Mar 11, 2016  •  For Sale  •  10 Comments

Rust Free? 1965 Checker Station Wagon

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Flat black cars scare me a little. I’m not sure whether it’s because of the trashy hot rods that had straight pipes and never sounded good when I was a kid, or the fact that too many folks try to camouflage crappy body work with rattle-can paint now. Either way, I’m a little skeptical when I see a car in flat black. This 1965 Checker wagon located in Redmond, Oregon is listed for sale here on eBay with a buy-it-now of $4,999 or you can make a lower offer.

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According to the seller, this Checker is rust free. I don’t think the last part of that last sentence has ever been uttered since about 1990, as Checkers seem to be filled with built-in rust traps. It would be a major coup for this to actually be without the corrosion bug.

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The interior could certainly use some help, although that may be the nicest dash I’ve seen on an old Checker. The seller tells us there isn’t a back seat. I’ve always thought one of these would make a heck of a tow vehicle if you modernized the brakes and drive train a little.

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Speaking of drive trains, this one comes with what is probably it’s original 235 230 cubic inch Chevrolet 6-cylinder engine, hooked to a GM automatic. The seller is confident enough in the car that they state you could drive it home if you wanted to.

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Of course, one Checker may not be enough for you. If that’s the case, you also get this parts car sedan that comes along with the wagon. It’s a 1977, so as the seller says you could use it to convert the wagon to disc brakes and the stronger rear end that was available. The parts car is only a little rusty, but comes without a title, engine or transmission.

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I’m guessing this is where they have been spending their time. It would be nice to have the Checker-specific spare parts from the ’77, but I’d have a hard time scrapping a car that is that solid looking. And what would you do for an engine?

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As it turns out, the seller has that covered as well, with a ’62 283 V8 that’s been rebuilt. They will throw this engine in the deal for another $800. So what would you do with the Checkers?

Comments

  1. Tyler
    Mar 11, 2016 at 9:37am

    Not a 235, a 230 I think.

    Like 0
    • Jamie Palmer JamieAuthor
      Mar 11, 2016 at 10:12am

      Fixed, Tyler :-) Thanks!

      Like 0
  2. Jake S.
    Mar 11, 2016 at 10:18am

    Well, the Checker wagon I’d restore it and use if for a tow vehicle. Since the parts car doesn’t have a title, that’s code for making it a race car! I’d picture something like this, with a hotted over small block Chevy and long travel suspension!

    Like 0
  3. Bill
    Mar 11, 2016 at 10:45am

    Flat black sux, BUT a satin or semi-gloss looks great, and syill shows contour if you have crappy bodywork. i have had a mess of Satin rods. looks cool if done right. This Checker does not, but it wouldn’t take much to fix that. I’d love to roll this one out as a daily driver. I’d try to get the other titled and make a yellow cab look alike out of it.

    Like 0
  4. Chebby
    Mar 11, 2016 at 12:32pm

    That’s not a proper flat black paint job, it looks like gray primer.

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  5. Wolfgang Gullich
    Mar 11, 2016 at 12:49pm

    Interesting…I’d drop a GM 350 in it as they were OEM for Checkers in the 70s and onwards. They are pretty robust and reliable cars…I’ve a friend that had an Aerobus for years and currently has an ’80 model sedan.

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    • Van
      Mar 11, 2016 at 3:12pm

      Back in the day, flat black paint meant,
      I can’t afford a paint job

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  6. Wayne S.K.
    Mar 12, 2016 at 5:03am

    Good fishing car…

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  7. Rich
    Mar 14, 2016 at 10:49am

    It’s been for sale for a while, I remember seeing it advertised in January.

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  8. Jason Houston
    Mar 15, 2016 at 6:47am

    If it can’t find a buyer within a month of being listed, it’s overpriced or there is just no market. Basic Buy N Sell 101.

    Like 0

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