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03/10/2026 1:45 pm
Arriving in an NYC Checker Marathon taxi. According to the cabbie license, it was driven by Seamus O'Toole (another bit if whimsy from George Bojaciuk). Note: O'Toole's license expired in 1963. The cab sports 1964 NY World's Fair plates, but this model is probably a 1963 or a bit older. Under the hood is a Continental flathead 6 cylinder (1959-1963) mated to a 3 speed manual with floor shifter. What is now a very rare survivor engine, it was phased out at the end of the '63 production and was succeeded by the 226 OHV Chevy 6 usually mated to a Powerglide automatic with options anywhere from their 283 up to a 350 V8. These Checkers were made for NYC potholes with an indestructible suspension and a Dana 44 rear axle. The last Marathom was built in 1982.
This Franklin Mint comes complete with an array of George's accessories and, all in all, a very well done and contented replica.
This topic was modified 6 days ago 5 times by Rich Sufficool
03/10/2026 6:00 pm
I remember my first visit to NYC in 2001 catching a yellow cab 'Crown Victoria' from JFK to Upper Manhattan it was a rattler, but boy did him move it along, when he could 
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Geno and Rich Sufficool reacted
03/10/2026 6:25 pm
grandpa looks like he might have got into a bit of a dust up with the driver over the fare!
Nah, great pics all Rich, thanks
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Topic starter
03/10/2026 7:25 pm
@diecast1-24cars The Crown Vics with the blacked out grills are converted used cop cars so, yeah, they're rattletraps on those crappy Manhattan streets.
Geno reacted
03/10/2026 7:34 pm
Rich, another great read. Great model too.💯👍
grockwood and Rich Sufficool reacted