Constants and Variables 148, hatless edition
Another self-calibration.

Looking at old pix of NYC streets and noticing the taxis as usual. Thinking the usual NYC thoughts: Everything in NYC is for, by, and about The Tribe.

No, wait. Checker cabs were Tribal. Morris Markin was emphatically part of The Tribe. But Checkers were NOT dominant in NYC. DeSotos were dominant.

Recalibrate 1: Why did NYC enact the medallion setup? Not because Markin wanted it. Exactly the opposite. Because Markin was cornering the market. Medallions were specifically aimed to prevent Markin's monopoly.

Recalibrate 2: Why did NYC get rid of its strict requirement that taxis must be limos? This happened in 1954. Checker didn't change anything in 1954; Checkers were always limos with jump seats, up to the bitter end in 1983. Checker needed the rule. Who needed the change? Chrysler needed the change. Chrysler's 1955 cars were going to be low and "hatless" for the first time, completely unsuitable as limos. Chrysler stopped making low-cost limos then, and resumed with the minivan in 1984, which immediately became the favorite taxi everywhere.

Chrysler had a much bigger presence in NYC than any other car company. Walter liked NYC and always worked there, ruling the Detroit plants from a distance. The Chrysler Building dominated the skyline. There were GM and Ford offices in NYC, but there wasn't a notable GM Building or Ford Building. Walter was distinctly non-Tribal. A Kansas farm boy who disliked debt and stock manipulation. He didn't dislike Wall Street as much as Ford or Nash, but he was closer to that side of the ledger.

Rereading, I noticed a posthoc. Checker closed down in 1983 and Chrysler introduced the minivan in 1984. There was never a year without limos suitable for taxis.

Labels: Constants and Variables

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