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- 1925 Yellow Cab Taxicab - John D. Hertz founded Chicago's Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company in 1915. While taxi operators could order their cabs in any color, yellow was popular because it so easily caught the attention of potential customers. General Motors bought Yellow Cab in 1925 and discontinued taxicab production in 1929. Hertz went on to form the rental car company that bore his name.
- 1925
- Collections - Artifact
1925 Yellow Cab Taxicab
John D. Hertz founded Chicago's Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company in 1915. While taxi operators could order their cabs in any color, yellow was popular because it so easily caught the attention of potential customers. General Motors bought Yellow Cab in 1925 and discontinued taxicab production in 1929. Hertz went on to form the rental car company that bore his name.
- 1917 Ford Model T Taxicab - The ever-versatile Ford Model T could be adapted for taxicab service. Taxi drivers appreciated the same qualities that made the Model T so appealing to private owners: its low price and modest operating costs. This cab features a landaulet body -- with a fixed roof for the driver and a convertible roof for the passengers.
- 1917
- Collections - Artifact
1917 Ford Model T Taxicab
The ever-versatile Ford Model T could be adapted for taxicab service. Taxi drivers appreciated the same qualities that made the Model T so appealing to private owners: its low price and modest operating costs. This cab features a landaulet body -- with a fixed roof for the driver and a convertible roof for the passengers.
- Jones Taximeter, 1903 - The term "taxi" comes from "taximetre" -- the French word for a meter that measures distance and calculates a fare. Invented in 1891, these meters were widely used in European cabs by 1900. This example, designed by Joseph W. Jones and first used in 1903, is believed to be the first taximeter put into public use in the United States.
- 1902-1903
- Collections - Artifact
Jones Taximeter, 1903
The term "taxi" comes from "taximetre" -- the French word for a meter that measures distance and calculates a fare. Invented in 1891, these meters were widely used in European cabs by 1900. This example, designed by Joseph W. Jones and first used in 1903, is believed to be the first taximeter put into public use in the United States.
- Model A-4 Checker Taxicab, 1950 - Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. Its 1950 offering was the Model A-4, pictured here. Checker's purpose-built taxicabs were spacious, with roomy back seats and large trunks. They offered convenient point-to-point transportation to paying customers in cities around the country.
- 1950
- Collections - Artifact
Model A-4 Checker Taxicab, 1950
Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. Its 1950 offering was the Model A-4, pictured here. Checker's purpose-built taxicabs were spacious, with roomy back seats and large trunks. They offered convenient point-to-point transportation to paying customers in cities around the country.
- Model F Checker Taxicab, 1924 - Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. Checker's 1924 Model F cab was distinguished by its slanted windshield. Standard equipment included a dome light, a heater, a horn, a spare tire, a jack, and a tool kit.
- 1924
- Collections - Artifact
Model F Checker Taxicab, 1924
Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. Checker's 1924 Model F cab was distinguished by its slanted windshield. Standard equipment included a dome light, a heater, a horn, a spare tire, a jack, and a tool kit.
- Model L Checker Taxicab, 1930 - Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. In 1928 more than one-third of the taxis in New York City were Checker vehicles. But, by the time this Model L was photographed two years later, the Great Depression had arrived and Checker's growth had slowed.
- 1930
- Collections - Artifact
Model L Checker Taxicab, 1930
Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. In 1928 more than one-third of the taxis in New York City were Checker vehicles. But, by the time this Model L was photographed two years later, the Great Depression had arrived and Checker's growth had slowed.
- Right-Hand Drive English Taxicab - Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. This 1922 Checker Model C featured a landaulet body and right-hand drive. It was built for export to Great Britain.
- Collections - Artifact
Right-Hand Drive English Taxicab
Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. This 1922 Checker Model C featured a landaulet body and right-hand drive. It was built for export to Great Britain.
- Model 2-A Checker Taxicab, 1948 - Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. The Model A-2, introduced in February 1947, was Checker's first new model since World War II. Essentially, the A-2 was a reissue of Checker's prewar Model A, but with updated styling. Nevertheless, the A-2 remained in production until 1955.
- 1948
- Collections - Artifact
Model 2-A Checker Taxicab, 1948
Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. The Model A-2, introduced in February 1947, was Checker's first new model since World War II. Essentially, the A-2 was a reissue of Checker's prewar Model A, but with updated styling. Nevertheless, the A-2 remained in production until 1955.
- Model E Checker Taxicab, 1923 - Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. Checker's Model E was available either as a five-passenger sedan, or as a landaulet with a convertible roof over the passenger compartment. Each version was powered by a four-cylinder engine supplied by Buda Engine of Illinois.
- 1923
- Collections - Artifact
Model E Checker Taxicab, 1923
Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. Checker's Model E was available either as a five-passenger sedan, or as a landaulet with a convertible roof over the passenger compartment. Each version was powered by a four-cylinder engine supplied by Buda Engine of Illinois.
- Model K Checker Taxicab, 1928 - Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. Introduced in October 1928, Checker's Model K boasted sleek lines that departed from the boxy look of its predecessors. It featured a six-cylinder engine and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. The stylish Model K was priced at $2,500.
- 1928
- Collections - Artifact
Model K Checker Taxicab, 1928
Morris Markin formed Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. The company manufactured taxicabs at its plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, until 1982. Introduced in October 1928, Checker's Model K boasted sleek lines that departed from the boxy look of its predecessors. It featured a six-cylinder engine and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. The stylish Model K was priced at $2,500.