Engines
| Six-cylinder engines | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model Years | Layout | Size | Fuel system | Power | Origin | Notes |
| 1961-1964 | L-head I6 | 226 cu in (3,707 cc) | single carb | 80 hp (60 kW) at 3,100 rpm | Continental | Sedans only until 1963 |
| 1961-1962 | OHV I6 | 226 cu in (3,707 cc) | single carb | 122 hp (91 kW) at 4,000 rpm | Continental | Station Wagon only |
| 1963-1964 | OHV I6 | 226 cu in (3,707 cc) | 2-bbl carb | 141 hp (105 kW) at 4,400 rpm | Continental | $57 option |
| 1965-1968 | OHV I6 | 230 cu in (3,769 cc) | single carb | 140 hp (104 kW) at 4,400 rpm | Chevrolet | base |
| 1969-1970 | OHV I6 | 250 cu in (4,095 cc) | 2-bbl carb | 155 hp (116 kW) at 4,200 rpm | Chevrolet | base |
| 1971-1972 | 145 hp (108 kW) at 4,200 rpm | 110 hp SAE net | ||||
| 1973-1975 | 100 hp (75 kW) at 3,600 rpm | low-comp, EGR | ||||
| 1976 | single carb | 105 hp (78 kW) at 3,800 rpm | 8.2:1 | |||
| 1977-1979 | 110 hp (82 kW) at 3,800 rpm | 8.3:1 | ||||
| 1980 | OHV V6 | 229 cu in (3,751 cc) | 2-bbl carb | 115 hp (86 kW) at 4,000 rpm | Chevrolet | |
| 1981-1982 | 110 hp (82 kW) at 4,200 rpm | |||||
| V8 engines | ||||||
| 1965-1967 | OHV V8 | 283 cu in (4,638 cc) | 2-bbl carb | 195 hp (145 kW) at 4,800 rpm | Chevrolet | |
| 1966-1968 | OHV V8 | 327 cu in (5,354 cc) | 4-bbl carb | 250 hp (186 kW) at 4,400 rpm | Chevrolet | 10.5:1 |
| 1969 | 235 hp (175 kW) at 4,800 rpm | 9.0:1 | ||||
| 1968 | OHV V8 | 307 cu in (5,025 cc) | 2-bbl carb | 200 hp (149 kW) at 4,600 rpm | Chevrolet | |
| 1969 | OHV V8 | 350 cu in (5,733 cc) | 4-bbl carb | 300 hp (224 kW) at 4,800 rpm | Chevrolet | 10.25:1 |
| 1970 | 250 hp (186 kW) at 4,500 rpm | 9.0:1 | ||||
| 1971-1972 | 245 hp (183 kW) at 4,800 rpm | 9.0:1, 165 hp SAE net | ||||
| 1973-1976 | 2-bbl carb | 145 hp (108 kW) at 4,000 rpm 145 hp (108 kW) at 3,800 rpm |
8.5:1, EGR catalyzed from 1975 |
|||
| 1977 | 4-bbl carb | 170 hp (127 kW) at 3,800 rpm | 8.5:1 | |||
| 1978-1979 | 160 hp (119 kW) at 3,800 rpm | 8.2:1 | ||||
| 1977-1979 | OHV V8 | 305 cu in (4,999 cc) | 2-bbl carb | 145 hp (108 kW) at 3,800 rpm | Chevrolet | 8.5:1, 8.4:1 after 1978 |
| 1980 | 155 hp (116 kW) at 4,000 rpm | 8.6:1 | ||||
| 1981 | 150 hp (112 kW) at 3,800 rpm | 8.6:1, higher torque | ||||
| 1980 | OHV V8 | 268 cu in (4,390 cc) | 2-bbl carb | 120 hp (89 kW) at 3,600 rpm | Chevrolet | |
| 1981-1982 | 115 hp (86 kW) at 4,000 rpm | electronic feedback carb | ||||
| 1980 | OHV V8 | 350 cu in (5,737 cc) | diesel | 125 hp (93 kW) at 3,600 rpm | Oldsmobile | |
| 1981-1982 | 105 hp (78 kW) at 3,200 rpm | improved «DX» version |
Classic New York City Taxicab
Main article: Checker Taxi
Checker Marathon badge
1963-1967 Checker Marathon A12W Wagon
A version of the Marathon was, during its production run, the taxicab of choice for New York City and many other American cities. The size of the car (seating many passengers), the robust construction, the lack of yearly changes to the styling (simplifying parts management), and the bolt-on rear quarter panels all contributed to the Marathon’s ubiquity on the streets of Manhattan. For example, virtually any film set in New York City in the 1970s or 1980s will show a Checker Marathon. A knowledgeable Checker viewer, however, will note that many 1950s and 1960s movie scenes use Checker cabs built in the 1970s and early 1980s, since the bodies were virtually the same, and due to the lack of usable early specimens.
History
The Marathon was introduced in September 1960 for the 1961 model year, superseding the Checker Superba Custom and differing from the Superba with its better interior appointments. Originally, it retained the Superba’s A10 body code whereas A9 was the code used for taxis. The exterior of the Marathon had a full width egg crate grille, differing from the Superba’s narrower grille and inboard parking lights. After a minor facelift for 1963, chassis codes changed to A11 for taxis and A12 for passenger versions. Also in 1963 appeared the Marathon Town Custom, a limousine version on a longer (129 versus 120 inches) wheelbase. This version, which seated eight, received the A19E chassis code. A few years later, this was changed to A12E.
1975 Checker A12 Marathon, rear view
With the exception of United States government mandated 5 mph bumpers in 1974 and ongoing mechanical changes, the Marathon remained virtually unchanged during its 21-year production run. The final Marathon was manufactured in 1982, when Checker exited the automobile manufacturing business. The company continued operation at partial capacity making Cadillac parts for General Motors until January 2009 when it declared bankruptcy
Notably, the Marathon’s front suspension A-frames interchange with a 1956 Ford. The engines used were originally Continental-built L-head inline-sixes (OHV units for the wagons), but these were exchanged for Chevrolet sixes and small-block V8s for the 1965 model year. These continued to change as Chevrolet introduced changes, peaking with the 1969 L-48 350 V8 which produced 300 hp (224 kW) (gross). By 1973, power for the 350 had decreased to 145 hp (108 kW) and in 1975 catalytic converters were introduced. For 1980 the engine lineup was changed entirely, with a 3.8 litre V6 replacing the old inline unit, and a smaller 267 ci (4.4 L) standard V8. The big news was the Oldsmobile LF9 engine, a 350 cu in (5,737 cc) diesel V8.
