The Story
This 1931 Checker "M" was originally a taxicab in Chicago. Converting rugged old cars into trucks was a common practice before WWII, and this vehicle was converted into a farm truck sometime prior to the war. As part of this conversion, the rear wheels were remade larger to increase road speed. It was used for delivery until the mid-fifties when it was retired, set outside for several years, and eventually preserved indoors. A hint of its early life can still be seen on the gas cover, which retains its original orange color. The vehicle is scheduled to undergo restoration next year.
Checker used Buda engines from 1922 until 1932. The Buda Engine Company was founded in 1881, and for nearly a century they made gasoline and diesel engines used for railroad, military, agriculture, automotive, and marine applications.
Old Checkers (pre-1956) are among the rarest of vehicles. Because they were built as taxicabs, they were almost entirely salvaged and scrapped when their service ended. Only about two dozen early Checkers are known to exist, with half of them in rough condition. This specific vehicle is exceptionally rare, as it is one of only three Model M Checkers left in existence.
There was very little public interest in Checkers until after 1960 with the introduction of the Superbas and the Marathon, when private citizens started buying them. Still, taxicabs remained the mainstay of Checker production until the end on July 12, 1982.