Reviving the Past: UAZ Marathon’s Diesel Adventure in Europe

In Germany, an intriguing sale has been discovered – the UAZ Marathon, a unique diesel modification of the UAZ-469, which was produced in Europe in a limited series. The off-roader was registered back in October 1989 and has since covered a mere 3,107 miles (5,000 km). The price is €16,000 ($17,600).

The real value of this model lies under the hood. Diesel UAZ-469s in Europe are not from the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, but rather limited series projects by the Martorelli workshop, customized specifically for the local market. Instead of the standard gasoline engine, the Italians installed a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter Peugeot XD2 diesel engine with around 76 horsepower, and this configuration got the name UAZ Marathon. There was also a more powerful version – the UAZ-Dakar with a 2.4-liter VM turbodiesel engine generating 100 horsepower, but these are even rarer to find.

The specimen offered in Germany is equipped with a manual transmission and naturally features four-wheel drive.

Recent trends show a rising interest in vintage SUVs across Europe, attributed to their rugged design and nostalgic appeal. The UAZ Marathon, with its unique adaptations, represents a fascinating chapter in the crossover between Soviet-era vehicle design and European engineering adaptations. As vintage SUVs continue to capture the imagination, vehicles like the UAZ Marathon and Dakar are expected to appeal to collectors and enthusiasts who value both history and mechanical authenticity.