I drove a "yellow" and a black car in NYC from 1985 to 1991. Thanks for the memories of the "gritty city". The car belongs in the Smithsonian, please don't change a thing.
Growing up and also working in NYC, loved these vehicles and went out of my way to hail one down. Truth be told, it gave The bumpiest ride ever, but that never ever mattered.
Drove a 1974 with a Chevy straight 6 out of Star Maintenance Corp.'s garage up on 20th Ave. in Astoria, Queens. They had about 33 cabs and had just switched over from Chevys. The fares loved the Checker.
I've always wondered about these taxis. I thought they were all made in the 50s & I didn't know they were still using that 50s style on cabs made in the 80s.
A11?!! I used to have a 82 A12E here in UK years ago! I always wanted a genuine New Yorker, but could not find one that would pass our MOT (Ministary of Taransport Certificate) which alows you to take a vehicle on the road. Stunning car, man!!! Absolute icon of NYC!
I grew up mainly taking the bus or the D train, but we would always take a cab when we needed to take the dog to the vet. I loved sitting in the jump seat as a kid and would ride there even if we weren't full! Of course in the 70s we filled the back seat with as many drunk fools as we could!
The infamous Oldsmobile 350 diesel V8 (code LF9) was available for this for two years: 1980 and 1981. The 1981 models were better than the '80 models since for '81 the diesel had a few improvements such as a more rigid block (DX) and roller lifters.
I grew up 2 miles from the Checker Cab Plant. I would ride my bike over there and watch them take the new cabs around their "test track". Track is still there but you have to look for it. Motto: "From the inside looking out, it may be the most beautiful car on the road".
@@tinman8518 I am from Argentina, I was born in the 80s but since I was very little I dreamed of the USA and its old-school automotive industry has always fascinated me. Nostalgic greetings from the 4th world 👍✨
@@juanpabloarena2724 Greetings to you and yours from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Former home of Checker Motors! I'd love to own a real Checker Cab but so far, the only one I have is a 1:18 scale model which is still really cool though. Michigan is rich with automotive manufacturing history.
Thank you very much for sharing this, most people think Im crazy, but I like old service vehicles like this, but I dont give a heaping crap what others think. You have a very cool car thanks once again.
Nice looking car. I've never ridden in a Checker cab as a passenger, but I have seen pictures of them, and I've seen them on "Taxi", and other tv shows and movies. Awesome cars!
I always admired the Checker as a unique and durable car. Too bad they couldn't compete with GM and Ford, who flooded the market with Caprices and Crown Victorias. Also, the Checker body was heavy and fuel economy was to become a major issue with taxi cabs running on crowded city streets, idling more than driving. Ed Cole envisioned a stretched Volkswagen Rabbit for the 1983 Checker, but his untimely death in a private plane crash put Checker on a "crash course" when they decided to cancel all further development on the new platform.
I remember getting in them when I was little they were still operating in the late 70’s early 80’s the thing I remember the most was the leg room and pay compartment
Exactly how a service taxi can should be. Never seen on of these apart from on TV, like the London FX4 they're iconic. The FX style cabs have been updated and they're being built again. I'm surprised the same thing happen to the Checker.
The medallion on the hood is larger than what I remember. When I lived there, the locals always said to never get into a non-medallion cab "because those wildcats are insane drivers and will rip you off." HAHAHA!!! I usually took a car service in Brooklyn, but cabs were much more interesting in Manhattan. Nice car and good video.
Great video. Is it possible to get pictures of the headliner of this car? I am restoring my 1980 Checker A-11 and am looking to go back to the original perforated clip-in headliner which is in the Checker in this video.
I always thought these were chevie, like the belair! I am from UK though so my ignorance is allowed I think. Imagine all the things and conversations that have happened in that back seat! How many children concieved!
If that Checker Cab from Checker Motors comes to Forza Motorsport 8 and Forza Horizon 5 as those options is a must. Even if I had my own, I put in a 750 HP NASCAR engine, including transmission and speedometer changes.
Are you aware that Checkers were not "New York City Taxi" cabs? They are Chicago taxi cabs. Checker sold them to many other cities such as LA and Philly by the thousands, but for some crazy reason people in NYC thought they were a New York thing. It's ridiculous. The company started in Chicago, they were made in Chicago, and there were almost as many checker cabs in Chicago as NY even though the city is half the size. CHECKER CAB IS ALL ABOUT CHICAGO
I though it was just on checkr show cars, but this being a former taxi, still has the ckecker logo on the door, what was the deal for that ?. They run like that with the Checker flags painted ?. I mean, dont take me wrong, it is pretty cool actually.
It's kind of a bit of a shame that we don't see more of these "workhorse" vehicles around, but I can can kind of understand, since these things were meant to be driven into the ground...
Taxi Driver and alot of great old movies.. GTA San Andreas, Vice City. This cab is a legend
True.
Those were featured in Driver Parallel Lines and Driver 76 too.
A real icon of a car.
I remember watching these in films back in the 80s. I love nostalgia. I would love to own a checker cab.
M E T O O ! ! !
I remember seeing some of these in Home Alone 2, sprinkled in among the Caprice cabs.
My childhood, I used to love those little seats in the back when I was a kid. I always thought they were cool. Thanks for the memories.
I love these old taxis
I drove a "yellow" and a black car in NYC from 1985 to 1991. Thanks for the memories of the "gritty city". The car belongs in the Smithsonian, please don't change a thing.
Growing up and also working in NYC, loved these vehicles and went out of my way to hail one down. Truth be told, it gave The bumpiest ride ever, but that never ever mattered.
Drove a 1974 with a Chevy straight 6 out of Star Maintenance Corp.'s garage up on 20th Ave. in Astoria, Queens. They had about 33 cabs and had just switched over from Chevys. The fares loved the Checker.
That my friend is a classic! Any retired cab these days is a classic! Keep it perfect and pristine my friend you can take her to a car show!
Beautiful car ❤
Such a beautiful car
I wish a company existed to make purpose built work cars like this. Built like a tank to be driven hard and put away wet but will keep on going.
I've always wondered about these taxis. I thought they were all made in the 50s & I didn't know they were still using that 50s style on cabs made in the 80s.
A11?!! I used to have a 82 A12E here in UK years ago! I always wanted a genuine New Yorker, but could not find one that would pass our MOT (Ministary of Taransport Certificate) which alows you to take a vehicle on the road. Stunning car, man!!! Absolute icon of NYC!
That beautiful car deserves a much longer and detailed review complete with a drive.
sure wish they were still manufactured, an excellent vehicle from Indianapolis
I grew up mainly taking the bus or the D train, but we would always take a cab when we needed to take the dog to the vet. I loved sitting in the jump seat as a kid and would ride there even if we weren't full! Of course in the 70s we filled the back seat with as many drunk fools as we could!
Most retired cabs are pretty much classics including the ones they retire that are retired police cars!
I had a die cast model of this back then.
The best automobile EVER built.
wow never knew those were actually cars made in the 80s with 50s styled bodies haha
The infamous Oldsmobile 350 diesel V8 (code LF9) was available for this for two years: 1980 and 1981. The 1981 models were better than the '80 models since for '81 the diesel had a few improvements such as a more rigid block (DX) and roller lifters.
gorgeous! #NYCPROUD
Good taxi 🇺🇸❤👍
I grew up 2 miles from the Checker Cab Plant. I would ride my bike over there and watch them take the new cabs around their "test track". Track is still there but you have to look for it. Motto: "From the inside looking out, it may be the most beautiful car on the road".
In Kalamazoo?
Tin Man you have been privileged ✨
@@juanpabloarena2724 Yes, those are great memories!
@@tinman8518 I am from Argentina, I was born in the 80s but since I was very little I dreamed of the USA and its old-school automotive industry has always fascinated me. Nostalgic greetings from the 4th world 👍✨
@@juanpabloarena2724 Greetings to you and yours from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Former home of Checker Motors! I'd love to own a real Checker Cab but so far, the only one I have is a 1:18 scale model which is still really cool though. Michigan is rich with automotive manufacturing history.
When I win the lottery, I'll get a Checker somewhere and have it transformed into an Icon Derelict.
I support that✊
Beautiful
Great memories brother, congrats
awsome car ! love it ))
Bring back bolt-on quarter panels!!
You talkin' to me?(c)
Thanks for sharing!
looking good. I may well have ridden in this cab when I was young ^-^
1990 we had them at Ft Leonard Wood MO, fun to ride in, great cars
That is SO AMAZING! I want that so bad!!!!
Thank you very much for sharing this, most people think Im crazy, but I like old service vehicles like this, but I dont give a heaping crap what others think. You have a very cool car thanks once again.
What a nice video.
Very cool
ЛЕГЕНДАРНОЕ ТАКСИ ЗА ВСЮ ИСТОРИЮ АМЕРИКИ!!!
I Like it.Parts were swap-able for 40ish years.High School friend's family drove a Public blue version.
Nice looking car. I've never ridden in a Checker cab as a passenger, but I have seen pictures of them, and I've seen them on "Taxi", and other tv shows and movies. Awesome cars!
I always admired the Checker as a unique and durable car. Too bad they couldn't compete with GM and Ford, who flooded the market with Caprices and Crown Victorias. Also, the Checker body was heavy and fuel economy was to become a major issue with taxi cabs running on crowded city streets, idling more than driving. Ed Cole envisioned a stretched Volkswagen Rabbit for the 1983 Checker, but his untimely death in a private plane crash put Checker on a "crash course" when they decided to cancel all further development on the new platform.
Wow, you don't see these, every day!
Awesome!!!!
I remember getting in them when I was little they were still operating in the late 70’s early 80’s the thing I remember the most was the leg room and pay compartment
The last Checker in service was retired in 1999. Someone paid several hundred thousand dollars for it.
I heard that the styling of these cars hardly changed at all over the years. I didn’t expect that to actually be true.
Exactly how a service taxi can should be. Never seen on of these apart from on TV, like the London FX4 they're iconic. The FX style cabs have been updated and they're being built again. I'm surprised the same thing happen to the Checker.
Un pedazo de historia surcando el tiempo! Saludos argentinos.
I wish they never stopped making these cabs. They should I keep on making them as of 2024 even with that 1950s look
Отличная машина!
I cannot believe these cars were 1981!. I always thought these cars were built in the 1950s.
That design did originate in the 1950''s. They stayed in production until 1982.
cara se um carro desse falace teria que escrever um livro... e amigo NOVA IOQUE irmão ...
Ambassador 🇮🇳
Travis Liked This Video o/
The medallion on the hood is larger than what I remember. When I lived there, the locals always said to never get into a non-medallion cab "because those wildcats are insane drivers and will rip you off." HAHAHA!!! I usually took a car service in Brooklyn, but cabs were much more interesting in Manhattan. Nice car and good video.
I don't know if you remember that some taxis use to have red apple's on the side doors. Who remembers that ?
That Taxi looks like it's from the 1950's.
The FX4 had similar seats. They were built to hold five, three on the back seat and one in each fold down seat, many cabbies carried 6 or 7.
They should remake em. Modern wise but bring em back see how it works out.
Great video. Is it possible to get pictures of the headliner of this car? I am restoring my 1980 Checker A-11 and am looking to go back to the original perforated clip-in headliner which is in the Checker in this video.
At least I enjoyed my childhood I haven’t had a break in 9 years it’s crazy
nice
I rode in one in the 80’s to be used in a movie.The driveshaft fell out on the freeway.
That's right... There was a rear hub that used to get loose and was recommended to be adjusted every 10,000 miles.
That medallion on the hood is worth a million dollars, I shit you not.
Beautiful I want one but will never be to afford.
awsome
Good taxi 🇺🇲
That on a 4x4 platform. 😍
I always thought these were chevie, like the belair!
I am from UK though so my ignorance is allowed I think.
Imagine all the things and conversations that have happened in that back seat!
How many children concieved!
Not a GM product. They were built by the Checker Motors Corporation (1922-2009).
deprived > what is haiku expecting
If that Checker Cab from Checker Motors comes to Forza Motorsport 8 and Forza Horizon 5 as those options is a must. Even if I had my own, I put in a 750 HP NASCAR engine, including transmission and speedometer changes.
2:02 as a kid I once put a dead rat in the tray and ran out of the cab hahaha
lol
That sin is unforgivable
Was it you then??
Looks to clean to be an 80’s NYC Checker Cab 🚕😂
They weren't even that clean when they were new!
KALAMAZOO FOREVER
Nice movie prop. if you filming an old NY or LA
That car remind of gta taxis
It's the other way around but it's okay👍
thats a truck with a car body
hey, Travis, give me a ride
Year when I came to NYC
Are you aware that Checkers were not "New York City Taxi" cabs? They are Chicago taxi cabs. Checker sold them to many other cities such as LA and Philly by the thousands, but for some crazy reason people in NYC thought they were a New York thing. It's ridiculous. The company started in Chicago, they were made in Chicago, and there were almost as many checker cabs in Chicago as NY even though the city is half the size. CHECKER CAB IS ALL ABOUT CHICAGO
I always thought it was from 1950 😄
I though it was just on checkr show cars, but this being a former taxi, still has the ckecker logo on the door, what was the deal for that ?. They run like that with the Checker flags painted ?. I mean, dont take me wrong, it is pretty cool actually.
offended?! offended?!
How did you find it??
Isn't this the same kind of cab that was is the tv series Taxi?
It's kind of a bit of a shame that we don't see more of these "workhorse" vehicles around, but I can can kind of understand, since these things were meant to be driven into the ground...
There is one rotting out in front of the abandonned hollywood planet in niagara falls. Mostly complete but extremely rusty.
I remember how easy bullets went threw the cabs 😃
Are you going to fix it up so I could be licensed to drive I would love to see that on the street
What do you mean fix it up? What do you see that's wrong with it?
@@woodyofp8574 exactly
Can ya still carry passengers in there old taxis?
Needs a big fucking engine and I’m good to go
Why? Just how fast do you want to catch that NYC traffic light?
I always wondered about those cabs. They even looked old back in the day. So, who made them? Gm?
Checker made them , from the 50s to 82 they have some GM parts but checker wasnt GM
You think that this car is viable to use as a taxi nowdays?
Your camera skills made me sick. Probably a neat car, just couldn't see it
Yeah, agree.
That's a 30s bodystyle
May I please have it? Thank you.
are you the writer for Metalsucks
you talking to me?
Gta vice city!!
Were these things reliable?
Yes
They were built on a truck frame.