The Checker Taxi Stand

littlekings · Guest

Where is a good source for used checkers? I have only seen 1 or 2 websites. There has to be a yard full of old cabs somewhere??
Is there a model that is easier to find parts for? Are there models to avoid like the plague?
I have been kicking around getting an old car or pickup for several years and suddenly I realized how neat it'd be to own one of these old horses.
Thanks, Tim

john_w · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject:

Tim,

The best place to find one is right here on the web site from a club member.

If you haven't browsed the Classified Ads, there were some really nice ones for about $10K (David's and Louise's) ... you couldn't find a driver and make it that nice for the same money unless you own a body shop.

The only "dealers" in Checkers are Joe Pollard (Checker Parts in CA), Erich Lachmann (in NYC) and a place down in Texas. They will have nice cars but they will be priced accordingly. Joe has a "recycling facility" with a lot of cars and is the primary source of used (and some new) parts.

If you haven't already done so, take the time to read the "Buying 1st Checker" article in the left side club menu. Lot's of good advice ... I wrote it after buying two personally, helping a friend buy one, and chasing all over the country after a few more I did not buy. If nothing else, it will help you decide if you want an early model or a late model and give you an idea of what to check.

John W

Guest · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 9:43 pm Post subject:

Junk yards full of old cars are a thing of the past. Most states and counties are doing their best to regulate them out of existence. These days you are lucky to find 10 - 15 year old cars in a junk yard. A lot of junk yards only have the last ten years or less. I probably have 10 junk yards within 50 miles of me and only 2 of them have cars more than 10 years old.

Which is really kind of strange if you take the time to think about it ... there are a lot of 10 -20 year old cars still on the roads outside the major coast cities. An old car may not be as fuel efficient (in terms of gas per mile) as a new one but a lot of energy was used building the car in the first place ... and keeping an old car on the road in good running condition avoids the energy, oil (look at all the oil based plastic in the new ones), and enviromental costs to build a new one (assembly lines use electricity and most electricity in this contry still comes from coal) ... it may be a net energy / environmental savings when the manufacturing energy costs are considered.

Long answer saying you are very unlikely to find a salvageable Checker in a junk yard ... a back yard, garage or barn, possibly, but not a junk yard.