collectors. Approximately one dozen Checker Model A2s survive in Finland, which had imported 500 ex-Chicago taxicabs for service during the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. Only one each of the Checker Model A3 and A4 exist and they are currently owned by a private Checker collector. Five Checker A8s (one wrecked) survive and are also owned by private collectors. The largest collection of restored Checker Cabs is held at the National Auto & Truck Museum in Auburn, Indiana, which acquired six cars as a donation in 2012. Ben Merkel, who owns and operates Twilight Taxi Parts, had approximately 80 Checker Cabs in 2003. Twilight Taxi donated the 1981 A11 which is now on exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum. The very last Checker automobile assembled, the 1982 A11 Chicago Taxi, resides in the Gilmore Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. Never having seen taxi use, it remains brand-new with less than 10 miles on its odometer. The Gilmore Museum also owns a 1923 Model H2, one of the first to be assembled in Kalamazoo, and a Model Y. Yellow Cab of New London, Connecticut owns the only surviving Model M. The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum owns the only surviving Model T. Also present is the 1978 A11 "Cab 804," made famous in the television show "Taxi." Painted in NYC livery, it remains basically new with less than 400 total miles on the odometer. Consumer vehicles From 1922 to 1947, Checker's production vehicles were built almost exclusively for the commercial livery (taxi) business, although cars for personal use were available upon request. In 1947 the Checker Model A3 was introduced. The major difference between the A2 Taxicab was the inclusion of a full front bench seat and opening trunk. Checker had limited success with the A3 pleasure car. Checker needed to enter the consumer vehicle market when taxi sales declined. New York City sales dropped significantly due to the new 1954 taxi commission regulations that expanded big three competition in the market. Checker needed to enter the retail market to fill plant capacity lost to the big 3. In 1956 Checker started to expand its distribution channel with the introduction of regional sales offices. When Checker introduced the Checker Model A8, it officially entered the retail sale market. Articles and reviews were generated in Consumer Reports and Motor Trend magazine. Sales were phased in regionally across the US in 1959, starting