So you think that maybe you could do your bosses job better than he or she does! Do you ever see yourself running your department? Or, perhaps you envision yourself in the president’s chair someday. Do you think you have prepared yourself for that big moment? Will it just be a matter of luck, intelligences, hard work, a good attitude or perhaps you have a friend or relative already in power pulling for you?

Whatever the case may be it might be worthwhile to take a look at some of our top executives to try and get a more insightful view of how they “fell” into their high level positions.  Perhaps we’ll discover that it isn’t justu. Being in the right place at the right time may get you that job or promotion, but many other factors keep you on top.

Steve Wilson, Assistant Vice President and General Purchasing Agent has agreed to be the first Checker Executive to share is career background and advice as to what qualities  he perceives are important in considering employees for top level positions.

Steve Wilson’s 1972 Checker currently under restoration at Checker Motor Company

Let’s start with the type of individual Steve Wilson was BEFORE life at Checker Motors. Steve came from a family of five children.  He says they always had everything they needed but anything extra they desired would have to be earned by them individually. As a very young boy, Steve would get a 5 cent per week Allowance money which he would sometimes use to buy real butter for his Mothers tasty homemade cinnamon bread. Later Steve demonstrated his ambitious and enterprising side as a young man by always finding lawns to mow. Sidewalks to shovel in the winter, and working at a fruit market during his senior year in high school. Steve worked at a newspaper office. Steve says he was a very good student and always did his homework during study hall so he was able to spend his free time working and earning money.

Another one of Steve Wilsons wagons

After High school, Steve did not feel that college was for him. He was motivated to make money. From the ages of 21 to 24 Steve worked at Gibson Automotive Wholesale Company during the day and at the post office during the evenings. He had a new wife, a new baby and a new car. Which gave him all sorts of motivation not to work two jobs anymore. He totally dedicated himself to his job at Checker. infact he had one boss who would get very upset if Steve put in too much overtime so he would punch out at 5:00 and then return to his office continuing to work without pay.

Another Steve Wilson Checker, this beautiful Checker is owned by David and Connie “Wilson” Powers almost complete we look forward to possibly seeing this at Auburn in August 2016.

As a specifications clerk, Steve performed many tasks including writing bills of materials, parts & service catalogs, acting as a liaison between the shop and the engineering Department. And interpreting engineering specifications. In just one years time. Steve’s dedication and ability to get the job done were rewarded with a promotion to specification supervisor He spent nine years in this position. During this time Checker had a chassis engineering department as well as a body engineering dept. Each department also half their own specifications department. Steve recalls that these two departments were divided by a wall – both figuratively and literally. He remembers that David Markin was a big help to him at the time in convincing Morris Markin to tear down the wall and consolidate the department. The new arrangement became known as the engineering Dept. and was able to save serval thousands of dollars.

Steve continued to learn as much as he could he stated that he was very lucky to have the help of many people at Checker He listened to what they had to say and learned quickly. He became especially noted that Harley Skinner, who originally hired him was a great help to him in learning the ropes. Once great piece of advice that Harley passed along to Steve was “Don’t proofread assuming that everything is wrong” imagine how much money we all could save in catching errors if we got into this habit

In 1966 Steve was taken out of the Engineering Dept. and place into the Purchasing Dept. as a buyer. He worked directly for Earl Newlson (who came from General Motors) and Cecil Cornwell (formerly of Ford Motors) when I asked Steve how he felt about moving from one department to another after so many years he replied, “I loved it”, Steve reports h during the first six months in the purchasing department he was able to make substantial cost saving. Due to all the knowledge he had gained in Engineering. He knew every single part of the Checker automobile inside and out and this information came in pretty handy when he was transferred to Purchasing.

Later, Steve became the Manager of Materials, Purchasing & Scheduling until this was later separated into two different departments. Steve is solely in Charge of Purchasing today (1985).

CMC Checker Headlight Picture of Steve Wilson

Steve Wilson has always been a self-motivated person. He wanted to achieve as much as he could and had no qualms about doing what he had to in order to get the job one. Steve worked many hours of overtime during his early years at Checker Motors and many with no pay. He feels that he has been very well rewarded for all his efforts he admits that today he can usually enjoy an 8 to 5 job. But knows that he has earned it. Steve is very proud of his accomplishments at Checker Motors. As we can see form the many jobs he has held, he consistently demonstrated that he could do the job he was assigned to and also managed to get the support to and also managed to get that support of all the right people while he was working his way up the ladder.

Steve’s Checker Marathon sedan currently under restoration

Steve feels that a college education us very important today for anyone thinking about becoming a top executive. He says “with a degree, you can take on the world.” A few other tips that Steve Wilson passes along to those inspired to go places are

• Help make the company prosperous
• Don’t be a clock watcher
• Don’t be afraid to work harder than the person next to you
• It’s more important to be respected than liked
• Learn all yo can about your department
• And you must have the ability to get along with others

Steve Wilson will be celebrating his 30^th anniversary at Checker Motors this January. I would like to thank Steve for a great interview on his rise to top management at Checker Motors. May I say “it not where you start it’s where you finish.

The post A Giant Among Checker Fans appeared first on Checker Cab Club.

The Department of State has extended the compact car trend to the limousine.  This it has done by transforming a new medium weight sedan by the addition of such “extras” as gray broadcloth upholstery. A glass partition between driver and passenger areas, and an air conditioning unit.The result is a very presentable and rigged limousine that may prove especially useful in countries where rough roads are prevalent, where maintenance facilities are scarce and high octane gasoline hard to come by.

Llewellyn E. Thompson and President Kennedy discussing Checker’s expansion into Russia, the secret weapon to end the Cold War

Such a car, in fact, was suggested last March as a proper one for use in Russia.  Ambassador Llewellyn E. Thompson told the Department that the embassy in Moscow has had considerable difficulty with the maintenance of passenger cars, one expensive make in particular assigned to him. “These cars,” he said, “are not suitable for the cobblestones and rough roads encountered in the Soviet Union.  While they can be used in Moscow and its environs they are not suitable for any long distance travel, and there is always the problem of obtaining a high octane gasoline which they require.”  The Ambassador said he had learned that Mrs. Nelson Rockefeller, wife of the New York Governor, wanting such a car in which she could sit upright, had purchased one of the new medium weight seans. She and it painted black and re-upholstered.

One of the original State Dept. Checkers in service

Mr. Thompson said he understood the was “highly presentable and that its rigid construction made it practical for use on rough roads. “ He suggested that the Department “may wish to look into the possibility of a similar purchase for this and other missions having comparable conditions.” It so happened that the division of Supply Management had already investigated the vehicle manufactured by the Checker Motors Corporation in the course of a long search for an acceptable automobile for assignment to chiefs of missions at posts restricted to cars that cost no more than $3800.

The first of the two experimental limousines was delivered to the Department on August 21. It was shipped to Moscow early this month. The second unit purchased will be sent to San Salvador. The Division of Supply Management lists these favorable features:  The price of $3800 is within the legislative price ceiling. Its six cylinder engine, standard transmission and generally uncomplicated construction should reduce post mechanical problems. And its high silhouette makes it easy to enter and leave.

The basic sedan was shipped from Kalamazoo to New York where an automobile body firm fabricated and installed a center glass partition-deemed necessary for security reasons—and upholstered the rear compartment in the same broadcloth used in very expensive limousines.  The two experimental models bought so far contain two utility jump seats. More satisfactory auxiliary seating and some other improvements are under consideration.

An advantage emphasized by the manufacturer is that many of its parts are interchangeable with those used in other makes. This it was suggested, would be useful in foreign posts when replacements parts are needed

State Department use of Checker clearly lead to the introduction of the Checker A12E limo

The post State Department Article “State Buys Compacts Limousines, That is, For Use at Embassies appeared first on Checker Cab Club.

Yahoo reported ‘nearly 35 years after the Checker automotive assembly lines in Kalamazoo fell silent and almost 20 years after the last of the famous New York City Checker cabs retired, the Checker automobile is poised for a comeback, with plans set for two new niche models and a complete mechanical update. Missing from those plans, however, are designs on re-entering the taxi market or producing a four-door vehicle.

It’s been a couple of months since the various announcements were introduced to the media and now we can share more information and plans for the new Checker.

Checker Cab Club member Jamie Cardillo recently organized a tour of  Steve Contarino’s Checker Motor Company in Haverhill, Massachusetts.  A joint event with the Studebaker Drivers Club Ocean Bay Chapter, Checker Cab Club members from Georgia, Massachusetts and Illinois enjoyed a tour of the pristine facilities.

A big thank you goes to Steve Contarino for hosting this exciting event.

Stave engaging in dialog with Checker Cab Club members at the Haverhill facility

This mini event was the second of several planned Checker Cab Club events for 2016.  We hope to expand the idea of mini events that can be executed in multiple regions across the USA. The tour started with a 45 minute updated provided by Steve Contarino on the progress that has been made to date on the new Checker.  Plans are being drawn up to produce two vehicles: a six door sedan and a two door UTE pickup.

Recently finished Checker Restoration

According to Steve, design work has been completed for the full front clip, grille, rear fenders and trunk lid.  Current plans are to use a composite material not metal as used in legacy Checkers.  The chassis is currently being designed in Michigan utilizing a third party.  The body will also be made of a composite material.

The doors will be slightly different than legacy Checkers with stronger door window frames.  Current plans call for the elimination of extruded aluminum window frames used on legacy Checkers from 1956 thru 1982.

It’s highly likely that composite components will be produced in China and ship to the US for assembly.  Additionally Steve will have to find a larger facility to assemble the new Checker.  Mr. Contrarino has many deep relationships with third party manufactures such as Factory Five also based out of Massachusetts.

The interior will be totally new and will not resemble any legacy Checker offering.  The new Checker will also utilize advanced technology and electronics.  If all goes to plan the body design will be completed soon and two actually prototypes will be completed for Spring of 2017.

Design buck for Checker UTE note the new hubcaps installed on the rear wheels

After the outdoor lecture, Steve invited members into his Adamson Industries facility and gave the two clubs a tour of his ongoing Checker work.

Participants saw many ongoing Checker restoration projects and Checkers ready for delivery.  Steve also showed the group several new Checker items for the new Checker, but items that could be used for legacy Checker restorations.

One item was extremely interesting, Steve is now producing (but not taking orders yet) of a newly designed chrome a rubber fender seams.  We also saw new hubcaps produced by Magna and a new Checker hood emblem.  The newly designed emblem was quite striking.

New gas tanks on pallets

Interesting to many of the folks on the tour was the new Checker gas tanks currently being produced.  Not an exact copy of the legacy design, the new tanks can be used on older Checker restoration.  Steve also shared several headlight system options to be used on the new offering.

New Checker chrome and rubber fender liner

New hubcap and hood ornament

In the end all I can say is that the entire operation was quite impressive.  I am sure everybody in our group wishes Steve well, a new Checker and potential parts supply for restoration could only help Checker collectors.

For more information on the new Checker check our Checker Motor Company’s Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/checkermotorcars/?fref=ts

Artist rendition of the new Checker UTE

The post New Checker Update appeared first on Checker Cab Club.

A major feat was accomplished this weekend, the full 1982 Checker Marathon Illustration Manual was loaded into the files section of the Checker Cab Group Club Facebook page.  We’re probably the only car club that has actually loaded diagrams of every nut, bolt and major sub assembly of their favorite car directly onto Facebook. Special thanks to Ben Merkel and former Checker General Manager John Logan for sourcing the manual.

The manual is probably one of the most helpful guides available, whatever question you have about your 1982 Checker, the answer is now just seconds away and at your finger tips.  Many of these illustrations are applicable to Checkers produced from 1958-1982. The manuals can be viewed on your computer as well as via the Facebook phone application. All are easily downloaded for printing purposes.

For cost reasons we are only putting this manual in the Facebook files section of the group, loading it onto the Checker Cab Club website would be very expensive considering that the manual is hundreds of pages.  That said, all the pages have been loaded onto Facebook free of charge.  Our group is now closed, since this document is not on the website, consider it an advantage of being a member of our Facebook group.

Included in the manual is a full index organized by group. Also in the index is a page reference for each group, group 10 through 470. Each page illustrates the depicted sub assembly and also lists every part number and quantity required to assemble.  Additionally some illustrations are labeled with torque or weld instructions.

If you’re not a member of the Checker Cab Club group, just click on the link below and join the group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/145497838799022/

The post 1982 Checker Marathon Illustration Manual on Facebook! appeared first on Checker Cab Club.

Tired of hearing from his guests and staff about how other cab companies were “ripping off the tourists” by hitting the $1.00 fuel surcharge button repeatedly, jacking up fares, showing up in old former cop cars that were filthy and often had drivers that smelled badly, spoke little English, or simply taking people the “long way” to their destination. Entrepreneur John Didomizio  decided to do something about it.

The “Fix” was to start a real competing cab company and simply drive the shady operators off the beach. Putting his money where his mouth is, and being a collectable car enthusiast. John had two vintage Checker Cabs shipped down from Canada and “opened the doors” with a policy of first class service. To this day, most often drivers will open and close the car door for you. The first reason is service – the second reason is to make sure passengers in the old Checker Cabs are secure and the heavy steel doors are in fact closed properly.

Next in the line up came two very nice Lincoln Town Cars. The Checker Cabs are costly to maintain, and as they are antiques parts can be difficult to find. In the blink of an eye – two additional Lincoln Town Cars were added into service. In the first six months 6 cars were in operation. The resorts on Clearwater Beach and neighboring islands started to take notice. They could call X -Taxi company and spin the roulette wheel who may show up. Or call NY Cab & Limo… who would show up in a clean nice vehicle and not rip off their guests.

Almost overnight, N.Y. Cab & Limo Co. became a success. The reason is clear. Clean Cabs – Quality drivers, and no game playing with the meters. Says John Didomizio, ”  It is not that we did anything re-markedly well – we just set out to offer a quality taxi service, and did things they way they should be done”. Today the fleet has grown to include 30+ vehicles – Lincoln Town Cars, Checker Cabs – including the WAY COOL – twin (2) Checker station wagons; a very rare find fully restored.  3 Lincoln Limo’s and 2 Party Buses offer visitors and locals additional options for parties, weddings, and special events. Most recently after extensive searching the past few years a 1967 Checker Aero bus was located and is currently being restored.

Our classic antique Checker collection is one of the largest in the world! NY Cab & Limo Co. now is also the largest operating Checker Cab fleet in North America. Today, tourists will find NY cabs everywhere, and never more then 5 minutes away on the northern Gulf Beaches or City of Clearwater. That is our History and we are pround of it, and where we are going!

For more Checker fun, join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/145497838799022/

The post New York Cab & Limo Company appeared first on Checker Cab Club.

Have you ever wondered what logos were used by Checker?  There are essentially three logos that Checker used on taxicabs and promotional material.

The first logo was a Checker Cab trademark written in a cursive form with two big C’s wrapping around the name.  Added to the name was the service provided such as Checker Cab Services for taxicab fleet or Checker Cab Manufacturing cab assembly.  This logo would be used in various form from 1922 until 1958 when Checker changed their corporate name to Checker Motors Corporation.

The second major logo used was the Art Deco Checker shield introduced in 1947.  The logo was first used on the 1947 Checker Model A2 taxicab place just above the grille center hood and below the hood ornament.  It was also placed on taxicab as a rear passenger door shield decal.  Many independent operators would utilize this branding as a sign of quality. The independent operator typically stenciled their respective name above the Checker logo.

For the period of 1950 till 1954 the Art Deco shield was only used as a decal for rear doors, it was removed from the hood and a new cursive Checker nameplate was added.

Big changes were in order at Checker in 1956, the new Model A8 taxicab was introduced.  The A8 was available in two packages the “Special” and the “Standard”.  The Special was the high end taxi equipped with power steering, power brakes and automatic transmission. Amazingly the Special also had a power front bench seat!  The Standard was exactly that: standard with no options: equipped with manual steering, manual transmission and non power assist brakes.

Each taxi package was equipped with its own new chrome logo, a globe with two Checker flags adorned the center hood and trunk lid. The only difference between the two nameplates was the denotation of the Special or Standard. The old cursive logo was still retained and graced the chrome plated wheel covers for both packages.

A new Corporate logo was also created a variation of the Special and Standard logo, the Checker Cab Manufacturing logo was used on advertising, brochures and manuals.

In 1958 Checker changed it’s name from Checker Cab Manufacturing. to Checker Motors Corporation. At this point is time the old cursive logo was retired.  The new CMC would leverage both the logos from the Model A8 on the new Model A9 introduced in the fall of 1958. The A9 had a new nameplate logo on the hood, the two logos were only used on the doors.

Both the Special and Standard logo were used till 1960, when the Marathon was introduced along side the Superba, the standard name was eliminated.  Moving forward in a consumer car market the two separate models effectively replaced the Standard and Special concepts. That said the Checker Special logo continued being used on taxicab model’s the A9 and A11.

In 1964 the logo was used for the new 1964 World’s Fair Supercab. A slight variation of the 1956 the logo appeared in several advertisements. The Special logo would remain in service and would be placed proudly on the door of Checker taxicabs up until 1982.

We’re all proud of our Checkers and likewise the Checker logo that adorns the rear doors of many of our cars is a true sign quality.

The post The Checker Logo, a Sign of Quality appeared first on Checker Cab Club.

A garaged kept Checker, Mike has tended to all details of this fine Checker and there’s been a payoff, Mike has won countless trophies. This month of April,  Michael has already won his first trophy of 2016.

One of the judges approached Mike and asked if his Checker was a Marathon, Michael’s response “no, it’s a model A11E”, the judge admitted that he was only aware of Marathons.

To the untrained eye, Mike’s Checker may look pretty much like any other Checker,  but Mike actually owns a very rare Checker, it’s a Supercab!  Yes a Supercab, first introduced in 1963.

In the early 60’s Checker rapidly introduced many new specialty models as the company started to explore markets beyond the taxicab trade.  Some of these specialty cars included: the A12W wagon, six and eight door Aerobus and the Town Custom Limo.

1962 Checker A12E Town Sedan

In 1962 Checker introduced the A12E the “E” stands for extended wheelbase. The extended wheelbase limo version of the Marathon was built for the high end professional car market. Differences between the A11 Taxi, Marathon and Superba were the extended wheelbase at 129 inches and limo attributes such as driver divider, in seat radio, foot and arm rests.  Some models were equipped with vinyl roofs and opera windows.

In 1963, Checker introduced the Super Cab, essentially the Super Cab is a bare bones taxicab version of the Town Sedan Limo. It rode on the 129 inch wheelbase Checker chassis and also offered the larger bench style jump seats.  Ironically, the new Super Cab was a throwback taxi, with metrics similar to the pre 1954 New York Taxicab and Limo Authority requirements. The Super Cab would be offered right up to the end of Checker automobile production in 1982. 

Back in 1964 virtually every major corporation was getting in on the New York World’s Fair bandwagon and Checker was no different.  On Monday May 4^th 1964 Checker ran a full page ad in the New York Daily News to introduce the “World’s Fair Taxicab”, it was actually a Super Cab.

The World’s Fair Super Cab

The ad advanced the Super Cabs features: Greater earning potential for taxi operators, Larger loads for more business, bigger tips for comfort and the cabs comforts that allows drivers to stay on the street for longer time periods.

The ad also depicted a family troubled by getting into a smaller cab: a full size 1964 Dodge Coronet, the photo was captioned “how are we going to all fit in the little car”.  It’s pretty amazing that a full size Dodge could be depicted as a little car.

1966 Checker A11E Super Cab Brochure

In the 1982 CMC Checker Straight Talk Brochure, again the company was promoting the “Super Cab”.  The brochure proclaimed:  It’s a cab, it’s a limo, it’s a Super Cab. Again core features promoted were the long doors, the

1982 Super Cab Brochure

extended custom built chassis and the ability to carry six passengers in the rear compartment.

So, if you ever see Mike Kornspan at a car show getting a trophy with his Checker just remember, it’s a Super Cab!

The post Its a Cab, Its a Limo, Its a Super Cab appeared first on Checker Cab Club.

The addition to the archive is quite significant, the information in these newsletters is compelling.  Unlike other club newsletters produced by car fans, these newsletters came from Checker, the real stories of Checker are in these newsletters.

In one issue we meet Jim Stout, Mr. Stout started at Checker in 1923, hired by Morris Markin and Leyland Goodspeed.  In the July 1982 Newsletter, you’ll read about Stout and his work in the Experimental Engineering department.

You’ll meet some of our Facebook friends,  there are several appearances by Rick Burgen. One article shares the father and son story of the Burgen family at Checker.  Another story depicts Rick in the final assembly department.

Did you know Checker remanufactured Checker A11s? In a 1997 issue your presented with the story of two Checkers remanufactured and sold to Nike for the 1997 Swoosh campaign.

You’ll also meet the CMC employees, the people who produced our cars. Every newsletter presents new hires, retirees and recent promotions.  No other car company newsletter is so personal,  Checker was a one plant company, with loyal long term employees, the Newsletters give you a chance to meet these fine people.  You’ll read about their jobs, their new equipment and their new ideas.

The post CMC Checker Headlight Newsletter, Now in the Archive appeared first on Checker Cab Club.

Well,  all I can say is: if nobody comes,  I’ll be alone with some pretty fantastic Checkers!  The 1950 Checker A4 and 1957 Checker A8 will be on display at the A-C-D. Also at the A-C-D will be the only surviving 1933 Checker Model T.  Right next door to the A-C-D and sharing the parking lot is the NATAM and seven more Checkers are on display. 

Checker Model T at the ACD

So if I am alone, I’ll have to suffer through the misery of looking at ten museum quality Checker and over 150 classic Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg classics.

Six Checkers donated by Bob Welsh will be at the NATAM

But I am not going to be alone.  Informally we already have some fantastic cars prepared to appear in Auburn.  Emerson Zentz plans on driving his late model Checker and trailering his classic 1963 Checker A11 taxicab.

CMC Checker assembler Rick Burgen plans on showing up with his gorgeous Checker, as does Andy Tailor with rare Medi-Car.

Rick Burgen’s pristine Checker A12

Pete Talanca and Ben Merkel plan on making an appearance too. So now we’re at sixteen Checkers. Who else will be showing?  Let’s build a virtual show on Facebook!

Pete Talanca’s Checker A11

This blog will be posted on Facebook, please comment and post a photo of your Checker, if you plan on showing at Auburn.  Please comment if you plan on visiting over the three days.  Lets create a little excitement!

For more information on the event check out our Facebook, event.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/145497838799022/events/

1950 Checker A4 will makes its debut

Emerson Zentz plans on showing two Checker!

The 1957 A8 will show at Auburn

The post Checkers at Auburn Roll Call appeared first on Checker Cab Club.

Thanks to all the Checkerheads out there, you folks have made our club the largest and most dynamic Checker club.

Maybe that other club  doesn’t understand what a club is.

Definition of a club, source MacMillian Dictionary:

Club: An organization for people who have a common interest in a particular activity or subject.

That’s it, just fifteen words, not that many and quite frankly not enough to describe our fantastic group of fun loving Checker fans. There are so many other words, stories and pictures that even this short blog can’t do justice telling the story of this great club.  Briefly I would like to touch on four key attributes of a club: people, common interest, activity and organization.

640 People make this club great

Our club is over seven years old with 640 active members.  This is not a club of one, as  suggested.  We meet everyday,  albeit via the magic of computers: our group has one common theme Checkers.  We meet real time on Facebook, we meet via the club Newsletter and at events.

People of varying types

Through our newsletter we have been introduced to some interesting characters.  Via our members profile articles we met Miami based lawyer Jane Muir. “Driving Sunshine!”  Anyone who sees it asks, ‘What is it?’ It’s just a fun car to be in, the Checker brings happiness wherever it goes.”

Jane Muir and her childhood friend

Recently we met Checker new comer Chis Boyd. Between work, kids sports and activities and life in general, he’s making progress in restoring a 1969 Checker A12E limo with his 13 year old son, what a great way to bond with his boy.

Chris as his son’s A12E

Many of us have become reacquainted with our old French friend Chris Monier, Chris introduced us to his very interesting former taxicab that is destine to become a coffee table.

Mike Pincus and Ben Merkel created a great profile of Eric Lackmann and the only surviving Checker dealer: Turnpike Checker.  A full background and photos was presented to our members.

Michael Pincus at Eric Lachmann’s Checker dealer

In the seven published newsletters we have consistently presented profiles of one of our 640 fun loving Checker fans.  Indeed we have an active group of members and each one ask to join. With the click of the “join” each Checker fan ask if they could join our group, even the CCCofA President.

We all share a common Interest in preserving and enjoying our Checkers.

Checker help, it’s been amazing to see the help provided by our members on a daily basis.  Some of our members appear to be on 24 hour call serving Checker owners.  Andy Taylor has become the single most popular Checker mechanical genius, helping all with his vast knowledge of Checkers from Continental equipped oldsters to modern emission controlled GM engine equipped Checkers.

Checker Expert Andy Taylor picks up a free Checker donated by a generous group member

Recently Checker newcomers Kenny G. Hall had a question about his recently purchased Checker diesel.   37 response were generated to help resolve his issue by members: Matt Thomas, Arron Holdaway, Andy Tailor, Steve Davis, Nicholas Emrich, Carroll Sickle and Alex Christie all chimed in to the dialog.  The first response was posted in less than 2 minutes after Hall’s original post for help.

Kenny G. Hall brake trouble, 2 minute response time by the group

Preserving Checker History.  Our group members have helped preserve Checker History via document submission to our club archive.  Member Matt Thomas has loaded a significant number of documents regarding Checkers, Taxicabs and Yellow Cab Company.

Former Gilmore Museum archivist and educator Tim Morris has provided great photographs from the old CMC corporate office. Photos of extremely rare Checker prototypes never seen by the public at large.

Model D photo source by Tim Morris

John Logan has graciously offered to donate his complete library of Checker engineering memos. These documents will be scanned and loaded into our club archive and will be made available to the public, including CCCofA members.

Yes, our group is all about Checker history

CMC Employees, we have the most active group of Checker employee and family on Facebook.  As mention above, long time Checker employee John Logan provides the group with advice and stories.

Factory photos taken by Rick Burgen in 2009

One of the most active former CMC employees in Rick Burgen, for those who don’t know Rick, at the age of 25 Rick worked the line at CMC. Risk was the guy who finished the front end alignment on the last Checker made on July 12^th 1982. Rick has done a fantastic job of photographically documenting the old CMC plant.

Rick Burken and the last Checker

Other regular posters Jack Fritz and Joe Barney, all bring great Checker insight to the group.

Families, we have been very lucky to have regular dialog with the Markin family.  Chris, John and Justin Markin regularly post and share their Checker experiences.

Justin Markin’s current ride

Dave Powers and Connie Wilson Powers regularly posted in our club and have been very supportive of the growth of our club over the last several years.  Connie’s father Steve Wilson was President of the CCCofA back in the mid 90’s, their support means a lot.  Recently posted by David  “THIS IS THE CLUB! This is the only club! I don’t care what they say, publish, threaten, or do. It does not affect me or our car or what I view as the checker car club that I enjoy being a member”.

David Powers and Connie Wilson Powers still own Steve Wilson’s Checker

640 strong, we’re active

Checker shows, as noted in our mailing we’re just starting to expand beyond internet activity.  That said we have already had several mini events.

This past year we met in Chicago. Dave Elmore showed in a mint green 1965 Marathon. Dave is the father of longtime Checker fan and automotive writer Chad Elmore.  Matt and Leanne Thomas showed up with the entire young family in tow with their impressive 1965 Marathon.

The Thomas Family

Last year we had a big turnout at Das Awkscht Fescht.  Doug & Carol Klauck with their pristine 1972 A12 along with Chris Hutter and his family with his cool A11. On the second day Jim & Nicole Rogers participated with two Checker both in taxi livery style, cab one a classic NYC, cab two a multi colored GWB (George Washington Bridge) cab.

Victor Coiro, Jim Rogers and Bruce Uhrich

Charity work our members help those who need help, whenever possible our members support charitable activities and proudly display their Checkers.  Several weeks ago our UK agent Stephen Disbrowe went on a special mission with his Checker. He delivered approximately $500 worth of dog and cat food, bedding and toys for the local animal shelter. The money to buy the items was donated by staff at his office. Stephen posted a video of the event, according to Stephen “it was a pleasure to deliver the items”.

A Checker going to the dogs

Checker’s in general, all we can say is, man we have some very cool Checkers in our club. Last week in a show of support members posted photos of their Checker on one face book stream. The photos were spectacular. Rick Burgen, Andy Taylor, Will Brandum, Emerson Zentz, Gerry LaPierre and Brandon Burns post some really neat photos one on string. Our group owns, maintains and has restored some of the finest Checkers in the world.

Checker Cab Club group members cars

Organization, we don’t have one. No president and no board, nowhere in the definition of a club do I see a preconceived notion of what constitutes a standard club organizations governance or cadence.  We’re just a group of people who want to have fun.

I hope this article demonstrates that we are a true club .  We are a vibrant group of Checker fans.  Thanks to all who make this group the best Checker Cab club in the world.

The post A True Club appeared first on Checker Cab Club.