"Thissss...is a 1981 Checker taxicab. First, I'm going to review it, show you it's quirks & features, and then I'm going to take it on the road and give it a Bob Score." Can't wait, VB!
These things were once in every major city on taxi duty. Hard to find these now, glad a few of them are left to at least use as movie prop cars for movies and tv shows set in the 1980s, even 1990s, and of course, 1960s and 1970s, even though they look like an early to mid 1950s car. A true workhorse for the era.
I love your enthusiasm for something most people would take for granted. Checker Cabs are a true icon. Super cool preserving this one. It’s in such amazing shape too. My ex was born in 1981 and she was no where near as clean. :)
they are tanks, drove one as a taxi in ontario canada in the early 80s front and rear bumpers are half inch thick guard rails wasn/t fast but good ride and safe AF
Awesome find, back in the day you could pick one for like 100 bucks and nobody wanted these cars, looking back what a piece of American metal 🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍 great find
How cool is it to have Eric Singer hanging out and testing a jump seat in a Checker cab...in your driveway? Only Video Bob. Never in a million years would have ever thought that I would be writing that sentence.
I think the last gas engines in the Checkers were the 267 V8 (L39), which I think looks a lot like a 305, I believe. Doesn't matter much, unless you're doing something inside the block, really, I think.
In the 70s in Center City Philadelphia i moved from one apt. To another in a checker Cab. The guy didn't really catch on till the 3rd trip. I did 4 trips . Yes I payed him well. I love those cars! They're tanks!
I rode one in NYC when I was in The St.Patricks Day Parade 1976. Marching Band. Seven of us piled in, the guy told us he was only allowed to take 6, but let us slide. It was a great memory and the guy drove us around and showed us the sights. I grew up down in the hood, one dude had a beat one we used to cruise around.
This was less a car than an industrial machine. They are covered with design features that made them fit the Taxi role. You might have noticed that the fenders and quarter panels split along a seam. This was to make body work quick and easy. If you took a hit, the outside would unbolt, a repaired unit would get bolted on and the cab was off on its way. The dented panel would then be repaired and put in the parts inventory for the next unfortunate driver. Brake Drums were EXRTA thick for repeated turnings. There were dozens of things like this. In short the car was maid to maintain.
Thanks for the info. So basically the car was the polar opposite of modern disposable cars that in some instances can't be worked on? It could be easily argued that the Checker was actually "greener" than a Tesla, because you could repair it and keep it on the road of 40 years, as opposed to scrapping it after 8-10 years.
In Chicago, the blue jitney. Could hold six or seven in the back. .25 a ride. From 63rd to 22nd streets. They where Marathons too. They had straight six , one barrel.
Beautiful automobile. I have been driving my Checker Marathon every day for years now! Only car I've got, best car I've ever had!!! I wish you many happy miles. :)
I didn't know they made them as recently as 82. I thought they went from the 1940s to somewheres in the 70s. Very I have always been one of my bucket list cars love those things even as a kid. Considering I'm a psychopath I daily drive one if I had it and wouldn't think twice. I've always loved four-door sedans. Can't even get a bloody 80s Caprice anymore without paying a king's ransom for a smoking turd. About the only thing left now are Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger and even those are getting difficult to get short of paying 5 and 10 grand for something that should be about eight or nine hundred. I'm guessing that car probably cost you twenty or forty Grand somewheres in that range. And I being a bit of a low baller given the condition it's in. Damn thing looks like it's only been in service a little over a year and prior to that right off the assembly line somebody put a lot of love and work into that thing it is beautiful.Immediately made me think of yellow jacket.
You Love it now but you'll soon be disillusioned when you see what it costs to drive at the Gas Pump, ..which is way they were phased out along with the Caprice later⛽
Hello friend Bob ,was just wondering how many people in vagas are going to try get a ride from you not knowing your not a real cabbie ,like people on vacation , Bob try and print out a fake cab driver hack license with your name on it and laminate it as well my friend, also it a shame this cab wasn't from the tv show taxi , now that would be way cool if it was ,Bob ever had a checker cab airport station wagon ????? or a civilian model checker car they made them, there
So, you can pick me up in that cab at the airport on Sunday ?? I will pay those rates. You’ll probably have to take me back to the airport in your ambulance………….
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Bob get that gate! Boutta come out there myself and do it.
Hay bro don't forget about me when you go, Haha I'll help you out.
The Movie DC Cab comes to my mind. Nice Marathon.
I did ride around New York in a checker jump seat in 1968 when I was eight years old.
"Thissss...is a 1981 Checker taxicab. First, I'm going to review it, show you it's quirks & features, and then I'm going to take it on the road and give it a Bob Score."
Can't wait, VB!
The coolest cab on the planet! A true Classic Bob!
I have always wanted a Checker Cab. Such an iconic vehicle.
These things were once in every major city on taxi duty. Hard to find these now, glad a few of them are left to at least use as movie prop cars for movies and tv shows set in the 1980s, even 1990s, and of course, 1960s and 1970s, even though they look like an early to mid 1950s car. A true workhorse for the era.
Beautiful. The checkers and the Desoto suburbans were THE ICONIC taxis. They don’t make great looking cars like them anymore!!!
I love your enthusiasm for something most people would take for granted. Checker Cabs are a true icon. Super cool preserving this one. It’s in such amazing shape too. My ex was born in 1981 and she was no where near as clean. :)
they are tanks, drove one as a taxi in ontario canada in the early 80s front and rear bumpers are half inch thick guard rails wasn/t fast but good ride and safe AF
Awesome find, back in the day you could pick one for like 100 bucks and nobody wanted these cars, looking back what a piece of American metal 🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍 great find
My hometown had black bottoms red tops. My mom's ex drove one I worked next door to cab company got to go on fares with him when I was not busy.
A friend of mine bought a new checker every two years. What a rugged, amazing ride. Built like a tank, and rode like Caddy!
Hey ! I'm Walking Here , I'm Walking !
Nice cab: proceeds to break a/c nob and fare meter.. 😜
How cool is it to have Eric Singer hanging out and testing a jump seat in a Checker cab...in your driveway? Only Video Bob. Never in a million years would have ever thought that I would be writing that sentence.
I think the last gas engines in the Checkers were the 267 V8 (L39), which I think looks a lot like a 305, I believe. Doesn't matter much, unless you're doing something inside the block, really, I think.
In the 70s in Center City Philadelphia i moved from one apt. To another in a checker Cab. The guy didn't really catch on till the 3rd trip. I did 4 trips . Yes I payed him well. I love those cars! They're tanks!
Awesome car!
Heyyy there's Chef Joey.......was literally just rewatching the Mt. Charleston Moseley steak video lol👍👍
Kalamazoo muscle!
Looks like aerobus rear quarter panels on it. Enjoy!
What a fantastic car! I appreciate your passion for nostalgia, Bob.
I rode one in NYC when I was in The St.Patricks Day Parade 1976. Marching Band. Seven of us piled in, the guy told us he was only allowed to take 6, but let us slide. It was a great memory and the guy drove us around and showed us the sights. I grew up down in the hood, one dude had a beat one we used to cruise around.
Sweet! Happy for you VB. You snagged a good one!
This was less a car than an industrial machine. They are covered with design features that made them fit the Taxi role. You might have noticed that the fenders and quarter panels split along a seam. This was to make body work quick and easy. If you took a hit, the outside would unbolt, a repaired unit would get bolted on and the cab was off on its way. The dented panel would then be repaired and put in the parts inventory for the next unfortunate driver. Brake Drums were EXRTA thick for repeated turnings. There were dozens of things like this. In short the car was maid to maintain.
Thanks for the info. So basically the car was the polar opposite of modern disposable cars that in some instances can't be worked on? It could be easily argued that the Checker was actually "greener" than a Tesla, because you could repair it and keep it on the road of 40 years, as opposed to scrapping it after 8-10 years.
In Chicago, the blue jitney. Could hold six or seven in the back. .25 a ride. From 63rd to 22nd streets. They where Marathons too. They had straight six , one barrel.
Beautiful automobile. I have been driving my Checker Marathon every day for years now! Only car I've got, best car I've ever had!!! I wish you many happy miles. :)
Thanks Bob for your videos and especially your car vids. In the old school vernacular, totally dig em!
this is very cool to see this type of car this good looking still.
WOW! What a great find! This is so cool. 🚕
If you own a checker cab taxi can you register it to drive as a legal taxi cab still
If you bought one at the dealer in NYC you could get any color you wanted as long as it was black.
I REALLY want one of those
What a cool car. Awesome find.
Lots of memories riding those here in New York good times
Did it come with body odor and the smell of cigarettes too...the ones in Norfolk, Va do... many drivers don't believe in bathing there
LOVE the Caprice steering wheel!
Looks great.
THIS is going to be awesome! Thanks
Congratulations on your Checker Marathon
Sweeeeet! Mid to late 60's a friends dad in Brooklyn NY had one would take us out often the thing was a tank!
In the day. Those jump seats made some coin. 6 passengers x base fare x miles +$$$
I never saw an air conditioner that worked. Sweet ride.
My 78 Chevrolet Caprice had that exact same steering wheel
That’s DOPE! +1 about getting the gate done!
Love that car
That is so cool!!! Shout out from Pleasant Grove area in Dallas, TX.
High floor in the back for easy (vomit) cleaning. Taxi drivers would just spray it out with a water hose, then on to the next customer!
Bob James song "Angela" was playing in my head during this
Great taxi car....I love it
Damn, i'd LOVE to have one of those! I'd be more than happy to trade my Crown Vic P71 if it meant having a Checker Marathon of my own!
Famous new York taxi 🚖🚕🇺🇸🗽
Love it!
I remember taking these cars in NYC
Congratulations!🎉🎈🎊🍾
This is awesome! I would still se it working for Uber ! I always wanted one too…
Cool, so when are you getting a fire truck?
real thing,
today we have P-rius rides , with their so called comfort and room
Humbers look very, very similar!
what a nice Cab... love it
There used to be a game for this crazy taxi
Great video Bob as always love the content! Keep Rocking
Did ut come out of Clearwater Florida?
Do you remember the show Taxi? What does the yellow light mean? S L O W D O W N, lol
What....does.....a......yellow......light......mean?
Still no gate on your property?
I didn't know they made them as recently as 82. I thought they went from the 1940s to somewheres in the 70s. Very I have always been one of my bucket list cars love those things even as a kid. Considering I'm a psychopath I daily drive one if I had it and wouldn't think twice. I've always loved four-door sedans. Can't even get a bloody 80s Caprice anymore without paying a king's ransom for a smoking turd. About the only thing left now are Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger and even those are getting difficult to get short of paying 5 and 10 grand for something that should be about eight or nine hundred. I'm guessing that car probably cost you twenty or forty Grand somewheres in that range. And I being a bit of a low baller given the condition it's in. Damn thing looks like it's only been in service a little over a year and prior to that right off the assembly line somebody put a lot of love and work into that thing it is beautiful.Immediately made me think of yellow jacket.
Do they come in any other colour?
I would love one of those down here in Oz.
Checkers were made from 1923 to 1982
all you need now is a fire truck lol
You Love it now but you'll soon be disillusioned when you see what it costs to drive at the Gas Pump, ..which is way they were phased out along with the Caprice later⛽
Hello friend Bob ,was just wondering how many people in vagas are going to try get a ride from you not knowing your not a real cabbie ,like people on vacation , Bob try and print out a fake cab driver hack license with your name on it and laminate it as well my friend, also it a shame this cab wasn't from the tv show taxi , now that would be way cool if it was ,Bob ever had a checker cab airport station wagon ????? or a civilian model checker car they made them, there
I don't think Doug has done a Checker review, you should reach out to him.
Doug would just put it down because it is not modern and computerized.
bro you look like you're about to teach us kung fu in the thumbnail
hope u keep her
Big boys and there big toys nice. 👍
Damn, would love to ride in one of those things.
Where's our full review?
What do you mean taxicab? I thought we were flying.
very Nice , what is that worth ?
can you build the back to the future 3 delorean
Did you ever do a review after thus video?
if its clean its not a real checker taxicab ,lol, it looks like a real nice car
The gods are smiling on you my frioend enjoy. cheers
Bob you should do a watch video with Erik.
omg i cant wait!!!!!!! fix it fast bob please lol
DC. Cab
Thats some old ass yellow cab
Have you started the Ghostbusters fire house?
Has he opened the safe yet lol
Is it for sale
She's a beauty.
Way 😎 😎!!
DC Cab!!!!
So, you can pick me up in that cab at the airport on Sunday ?? I will pay those rates.
You’ll probably have to take me back to the airport in your ambulance………….
A friend of mine owns one of the Aerobus models. Checkers are beyond cool!!!
dc cab time
ohhh yeees
looks like a GM product...
👍🇺🇸🚕🚖
Dc cab
Your in business for yourself now
1st ha ha......