I can’t speak for the West Coast or the fly-over states, but if you’ve ever visited a major city on the East Coast, chances are you’ve seen a Checker. While mainstream companies produced taxis, no brand exploited this affiliation more than Checker. But Checker didn’t only produce taxis, as our Pick of the Day shows. This 1969 Checker Marathon wagon is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Kentwood, Michigan.
In terms of the rate of attrition, Checker may have suffered more than any other brand. For a car that seemed just about everywhere (especially New York City and Boston), many Checker models produced since 1922 are practically extinct—after all, they were taxis, which were more disposable than your typical planned-obsolescence vehicle.
The best-known Checker cars can trace their lineage to the 1955 A8, which evolved into the A9 and A10 for 1958-62, the first Checker truly available for civilian use. Aside from the location of the parking lights, this is the car that became synonymous with the durable-yet-homely vehicle we’ve come to know. The A9 was the taxi, while the A10 (introduced in 1960) was the Superba, a civilian model that sold in small numbers. It was available as a four-door sedan and four-door wagon and was produced through 1962, all powered by inline-sixes from Continental. The Marathon was introduced for 1961, a better-equipped version of the Superba that would eventually absorb the lesser model.
The A11 and A12 were introduced for 1962, and this is the Checker that everyone knows. The main visual difference from the A9/A10 was the location of the parking lights underneath the headlights. It was this model that would last through 1982 and become ingrained in the consciousness of folks around the world. As before, the A11 was the taxi and the A12 was the civilian version. Chevrolet’s 230 six and 283 V8 joined the lineup in 1964, the final year for the Continental six, leaving 283 and 327 small-blocks plus the 230 for 1965. A handful were built with a Perkins diesel four-cylinder, too. Top horsepower during the A12’s tenure was a 350/300 in 1969.
This Fulton Blue 1969 Checker Marathon wagon is claimed to be one of 286 A12W models built at the end of the decade. Originally sold in Portland, Oregon, this wagon lived there for most of its life, then moved to California. Power comes from a 235-horsepower 327 two-barrel backed by Powerglide and 3.31 gears. “Equipped with power steering and brakes, driving this Checker is an easy-going experience, ideal for long trips or just a day out on the town,” says the seller. Inside, what makes this one more interesting is that it’s equipped with bucket seats—one of 17, according to the seller. “The tinted glass all around offers added comfort, keeping the cabin cool and protecting the vintage upholstery from sun exposure … this Checker also comes with air conditioning, a feature that adds to the overall comfort and usability.”
Sure, the sedans may come off as dumpy, but the wagons have a commanding presence. This one has been given proper care all its life and makes for a distinctive collector’s item. For $31,900, you can buy this and make a pilgrimage to Kalamazoo, not far from where this car is currently located.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
