"Surprising Similarities Between Checker Marathons and Rambler Americans: A Cold Start Revelation"
Kalamazoo, Michigan, known for being the first to install curb cuts, was home to car companies like Barley Motor Car Company and Checker, famous for building New York cabs. Checker Marathons, primarily used as taxicabs, featured a massive "girder" bumper introduced in 1974, a cost-saving tactic similar to AMC's Rambler American bumpers. The Marathon's design remained unchanged from 1961 to 1982, with mechanicals sourced from the Big Three and AMC, and some versions even had vinyl roofs. The article also discusses the eight-door wagon version called the Aerobus and the unique design features of the Checker Marathon.