Yep, mid 70's base, I would say, and has had an engine upgrade. Originally would have had a Briggs or an Iron Horse 2-stroke on it.
This one would have originally had a steel catcher, like this 1972 2-stroke engined version:

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Contrast that with the 1978 plastic catcher Series 8 04 - no permanently attached windrower:

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A pic from an old ODK thread showing the steel catcher:

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The bar blade is original. Those caused quite a few bent crankshafts when Masport introduced them to the Oz market in the mid-70's, after Masport took over Whirlwind.

Cheers,
Gadge

"ODK Mods can explain it to you, but they can't understand it for you..."

"Crazy can be medicated, ignorance can be educated - but there is no cure for stupid..."