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Checker model cars
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Judging by the number of
Checker cars built and the fact, that the company ceased
automobile production in 1982 there are quite a lot of different Checker model cars
around. Just another proof that the Checker Motors Corporation did produce
more than cars between 1922 and
1982. They created an American icon, just like
Coca-Cola or Harley-Davidson. Especially when the car comes along in it's
yellow New York outfit - the reason why most of the Checker model cars are
based on the Big Apple symbol.
My favourite Checker model car, a Checker
pick-up, custom-made by Dirk Patschkowski
www.xsdreams.de
View the
Checker-pickup picture gallery
Based on the 1/18 Sunstar
New York Checker taxi, wonderfully modified to look like a wreck by
Junkyard Jewels. It will
cost you 125 US-$. A fantastic
investment and very special addition to any diecast collection. By the way
Junkyard Jewels will transfer any new 1/18 diecast into a rust-bucket. Have
a look at their wonderful website. Click here to see more pics of my
Junkyard Jewel New York taxis.
Three one-off 1/43 scale diecast models,
which were handmade to order in Germany by VF-Americars (www.vf-americars.de),
which turned out to be a very unpleasant experience. Instead of the promised
eight weeks it took eight months for the models to be build and only after
involving a lawyer they were delivered. Advise: If you order VF models don't
pay upfront. The quality of the finished resin models is quite good. As I
said, I have got three: My very own
New York Checker taxicab, including the dent in the front bumper and my
personal South African NYTAXI-WP registration plates. The model is mounted
in a Manhattan diorama. Watch the Taxi Driver and Out of Africa movie
posters on the walls.
More Pics - click here!
The second model is a "brand new" nine door Checker Aerobus
station wagon in a two-tone colour scheme, light blue with an off-white
roof. It is the combi version of the extended Marathon, fitted with a roof
rack.
The third model is a diorama again, with a completely "fucked up",
eight-door Checker Aerobus in taxi yellow. A typical
restoration project in a workshop environment, featuring "rust, repaired
putty patches, wrong wheels, painted fender". Watch the details, such as
Coca Cola soda machine, the replacement fenders, the oil cabinet and the
Checker posters. The model is not based on the Mini Marque 43!
 Probably the most expensive stock
Checker modelcars are the limited editons of the three 1/43 Aerobus
models from Mini-Marque 43, which are no longer
in production. They did build a yellow, eight-door Checker Aerobus
with Budweiser logo
(edition 500 units), one with a Coca-Cola logo (edition 100 units),
and one without any
logos, also yellow, but with a set of white wall tyres (250 units). Apparently
there were also several one-offs and protoypes, a white and two blue ones (click
here for pics). All the MM43 Checker Aerobus models were modelled after
the original white Checker Aerobus, once owned by the deceased company owner
Richard Biggs. He originally purchased the car from a hospital.
And I have seen pictures of
several other MiniMarque 43 Checker Aerobus taxis in different colours for different American cities.
Currently prices for Mini-Marque 43 Checker Aerobuses
range from
250 to 450 US-$ per model. The models are very detailed, heavy white-metal
quality. Only the rear wheel arches don't seem to be right, they are too
high up above the wheels. Very rare.
 Western Models are also "made in the United
Kingdom" and the company is still in business. They currently offer three Checker models
(1/43). A yellow New York taxi (WMS 055 T), a green-beige
Chicago taxi (WMS 055 TC) and a white police cruiser
(Checker Police WMS 055 P). Rare to not so rare. They are planning on producing a Checker Marathon (WMS 086)
in the near future.
Prices are around 130 US-$. Used models are sometimes a little bit cheaper
at
E-Bay (www.ebay.com). My New York taxi is from
Ebay, the Chicago one from "Toys for Collectors" (www.toysforcollectors.com)
and the police version directly from Western Models in Great Britain.
The models are very heavy quality, but not really well
detailed.
The relatively affordable, limited edition Spanish Altaya
models (1/43) are very well done, but no longer produced. There have a New York
and a San Francisco
Checker taxi. Between 30 and 50 US-$ at Ebay (www.ebay.com & www.ebay.de).
Sometimes on offer.
IXO produces a brilliant 1/43 New York Taxi. Very good details.
Sometimes on offer at Ebay (www.ebay.com & www.ebay.de). Around 30 US-$.
.
Flea markets and souvenir outlets in New York are selling
a not accurate 1/43 Checker taxi model with roof advertisement "Welcome
to
New York". Available at Ebay (www.ebay.com & www.ebay.de). Between 5 and 10
US-$. Sometimes on offer.
No longer in production is the 1/43 New York taxi from
Ertl, which is easily available at Ebay (between 4 and 8 US-$; www.ebay.com & www.ebay.de).
It is not very accurate. Not rare, even mint in box.
Sunnyside New York Checker 1/34, available
under 10 US-$ (www.ebay.com & www.ebay.de).
Very nice model. Frequently offered.
You don't have to say a lot about Franklin Mint.
Excellent quality in a 1/24 scale. Extremely detailed New
York Taxi. Heavy metal/resin model. Prices between 100 and 120 US-$ at Ebay (www.ebay.com & www.ebay.de).
Easy available.
Sun Star is producing four low-price, detailed
Checker taxi models in a 1/18 scale: a New York, a Chicago,
an Atlanta and a Los Angeles taxi version. Between 20 and
30 US-$ per taxi (www.ebay.com & www.ebay.de). Easy available.
Matchbox started with a yellow New York
Checker taxi (1/62) in 2003. Under 5 US-$ at Ebay. Easy available.
Than the scale is getting smaller. Golden Wheels
has some 1/64 Checker models, of which I have two: the New York
taxi version and a fire chief car. Between 5 and 10 US-$ per model. www.goldenwheelsdiecast.com
. Rare.
Italian sweet's manufacturer Ferrero offered for a
limited period several taxis in their chocolate surprise eggs. One of them a
yellow New York Checker. At Ebay between 4 and 10 US-$. Quite rare.
The German company BS Design has three 1/87 plastic model kits of
Checkers: a yellow New York Checker taxi
with decals and rubber tyres (42) from 1989, which I have got and another
one in white plastic (No. 297) as well as an Aerobus (No. 264). All three
models have to painted and assembled. On German Ebay between 15 and 20 US-$.
Quite rare.
Definitely the smallest Checker cab diecast model
is the N scale 1/160 one from Road Master Series. The tiny car is
unpainted, made of 100 % Britannia pewter. It does com with tiny decals and
can be painted in any taxi colour or just left silver like mine. A rare find
at Ebay for around 5 US-$. Very rare.
 Than there are several fun Checkers around, mostly not to
scale, like Christmas decorations, pedal cars, mini-pedal cars, tin boxes,
cups etc.
I am still on the lookout for:
Brooklin, two older 1/43 Checker models
Hot Wheels Checker taxi
Golden Wheels 1/64, Police Checker
Walther 1/87 New York Checker taxi
BS Design, 1/87 Checker taxi, No. 297, 1989
BS Design, 1/87 Checker Aerobus, No. 264
Magnussen, 1/87 Checker taxi (two in box), No. 44, 1990
GTM models, 1959 Checker 1/25
Silver Crane Company, Checker?
Please drop me a line, if you know of any other Checker
models. Thank you!
My Checker-Taxi tells it's story - click here!
See some photographs taken during the taxi trip across the States
Checker restoration
Checker rental
Checkers in
the movies
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