identified when Chevrolet switched to a "Delta Spoke" steering wheel design, duly used on Checkers. The rear fold-down jump seats were also removed, as they failed all safety tests. Parallel-action windshield wipers also appeared on the 1978 models. Checker's cars were lightly marketed, using campaigns that centered on their durability and unchanging style. Checker promoted its vehicles as cars at a time when most United States automakers shied away from mileage promises. Overall, Checker sales began shrinking in the 1970s, causing the company to reduce its production capacity. Limousines were dropped after 1970 and wagons followed in 1974. The standard-wheelbase sedans remained until the end. Production of the Checker consumer vehicles was approximately 1,000 vehicles per year from 1960 through 1968; annual production fell sharply in 1969 to 760 and never recovered to more than 1,000 per year before Checker stopped production in 1982. This decline was due to a number of factors: First, the oil embargo of 1973-1974 (and later the 1979-1982 recession) caused the Big Three to lose consumer sales, and they attempted to make up for this by targeting the fleet market more aggressively. Many of the body stamping dies were worn out after 20 years of use, and that required manual body adjustments by body-and-fender mechanics to make the parts fit. The fenders and doors were the most problematic, as taxis are involved in numerous minor accidents due to their heavy usage. As a low-volume manufacturer, Checker could not compete on price, which due to inflation had risen to almost $5,000 by the middle of the 1970s. This was Buick and Chrysler territory, and a large sum for a dated design with unimpressive build quality. Safety and emissions requirements added further costs. Meanwhile, the company refused several proposals for a replacement to its 20-year-old design. With the Marathon outmoded and not selling in viable quantities, and with no resources to develop a new model, Checker decided to leave the auto manufacturing business. The last models were produced for the 1982 model year, and the final automobile rolled off the assembly line on July 12, 1982, after members of the Markin family decided to end production rather than meet labor demands. Mechanical The car had very poor fuel economy, as the tall front end and engine compartment had been designed for a Continental 226-cubic-inch inline six, which required the large engine compartment. In 1964, Checker ceased using