Checker Marathon

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Promotional image of the 1966 Checker Marathon emphasizes the Marathon's generous interior space and ease of access over its 1950s styling.
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Promotional image of the 1966 Checker Marathon emphasizes the Marathon's generous interior space and ease of access over its 1950s styling.

The Checker Marathon was an automobile produced by the Checker Motors Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan between 1961 and 1982.

Marathons were produced in both four-door sedan and four-door station wagon forms, and the rare eight-door "Aero Cab".

The Marathon was introduced in 1961, taking the place of the Checker Supurba Custom and differed from the Superba by having better interior appointments. On the exterior, the Marathon had a full width egg crate grille, differing from the Superba's narrower grille and inboard parking lights.

With the exception of United States government mandated 5 mph bumpers and mechanical changes, the Marathon remained virtually unchanged during its nineteen year production run. The final Marathon was manufactured in 1982 when Checker exited the automobile manufacturing business. Today the plant operates at partial capacity making Cadillac parts for General Motors.

Most notably, the Marathon's front suspension A-frames interchange with a 1956 Ford.