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Maybe the result of an encounter with a killer whale, all part of the nature of life on the ocean!

@@Jac2Mac I don't recall any sound at all

My 76 checker doesn't have seatbelts.... Previous owner delete option. But I don't mind as its a slow ride.. Even though I have a built 350 in it.

Truly! Today's cars are meant to be thrown away after use. This one can be rebuilt endlessly.

I think so too, since there is a lot of 1950s aesthetic in a Checker as it stands!

It has some panels which are solid, and some which are mesh, so it could potentially work as long as you are 1)moving, and 2) on a naked bike, or small fairings with good airflow.

Also, if you wear a windshell under it, then it can stay warm. Behind a large fairing, I doubt it would cool that well, as it needs airflow.

@@OceanDharma Thank you!

You can also wear a rain shell or windshell over it for even greater warmth! In this way one could wear it a hot desert in day, then ride in cold desert at night, with same suit.

I did have an LS that I was rebuilding for it, but the lad that bought the car didn't put it in as he had a 350 ready to go. That said, yes the LS is in my view the perfect match for a car of this weight!

Young fellow who bought it from me and completed the restoration does that on his commute, yes.

Sold a few years ago!

@@OceanDharmaHow much was the price it sold for? I'm curious being I'm interested in looking to buy one.

@@lrg863 I sold it for $16,000, same as I paid for it.

Armature? Or Amateur? What English word are you trying to write, my friend?

Ya Dirk and Sean did a great job to continue the legacy of the brand and keep this car alive!

Could be right, though I have heard a standard 350 GMC engine can clear 20 mpg highway if tuned right.

It's a 3 speed automatic (typically the GMC 350 cubic inch engines are mated to a Turbo400 transmission. Cornering is pretty good, for such a heavy vehicle.

I will ask the new owner about that. Just about any old Chev steering wheel fits these things, so he likely just swapped one in from the junkyard.

@@OceanDharma Checker used Chevrolet steering columns and steering wheels from 1970 onward. That's just a "Checker thing" - for example, the vehicle in this video very likely has a front lower A-frame from the 1956 Ford Thunderbird, a front upper A-frame from the 1963 Lincoln Continental, and it's likely that Checker was still using AMC Matador radiators. An "if it aint broke, don't fix it" attitude is fine, much of the time. However, attempting to adhere to such a strategy regardless of circumstances can be... ruinous. Much of Checker's tooling was arguably worn out (and I used the term "arguably" only because manufacturers in the former USSR and East Germany - along with Checker, lol - would have continued to use them for as long as Checker did). That's why many of Checker's later vehicles required manual door/fender adjustment before leaving the factory. I always liked Checkers, especially when I was a boy and you could still find the fold-down jump seats in their taxi cabs. But the company refused to upgrade (or at least replace) things when the money was rolling in. At the end, it was wholly unprepared for an automobile world in which vehicle designs are changed, sometimes significantly so, over a relatively short period of time. Checker and General Motors actually had discussions about replacing the iconic Checker sedan body with a (then) current GM one. The early 80's Citation, maybe. That would have been some time around 1980, if I remember correctly. Things fell through, though, when it was explained that GM planned on replacing that body style in 1985, I think. Factoring in the time needed to make such a major change, that would have only given Checker approximately three years, then it would have had to have a different automobile body. Not really feasible, considering the "Tucker way" (and, by then, the company's financial situation). Then, labor disputes came to a head - and, after being unable to get a judge to set aside the labor contracts, David Markin, son of founder Morris Markin, basically shut things down, not with a bang - but with a whimper (one that was largely unheard by the rest of the world). Which is even more sad than you might think - at one point in the early years of the company, the owner's house was actually firebombed, and that didn't stop him. . . .

I am ready any time you are, my man! 6 years spacing between trips is already too long! Set a date, I dare you 😏

Ya, well it was haunting me how that car nearly got steered to a sad end due to me entrusting a so-called mechanic, who pulled it apart and couldn't find the motivation or ability to put it back to rights! On the other hand, that event motivated me to go to college and take auto tech, plus by fate the car ended up in your care, so it is all good in the end!

A good point. Shoei helmet was $1000 with tax, it was a no go for my budget, unfortunately.

Yes late September was our time there. Your memories of the area are wonderful to hear!

I think I will go back there soon, probably October.

@@OceanDharma Still planning to make more, Heading back out there in Nov. to visit our other friends who live out at Lone Cabin Creek,. Cheers

Is it so dry that it is snow free still in November?

@@OceanDharma It depends, I have been there in nov. no snow, then a day later could have 4 or 5 inches, either way it is still fairly dry, but getting there via Big Bar or Dog Creek, you could run into a good amount of snow easily, one year we tried to go out via the enterprise/1100 rd in early Nov. and ended up in well over a foot of snow before we were even 1/4 the way!

Project still waiting my attention, I also have a 1981 Checker in good running condition but I am selling it this summer when a good offer comes in. Then will go back to work on this one.

Thanks for the reply, Chenrezig. I hope you will upload more videos. It has been very interesting to watch so far. I´m a huge fan of the Checker Marathon, an iconic car that has earned its place in automotive history…. Not so many of them here in Denmark, Scandinavia... Best of luck with the project in future...

Ya we have been busy, and now the pandemic is here, so that really makes it hard to get out and make videos!

Thanks, it's an area a person could return to many times and never get bored of it. I went back a year later with my wife to show her the region, in fact.

@@OceanDharma I've been there about three years ago, and I've been dreaming of going back in the area ever since to explore more, but haven't had the chance yet. I now live in Montreal, and will be here for a couple years, but I'm really looking forward to one day being back in BC.

@wandererstraining welcome back when you do return, may have an extra bike ready by then, if you ride, as it's my goal to always have a matched set of bikes so a friend can join in without need to rent a bike. The area is indeed stunning and so much wilderness to explore.

@@OceanDharma Wow, that's an extremely kind offer! I never rode a bike before, but if I ever learn to ride one, I'll give you a shout. Maybe I can contribute camera equipment to film the region some more if that's of interest.

Not sure if I'd be brave enough to camp in that country. Beautiful scenery though.

Never saw any, nor any sign (scat or pawprints) of them, definitely didn't seem that it was much risk. We slept quite well and never really thought about it.

troy smith THIS IS THE DUMBEST COMMENT I'VE EVER SEEN lol