Marathon (automobile)

The Marathon was an automobile built by the Marathon Motor Works company in Nashville, Tennessee.[1]

Marathon
Marathon Brochure Cover from 1910
Overview
ManufacturerMarathon Motor Works
Production1908–1914
AssemblyNashville, Tennessee
DesignerWilliam Henry Collier
Body and chassis
Body styleTouring, Roadster, Coupe
Powertrain
EngineMarathon Motor Works
TransmissionMarathon Motor Works
Chronology
PredecessorSouthern (Southern Motor Works)
SuccessorHerff-Brooks

History

First built in 1908 by the Southern Motor Works in Jackson, Tennessee, it was called the Southern. In 1910, Southern Motor Works built additional premises named the Marathon Motor Works in Nashville to produce the Marathon automobile.[2]

The Marathon motor, a four-cylinder engine in unit with a transmission, was designed by William H. Collier of Southern Motor Works. By 1913, the Marathon was available in three different chassis sizes and at least 10 different body styles. The three chassis sizes were:[3]

  • Runner: 25 horse power, 104 inch wheelbase
  • Winner: 35 horse power, 116 inch wheelbase
  • Champion: 45 horse power, 123 inch wheelbase

In 1914 Marathon prices were mid-range from $975 to $1,470,(equivalent to $42,947 in 2022)[3] The Marathon was popular with the public, and by 1912 was producing 200 cars monthly.[1] [3]

H. H. Brooks, General Sales Manager, arranged for an Indianapolis automaker to take over sales of the Marathon in 1913 while the company was having financial difficulties. In 1914 after Marathon went into receivership, Herff-Brooks purchased the Marathon machinery and moved it to Richmond, Indiana. The Marathon was continued as the Herff-Brooks for two seasons.[1][3]

Only nine examples of the car are known to still exist, five of which are in Nashville.[4]

  • 1910 Marathon Advertisement
  • 1911 Marathon Advertisement
  • 1912 Marathon Model K-20
  • 1914 Marathon Brochure Cover

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marathon vehicles.

References
  1. Margaret Binnicker, "Marathon Motor Works," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture.
  2. Georgano, Nick (2001). The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile (3 vol. ed.). Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.
  3. Kimes, Beverly Rae; Clark Jr., Henry Austin (1996). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 (3rd ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87341-428-9.
  4. Tiede, Rachel (25 November 2019). "Marathon Motor Works now owns 5 of existing 9 cars made in original factory". WZTV.
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