Automobiles Marathon
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Founder | Bernard Denis |
| Defunct | 1955 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Sports cars (Marathon Corsair coupé, Marathon Pirate roadster) |
Marathon was a French car manufacturer established by a team of engineers led by rally aficionado Bernard Denis. Initial lightweight sports coupé prototypes were unveiled at various motor exhibitions, beginning with the 1951 Frankfurt Motor Show, with production spanning from 1953 until 1955.
The cars
Inspired by Hans Trippel's concepts, the design showcased a profile reminiscent of the Porsche 356, embodying Bernard Denis's vision to develop a French counterpart to Porsche. Early versions incorporated the two-cylinder boxer engine sourced from the Panhard Dyna X and later the Dyna Z, delivering 42 horsepower from an 850 cc displacement. The range comprised the Marathon Corsair coupé and the Marathon Pirate roadster.
History
The original design was acquired from Hans Trippel, who had crafted the prototype in 1950 featuring fast-back styling and rear-hinged doors characteristic of the Marathon Corsair. Trippel’s prototype utilized a steel body and was powered by a 600 cc Zündapp engine producing slightly over 18 horsepower.
To fit the larger Panhard powerplant, Marathon altered the rear section and elevated the headlight position to comply with French regulations. By the time of the Brussels Motor Show in January 1953, these changes were finalized, and the vehicle was rebranded from Trippel to Marathon.
In June 1953, a pre-production model was shown to Gilles Guérithault of L'Auto-Journal prior to its official launch at the Paris Motor Show in October. Manufacturing took place at Societé Industrielle de l'Ouest Parisien (SIOP) in Paris, a facility previously operated by Rosengart.
Contrasting with Trippel’s steel prototype, Marathon’s production models featured bodies constructed from "polyester," a composite of glass fibre and resin—marking an early adoption of fibreglass technology in car manufacturing. This lightweight build paired with an enhanced engine resulted in spirited performance within its category, reaching maximum speeds near 150 km/h (93 mph).
Enthusiasts
Since 2011, a Marathon Corsair has been part of the collection displayed at the Manoir de l'Automobile located in Lohéac, France.
Sources and references
- Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader: Die große Automobil-Enzyklopädie. BLV, München 1986,
- G.N. Georgano: Autos. Encyclopédie complète. 1885 à nos jours. Courtille, 1975 (French)