Description
Checker Aerobus Station Wagon 12-Seater 1964
- Very rare
- 5. 1-litre Dodge V8
- 12-seater (9 on registration)
- Restored
- Luxury interior with leather upholstery
- Three electrically operated sunroofs
- Power steering and air conditioning
- Ideal marketing vehicle
- Available at extra cost or separately: 2 other Checkers for restoration
HISTORY/ DOCUMENTATION
Purely rare: this Checker Aerobus, of which only 3, 341 were built. It is unknown how many are still on the road, but it is certain that this is a very special vehicle. Certainly a restored example such as this one in Europe. The Aerobus was developed to serve as a shuttle bus at the airport and therefore has no fewer than nine doors, twelve seats and a spacious boot. This example is an early model and was exported from the United States to Munich, Germany, in 2004. Here, the car was thoroughly restored, putting it in good condition. The car has been registered with a Dutch number plate since 2023. The car comes with import documents, old advertisements and old photos from both its time in Germany and in the United States.
EXTERIOR
No expense has been spared in restoring this Checker. The bodywork has been sandblasted and repainted in beautiful white paintwork. Subtle striping has been applied to the side. Most of the chrome has been renewed and is in normal condition with signs of wear. The rubbers have also been renewed, as have the wheels. At the time, the car, with a length of 6. 70 metres, was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest production car ever.
INTERIOR
The interior has also been refurbished, with the seats reupholstered in dark blue leather instead of imitation leather. No fewer than four seats can accommodate three people, giving a total of 12 passengers. The air conditioning system was quite unique for its time. The car also has three electrically operated sunroofs.
TECHNICAL
Dodge's 5. 1-litre V8 engine delivers around 200 hp and a top speed of 135 km/ h, which is respectable for a kerb weight of 2, 400 kg. The master brake cylinders, wheel brake cylinders and brake pads have been renewed. The brake hoses and brake lines, the clutch, the power steering and the power steering support have been replaced. The underside and under the bonnet, the Checker is in good, solid condition. The car has a manual 3-speed gearbox (steering gear) and drives, shifts and brakes well.
GENERAL
The Checker Motors Company was founded in 1921 and built cars until 1982. The Aerobus was unique in size at the time and was available as a 9-seater or 12-seater saloon or estate car. The model was developed as an airport shuttle bus, but was also used for other purposes, such as an ambulance, prisoner transport, taxi or marketing car at Disney World. Nowadays, an Aerobus is very rare, especially in good condition. It is an ideal marketing car for hotel or party transport, for example.
