Handmade Tin Classic New York City Taxi Model
In 1922, Checker Motors Company of Kalamazoo, Mich., makes the first Checker taxicabs. In the 1970's, there were about 5,000 Checkers make up almost half of New York City's taxi fleet. In 1982, production ceases for economic reasons. By 1993, there were only 10 Checker cabs left in New York. July 26, 1999, the last day of New York's last Checker cab, as the owner, Mr. Johnson prepared to retire. Our model not only tells the great story of the Checker taxicabs, but it also reminds us of the NYC's icon, the yellow cab, which is falling in number due to fierce competition from rideshares such as Uber, Grap...You may not see them as often in a few more years. This model is 100% handmade out of tin and hand-painted yellow with checker symbols along both sides and on the roof. Features: - 100% handmade out of tin - Taxi sign on the rooftop - Checker symbols along both sides and on the roof - Turnable black-painted wheels - Handpainted yellow It's a great item for office decoration or any passionate collectors.
History
By1920, there were two dominant taxi companies in Chicago, Checker Taxi, and Yellow Cab Company. Checker Taxi became the first cab company to hire African-American drivers and first to require that drivers pick up all fares, not just European-American ones. Yellow Cab Company was sold to Parmelee Transportation Company which made Parmelee, which includes Yellow Cab and Checker Taxi, the largest cab company in the United States in 1940.