We present a comprehensive set of optical and near-infrared photometric and spectroscopic observations for SN 2014ck , extending from pre-maximum to six months later .
These data indicate that SN 2014ck is photometrically nearly identical to SN 2002cx , which is the prototype of the class of peculiar transients named SNe Iax .
Similar to SN 2002cx , SN 2014ck reached a peak brightness M _ { B } = -17.37 \pm 0.15 mag , with a post-maximum decline-rate \Delta m _ { 15 } ( B ) = 1.76 \pm 0.15 mag .
However , the spectroscopic sequence shows similarities with SN 2008ha , which was three magnitudes fainter and faster declining .
In particular , SN 2014ck exhibits extremely low ejecta velocities , \sim 3000 km s ^ { -1 } at maximum , which are close to the value measured for SN 2008ha and half the value inferred for SN 2002cx .
The bolometric light curve of SN 2014ck is consistent with the production of 0.10 ^ { +0.04 } _ { -0.03 } M _ { \odot } of ^ { 56 } Ni .
The spectral identification of several iron-peak features , in particular Co II lines in the NIR , provides a clear link to SNe Ia .
Also , the detection of narrow Si , S and C features in the pre-maximum spectra suggests a thermonuclear explosion mechanism .
The late-phase spectra show a complex overlap of both permitted and forbidden Fe , Ca and Co lines .
The appearance of strong [ Ca II ] \lambda \lambda 7292 , 7324 again mirrors the late-time spectra of SN 2008ha and SN 2002cx .
The photometric resemblance to SN 2002cx and the spectral similarities to SN 2008ha highlight the peculiarity of SN 2014ck , and the complexity and heterogeneity of the SNe Iax class .