During one of those intensive (lockdown) research sessions that can be necessary for a CC Outtake around an old Leyland truck, I came across these linked videos, produced in 1973 and intended to promote the then new Leyland Marathon truck. They seemed too good to keep to myself.
The Marathon was to be Leyland’s heaviest tractor unit, built to haul up to 38 tons gross (although the UK limit was then 32 tons) and compete with the Volvo F88, Scania 1 Series and DAF 2800 vehicles. The target market was, as the name implied, true long distance haulage. So, even though the UK weight limit was still 32 tons, building a 38 ton capable tractor unit made sense.
Although it was badged and sold as a Leyland, it is perhaps best to see this as the last product of AEC, the London based heavy truck specialist within the Leyland truck empire, and indeed some were sold with AEC badges. Although it used a version of Leyland’s relatively new Ergomatic cab, it was mounted in a higher position on a new chassis. The truck used the Leyland TL12 engine, a version of an older AEC engine and which developed a reputation for being able to take high mileages. More powerful Rolls-Royce and Cummins options were also available.
The cab was also developed to offer Leyland’s first factory built sleeper cab, albeit to a standard that might not pass muster now.
Like the cars side of the business, Leyland Trucks seemed to have had difficulty in distinguishing between development engineers and customers, and there were various issues with the first Marathons – braking systems were prone to a simple pedal mechanism failure, the heater was weak (you feel for the guy going to Norway), the taller cab on soft springs rolled a lot yet the ride was brittle and hard and the leaf springs wore quickly.
Many of these defects were rectified by the time the Marathon 2 came in 1977. Although sales were stronger, by then the international hauliers had made their choices, and Scania, Volvo and DAF were ahead, and stayed there. Limited manufacturer support outside the UK held back international sales, and also international usage by British hauliers.
The Marathon’s genes were retained though – the 1981 Leyland T45 Roadtrain used the chassis and engine of the Marathon in a bang up to date cab design, and was a truck that won awards if not huge commercial success.
The tilt cab on the Marathon is a definite upgrade from the contemporary fixed cab Scammell Crusader, even if it wasn’t as good as a Scania or Volvo.
The most surprising thing about this was that in 2020 they still make steel in Scunthorpe!
Just about…:-(
As you rightfully mentioned, Leyland had no plan, while for instance Volvo launched a plan for their truck division in the late fifties which is still in force today.
As had DAF, but Leyland simply sold units and forgot about the rest, service, maintenance and standing still costs money.
These trucks were not bad at all, as a matter of fact they were quite successful on the Middle East hauls that took place in that era.
But Leyland forgot that it is not just the truck you sell to the customer.
You saw these quite frequently in the North West of France, (Calais Dunkerque) probably because these French hauliers went to the UK on a regular basis, even the later T45 were relatively popular over there.
Speaking of the Middle East, here’s a pair of Leyland Marathons (Dutch Wibbelink company) driving all the way to Teheran, in the winter of 1974. Part two is also on YouTube.
Great video, Johannes. Istanbul looks like a CC masterclass
Rushed into the market on a way too tight development budget. Never mind, I still like the outcome, especially the ones with a sleeper cab.
I caught this 1978 Marathon II in the summer of 2016, LHD. It had been many years since I saw the last one, prior to the show.
Keep them coming, don’t keep them to yourself!
These videos were outstanding — thanks for sharing them… much more entertaining than I’d suspect early-1970s promotional videos could be.