So over the weekend I have found 1 red 1983 victa vortex, 1 yellow vortex/GTS with the catcher, I more white mustang and a scott bonnar 520 with the 79 brigg and stratton engine and the original black catcher in excellent condition. All of these mowers run.
Mower Freak, this is your fault..... I was only looking at the 1970's era mowers until you showed me the ones you like and now I'm collecting them too......
I've been told by a backyard mower repairer years ago that those hi arch Scott Bonnar chassis are the best. He fitted a Honda OHV to his after what I presume was a Briggs that gave up the ghost.
I found a dark charcoal one with the same orange Briggs engine and ended up giving it away on our last move as I just wasn't into it's looks even though it was in excellent condition.
I have since found a SupaSwift with a magnetron version of the vertical pull Briggs and even though it has seen better days, I'm really attached to it and like it's styling with the catcher on when it doesn't keep falling off during a mow, which it does very well.
I always viewed the 1980s Powertorque thumblatch series as a further modernised progression of the fascinating and ahead of their time 1970s styles. It helped that they were the ones available new in the box when I first got into these mowers. Getting drawn into the hype of Victa's touted guaranteed to start electronic ignition ad campaign of 1987/88 (even though it had been around more less since 1980), together with the extremely stylish looking top line Vortex and Mustang GTS domestic models with their claimed quietness (over hyped a it turned out) as well as the slightly cheaper thumblatch Powertorque models, all if which felt fantastic as you pulled slowly on the rope on display models, is what made me continue my interest in the 80s models despite being a significant departure from the VC 125 mk 3 and purple VC Sports, the two mowers that started it all.
It's nice to finally see someone who appreciates those models for their spectacular aesthetics. Consumers in general must have been drawn by their striking appearance I'm sure, as plenty picked them over the cheaper models. Too to it off, they performed extremely well and pack the catcher better than the cheaper steel decked versions. So it's a win win and the fact they are so sought after decades after production stopped, shows how good they were.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Im wrecked, what a long day of driving around and organising 4 different people I was buying mowers off but I came home with some really really nice stuff!!!
One of my best friends lives in Ballarat and there were 2 74-75 utilities for $50 and she picked them up today. I'll be visiting her next week so here are the pictures from the advertisement.
These are to go with my 4 others. I dont know if I've posted all of them yet. So here these are. Before you jump on me, yes the green one is earlier, it still had the part reference decal. V83 70-71 160cc utility and it's supposed to be an impulse starter just like the one that's been painted fire engine red, it's supposed to be a zip starter.
I sincerely hope you live on an acreage with a bloody big shed, otherwise you are probably well on the way to either a severe storage problem or a divorce
I'll be getting the the correct deck and parts for the consul 2 in the coming weeks.
The parts and catchers I picked up today finish off 2 of my first projects. I now have everything to do the front cover of 2 of my gregorys victa manuals!
Interesting to see the Corvette in the brochure has the old style 8" rear wheels even though that mower dates from well into the late 70s and that type of wheel was replaced by 1976 with the long running style with the large white section.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I just thew that together at what ever time I posted it. I was exhausted.... it's just a perfect cowling that I got today. I was shocked at it's mint condition....
Thanks guys, I got that cowling by offering the guy more money than he was asking for something else. There is more but I didn't have space. I'm going back in a few weeks he is going to dig out more
If you saw me in public you would go out of your way to avoid me! I'm 6 foot 5 and the only way to explain what I look like is a criminal! But I'm anything but that! I believe in, what is sadly, old school edicate! Paying what somthing is worth, even if the person is asking way less than I value somthing, listening to people, empathising and being thankful and showing it! Manners!!!
Im also happy to admit when I'm wrong and to apologise when I've over reacted. Shout out to NormK and MF this is a public apology for getting upset about past issues!
She's a bit dusty, she's a bit scratched and chipped. But she's all there, catcher and all. It runns too. It's all original 1983-84 Original Red Vortex.
So last weekend I picked up the white 85-86 mustang. Yesterday I picked up another white mustang without the parts reference sticker. So I'll put up pictures of both. But in separate replies. Here's last week's one:
Now the one I got yesterday has no part reference number but some differences in the deck! It has holes for a cowling. It's definitely different to last weeks but I'm new to these models.
The other picture is of all of the wide catcher's I have now. 2 have the magic eye, 3 don't.
Seanoss, your pics on these mowers you acquired have been invaluable in working out why some white Mustang chassis (like mine) have no holes for the Mustang GTS cover and others have them present (blanked off with black plastic caps).
Interesting to note the round air filter housing on the first series white Mustang. It has a different decal as well. Obviously a carry over from the previous green base PT Mustang with the same white plastic engine top.
The second one which obviously shares the exact same base as the Mustang GTS (for production efficiency), going by it's blanked out screw holes for the GTS cover, also shares the square air filter housing with the GTS.
My theory, the whole engine and snorkel package were carried over onto the first white Mustang directly from the previous green based Mustang and the second series white Mustang shares the engine and snorkel package, sans cover with the GTS Mustang. I remember the features of the second series on the ones I saw on display in retail outlets like Bing Lee and Grace Bros department stores, back when they sold a great range of lawnmowers. Grace Bros even had the beefed up 505 pro in their range for about 1 grand !! Great memories.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I'd like to get your thoughts. I'm repainting my Vortex base and can't decide whether to leave this very solid mending plate on or try to tidy it up with a less obvious plate on the inside with just a pair of rivets showing on the outside with the crack concealed.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Inside, and as hidden as possible would be my go to. But I'd also keep My eyes peeled for another deck, scrap metal yards have been an excellent source of parts for me!
I agree in part Max, but I think MF is like me and if he can! All original is his go to for restoration or preservation jobs. The vortex is a different casting than the regular 80's series casting of deck. Well at least my red one is, I haven't looked under the cowling of the yellow one. So the deck in the gumtree add you posted the link to won't work. I say keep looking and because I have my original red 83-84 vortex, the next one I find with a good solid deck already has a home before I even find one! Looking at you MF!!!
Sorry Enaj mate, I found out very quickly if you want to restore and/or preserve certain mowers you can't just buy parts. I have found it much much cheaper to buy entire mowers to use for my jobs then buy refurbished or even just the parts. That's why I have 2 red VC-SPORT, they will make 1 good one. I need those utility mowers for my other jobs, sorry! If one of them is easy to get running then I'll be doing 3 utility resto jobs.....
Ok, I just purchased 2 more today from my spot on the couch. Another VC mustang and an original 76 model impala 4. I love finding the MARK 4 decks with the remote primer attached....
Funny enough Maxwestern, I have one of those red bases in good condition and now the paint. I like the mower but may have to bite the bullet as it will free up space and the mower is a bitsa not being used.
Should I brush paint or spray gun? I have Dulux epoxy metal care paint and was told it brushes well.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
MF, good stuff!! Not my area of expertise (yet) painting that is. I can advise on mechanical repairs, identification of 70's mowers by serial number and metal work! I'm not up to paint yet! I have done 2 short courses in panel beating and can manufacture most basic metal parts through my friends and connections who are 2 mechanics, 1 fitter and turned and a mate who's father own and runs a large steel manufacturing company with many many qualified boiler makers, designers, engineers and pretty much everything to do fabrication work.
When I get to the stage of painting and using bog fillers for plastic parts, I will probably disappear for a while because I'll be learning how to do it all myself!!! I want to be self sufficient as possible! Like I have mentioned, I live alone and I'm never living with another human again! So I can set my place up what ever way I want! That does mean 2 extensions are now on the cards, these will incorporate a miniature museum for my mowers, creating appropriate spaces for all stages of any work to do restorations, repairs and conservation jobs!
I'm not the kind of person to do things small. Any job that's worth doing is worth doing right! I'm OCD so I'm over the top when it comes to the smallest details. I also feel that I can't trust anyone to do things the way I like because I'm so OCD, it's me not them! So give me some time, these mowers have survived longer than me so far, so they can wait a little longer for me to get up to scratch on restoring everything!!!!
