Celebrate a legendary piece of American automotive history with this vintage-inspired Checker Motors t-shirt. The iconic logo features a distressed, cracked finish that honors the company's storied legacy as the "Standard of Industry" in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Checker Motors Corporation began its journey when Russian immigrant Morris Markin, who had arrived in America with just $1.65 in his pocket, started the company in 1921 after acquiring Commonwealth Motors and merging it with his Markin Automobile Body shop. The operation moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1923 when Markin purchased two automobile factories previously operated by Dort Motor Car Company and Handley-Knight. This relocation was influenced by both Leeland F. Goodspell, an engineer who refused to move to Chicago, and the increasingly violent "taxi wars" in Chicago, during which Markin's home had been bombed a year earlier.
From these humble beginnings, Checker Motors grew to become an iconic American institution. The company reached its peak in 1962, producing 8,173 vehicles in that year alone, with the legendary Checker Marathon becoming the quintessential American taxicab. Known for their exceptional durability and distinctive design with the signature checkerboard trim, these vehicles dominated urban landscapes across America for decades. The company's manufacturing excellence continued even after taxi production ended, as Checker maintained a profitable business producing parts for other manufacturers, including General Motors. This industrial legacy lasted for 87 years until the Checker Motor Company officially went out of business on January 14, 2010, with the sale of its Kalamazoo headquarters, marking the end of one of America's last independent automobile manufacturers.
Product Details:
- Premium Gildan 5000 t-shirt
- 5.3 oz, 100% preshrunk cotton for superior comfort
- Tear-away label for maximum comfort
- Classic unisex fit that works for everyone
- Available in sizes S-5XL
- Multiple color options available
- Front logo only (back is blank)
- Crafted using cutting-edge direct-to-garment printing technology for exceptional durability and detail
Perfect for automotive enthusiasts or anyone looking to own a piece of American industrial history. This shirt doesn't just celebrate a car—it commemorates a company that embodied American ingenuity, craftsmanship, and perseverance for nearly a century.