 🤣🤣 I think you forgot to check your blindspots before moving off 😉

[@DalyTheThird]

@ You’re correct. Any good driver would check such a thing.

[@Sanyey]

Fun and driving in a big city doesn't sound fun to me.. I have a licence and cars since 2004, driving every single day ever since , and still hate it when I need to drive on a highway, or in the middle of Budapest instead of my small Hungarian town in the south east..

[@bryanbrowning5746]

Back in the 70’s, a friend’s grandparents had a gold Checker wagon. That was such a reliable beast! After his grandparents passed, he inherited it, and still has it for Sunday cruises. It’s still going strong, and he keeps it in top shape.

[@towgod7985]

Good to hear the car is still in the family and in good hands. Well done , Cheers.

[@EdsAutoReviews]

Keep the heritage and memories alive!

[@Sashazur]

We were a Checker family and we also had a gold wagon! It wasn’t originally that color but my mom had it repainted - the work was done for free in exchange for artwork she did for them. We also had at one time or another a dark green checker limo (which was slightly stretched compared to the regular model) and a white sedan. They were huge reliable boats, with hardly any steering feel or road feedback.

[@danbasta3677]

These cars were built to last practically forever. Never see many of them in a junkyard, that is a fact.

[@SSgtBaloo]

On the TV show "Mission Impossible", black-painted Checker Marathons often stood in for communist cars in episodes that took place "behind the iron curtain".

[@larrylaffer3246]

Which is hilarious looking back now as although a bit drab, outdated, and understated by its contemporaries standards; A Checker Cab was still probably a million times better than any car actually found there. Both in creature comforts and overall build quality.

[@EdsAutoReviews]

Aah thank you for mentioning that! I tried to look for footage of Checkers used as 'soviet' cars, but couldn't find it. Now I know what to look for!

[@markrossow6303]

Yep.

[@markrossow6303]

​@@larrylaffer3246 Facts

[@markrossow6303]

​@@larrylaffer3246 Facts

[@audriusbaranauskas6227]

I from Europe and I always though these cars were Chevys or something, had no idea it's separate brand of cars. Great video!

[@onnirant]

Same! Since the more modern NYC taxis as seen on 90s/00s TV/movies were Crown Victorias mostly, I thought these were some Ford/GM/Chrysler models of yesteryear.

[@michaelmcdermott8022]

They do resemble the 55 Bel Air.

[@robertmoffett3486]

That's not sirprising. They were so generic, they might be almost anything. They did have Chevy drivetrains, at least. All the V8 ones, I believe.

[@mateimarian1937]

Same, I thought they were just a taxi company, didn't know they made their own cars

[@ItsDaJax]

They used some Chrysler/Dodge and AMC drivetrains, but that was it. Everything else was Checker.

[@MrMont-ue8kh]

Oh my God! I remember watching a film in the 70s in middle school (yes - 16 mm film threaded through a school projector) about Checker Cabs in shop class (Industrial Arts). The only thing I remember is seeing a Checker Cab being tested by being drive through a series of concrete blocks. Built like a tank, apparently. Of course this is the same shop class where 12 year olds used actual soldering irons where you had to put them in the kiln to heat them up to red hot. And the teacher smelled like what I later realized to be hard liquor.

[@piuthemagicman]

I don't know about you Americans but in Finland we have mandatory metal fabrication classes from 13 years old in elementary school. Angle grinders, lathes, drills, welding, all of it. :)

[@robertmoffett3486]

The shop teacher in my junior high school was in charge of a supply room across the hall. He'd get the class started on their projects, then disappear. Everyone knew, and nobody cared. He was a nice guy, and a good teacher.

[@Low760]

​@@piuthemagicmanthey don't in Australia or America unless it's special schools.

[@kutter_ttl6786]

​@@piuthemagicmanI don't think it was common, but when I was going to school in Canada, shop class was madatory at my school for grades 7-8 (12-13 yrs). The first semester would be woodworking, and the second semester would be metal fabrication.

[@davidcoudriet8439]

@MrMont-ue8kh LOL! so true!

[@christopheryoung3356]

I always loved riding in a Checker cab. My parents didn't have a car when I was growing up, so we mostly walked or took public transportation. When there was an occasion worthy of ordering a cab and a Checker pulled up, I knew I was in for a nice roomy, comfortable ride.

[@andrewfischer8564]

same.

[@skylinefever]

I like this Checker Cab documentary. I like cars that can take an incredible beating and survive. That's why I like old diesel Benzes, Volvo bricks, and the Ford Crown Vic. My dad lived in NYC in 1960s and 1970s, so he recognizes them instantly. 15:08 This makes me think of something funny my dad said about cars back then. He used to own a 1979 Toyota Corolla. He told my grandmother that he could park his Toyota Corolla on the hood o her Chrysler Imperial.

[@robertdennis550]

We had a Checker Dealership in my Hometown of Union, New Jersey that closed down in the very late 1970s. It had a small showroom with room for 2 vehicles. They usually had a sedan and a station wagon. Those cars were built like tanks.

[@fishinmusician-h3i]

remember it well.I beleive the name of the dealer was Nemeth Motors on morris ave

[@PeterGonet]

I would have bought one in a heartbeat!

[@john1703]

I love the 1930s model M car at 2:34. Those wonderful headlights and hood vents. In London, the equivalent age taxi was an Austin 12, as seen in Poirot on TV.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

I will have to check out Poirot again; was that the default for the 'black cab' that showed up in so many British TV shows and movies? Also, how was the space in those cabs? The reason I lamented the passing of the Checker cabs, was the lack of legroom in the back of all the other taxis in the back seats. yes, adequate for short people, but only Checker offered a comfortable back seat ride from Manhattan to one of the airports.

[@mbryson2899]

From '79 to '81 I swapped labor for training at a Chicago area auto shop. I did a lot of minor repairs and a ton of maintenance on Checker Marathons. They were _lovely_ to work on, they were built for it. Hindsight is 20/20. I should have eschewed chasing fancy cars, the Marathon was pretty near perfect at the mission.

[@markrossow6303]

Yep.

[@webstercat]

I was a hack in Boston driving Checkers late 70s. The bad ones were referred to as shit boxes. They are what you get when you first start driving.

[@Fevebblefester]

I worked for a company that used a Checker for city deliveries. For all the reasons listed plus how much stuff you could cram into it. The owners wife was so impressed by these she bought her own fancy one in 1976 to used for her real estate business. She drove it for at least 10 years.

[@samuelreis8784]

I can't believe it, I said to myself that someone should make a video about them ... and ideally eds auto reviews ... and suddenly here is exactly what I wanted 😮

[@GeraldBradshaw-j2t]

In the late 70's a shipmate Walter Koch Had a Marathon that had belonged to his grandfather. On the weekends a bunch of us would pile in and road trip from New London CT to upstate NY. It was a fun car.

[@theprinceofsnj]

It was good to see you in person. The folding seats are called jump seats.

[@61rampy65]

Back in the 70's I always thought it would be fun to install rear air shocks, side pipes exhaust, and 'mag' wheels on a Checker. Just as a kind of middle finger to the establishment. It never happened, and in fact, I've only ridden in a Checker once, when I was about 7. Love your videos, Ed!

[@jergervasi3331]

Nice to see you appearing in the videos!

[@EdsAutoReviews]

Sometimes you have to mix it up a little!

[@aubreysmith4538]

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD FIND A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT CHECKERS INTERESTING AND ENTERTAINING.....BUT THAT'S WHY YOU ARE SO GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO. FROM ROD SERLING INTRODUCING THE AUSTRALIAN CAR EPISODE....TO THE "THEY'RE COMING TO GET ME" NORTH KOREA CAR EPISODE. YOU NOT ONLY DO YOUR HOMEWORK, BUT YOUR EPISODES ARE AN ABSOLUTE CRACK-UP. I NEVER GET TIRED OF IT. CHALON.

[@no1DdC]

SEEMS LIKE YOUR CAPS LOCK KEY IS BROKEN.

[@rockoyouthman]

No brand has ever more accurately reflected my personality with a product! Oh how I WISH there were a checker today in the auto landscape.

[@j.granger1120]

Thanks so muck Ed. I have worked in automotive parts for 35 years. I always felt I missed the golden years of American automotive creativity. Your channel is a pleasure to me.

[@rekleif]

You Dutch people are some of the best tourists we get every summer, and almost all I have met have been such lovely people. I even like Max Verstappen. Thanks for the video, very informative and professional. God bless and lots of love from Norway. New subscriber and this video really earned that sub.

[@blautens]

Another great episode, Ed. Taking on Checker as a subject isn't easy - there is a scant amount of documentation, often conflicting, because as you said - it was just a tool/appliance, not a car that was heavily promoted, loved, or collected. It didn't help that because they were a small company, a lot of the engines and other parts were outsourced and would change rapidly during assembly without much thought. Thanks!

[@leonb2637]

I rode in a few of them in the 1980's-early 1990's when working in NY City. Early models used engines by Continental, from the mid-1960's using Chevy I-6 and small block V-8's due to pollution regulations. That they had frames and bolted body fenders made them easier to fix after crashes. Some of the longer in use ones by the late 1980's had to add braces over the back window to cut down on looseness in the body joints. Also, the yellow of cabs was likely originally used by a company called the Yellow Cab company, a Chicago based taxicab operator. Due to violent 'wars' with Checker, it sold out to them. The owner of Yellow Cab was a Mr. Hertz, the founder of Hertz Car Rental, that to this day uses yellow and black for its branding colors.

[@Sashazur]

The front and rear door sheet metal was the same too, another benefit for maintenance.

[@j.granger1120]

They were really a coach builder. But a good one. The London cabs are comparable.

[@markrossow6303]

Yep.

[@asteverino8569]

I got to ride in a checker cab once. Visiting New York City in 1987. Such a part of the New York I knew from movies, (especially Woody Allen movies) and TV. Thanks Ed.

[@fenn_fren]

That's funny to think of. For you, the Checker Marathon was THE New York car, for me it's the Ford Crown Victoria. I wonder what the younger generation's one will be.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

@@fenn_fren isn't that the police car?

[@fenn_fren]

@@HappyBeezerStudios It's both, really. As I said: THE New York car. Didn't specifically mention it being a taxi nor patrol.

[@RVA1954]

I used to work in Kalamazoo and have visited the factory there. Also have great memories of taxi rides to airports and while visiting Chicago and other big cities a long time ago. Thanks for the great video! And yes I too clicked on it as soon as I saw it! ❤️

[@michaelmcdermott8022]

Thank you for this very interesting and informative video. Based on the durability of the Checker, I think that the manufacturer in Kalamazoo, MI missed out on a great opportunity by not creating a marketing strategy to the general public in North America. I grew up in a family of six. On our only family road trip in the Summer of1970, we traveled from St. Louis, MO to Milwaukee, WI (approximately 400 miles or 649 Km through Chicago). Our family was extremely cramped in our 1970 Chevy Bel Air for the 8 hour duration of the trip. It is still possibly the best vacation of my 65 years but the ride to our destination and back home were unbearable. My father was never intetested in fancy automobiles. After watching this video, I think ride would have been just a joyous as our holiday was.😊😊😊

[@jamesslick4790]

They DID market "civilian" versions to the general public. It was a niche market, And it HAD to be, If they were extremely popular, Checker could have never made them in Chevy like numbers. It was a small company with one factory.

[@Wiencourager]

They did , but not many . My dad bought a new checker Superba in 1963. When that rusted out he bought a used 65 Marathon

[@jamesslick4790]

@@Wiencourager I had a neighbor who had a Marathon in the '60s-'70s (I don't know what model year it was, And that's kind of the point..) He had it for YEARS. The "statement" made by buying a Checker is that you want a long lasting car (A Zippo lighter of a car, if you will). Same can be said of later buyers of the Volvo 240 . SOLID, SIMPLE and just WORKS. They were the opposite of "fast fashion". And that was a GOOD thing.

[@j887276]

Great video. I feel like this is exactly the type of car we need considering economic conditions & the big brands focusing on trucks & suvs. Not many affordable, reliable, utilitarian cars out here.

[@ThorTheGiant]

I had no idea that Checker was an actual manufacturer of taxis. I always assumed it was a taxi company. I always learn something watching your videos Ed. Thanks

[@jerrywood4508]

Once again, you've shown me things I'd never seen before. I've seen a lot of movies from after World War 2, and I recognize the De Sotos that were popular cabs back then. I've probably seen some of those early Checker models, but didn't recognize them. But I'm sure I would remember if I'd ever seen one of those art deco models. Unlike anything else on the road.

[@Al-thecarhistorian]

Great video! When I was in undergraduate school (1966 to 1970) I had a close friend who drove the family truckster-a 1965 a Checker Marathon 4-door sedan. WOW! The leg room in the rear was out of sight. If I recall it was powered by a Chevy 283 and Turbo-HydraMatic. What a different car than the Bugs, Catalinas, Mustangs, Impalas and LTDs of the time. I was impressed.

[@dustin_4501]

Checker made appears in GTA series as the "Cabbie" and also is infamous drive by Travis Bickle play by Robert DeNiro in Taxi Driver.

[@stevejarred6484]

The Checker assembly plant made an appearance as a generic “Detroit” auto assembly plant in the movie Blue Collar that starred Richard Pryor. The movie is worth seeking out!

[@samuelreis8784]

Also in GTA 3 as a "borgnine"

[@robertmoffett3486]

My uncle was a very practical and industrlous guy. He finally replaced his 1950 Plymouth station wagon with a Checker wagon in 1968. It had a Chevy 327 (5.7) V8. That surprised me, as just one year earlier, he had demanded to know, "Who needs more than 95 horsepower?". We do, uncle, we do.

[@Tacko14]

I'd so much have been a Checker guy. I'd have been snobby about it, too. Ed, of course you know the 404 and 504 pick up trucks they sold at the Mammouth in France. Meant for local farmers. So basic they were exotic in a way, only France had those. I think that's where I got infected with the minimalist bug. Hubcaps? Poopoo, you showoff. Beige paint and vynil trim, extra strong live rearaxle, that's what you want. A nylon tent for the flatbed is an optional luxury.

[@andreamassara590]

I don't know very much about 404 pick ups, but it's sure 504 were sold all over Europe.

[@Tacko14]

​@@andreamassara590true. But you had to have that cardboard beige or babyblue diesel pick up without hubcaps you got at the supermarket. Those were special

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

If you mean the Peugeot 504, the pickup massively reminds me of the VW Caddy, especially the 1979-2007 model 14D and the 1995-2000 model 9U

[@georgepainter7364]

When I was in the Army at Ft Gordon, I once caught a checker cab to the airport. To my surprise there was another 9 soldiers in the cab, a bit tight, but we all made it to the airport with all our duffel bags on the roof as well!!

[@kevinfox500]

Ed. My wife sends her thanks for covering the checker marathon. Her Dad bought a 71 back in the late 70s. Former local company was closing, and selling off its fleet. Became a father daughter project in her teens, finished the year he passed. Willed it to her. Car made our wedding pictures. Groomsmen ring demon in it, bridesmaids in the 58 Belvedere. We rode in a friend's 68 Bonneville wagon. She works at a gaming facility, and drove the marathon a few times at the end of cruise season. Even from the Back lot, it drew a crowd.

[@DalyTheThird]

I feel like I’ve waited all my life for this! I know the history but I can’t wait to hear you tell it. Beer in hand annnnnnnnd PLAY!!!

[@luvr381]

Keeping the cars the same for so many years must have seriously reduced the cost of spare parts too.

[@EdsAutoReviews]

I have not mentioned it, but Checker was very much profitable until the very end. Only after like one or two years of making a loss, they decided to quit the taxi market. I think the cost (or lack thereof) of production and spare parts played a big role in that.

[@maxsmodels]

I looked at buy a retired Checker as they have a lot of room. They were still more expensive than I expected.

[@We_All_Seek_Truth]

Robert De Niro, Cybill Shepherd, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd... These are the people I associate with Checker cabs. I'm sure there are more.

[@robertmoffett3486]

I already knew the history. I came here to enjoy Ed's work. Excellent stuff, as always.

[@DeadBrokeST]

Great job! My grandfather was a taxi driver for Checker

[@JonosBtheMC]

7:30 Respect for keeping the XG350

[@ItsDaJax]

The Checker Marathon is one of my dream cars.

[@JDevine687]

That museum looks amazing! A first gen Celica coupe next to TWO 2000GT's!

[@timlabell]

Great video my grandfather gave me a 1963 checker marathon , it was never a taxi cab it was bought new and it was a really wonderful car. It was awesome snd everyone had a blast I had 11 people in that car at 1 tim😊

[@rdmineer1]

I rode in a Marathon only once. Was 2-3 years old, but the space in the back left an indelible impression. Yes, it was yellow.

[@robertmoffett3486]

Yeah, when I was a tot, I thought those folding "jump seats" were brilliant. They certainly were unique

[@Randrew]

I rode in a Marathon during a lot of my youth. Our host here called them "Checker people" but I always knew them as "Checker nuts", with my dad being one of the nuttiest ;) He came to like Checkers somehow, then started a cab company running used Checkers. That only lasted a couple of years, but his Checker collecting didn't stop. At one point we counted that he owned 26 Checkers at the same time. Out of those 26 only 3 or 4 would actually run. When he died I think he was down to only about 12 cars, many of them incomplete. We sold the best ones off to other members of the Checker Car Club of America and the rest were crushed for scrap. No real loss on those that were crushed - if the other Checker nuts didn't want them, they weren't wantable.

[@sheldonduffy9442]

This was GREAT!!! Thanks! I really enjoyed the history lesson. Since so many were destroyed many of these may actually be a collectors item!

[@stevem048]

Great video. Thanks for bringing back a childhood memory. My neighbor in the 1970s (Queens NY) only drove Marathons. He had a purple car followed by a black car. They seemed massive to a little kid. He also still heated his house with coal so he wasn’t a huge fan of modernization. The post war van looked a little like an early drawing of a Cybertruck.

[@mikebaginy8731]

What a delightful video! I recall those Checker Aerobuses, thanks for a trip down memory lane.

[@brickhead_07]

The Louwman museum/car collection is the best I’ve ever been to, worth a visit!

[@zackstopzackstop8091]

We need another Checker Automaker. A no nonsense over the top, cram as much tech in, but simply a straight forward no BS automaker. It's damn near impossible to get a solid, reliable new car nowadays

[@kellybanning2013]

Let alone practical, affordable parts, not $300.00 headlights, etc.

[@rickm.2956]

I remember long, cold snowy or rainy days shopping with Mom downtown. Sometimes she would splurge and hail a Checker Cab. It's hard to describe how warm and and comforting it was hopping in one of these roomy beautiful relics.

[@MoparTechWill]

Ive never clicked on a video so fast

[@singlesideman]

So many memories. My ex's father had a 1960 Marathon station wagon in black and a 1977 sedan in lime green. He was just like your description (you really nailed that - impressive). He and his wife had kids when they were older, and they were young adults during the Great Depression which formed their way of thinking. Also, Louwmans is so very Dutch.

[@ErikHare]

I remember that when checker went under there were a lot of Peugeot 505s and 604s used as taxis in New York. They had a reputation for being rugged and reliable. Times have changed

[@EdsAutoReviews]

Most likely because of their diesel engines I assume? I also read there were serious plans to install diesel engines in Checkers at the time

[@jesnor93]

@@EdsAutoReviews I don't think those would have passed emissions.

[@kevinhitchner6347]

I owned a 1967 Checked A11, that was originally purchased by my grandfather. It was his second Checker, the first being a 1956. Both were the commercial version, so they were very basic. 1967 was the last year for the drip rail over the windshield, with a taller windshield starting in 1968. Thanks for the video!

[@trafalgerdavis7839]

Great work here, Ed. I agree that Checker van concept is probably the first mini van.

[@donaldvincent]

One of my all time favorite cars!

[@UberLummox]

@16:57 Look at that '73/4 Impala cab on the right. Is that an aftermarket nose piece/grill just for the taxi market??? Never seen that before ever!

[@openeyes-411]

The one that comes blasting past the blue caddy? I could be wrong but, I think that may be a Dodge Monaco???

[@UberLummox]

@@openeyes-411 Hm, interesting thought. I could be wrong that it's a Chev., but now....I dunno! Funny thing is, there's no chrome. Bumper is entirely yellow.

[@juleswilko]

The Checkers people sound like UK Skoda owners from the 70-80- etc

[@volktales7005]

There is a yellow with blue fenders Checker that is daily driven in my city on Vancouver Island. See that distinctive car everywhere!

[@vinnydaq13]

A high school classmate had a Checker Marathon in a beautiful shade of purple. What a glorious beast! 👑

[@maxsmodels]

I posted a link to this video so my viewers can watch this video. I was shocked to find that there were no kit models of the famous checker cab by wither AMT or MPC.

[@Lousybarber]

Interesting tidbit about the Checker bumpers not being period correct in some films. I went to see the movie La Bamba with a girlfriend in 1987. That movie was set in the 1950’s. There was a scene with a garbage truck and the truck as I recall was an early 1970’s International Harvester. I did not want to come off as a nerd so I did not say anything.

[@UraniumBullets]

Fantastic video! As someone who has been daily driving a '76 Checker for over a year now I gotta say I think you did a really great job exploring the history of the brand and their flagship car. Bravo!

[@hamptondjs]

Drove one in college. It was a promo vehicle owned by the radio station that I worked for. I believe it was a 79 or 80/81. Had a clone Ford pickup steering wheel and instrument cluster🙌🏻

[@bossfan49]

I like the green ones.

[@abraorafa]

I ADORE your videos. Please, make one talking about my fav classic, '57 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. It's history is very interesting, starting from its origins in the '56 XM Turnpike Cruiser (whose prototype, which was transported across the US in its own truck, was abandoned and was completely restored by a restorer) through to the 1957 Indy 500 Pace car and the limited edition convertible in an exclusive color, Sunglitter. Besides, the tailfin designed by Mercury has a lot of personality, it goes beyond the obvious. I'm sure it will make a great video. Hugs from Brazil.

[@savclaudiu2133]

You need to go back to the museum and show the Lexus 2054 concept at 21:43 ... please!

[@mrluckyuncle]

Your presentation, production and editing are excellent.

[@1_Papa]

Once, and for a few times before he had to stop driving altogether, my dad let me drive the Yellow cab he leased. It was a 1978. It had a 4.1 litre (250 cid) in-line six cylinder engine and a steering wheel from Chevrolet. It was brand new, and it felt solid! If only cars of today prioritized quality over gadgets and gimmicks, they'd make profit selling affordable, high-quality vehicles. Now, even Toyota's reputation is questionable. 😢

[@philiplafleur4504]

Just discovered your channel and I love it. Not fluff or stupid music. Just interesting content. Keep up the good work! I subscribed.

[@felixthecatinthehat]

This was a fantastic video. Very interesting. I have often wondered about getting a checker cab into Australia as a car club car.

[@warren3967]

Not going to bullshit anyone, this channel is simply brilliant. Just like the London Taxis, built for a specific purpose.

[@LogicAndReason2025]

I worked for Cozy Cab of Newport RI for many years and they had one Checker Marathon that had gone near a million miles and dozens of engines. I think it was not finally retired until the guy (Charlie?) who drove it exclusively retired in the early 90s. I drove the airport shuttle, but by then they were using 14 passenger vans.

[@TheInkPitOx]

Nigh 39 years old. Have always wanted to see a Checker but never have. I live in California. I did visit Queens once for a few nights on my way to Italy but didn't see any.

[@stuart8663]

Really enjoyed this video. Top work and smilingly creative.

[@robertphillips6296]

I remember the Airo-Bus and Station Wagon versions.

[@bhzaddybhzolby1705]

My mom has a 78 Checker Marathon. She bought it in the early 90's and the damn thing is still running fine. You can't kill the things. But at the same time we live where it doesn't snow so no salt on the roads so I guess it is a bit harder to kill.

[@felixlafuente9714]

The same happened to the vw beetle here in México. They used to be everywhere, as particular cars as taxis. Now they have almost disappeared... Sadly for us

[@hardcorehardo]

My father used to run a cab business here in Germany and he told me a taxi is the hardest job there is for a car. Constant city driving, leaving engines running to keep the drivers warm, dozens of people using the seats every day and vomiting in the back and so on.

[@mikeweizer3149]

Being a Taxi and ofcoarse being a Police Car as well. That's why the Ford Crown Vics lasted as long as they did, The Ford Crown Victoria's were damn good Taxis and Police Cars!!!!!.

[@captlazer5509]

​@mikeweizer3149 been to the Ford factory where they made the Crown Victoria. The aluminum drive shaft used in the police cars you could pick up with one arm.

[@charlesbland1073]

I have been waiting for a documentary on the Checker. 😊

[@dvdw_graphics_crafts]

13:40 Oh my, gorgeous station wagon there : )))))

[@Anthony21028]

Awsome video. I live in Michigan, about 15 miles from the old checker testing grounds where they would test drive them. I was only born in the 2000s butmive seen quite a few classic checkers. Also near Kalamazoo there is a car museme that has 10 or so in exelent condition. Thanks for the very informative video.

[@luciusvorenus9445]

Always wanted a Checker Marathon. An unpretentious, utilitarian American made car.

[@ziggybowman6875]

Any hope for a video on the Austin FX4?

[@thomasr9826]

I the early 70s my uncle worked for a college in south central Michigan, it had a fleet of Checker Airobus. On Several occasions, my cousin and I would drive the cars to Kalamazoo for maintenance. Two of my uncles owned Checkers, one had a1970 Marathon and the other had a Checker station wagon. Great cars, incredibly spacious.

[@yanniskominos6702]

Being so near to the museum with one of these, was a nice surprise! Well made video, as always!

[@aodhganmerrimac]

They were amazing automobiles & perfectly suited for their role. I rode in many Marathons in my younger days.

[@Dogapult]

Friends in the industry described the end of Checker Cab production as a bit merciful. Fit and finish of the parts and final assemblies continued to worsen as molds wore out at the cash-strapped plant and the cars, while sturdy and dependable, really began to feel their 1950s origins. A friend drove a brand new 1980 model as part of a testing program for a major manufacturer, and said he thought he'd been given a 60s used up taxi by mistake! On the other hand, I love them. I missed an opportunity to buy one some years ago, but if another old Checker taxi comes up, I'm snagging it.

[@sanseijedi]

Really nice compendium! Thank you very much..

[@Vampirebear13]

TYVM for this episode ED, it's epic. I've always loved Checker's & a Marathon is 1 of my dream cars. I still remember riding around New York City in 1975 in a Checker cab while the city was finishing up decorating for the Bi-Centennial in 1976.

[@anotherurbanite7906]

My favorite dutchman has posted again!

[@Marshal_Dunnik]

My dad told me a story of when he was in a Checker cab in New York in the 60s, the driver was distracted and a bit drunk and drove into a wall at some speed. The passengers were fine, the car was dented but fine - the wall was not.

[@petergeyer7584]

Growing up in Chicago in the early 1970s, my neighbors had a Checker Marathon. I loved climbing around in that car. It was VAST!

[@robertmoriarty925]

When I grew up in the 70s we had a family that had 2 Checkers. They had 8 kids and these were their family cars. They always stood out. Cool cars!

[@patricklemire9278]

I had no idea that Checker went back that far. I only remembered the wonderfully anachronistic Marathon.

[@Hollandsemum2]

I last rode a checker cab in the mid 80s. I *miss* them. They were the absolute best. Easy to get in & out of, even for 3 people w Christmas shopping bags, and unbelievably comfortable considering how bench like the seats looked. *Much* more comfortable than the cars ised for cabs today.

[@paullopez7561]

Ahhhh yes !! Good memories. When my mom would hail a taxi in NYC It was a boxy checker

[@freeplayfrank7736]

in the 90's, I saw two checkers on the scrap pile, and was pissed that nobody offered them to me first. Rightly so, they were the last two in my area, except for a few owned by movie prop rental agencies. Thanks great video.

[@syketherocker]

Besides the movies, I also remember Checkers as the government cars in all those fictional Eastern European countries in the Mission: Impossible television series. Once again the Soviet-ish styling came through.