Good day Tsuk,
that looks to be a 1976 -77 model going by the backward facing G4 carby and remote primer button.
Also the VC Mustang label is the first style in blue.
That so call Victa specialist is talking out his behind. A shame your old trusted one has passed on. Unless the engine itself has a problem, it's likely to be a carburettor related issue for which parts are readily available. These were way better built than Victa two strokes mowers later on. That is an excellent chassis with good grass flow and allows the catcher to be inserted without having to lift the rear flap first.
It was a premium product in it's day and a premium product today. Try getting a mower like that in such good condition as yours. Even the plastic fluting on the green cover is unbroken, which is quite rare and a sign the mower has been looked after.
Have you tested for spark? If it's irregular or not there at all, the points may need a clean. How long did it sit since it was last used?
Did you forget to turn off the fuel tap before putting it away? It may have flooded and requires you to remove the spark plug and pull it over a few times to clear the crank case of excess fuel mix.
Check the basics before delving deeper to try and find the problem.
Thanks for the pictures. Many newbies describing the problem with their mower in their first post don't put any up.
