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Old 05-22-2007, 08:48 PM   #4
Mike Mayhew
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Savannah Ga.
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If you are speaking of Checker Cabs, the very early ones (around WWII )came with lycoming and continental motors.
Then later most that I know of were straight 6 and then later, V-8 GM motors. I never saw anything except GM motors in the ones I worked on.
I did some work for Checker Motor Co. in the late.....well, several years ago. And I can tell you that the story of the Checker Motor Co. is pretty intriguing. It seems at times everyone that was anyone had a hand in the Car Co. From E.L. Cord, to...can't remember the name, but the guy that designed the Tucker.
Checker actually built tracked vehicles in WWII, jeeps, and a neat looking convertable. They built trucks, and bullit proof cars for government officials. I think Bonny and Clyde or someone like that always used a Checker.
The big three wanted a bigger share, and tried to squeeze them out in the 60's, with rumored payoff's to senators to change some gov. regs. and etc.
It was rumored by insiders that the Union put pressure on the owner ( family owned since the 30's ) including death threats if he didn't copitulate to their demands ( what they were--I don't know ) so they shut the doors in the early 80's.

OK damn, what was the question ? Oh YEA...........GM motors.




Mike ( madness & ) Mayhem

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