Checker Aerobus
| Checker Aerobus | ||
|---|---|---|
Curb weight | 2,010–2,305 kg (4,431–5,082 lb) | |
The Checker Aerobus is an
Technical Specifications
It was offered as seven- (including the tailgate) or nine-door station wagon (A12W), and as a six- or eight-door sedan (A12E) The shorter wheelbases seated 9 people, while the longer models seated 12 people and their luggage.
Unlike the standard Marathon (which used a
Standard equipment for 1966 included three-speed manual transmission, power brakes, windshield washer, and a front stabilizer bar. [3] For 1969, the bigger 350 engine (5.7 L) took over, with 200 hp. Output climbed to 215 hp (160 kW) for 1971, or 155 hp SAE net.
By 1974, intended to be the last year for the Aerobus as Checker ended production of the station wagons, the power was increased to 160 hp (119 kW), using a four-barrel carb instead of the two-barrel seen in the Marathons. Available only with an automatic and with standard power steering, top speed for a 1974 is 99 mph (160 km/h).[4]
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Special Models
Convoy
Marketing material mentioned a special prisoner transport version of the Aerobus called the Convoy ("a twelve passenger security van"). The front passenger seat was rear-facing for a guard, and there was a security screen between the front compartment and the rear. Three bench seats were arranged in the rear, two along the side and one forward facing.[5] No evidence exists of any Convoys actually being sold.
Ambulance
An artist rendering of a possible Aerobus Ambulance shows that Checker was interested in catering to the medical transport market. The depiction shows a short wheelbase station wagon (six-door) body, with the rear most doors closed off with extended rear fenders. The advertisement included a coupon to mail back to the company with expressed interest. As there is no record of any ambulance being built, it appears that there was little interest.[6]
Aerobus 15
After building no Aerobus models in 1975, Checker realized that there still was a market for extended Marathon based vehicles. The Aerobus 15 was the result, being based on the long-wheelbase standard Marathon A12E sedan (with a 9-inch longer rear door). This allowed room for jump-seats ahead of the last row of seating, increasing the carrying capacity to 15 people. Additionally, the rear-axle was of a heavy-duty truck style with 8-lugs. A total of 60 were built in 1976, and a further 47 were built in 1977.[7]
End of Production
Production of the short-wheelbase versions, always considerably lower than the longer ones, ended with the 1969 model year. The final Aerobus 15 models ended production in 1977 and no further extended length Checkers were produced.
References
- ^ Niedermeyer, Paul (2022-03-24). "Engine History: 1959-1963 Checker Continental OHV 226 Six – The Only Extinct Post-War Engine?". Curbside Classic. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
- ^ a b Quattroruote Speciale: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1967 (in Italian). Milano: Editoriale Domus. February 1967. p. 59.
- ^ "1966 Checker Aerobus Specs-01". Archived from the original on 2014-10-26. Retrieved 2014-10-26.
- ^ Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 74/75 (in Italian). Milano: Editoriale Domus. 1974. p. 106.
- ^ "Checker Convoy" (PDF). Retrieved August 9, 2022.
- ^ "Checker Ambulances, Some Historical Perspective". Internet Checker Taxicab Archive. 2020-05-27. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
- ^ "The Biggest Checker Ever!". Internet Checker Taxicab Archive. 2016-01-17. Retrieved 2022-08-09.