The Villiers motors were probably competitive when they were produced, Michael but getting parts for them now is likely to be both difficult and expensive compared with Briggs and Stratton engine parts. Personally I'd leave the Villiers stuff for collectors nowadays, unless it is a 2 stroke engine in sound condition. Things like magnetos are likely to be a headache if they give trouble. Also, if you have the misfortune to buy a pre-WW2 Villiers it will probably have an 18 mm spark plug thread, which is quite an exotic item now. (My only ATCO was a 12 inch from the 1930s - its Villiers engine had many unlovable features by modern standards.)
