Good morning! Today’s Shitbox Showdown is brought to you by the letter C, and we’ve got two American classics for you to check out. One you might associate with Ricardo Montalban, the other with Danny DeVito – unless you’re too young for both of those references, in which case you have a lot to learn.
Yesterday’s derelict German coupes sent quite a few of you running for the hills, but for the souls brave enough to stick around and actually vote, the twelve-cylinder BMW was the clear choice. It certainly presents better, and you will have an easier time getting your hands on the parts that it needs.
But for me, it has to be the Bitter SC. Everybody has a “this cheap used BMW drove me insane and into the poorhouse” story; hell, I have a minor version of that story myself, from six months of E46 ownership. But not many people get the chance to revive a barn-find rarity like that SC. And honestly, I think it’s better than those photos let on. Get it out of that storage unit, hose off the dust, and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Today’s cars take us right back into the depths of the malaise era, but they also both push the nostalgia button pretty hard. One of them looks good but is a complete mystery mechanically, and the other needs a little sprucing up – and is a complete disaster mechanically. Hey, what did you expect? Let’s check them out.
1976 Chrysler Cordoba – $7,250
Engine/drivetrain: Overhead valve V8 of unknown displacement, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Yuma, AZ
Odometer reading: 90,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
The personal luxury coupe craze may have been started by the Ford Thunderbird, but it arguably reached its peak with this car: the Chrysler Cordoba. Named after a city in Spain, this stylish coupe was sold for eight model years across two generations, and marketed as the perfect mode of transport for suave, debonair, golden-throated Mexican actors with hit TV dramas, or anyone who aspired to be such.
The first-generation Cordoba was available with one of three Chrysler V8s: the LA-block 318 and 360, and the B-block 400. The seller doesn’t say which this one has, and doesn’t provide any open-hood photos that might give clues, but based on its lack of exterior gingerbread, I’m guessing this is a fairly low-option car, and probably just has a 318. Nothing wrong with that; it’s a good engine, with lots of potential to wake it up if you so desire. The transmission is, of course, a three-speed Torqueflite automatic.
The low-option theme continues inside, with crank windows, and a vinyl bench seat in place of the Cordoba’s signature (but optional) Rich Corinthian Leather bucket seats. The good news is it’s in really good shape. The steering wheel rim is cracked, and I imagine the dash top is likewise cracked under that carpet toupee, but it’s totally presentable as is.
It’s really clean outside as well, and mercifully free of a landau vinyl top. The turbine-style wheels are an option, and they really suit it, but I’m not sold on the whitewalls. It looks like it might have a little more rake than it’s supposed to; I don’t know if the front torsion bars are sagging, or if the rear has been jacked up a bit, but I don’t think it’s supposed to be pointed downhill quite that much. It doesn’t look bad; it just doesn’t look standard.
1980 Checker Marathon – $6,000
Engine/drivetrain: 5.7 liter diesel overhead valve V8, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Odometer reading: 177,000 miles
Operational status: Turns over but won’t start
I was surprised when I started entering the tags for this car into our content management system. Usually, if a tag has been used before, a suggestion will pop up when you start typing it in. But when I started typing “Checker Marathon,” I got nothing. Could it be that this mighty paragon of practicality, a car that steadfastly refused to update its styling in the slightest for twenty-one years, one of the greatest unsung American atuomotive icons of all time, has never been mentioned here? I refuse to believe it. But if that is in fact the case, I’m proud to be the one rectifying that oversight.
Checker cars were, of course, originally designed as taxicabs, with civilian versions like this coming along later. Thus, they were built to be robust and easy to service above all else, with lots of off-the-shelf parts; the front suspension of this car is basically that of a ’50s Ford. General Motors provided the powertrains starting in the ’60s, usually Chevy inline sixes or small-block V8s, but in 1980 a new option was offered: the Oldsmobile 350 diesel V8. It is incorrectly identified in the ad as a “Buick 6.2 liter diesel,” but no such engine existed. No, this is that greatest malaise-era GM folly, an engine almost universally derided – and almost always replaced with something better. This one has somehow managed 177,000 miles, but at the moment it does not run. No great loss. Yank it out, and drop in any number of GM gasoline V8s with the Buick-Olds-Pontiac bellhousing bolt pattern; they’ll bolt right up to this car’s TH400 transmission.
The parts-bin nature of the Marathon is on full display inside, with what is obviously a GM steering column and a Chevy steering wheel (without the Chevy logo). These cars were built to be comfortable enough to spend all day in, so there’s plenty of room, and I imagine that bench seat is pretty cushy, but you won’t find much in the way of creature comforts. It does look like it has air conditioning, and some sort of stereo, but that’s about it. The front upholstery looks dirty but all right; we don’t get a photo of the back.
The Marathon’s basic shape dates back to 1956, and it remained completely unchanged except for a few tiny details from 1961 to 1982 when Checker stopped building it. This one looks a little bit special, with its vinyl top and Lincoln-style oval opera windows in place of the normal rear quarter windows. It has a vaguely funereal look, and I wonder if it might have actually been owned by a funeral home or something. Marathons were typically seen as taxis, but they appeared anywhere someone needed a good, sturdy fleet car. It has a little bit of rust along the bottom, but for its age, it’s holding up remarkably well.
Either one of these would be a lot easier to live with than yesterday’s choices, but they’re both a lot more unique than your average Charger or Chevelle. One looks pretty much ready to go, and the other is ready for whatever engine you choose to stick in it. Which one interests you more?
I don’t even need to know the details, a Checker is the coolest classic you can drive.
Not one with lame oval windows and a shitty vinyl top.
My typical visceral reaction to a malaise car applies here. But that Cordoba is at least in ok shape for what it is.
I expected to vote for the Checker, but between the dead Olds diesel and the stupid vinyl top with the stupid opera window, I’ll take the Cordoba.
IMHO Both of these are overpriced. At least the Cordoba runs, but having pass smog every two years would be a challenge here in Cali. Had enough projects in my lifetime. I can find a better value for my money than either of these. Bought an 04 Toyota Solara V6 with a sunroof, 130 k miles for $4000 couple years ago. One of the best cars I’ve ever owned. Gets 24 mpg on freeway, plenty of power..great dash design… almost thinking about buying another one! A cool coupe. Therefore I vote neither.
I too vote for the Cordoba, but like you being in CA it’s a big iffy proposition. If only CA had kept the rolling 30 year exemption to smog rules (changed in 06 I believe), my 77 Aspen wagon would still be with me and on the road.
The Cordoba looks really nice, but I’d have to pick the Checker if only for nostalgia; I was on the fence about buying one for my first car. It was in good shape and nice enough to drive, but ran on LPG making fillups a bit more of a PITA than 16 year old me was willing to accept.
Fun fact: Diesel Checkers were used to get around at the radio telescope in Green Bank, West Virginia because spark plugs would create interference with the sensitive telescope.
The Lincolnesque oval opera windows sealed the deal…for the Cordoba. Those are rare as hen’s teeth without a landau top.
Fun fact: The rear quarter panels of the Checker are replaceable. One reason they became popular as NYC taxis.
I have always wanted a Checker. Just not this checker.
The interior on the Cordoba seals it, regardless of the engine under the hood there are planty of ways to wake it up, a quick binde of Stever Dulcich’s videoes and I’ll have a nicely tuned and powerful lump under the hood. I have a strange urge to put Thuderbird wheels on it, but otherwise leave it stock looks wise. Updated modern stereo, speakers, and sound deadening and again I’ve got a cushy luxobarge cruiser. I’m gonna have to build one of these some day aren’t I?
Checkers are cool and they pull at nostalgia for me as one of my favorite childhood books had a Checker Cab in it. But that one’s rough and the Chrysler runs, is in decent shape, and looks cool. Chrysler for me today.
I was absolutely ready to vote for the super weird Marathon, but then I saw that side profile shot. Damn you rust! Damn you all to Hell!
I’m sure there are upholstery shops that can source a modern equivalent to Rich Corinthian Leather. The key to getting it today is using the full name while speaking in a practiced and non-offensive Mexican accent. If you do that, they’ll know what you want.
If that’s what you must have I’d source an original seat from a junker, and put this car’s aside for preservation. As it is I’d want to put a seat cover on it both to keep it as new as it is and to have a nicer fabric than ’70s vinyl to sit on.
Speaking of the Danny DeVito reference, it is pretty amazing the careers “Taxi” launched. None of the actors were household names before the show aired. In addition to DeVito, you had Andy Kaufman, Christopher Lloyd, “hold me closer” Tony Danza, Marilu Henner, Judd Hirsch (excellent actor if not super famous). Funny that the one character (Jeff?) who was an aspiring actor is the one that didn’t didn’t find much success afterwards.
Because not all blue berries are blueberries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_bEXeTwrC8&pp=ygUobm90IGFsbCBibHVlYmVycmllcyBhcmUgYmx1ZWJlcnJpZXMgdGF4aQ%3D%3D
Yesterday was a both day. Today, the pricing is ridiculous on the Cordoba, especially for a base model, and the Checker needs a new engine and it’s not in good enough shape otherwise to mess with although I really dig Checker Marathons. So, I’ll do like Nancy Reagan and “just say no”.
No power windows, no Martin Landau top, and no rich Corinthian leather?!?!? Despite what the badge says, that’s a Dodge Charger, not a Cordoba! I love me some PLCs, but they have to have the “L”!
The Checker intrigues me and I’ve heard tell of some monster builds using the Olds diesel block and a bunch of Olds gasser parts. And failing that, there is a plethora of GM V8’s that can be dropped into place under the hood. Plus I like the idea of a car that is actually designed to be serviced versus today’s take it to the dealer just to check the oil (fuck you, Volvo!!!).
As much as I’m a Trekkie (and I have to warn people about that, ahead of discussions… tl;dr, if you actually like the 2009+ Abramsverse stuff and most of the newer mess, Lower Decks excepted, you probably shouldn’t tell me, unless you have time for an hours-long discussion on the philosophy of Star Trek) and thus you’d think I’d go for the Cordoba…
Honestly, I’ll take the Marathon along with a tan oilcloth duster and a wide brim fedora in a heartbeat. If you ask me, it’s the ultimate Film Noir car, in my opinion (especially in station wagon form, although one can hardly be picky at this point), and I kind of like the idea of playing private eye. I used to love Sara Paretsky’s V.I. Warshawski novels, and I haven’t read the latest entries in the whizz-yourself-levels-of-funny By The Numbers series from Janet Evanovich in far, far too long (although Stephanie Plum is FAR more a walking sitcom than a proper gumshoe of any kind). Also, yeah, that head-gasket-munching diesel is going to have to go. I’ve seen that episode of Junkyard Digs! But it’s GM gear, so there’s plenty to choose from to replace it.
Speaking of sci-fi, saw Escape From New York at a local theatre the other night and all I can think of is Ernest Borgnine as the perfect post-apocalyptic hero cabbie in his indestructible Checker.
I’ve never seen that! I’ll have to look up some of the scenes.
Just remember, they did NOT make a sequel set in LA!
My father had a dark blue ’78 Cordoba with the stacked square headlights, powder blue vinyl top, and matching powder blue Corinthian leather. My uncle had a brown ’79 Cordoba with the round headlights (a better look, IMO), brown vinyl top, and cloth tan seats. Both had the 318 and the three-speed auto. My vote was a pretty obvious one.
I would really like a late production early ’80s Checker at some point, but not one with a vinyl top and that much already obvious body rot
I had a schoolboy crush on a girl whose mom drove one of these (in a gorgeous maroon), and I still remember the jumpsuits in the back. Plus, I remember NYC in the ’70s, and I still have a crush on Marilu Henner as Nardo on Taxi, so it’s gotta be the Marathon.
Don’ wanna run a Marathon / But the moon I’m ovah / ‘ never a Disco Don / But I want that Cordoba
Driving around doing your best Ricardo Montalban impression to yourself would provide minutes of entertainment. Easy choice.
THIS IS SETI ALPHA V!!!
am I doing this right?
I’ve done far worse than kill you. I’ve hurt you. And I wish to go on hurting you.
Got go with the Chrysler on this one. 6k is too much for a non-running lump even if it is a lump of nostalgia and history considering that 6k is simply the price of admission prior to all the extra cash that will have to go into making the Checker more than an interesting to look at paperweight. Also I’m a not quite old but old enough man to have a fondness for personal luxury coupes of at this point seemingly eons gone by. The legendary Ricardo Montalban’s rich Corinthian Leather Chrysler ads may be just a bit before my time, but I still gotta vote Mopar or no-car here. Just give me the full Landau top, pin striping and whitewalls special that floats down the road and practically drives itself and I’m a pretty happy dude
Barely interesting malaise era land barges at crackpot prices do not a compelling shit box showdown make. Sorry, but absolutely zero interest in either of these.
If stranded in the desert and needing to pick one of these to drive back to civilization (which is about the only use case that would warrant that amount of coin) I’d of course go for the one that actually runs. So I guess the Cordoba wins by default.
We had two Cordobas; when I was a wee lad, one white and the second burgundy on burgundy (much like the interior here, though deep cloth seats if I remember correctly).
The best thing about the burgundy one was that it had a panic button and boy would my father get pissed that I’d randomly start screaming and hitting that button, my even younger brother and sister thought it was hilarious however.
I doubt I ever saw a Cordoba that clean even in my childhood and I’m a 1976 model as well. The all steel roof seals it.