1965 Checker Marathon Wagon

Sold for $21,500 on 12/12/18

This 1965 Checker Marathon A12 wagon spent much of its life in California and Nevada with the original owner, from whom the seller acquired the car 14 years ago. Photographs and receipts document a 2012 refurbishment that consisted of a bare-metal repaint in Shalimar Blue, interior refreshment, and the installation of a new wiring harness and power brakes. The 350ci small block V8 and Hydramatic transmission were installed under original ownership, while maintenance performed in the last two years has included a new 4bbl double-pumper carburetor, Pertronix electronic ignition, new spark plugs and wires, and a re-cored radiator. Approximately 1,500 miles have been added by the seller, and this Marathon wagon is now being offered with records dating to the 1960s, a copy of the original invoice, factory manuals, a number of spare parts, and a clean Ohio title in the seller’s name.

Originally finished in Briargate Beige, the body received a bare-metal repaint in the Checker shade of Shalimar Blue in 2012. Work included refinishing the engine bay and repairing rust on the driver-side floor, as well as re-chroming the bumpers and trim and installing new window and door seals. The seller notes some minor chips and scratches in the finish, and the exterior and lenses are pictured up close in the gallery.

A walk-around video is provided above, and a second video shows the car with the doors and tailgate open. Painted steel wheels wear chrome caps and whitewall tires. The brakes were refreshed with turned drums, relined shoes, new cylinders, and a brake booster. A period roof rack has been added along with a rear receiver hitch out back. The rear tailgate window lock cylinder has been removed, but the window is operable and shown both open and closed below.

Bench seats have been reupholstered in red vinyl, and replacement carpets and seat belt webbing were installed. The dash pad was replaced, and a stock stereo is retained.

Factory gauges have been cleaned but are reportedly not completely accurate, particularly the fuel and temperature readings. The seller has added approximately 1,500 of the 7k indicated miles, with total mileage unknown. According to the seller, the headlight switch was replaced by the original owner and occasionally requires additional manipulation to function properly. The windshield washer system was removed but is included in the sale.

The 350ci Chevrolet V8 and Hydramatic transmission were installed by the original owner, who used the car to tour the lower 48 states and parts of Canada and Alaska while towing a camper trailer. A new engine bay wiring harness and replacement fuel tank were installed in 2012, and work performed in the last two years included a new 4bbl double-pump carburetor with an electronic choke, spark plugs and wires, a Pertronix electronic distributor, thermostat, and a re-cored radiator.

Rear coil springs from a previous airlift system are retained, though the other components have reportedly been removed. The shift linkage requires adjustment to better align the reverse lights and neutral safety switch per the seller, and additional photos of the underbody and suspension are viewable below.

A copy of the original invoice lists the factory equipment and shows an MSRP of $3,755.72.

A number of refurbishment photos can be seen in the gallery, along with images of spare parts and factory manuals. Driving videos are viewable below.

Photo Gallery

Auction Result

Winning Bid	USD $21,500 by draiday
Auction Ended	December 12, 2018 at 1:30PM PT
Bids	14

16,667 views

392 watchers

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