jesus, look at the VC160...Damn they knew how to make mowers back then. I would be too tempted to start it up. Never had a top of the line, new out of box mower before. It makes the plastic stuff these days look like a joke.
I remember an olive green with orange top commando from the late 80s, early 90s that I used to like the look of. Since realising it is a steel base however, I have given up on that one. Looks similar to the top on that red job of yours.