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  • A Comeback? Checker Motorcar Company

    Well.... If Checker can do it... Maybe Studebaker can do it!



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    “Custom Built Models and Retrofit Kits for Existing Models to be Produced in Unique Environment”
    Haverhill, Massachusetts (January 13, 2017) – Checker Motor Cars™ will begin production of two new designs in late 2018. “The Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act of 2015 has made it possible for us to move forward with bringing these incredible vehicles to market here in the USA,” said Checker Motor Cars™ CEO Steve Contarino. The Checker Sport Pick-up Crossover will combine the iconic Checker taxi sedan with a sport pick-up body, and a twelve (12) passenger sedan will sport six (6) doors and a design reminiscent of the Aerobus V1. The company will also offer retrofit kits for Checker vehicles currently on the road.
    Checker Motor Cars™ Manufacturing Philosophy
    All vehicles will be built in the United States. “Our challenge is taking a recognized shape and using off-the-shelf components to assemble a finished automobile,” shares Contarino. “These custom-built models of the iconic Checker Taxi will be assembled in a work cell where parts and components can be assembled progressively, without waiting for a batch or assembly line to move. This will maintain an efficient continuous flow. Cells will be configured for speed and minimal handling of parts and components, allowing for substantial savings of cost, time and parts inventory reduction. Each work station will have casters to move from vehicle to vehicle. Each move should take a matter of minutes. Our hope is to promote ease of training and teamwork.”
    Design, engineering, assembly and manufacturing will be tied directly to PLM (Product Life Management) with much of the design being outsourced to suppliers. Relying on re-use, Checker Motor Cars™ will utilize as many currently available parts as possible to keep costs down. PLM and “re-use” are the backbone of both models, giving the company the ability to offer fair value for the asking price. “Checker Motor Cars™ will not automate any component that can be made by hand,” said Contarino. “We may not have the legacy of the original Checker Motors Corporation, but the DNA we are building on here will form a very strong future. We are very excited to be among automotive icons like DeLorean and Cord who are also bringing new models to market in the USA.”
    Checker Motor Cars™ Vehicle Features
    The Sport Pick-up offers owners the conveniences of a car with added benefits of a truck bed for transporting bicycles, camping equipment and more. Four (4) full rows of seating highlight the Aerobus which will stand out in the crowd with four (4) standard length doors and two (2) extended rearward doors. The 3rd row seat will fold down to allow additional leg room when not in use. Both designs offer a retro exterior with modern automotive amenities and technology.
    The Checker Motor Cars™ goal is to offer the features below with new models, as well as to offer retrofit kits to compliment Checker automobiles currently on the road.
    • Vehicle will accept a V8 Flex-fuel engine
    • Fuel injected or Diesel option
    • Full steel frame
    • Standard rear wheel drive
    • Electronic instrument panel
    • Power windows and door locks
    • Tilt adjustable steering column
    • Composite body panels
    • Four-wheel disc brakes
    • Rack and pinion steering
    • Heavy duty climate control
    • Four-wheel coil springs
    • Composite fuel tank
    • LED lights all around
    • Right hand drive option
    • All-wheel drive option
    • Service lantern
    • First aid kit
    • Built-in 120-volt AC inverter
    • On-board jump power pack with air compressor
    • Seat belt cutter combination rescue tool
    About Checker Motor Cars
    Located 25 miles north of Boston in Haverhill, MA, the Checker Motor Cars™ facility provides a service and restoration center with on-site parts warehouse. The company is owned and operated by longtime automotive collector and enthusiast Steven Contarino. Product knowledge, superior customer service and staying current with trends in the collector car industry are the key ingredients behind Checker Motor Cars. The highly-skilled and passionate team excitedly brings technical and mechanical know-how to the Checker market. All vehicles will proudly be manufactured in the United States. To learn more about Checker Motor Cars™ and all that it has to offer, please visit us on the web at www.checkermotorcars.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/checkermotorcars or call 978-423-3770.
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    Contact:
    Cindy A. Meitle/ CAR PR USA
    480.277.1864/ cindy@carprusa.com


    Located 25 miles north of Boston in Haverhill, MA, the Checker Motor Cars™ facility provides a service and restoration center with on-site parts warehouse. The company is owned and operated by longtime automotive collector and enthusiast Steven Contarino. Product knowledge, superior customer service and staying current with trends in the collector car industry are the key ingredients behind Checker Motor Cars. The highly-skilled and passionate team excitedly brings technical and mechanical know-how to the Checker market. All vehicles will proudly be manufactured in the United States. To learn more about Checker Motor Cars™ and all that it has to offer, please visit us on the web at www.checkermotorcars.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/checkermotorcars or call 978-423-3770.
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    HTIH (Hope The Info Helps)

    Jeff


    Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please. Mark Twain



    Note: SDC# 070190 (and earlier...)

  • #2
    Their website:

    At Checker Motor Cars we have a passion for cars, not only CHECKERS, but all cars. We are fanatic about automobile history and that drives our passion to restore history and art. Our continued passion gives the customer an experience that is completely enjoyable. Our cars and services are a reflection of
    HTIH (Hope The Info Helps)

    Jeff


    Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please. Mark Twain



    Note: SDC# 070190 (and earlier...)

    Comment


    • #3
      I wonder if sufficient demand would exist to roll out a new 1963 Avanti? Made with all original blueprints and interchangeable parts with the actual originals? If Checker can do it...

      Comment


      • #4
        sigpic1957 Packard Clipper Country Sedan

        "There's nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer"
        Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle
        "I have a great memory for forgetting things" Number 1 son, Lee Chan

        Comment


        • #5
          Color me skeptical . . . . .
          Skip Lackie

          Comment


          • #6
            Evidently back in the day they made more than one of these...

            Click image for larger version

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            Comment


            • #7
              Made in Massachusetts!....It HAS to be good!

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Skip Lackie View Post
                Color me skeptical . . . . .
                It HAS to be true! They can't put anything on the innerwebs that isn't true.....can they?
                Restorations by Skip Towne

                Comment


                • #9
                  I think they should seriously consider upgrading that old, ugly design if it is to actually SELL in today's Market.

                  It sure does sound like the same old scam as the "Studebaker Motor Co." sounding like a College Business Management Training Exercise/Term Paper.
                  Last edited by StudeRich; 01-15-2017, 12:16 PM.
                  StudeRich
                  Second Generation Stude Driver,
                  Proud '54 Starliner Owner
                  SDC Member Since 1967

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Skip Lackie View Post
                    Color me skeptical . . . . .
                    My sentiments exactly Skip!
                    Paul
                    Winston-Salem, NC
                    Visit The Studebaker Skytop Registry website at: www.studebakerskytop.com
                    Check out my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/r1lark

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I still haven't forgiven them for referring to the Avanti as ugly(I believe this was when Newman & Altman were looking for investors to continue the former Studebaker production).

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Given the mortality rate of auto manufactures - even well financed companies I think I can say with a great deal of certainty that the revival of Checker will be short. There is an excellent story on Checker in today's Hemings blog. Sad but American Auto manufacturing is growing smaller every year.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          As an FYI the original Checkers were made in Kalamazoo, MI about 60 miles northeast of South Bend.

                          The last time I was there it looked like another rust belt city that had fallen on hard times after manufacturing departed.
                          Dan Peterson
                          Montpelier, VT
                          1960 Lark V-8 Convertible
                          1960 Lark V-8 Convertible (parts car)

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            The hubcaps look familiar don't they , Ed

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              The drawings look like they are actual pencil drawn renderings....so unless there is software for that i suspect the limo cutaway is an old drawing. The grey el checkerino looks shopped.

                              Fun stuff!
                              Diesel loving, autocrossing, Coupe express loving, Grandpa Architect.

                              Comment

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