Checker cab, Forest Ave and Manor Road, Westerleigh, Staten Island.
At the height of the vehicle’s popularity in the roaring 20’s, there were as many as 8,000 Checker cabs plying the roads of New York City. The Checker cab virtually ruled the roads from 1921 to the late 1970s, outlasting many other popular taxi types that included cabs made by DeSoto, Packard, Plymouth and earlier taxi models manufactured by Ford (the Galaxy) and Chevrolet (the Bel Air and Caprice).
In 1982, the Checker Motors Company of Kalamazoo, MI ceased production of the Checker cab, signaling the beginning of the end for the vehicle made world famous in many New York City-set movies, such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Sleepless in Seattle. NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission
The last Checker in active service was retried July 26, 1999, though you still some in the streets owned by enthusiasts, like this one. Checker Motors went out of business in 2010.
7 comments
I remember well riding in these. The little jump seats behind the front seat were really cool to kids. Not so much to adults…..
Hate to be picayune, but that looks like Forest Ave and Manor Road in West Brighton, about half a mile east of Jewett Ave…
You got it
Look at the fare rates!! There about three Checkers driving around Bay Ridge that are used in movie productions. Jump seats and all the rest. I think the meters are handed cranked….kidding.
There’s another one that I see often in the Midwood area (it’s not in as good condition as this one). It’s often parked near the old NBC studios on Ave M, I work right around the corner.
Wow… check out the fare!
Enjoyed the photos! Spent lots of yrs in Rosebank and Fort wadsworth.
My grandmother lived on St. John’s Ave. and my Grandmother Gilroy lived on Hope Ave.
Wondering if you have any pictures of the mansion @30 Belair Rd where the mansion was!