The Marathon was introduced in September 1960 for the 1961 model year, superseding the Checker Superba Custom and differing from the Superba with its better interior appointments. Originally, it retained the Superba's A10 body code whereas A9 was the code used for taxis. The exterior of the Marathon had a full width egg crate grille, differing from the Superba's narrower grille and inboard parking lights. After a minor facelift for 1963, chassis codes changed to A11 for taxis and A12 for passenger versions. Also in 1963 appeared the Marathon Town Custom, a limousine version on a longer (129 versus 120 inches) wheelbase. This version, which seated eight, received the A19E chassis code. A few years later, this was changed to A12E.
With the exception of United States government mandated 5 mph bumpers in 1974 and ongoing mechanical changes, the Marathon remained virtually unchanged during its 21-year production run. The final Marathon was manufactured in 1982, when Checker exited the automobile manufacturing business.
Notably, the Marathon's front suspension A-frames interchange with a 1956 Ford. The engines used were originally Continental-built L-head inline-sixes (OHV units for the wagons), but these were exchanged for Chevrolet sixes and small-block V8s for the 1965 model year. These continued to change as Chevrolet introduced modifications, peaking with the 1969 L-48 350 V8 which produced 300 hp (224 kW) (gross). By 1973, power for the 350 had decreased to 145 hp (108 kW) and in 1975 catalytic converters were introduced. For 1980 the engine lineup was changed entirely, with a 3.8 litre V6 replacing the old inline unit, and a smaller 267 ci (4.4 L) standard V8. The big news was the Oldsmobile LF9 engine, a 350 cu in (5,737 cc) diesel V8.
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