- Checker Marathon
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Checker Marathon 
Manufacturer Checker Motors Company Production 1961-1982 Assembly Kalamazoo, Michigan Body style 4-door sedan
5-door station wagonLayout FR layout Wheelbase 120 in (3,048 mm)
129 in (3,277 mm) (limousine)Related Checker Superba
Checker AerobusThe Checker Marathon was an automobile produced by the Checker Motors Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan, between 1961 and 1982.
Marathons were produced in both four-door sedan and four-door station wagon forms, and the rare eight-door, 12-seater "Aerobus" wagon.
Contents
History
The Marathon was introduced in September 1960 for the 1961 model year, superseding the Checker Superba Custom and differing from the Superba with its better interior appointments. Originally, it retained the Superba's A10 body code whereas A9 was the code used for taxis. The exterior of the Marathon had a full width egg crate grille, differing from the Superba's narrower grille and inboard parking lights. After a minor facelift for 1963, chassis codes changed to A11 for taxis and A12 for passenger versions.[1] Also in 1963 appeared the Marathon Town Custom, a limousine version on a longer (129 versus 120 inches) wheelbase. This version, which seated eight, received the A19E chassis code.[2] A few years later, this was changed to A12E.
1975 Checker A12 Marathon, rear view
With the exception of United States government mandated 5 mph bumpers in 1974 and ongoing mechanical changes, the Marathon remained virtually unchanged during its 21-year production run. The final Marathon was manufactured in 1982, when Checker exited the automobile manufacturing business. The company continued operation at partial capacity making Cadillac parts for General Motors until January 2009 when it declared bankruptcy [3]
Notably, the Marathon's front suspension A-frames interchange with a 1956 Ford. The engines used were originally Continental-built L-head inline-sixes (OHV units for the wagons), but these were exchanged for Chevrolet sixes and small-block V8s for the 1965 model year.[4] These continued to change as Chevrolet introduced changes, peaking with the 1969 L-48 350 V8 which produced 300 hp (224 kW) (gross).[5] By 1973, power for the 350 had decreased to 145 hp (108 kW) and in 1975 catalytic converters were introduced. For 1980 the engine lineup was changed entirely, with a 3.8 litre V6 replacing the old inline unit, and a smaller 267 ci (4.4 L) standard V8. The big news was the Oldsmobile LF9 engine, a 350 cu in (5,737 cc) diesel V8.[6]
Classic New York City Taxicab
Main article: Checker Taxi
Checker Marathon badge
1963-1967 Checker Marathon A12W WagonA version of the Marathon was, during its production run, the taxicab of choice for New York City and many other American cities. The size of the car (seating many passengers), the robust construction, the lack of yearly changes to the styling (simplifying parts management), and the bolt-on rear quarter panels all contributed to the Marathon's ubiquity on the streets of Manhattan. For example, virtually any film set in New York City in the 1970s or 1980s will show a Checker Marathon. A knowledgeable Checker viewer, however, will note that many 1950s and 1960s movie scenes use Checker cabs built in the 1970s and early 1980s, since the bodies were virtually the same, and due to the lack of usable early specimens.
Engines
Six-cylinder engines Model Years Layout Size Fuel system Power Origin Notes 1961-1964 L-head I6 226 cu in (3,707 cc) single carb 80 hp (60 kW) at 3,100 rpm Continental Sedans only until 1963 1961-1962 OHV I6 226 cu in (3,707 cc) single carb 122 hp (91 kW) at 4,000 rpm Continental Station Wagon only 1963-1964 OHV I6 226 cu in (3,707 cc) 2-bbl carb 141 hp (105 kW) at 4,400 rpm Continental $57 option 1965-1968 OHV I6 230 cu in (3,769 cc) single carb 140 hp (104 kW) at 4,400 rpm Chevrolet base 1969-1970 OHV I6 250 cu in (4,095 cc) 2-bbl carb 155 hp (116 kW) at 4,200 rpm Chevrolet base 1971-1972 145 hp (108 kW) at 4,200 rpm 110 hp SAE net 1973-1975 100 hp (75 kW) at 3,600 rpm low-comp, EGR 1976 single carb 105 hp (78 kW) at 3,800 rpm 8.2:1 1977-1979 110 hp (82 kW) at 3,800 rpm 8.3:1 1980 OHV V6 229 cu in (3,751 cc) 2-bbl carb 115 hp (86 kW) at 4,000 rpm Chevrolet 1981-1982 110 hp (82 kW) at 4,200 rpm V8 engines 1965-1967 OHV V8 283 cu in (4,638 cc) 2-bbl carb 195 hp (145 kW) at 4,800 rpm Chevrolet 1966-1968 OHV V8 327 cu in (5,354 cc) 4-bbl carb 250 hp (186 kW) at 4,400 rpm Chevrolet 10.5:1 1969 235 hp (175 kW) at 4,800 rpm 9.0:1 1968 OHV V8 307 cu in (5,025 cc) 2-bbl carb 200 hp (149 kW) at 4,600 rpm Chevrolet 1969 OHV V8 350 cu in (5,733 cc) 4-bbl carb 300 hp (224 kW) at 4,800 rpm Chevrolet 10.25:1 1970 250 hp (186 kW) at 4,500 rpm 9.0:1 1971-1972 245 hp (183 kW) at 4,800 rpm 9.0:1, 165 hp SAE net 1973-1976 2-bbl carb 145 hp (108 kW) at 4,000 rpm
145 hp (108 kW) at 3,800 rpm8.5:1, EGR
catalyzed from 19751977 4-bbl carb 170 hp (127 kW) at 3,800 rpm 8.5:1 1978-1979 160 hp (119 kW) at 3,800 rpm 8.2:1 1977-1979 OHV V8 305 cu in (4,999 cc) 2-bbl carb 145 hp (108 kW) at 3,800 rpm Chevrolet 8.5:1, 8.4:1 after 1978 1980 155 hp (116 kW) at 4,000 rpm 8.6:1 1981 150 hp (112 kW) at 3,800 rpm 8.6:1, higher torque 1980 OHV V8 268 cu in (4,390 cc) 2-bbl carb 120 hp (89 kW) at 3,600 rpm Chevrolet 1981-1982 115 hp (86 kW) at 4,000 rpm electronic feedback carb 1980 OHV V8 350 cu in (5,737 cc) diesel 125 hp (93 kW) at 3,600 rpm Oldsmobile 1981-1982 105 hp (78 kW) at 3,200 rpm improved "DX" version References
- ^ Naul, G. Marshall (1999). Ron Kowalke. ed. Standard Catalog of Independents: The Struggle to Survive Among Giants. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, Inc.. pp. 32–33. ISBN 0-87341-569-8.
- ^ Standard Catalog of Independents, p. 34
- ^ Evans, Scott (20 January 2009). "Checker Motor Corp., Former Taxi Cab Builder, Files for Bankruptcy". Motor Trend. http://wot.motortrend.com/6425593/industry-news/checker-motor-corp-former-taxi-cab-builder-files-for-bankruptcy/index.html. Retrieved 7 April 2009..
- ^ Standard Catalog of Independents, p. 35
- ^ Standard Catalog of Independents, pp. 36-37
- ^ Standard Catalog of Independents, p. 41
Categories:- Rear wheel drive vehicles
- Checker vehicles
- Sedans
- Station wagons
- 1960s automobiles
- 1970s automobiles
- 1980s automobiles
- Vehicles introduced in 1961
- Cars of the United States
- Classic post-war auto stubs
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