California’s Inland Empire CraigsList is always chock full of desert-preserved classics. The Inland Empire is basically the eastern edge of the Los Angeles metro area and if you’re from the Midwest like me, it’s the Magical Land That Rust Forgot. I search it regularly (and optimistically) and today’s search turned up something different from the “normal” fare of rust-free ’60s Mustangs and C10s: a 1962 Checker Aerobus. Yes, the company that made so many of the ubiquitous taxicabs also built a nine-door station wagon primarily for use as an airport shuttle.
This one looks like it’s been beat up pretty good, but owing to the arid climate around L.A., it should be relatively rust-free (At least compared to what one of these would look like if it were in an Ohio field). Early Aerobuses used 318 cubic-inch Chrysler small-block V8s and one would suspect that this one originally had it, though it’s unclear what’s left of engine or lengthy driveline. So a first question is: What engine would you put in one of these if you were going to restore this? Another Mopar small block? A Diesel? A V12 LS?
All told, this is a pretty crusty example and there’s a slightly better one for sale near Reno, albeit for considerably more money. But if you got it running, it’s hard to imagine a cooler party bus than a stretched Checker except maybe the Ring Brothers’ 900-horsepower Winnebago.
Find this Aerobus on Inland Empire CraigsList here.
A blown Hemi powered gasser party bus!
Straight tube front axle with vintage Halibrand or American spindle-mount wheels, white VHT fender well headers and not forgetting the washable vinyl interior so you can hose out all the puke……
12V Cummins with pump work, injectors compound turbos, a dual disc nv5600, low to the ground on bags. Long bench seats on each side with a wet bar and a dozen speakers for road tripping tunes.
The ad states “all original parts.” As an owner of a hot rodded Checker four door station wagon, the problem I see here is there are just not enough of them. I know the person who has only recently started to manufacture replacements for those missing side windows, they are not cheap. This is a borderline parts car. As with any project, start with as complete a vehicle as you can find. In the case of an odd ball like a Checker it becomes even more important to do so.