Hello Ian,

Great photos for the record.
I believe that the 400 and the 460 were introduced at the same time.
My best guess is for the 1980-81 lawnmowing season. This was a big
announcement that augmented the Super-Start advertising campaign.
New products for a new decade (just like the 1970s).

I might add that I believe Victa were experimenting with electrics
just prior to 1980 in Europe. I have one ad showing an electric Mustang
selling in the UK in 1979!

Here is a news record from January 1981. Note the cable carrier
swing arm (patented by Ransomes in the 1920s). I don't think we
have other photos of the Victa one - perhaps owners discarded them?

[Linked Image]

For whatever reason, the 460 does not appear in the 1983 brochure.
It may have been dropped because of the new Qualcast electrics,
or because demand was poor for a electric utility, or ...?

Hope this helps.
---------------------------
Jack