Marathon Motor Works of Nashville Photo Gallery by Chip Curley at pbase.com

Marathon Motor Works of Nashville

All photos by Chip Curley, click on pictures for full size.
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The Marathon motor car was manufactured from 1910-1914 by the Southern Motors Works (later called Marathon). Four models, all touring cars, were powered by engines of 4 cylinders, 30-35 hp and 6’s of 50 hp, with wheelbases from 9’8” to 12’5”. The first production Model T Ford was assembled in Detroit in October of 1908. The Marathon plant closed operations in 1914 due to financial difficulties. It is reported that there are only 4 Marathon cars still in existence
Location: Twelfth Avenue, North, and Clinton Street in Nashville, Tennessee.
Currently being converted to office space with a Yazoo Brewery on site. Please visit Marathon Information Website at Historic Nashville.Org and if you would like more information regarding the Marathon Automobile and you can visit Marathon Village Website or call 615-327-1010 to reach the office in Nashville. They have two Marathon Automobiles and a museum.

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Sandi Milligan		07-May-2018 23:30
I have an original picture from 1911 of the Marathon Motor Works. I also have a fountain pen/pencil. My grandfather worked there in 1911 and he left those to me in his Estate.

Guest		15-May-2016 03:00
hey george ,yes the man who purchased the old REO motor from you is in a museum / bar called GEAR HEADS NASHVILLE it is based on pre-1918 racing it is real cool place to see a lot of motors,gears ,car chassis and tons of photos .he has been pulling a lot of things together for this place for years and hopes to be open by fall of 2016. be looking for it.

george house		30-Oct-2013 18:25
Many years ago, probably 5 or 6, I sold a 1910 REO engine and transmission in Chickasha, OK to a guy who said he would display it in a bar on the Marathon Motors site. . . Did he ever do it and, if so, can anybody post a picture of it? Thanks

Guest		01-Apr-2013 23:17
I live a little ways from Nashville and have passed this building more times than I can coumt and never had an idaea of what it was. I saw on the History channel "PICKERS" has opened a store in the building. From a photo I saw on that show I recognized it and doing a "BING" search led me here. Thanks, Jimmy (not the 1 listed below)

Jimmy		13-Sep-2011 03:13
Excuse me... I noticed my mistake... the cars are on the right side of the building if your facing it from the street.

Jimmy		13-Sep-2011 02:54
I met Barry... the guy that owns the old Marathon building and the building across the street... Very nice fella... I enjoyed a beer with him in the Yazoo bar at the end of the Marathon building In the building across the street he has 5 Marathon cars... I like the white one! It's super nice... You can see them threw the windows located on the left side of the building facing it from the street. I've been told there are only 9 of the cars left... I believe the others are in Washington State, Texas and Australia.

Brent		13-Apr-2009 23:31
Dear Mr. curly, Thank you for posting a site about marathon auto's. Every year we pass the old plant in Nashville on our anual vacation in Alabama. I have wondered about it several times becouse i am quite a car buff and never recal seeing one. Evidentily they are quite rare. I love history, especially cars,thanks again. Now I know a little the next time I pass.

Jackson Guest		05-Feb-2006 04:16
The Tennesse Historical and Culture page offers a bit more info on the Marathon. The first ones made from 1906 through 1908 were called Southerners and were manufactured in Jackson, Tennessee. The name Marathon was put on the car in 1909. The first one was made by an engineer with The Southern Motor and Boiler Works named William Collier. The building where 300 of these cars were first made stands not 4 blocks from where I work now.

lovenashville		02-Dec-2005 06:02
this is great to see.. my father had a part in keeping this building from being condemned several years ago. the owner of the property is a great guy and i love how he is keeping the history behind the marathon alive!

Guest		24-Nov-2005 23:25
Thanks for posting photos and info on Marathon to your site. If you would like more information regarding the Marathon Automobile or Marathon Village you can visit Marathonvillage.com or call 615-327-1010 to reach the office in Nashville. We have two Marathon Automobiles and a museum.

Shelly Ferrell		17-Nov-2005 04:04
My sons and I love to work on old cars and are fascinated by the old factory! We drove around looking at it last Sunday. Does anyone give tours or allow visitors inside?

Clint Hampton		01-Sep-2005 17:19
Hi, I have a elderly friend who owns a 1908 Marathon touring. It was never sold when it was new but raffeled off. The Heller brothers of Fairaview Oregon was the luckey winners. Joe Marshal is the second and current owner. He has spent many years in restoring it and is unable to finish it since he now is in a nurseing home. It would sure be great to get some pictures of how it looked new so it can be finished.

Guest		12-Jun-2005 22:16
email me at info@yazoobrew.com to get some pictures of the Marathon cars

raven l. black		12-Feb-2005 06:12
I myself find it amazing that no one has a picture of the car itself i would love to see one. i would love to see one upclose if at all possible....

Guest		05-Feb-2005 23:12
It is really strange that I happened to come across this gallery. Thursday I drove by that old building. Me, originally being from California (now a White House resident), began to wonder what the history of that company was. Thanks for posting it.

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