CHECKER TAXI. The Checker Taxi Cab’s history begins with a man called Morris Markin, he began his Am
The Checker Taxi Cab’s history begins with a man called Morris Markin, he began his American dream when he left his own country, Russia, at the age of 19, and he moved to Chicago and lived there with some relatives.
At first he started been a tailor but later because a friend who has a car manufacturing couldn’t pay him back his debt he was the new owner of his company, so now his new business name was Markin Auto Body Corporation. In short time it was the American boom.
Checker Taxi Cab Company summary
Morris Markin who was a tailor in Illinois began to be the owner of the “Commonwealth Motors” (a bodywork factory), wich sold vehicles with the brand name of “Mogul” to taxi companies. Checker Taxi Cab was another business of taxis in Chicago that made big orders of Mogul taxis to Markin. But because this company was almost in bankruptcy, Markin merged both companies with the name of “Checker Cab Manufacturing Company.”
John Hertz was a strong competition for Markin, but in the end Markin had more success than Hertz in the business of the Taxi Cabs. Markin following the model of Hertz made his drivers to wear a uniform and made them to have the same rates.
In 1920 the fare competition between the two business was stronger than before and even Markin home was bombed. So this made Markin to buy “Dort Motor Car Company” a car factory and moved with his Checker Taxi Cab Company to Michigan. And something very interesting was that Markin Company was the first one having Afro-American drivers and very first that required to pick up any kind of passenger and not just white people.
In 1929 Hertz sold his company “Yellow Cab” to “Parmalee Transportation Company” and after a short time Markin was the owner of the third part of both companies. Then appeared another competition by the General Motors with the brand name “Terminal Taxi Cab,” it brought a new rates war in New York City between these two companies. The mayor of New York City, Jimmy Walker created the “New York Taxi Cab Commission,” in this way there wasn’t any other rates war, because the rates were made but the law.
Markin sold the Checker Taxi Cab Company but he bought it again in 1936. Besides the Checker cars, Markin made truck bodies for Hudson and Ford trucks full of taxis for transport. He was a very important part of the vehicle and taxi cab business.
Checker Taxi Cab Characteristics and changes
The first Checker Taxi Cab had a Continental 6 cylinder engine in line with only 80 HP. But from 1965 the Checker was assembly with Chevrolet engines and transmissions.
The new base engine was a 6-cylinder and 140 HP. Alternatively you could choose a 4.637cc V8 and 195 HP. Later a V-8 255 HP 5.358cc.
This vehicle was really appreciated by drivers because it had the capacity to take more passengers.
Vehicle’s repair and parts were cheap.
In 1959 they had double headlights. In 1964 the Continental engine change by Chevrolet. And in 1968 they stop using the brakes and wheels Studebaker.
In 1970 Morris Markin passed away at the age of 77 and his son David Markin is who replaces him as the head of Checker Taxi Cab Company.
Checker Taxi Cab final Story
The 70’s was a very difficult time for all business because the American government imposed very high standards of safety and engine efficiency in the industry. It was very hard for Checker Taxi Cab Company since they didn’t have enough budget for development and research. The vehicles quality was decreasing and the material became more vulnerable to car crashes.
Sadly in 1981 this company had his first and very big loss in more than 50 years. And started huge problems with the Union. The Union was the cause why so many companies closed. So after much effort to keep the company alive David Markin announced in April 1982 that the plant would close in July after 60 years. The Union didn’t believe it and did not give, so the company closed.
In 1999 the Checker Taxi Cabs were retired from New York because the car didn’t comply the new legislation regarding gas emission concerns. The last checker model was sold in 1978. Without doubt this vehicle did so much good to the community and the transportation needs of the people on that time.
