# Classic Cabs

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-cabs/23803>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 28, 2000, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-cabs/23803 "2000-06-28T00:00:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2000, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-cabs/23803/1 "2000-06-28T00:00:31Z")

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My question is: What make and model were the “classic” New York City cabs? The cabs that I am refering to are the ones pictured on Taxi and other shows. They appear to be similar to '57 Chevys but I find it hard to believe that they were in service until the early 1990’s. What is the Straight Dope on these cars? Were they cars manufactured specically to be NYC taxis or were they restored classics?

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**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2000, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-cabs/23803/2 "2000-06-28T00:10:47Z")

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I believe you’re referring to the Checker Marathon. Tuff wheels! They were manufactured to be taxicabs by (IIRC) the Checker Motor Company.

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**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2000, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-cabs/23803/3 "2000-06-28T00:16:03Z")

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I had it slightly wrong, it Checker Motors. When I was a hack I _really_ wanted one, but had to make do with a cop car.

Click [here](http://www.checkercabs.org/) to go to a website that’ll fill you in.