1947-1949 Model A2 Introduced in the fall of 1947 the design would serve Checker until December of 1954. Styled
by Raymond Dietrich the Checker has many styling features similar to Chrysler and General Motors vehicles of the day. Easy identifiers:
- Flat bumpers with art deco bumper guards
- 60 box egg crate grille
- Chrome strip around the greenhouse
- Contoured rocker panels.
The pontoon fenders that wrap into the doors are a styling feature consistent with many high end cars of the day such as Cadillac’s or Lincolns
Introduced in the fall of 1949 the design was a continuation of the Model A2. That said, there were significant changes made warranting a model change. Easy identifiers:
- Massive wrap around bumpers similar to the 40’s era Cadillac
- 40 box egg crate grille
- Increased windshield size
- Beltline lowered on doors to increase the size of the side windows
- Modified rear fender wheel opening3 with chrome fender guard
- Chrome around the greenhouse eliminate
- Contoured rocker panels removed, new flat rocker with a thick chrome strip.
Introduced in the fall of 1952 the design was a continuation of the Model A4. That said, there were significant changes made warranting a model change. Easy identifiers:
- Vertical 40 box egg crate grille eliminated in place a five horizontal bars
- Rear roof section increased in height in order to improve passenger headroom
Introduced in the fall of 1955 this design is a major departure from Checker styling of the past. The boxy design utilized a slab slide styling similar of the 1949 Ford. The front grille has a hint of Packard horse collar grille. Many exterior parts are from the parts bin of other car makers Easy identifiers:
- Single headlights housed in Willys bezels
- Parking lights supplied by the Kaiser Henry J
- Tail lights supplied by the 1954 Pontiac Station Wagon
- Model A4 and A6 hood ornament
- Unique body lines in the hood
- Chrome strips on the top of the door line
Introduced in the fall of 1958 this design is a major modification of the Model A8 Despite popular belief this Checker does not share any exterior body panels with the Model A8. Biggest change: a flatter roof and larger rear window openings. Easy identifiers:
- Dual Headlights
- New hood, fenders and rocker panels with sculpted body line
- Egg crate grille
- Parking lights housed in starburst grille section
- Model A4 and A6 hood ornament eliminated
- Chrome strips on the top of the door line eliminated
- New Checker hood emblem
Introduced in the summer of 1959 this design is essentially a A9 built for the consumer market. Differences between the A9 is purely exterior paint scheme and interior trim.
Introduced for1961 this design is essentially an A9 built for the consumer market. It also represents a higher end version of the Checker. Differences between the A9 and Superba A10 is the chrome strip that runs from the fender thru the doors. The Marathon offered higher end interior trim and a Marathon only dash board.
1962-1967 Checker Model A12 Marathon
Only a well trained eye can see the difference made in 1962:
- Parking lights moved to the outboard fenders
- The front splash pan was eliminated
- Bumpers were raised up and fenders were altered accordingly
- The bumper now as a dip at the center to house a license plate.
- Door seam between front and rear doors eliminated
1967-1972 Checker Model A12 Marathon
Only a well trained eye can see the difference made in 1967:
- Front and Rear windshields were increased in size to improve
- Side marker lights were added in 1969
Two major changes
- Federally mandated hydraulic bumpers note the extension forward by about 6 inches
- Parking lights upgraded
Two major changes
- Massive Aluminum bumpers
- Varying option on chrome or silver painted exterior parts (grille and tail light doors)
- Wire Wheel covers
- Padded vinyl roofs
- Two tone paint jobs
- Leather interiors
- Rubber chrome strips
- Painted bumpers
- Oval Opera Windows
- Varying option on chrome or silver painted exterior parts (grille and tail light doors)
