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Checker Marathon, America's Generic Automobile
The rise and fall of the most successful independent car company
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Oddly, one of the most famous automobiles in American history remains nameless for most people. It made billions of trips hauling millions of Americans over its 22 year production run, and outlived the Ford Model T by three years. It appeared thousands of times in countless movies, and if any American over twenty years old was asked to draw a taxi cab, they would likely draw a picture of one of these... even though they've been out of regular service since the early 90's.
The car is the Checker Marathon. With a bulbous body, sparse trim, bumpers like building girders and ugly unbranded hubcaps, the Marathon is a real-life caricature of 1950's American cars. Its styling was dated and cheap looking even when new, giving it the feel of a Soviet Plymouth knockoff. The "design department" was actually just a corner of the factory that had been partitioned off with a couple of curtains. One might consider the Checker a truly generic American car.
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The Marathon ran any number of engines, from Kaiser (as in Kaiser Permanente) inline sixes, to Chevrolet big block eight cylinders, to Oldsmobile diesels. Their running gear was also a mixed bag. They made their own bodies and some suspension parts, but many of their parts were sourced from other American auto manufacturers. By picking and choosing the toughest parts and making their one model in small batches, Checker somehow managed to make an extremely robust car while Detroit was busy making shoddy monstrosities.
[center]
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Though the Marathon is known for its ponderous, tractorish handling and a less than velvety ride, it was lauded by its drivers and riders for its ruggedness, spacious passenger compartment, large couch-like seats, and flat floors. They were largely used for commercial purposes by cab companies and police departments, but Checker even sold a few hundred cars a year straight to consumers.
[center]
[/center]
Oddly, one of the most famous automobiles in American history remains nameless for most people. It made billions of trips hauling millions of Americans over its 22 year production run, and outlived the Ford Model T by three years. It appeared thousands of times in countless movies, and if any American over twenty years old was asked to draw a taxi cab, they would likely draw a picture of one of these... even though they've been out of regular service since the early 90's.
The car is the Checker Marathon. With a bulbous body, sparse trim, bumpers like building girders and ugly unbranded hubcaps, the Marathon is a real-life caricature of 1950's American cars. Its styling was dated and cheap looking even when new, giving it the feel of a Soviet Plymouth knockoff. The "design department" was actually just a corner of the factory that had been partitioned off with a couple of curtains. One might consider the Checker a truly generic American car.
[center]
[/center]
The Marathon ran any number of engines, from Kaiser (as in Kaiser Permanente) inline sixes, to Chevrolet big block eight cylinders, to Oldsmobile diesels. Their running gear was also a mixed bag. They made their own bodies and some suspension parts, but many of their parts were sourced from other American auto manufacturers. By picking and choosing the toughest parts and making their one model in small batches, Checker somehow managed to make an extremely robust car while Detroit was busy making shoddy monstrosities.
[center]
[/center]
Though the Marathon is known for its ponderous, tractorish handling and a less than velvety ride, it was lauded by its drivers and riders for its ruggedness, spacious passenger compartment, large couch-like seats, and flat floors. They were largely used for commercial purposes by cab companies and police departments, but Checker even sold a few hundred cars a year straight to consumers.
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17 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
I'm a car guy and Checkers are very cool IMO.
It was actually a main battle tank disguised as a car.
Whoa, is that Clark Kent in the back? 
It was our FBO car (the car used to shuttle pilots from the airport into Peoria). Drove like a tank but felt as safe as one. 
