PART TWO - The Champion Senior Kick-Start
I have clear evidence that a Champion Senior Kick-Start was made from
late 1957, and the last records I have of this model are from early 1960.
The frustrating thing is the lack of resolution in the photos and
illustrations!

Note in this November, 1957 advertisement the rear-mounted kick-starter
(unlike the side mounted Scott Bonnar). Also note the new style wheels ...
plastic and rubber semi-pneumatics with self-lubricating plastic bushes
replaced the patented 'Ever-Lube' steel wheels. Yes, that's a female
model's foot and shoe. Yes, thanks, I know it looks like an animal trotter ...

[Linked Image]

The Senior Model with kick-starter was, of course, an option.
At about 5 pounds dearer than the lanyard start version of the Senior,
this would have been clearly much less popular. I would also point out
that this clever system had a back-up in the design - the lanyard start
pulley was retained!

That the kick-start went in to production should not be questioned.
There is ample evidence that it was somewhat widely advertised in NSW:-

[Linked Image]

The surprising thing - for me at least - is that none seem to have been
recorded by modern collectors. I say this because a Champion Factory
advertisement from late 1958 claims that there were 'thousands of
satisfied users'. Perhaps that was marketing puffery - referring to
thousands of satisfied Champion lawnmower users (rather than kick-start
users). We don't know.

[Linked Image]

TO BE CONTINUED ...