Checker Superba

Production period:	1961 to 1963
Class:	Moor Car
Body versions:	Saloon, station wagon
Engines:	Gasoline:3.6 litres (59-104 kW)
Length:	199.76 in, 5070 mm
Width:	76.04 in, 1930 mm
Height:	62.80 in, 1594 mm
Wheelbase:	3048-3277 mm
Curb weight:	3581 1b, 1624 kg

The Checker Superba was one of the cars from Checker Motors Corporation in Kalamazoo Michigan in the model years 1961 to 1963. 

History

The Superba was based on and with the body of the Checker Taxi and was offered in two trim levels: Standard and Custom. Of both variants, there was a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon, The price new in 1963 for the saloon with seats from 6 up to 8 was $ 2,641. .

The customer had to choose between two versions of the six-cylinder engine 6L-226 of Continental. Both had a displacement of 3636 cc (226 cui) and based on an engine that had also used Kaiser, Willys and IKA. This had a compression of 7.3: 1 and 80 bhp (59 kW) power. But also coped with inferior gasoline. 

Performance: Engine Capacity : 226 cu in, 3695.10 cu cm six-cylinder engine 6L-226

• Fuel Consumption: 20.2 m/imp gal, 16.8 m/US gal, 14 1 x 100 km;
• Max Speed: 74.5 mph, 120 km/h;
• max power (SAE): 80 hp at 3100 rpm
• max torque (SAE): 180 1b ft, 24.9 kgm at 1400 rpm
• max number of engine rpm: 3100
• specific power: 21.6 hp/l
• power-weight ratio: 44.8 lb/hp, 20.3 kg/hp
• useful load: 1411 1b, 640 kg
• speed in direct drive at 1000 rpm: 22.7 mph, 36.6 km/h.
• max speed in 1st gear: 27.9 mph, 45 km/hmax speed in 2nd gear: 50 mph, 80 km/h; max speed in 3rd gear: 74.5 mph, 120 km/h

The other had overhead valves (OHV), was 8: 1 compressed and delivered with 140 bhp  a similar performance. 

Performance: engine capacity 226 cu in. 

• max power 141 hp at 4400 rpm
• max torque 205 1b ft, 28.3 kgm at 2000 rpm,
• compression ratio 8.0 : 1
• 2 overhead valves per cylinder with push rods and rockers
• max speed 83.9 mph, 135 km/h
• fuel consumption 17.6 m/imp gal

Standard was a three-speed manual transmission with steering wheel circuit, an automatic transmission by Borg-Warner with selector lever on the steering column was available at an additional cost.Optional Accessories: folding seats; power steering, servo brake; axle ratios 4.09 - 4.5 : 1; 3-speed mechanical gear box with semi-automatic multiplication in 3rd (0.70), axle ratios 4.09 - 4.55 : 1; Dual Range automatic gear box, hydraulic torque convertor and planetary gears with 3 ratios limited slip final drive.

The Superba had a grille with a bow-shaped middle section, which was flanked by two chrome-plated side panels. The air supply into the engine compartment was accomplished by 24 rectangular openings in the middle of the radiator grille. The parking lights were located on two thick sheets next to the radiator grille and had star-shaped housing. When the Checker Marathon came out in 1963, This had his own honeycomb grill over the full width of the vehicle.

In 1963, the Superba received its only external modification, a more contoured front bumper and fenders. Otherwise, the appearance of the car was exactly the same as that of the first model in 1961.The sales figures of the Superba in the first year of sale 1960 (the model year 1961 lasted from September 1960 to July 1961) were even lower than that of America's smallest independent automaker Studebaker with 1050 units.