a film about the marathon… pt 2 will follow at the end…enjoy…
m.a.n rules:
https://youtu.be/koXsUbHXmK8a film about the marathon… pt 2 will follow at the end…enjoy…
The comment at 3.05 is somewhat of its time.
1975/6 ish I was looking to replace my trusty - but slow on the hills Merc 1418.
I wanted something that had the same comfort, walk through cab & reliability of the Merc.
Scania & Volvo were still posh/reliable Atkinsons with an engine hump, so not on the list.
My Leyland salesman took me to the AEC works in Southall to look at all the various models off the production line. There were so many variations for different export markets that almost every Marathon was different.
I could pick from all the options and that would be slotted into the production line.
Obviously, I went for the Big Cab, 6x4 and various other options, the final price was £8,000. only DAF could come near that but no diff locks ruled DAF out.
I was sorely tempted, but in the end, Head ruled the Heart & I bought John Fishwick’s special import LHD Merc 1932 with the 320bhp V10, 1 year old and £4,000 more at £12,000.
To this day I believe I made the right decision - would love to have bought British, but you have to go with what puts food on your plate.
EDIT: Also the Kudos of having the only one on UK plates was a bit special.
Is it not that Marathon mentioned in the article and ■■■■ that is in Destination Doha documentary?
Just to clarify the clipping i posted above is the same vehicle that “m.a.n.rules” posted the video of.
The Marathon that was featured in destination doha was a 4x2 not a 6x4 and was reg SLO 707R as per the clipping.
Leyland sent a Range Rover full of spares on the trip which as we know was a good job due to the Marathon not exactly being the most
reliable vehicle and had numerous breakdowns including alternator problems.
