OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Old Mower Pictures Early Victa

Gooday,
Here are three photos of my battered old Victa. Wobbly wheels, cracked base, brazed base parts, covered in 25 (or more) years of grot. Is this model 1? And NO I havent looked for the engine serial number yet. Are these tin-sided wheels original?
Stationary.

very definately a model 1 or 2, how is the varby attached to the engine? You are missing a tin plate that goes between the flywheel and starter pulley.

Jeff with probably be in later to tell you more

Hi Stationary, Wow! that is an oldie...are you going to restore it?
Great score there, mate!!

Finally one that looks the same as my first Victa (only had it on loan, for a couple of months in 1962 or 1963 - it was an old junker at the time, belonging to my father and used around the factory. I replaced it at home with a dealer-overhauled one that had height adjustment, tank mounted on the engine, and a recoil starter. Real luxury - and easier to start, as well.

It sound like your last one was a Mark 5, apparently it was the most popular of the early Victas....Something in the back of my mind that says to collect and restore one of these, but just for display. I have owned a few in the past and sold them....wish I had kept one now!!

Gooday,
Thanks for all the comments fellas. Yes, I am going to restore it. I WILL need to pick your collective brains I am sure.
@ Joe - the carby is attached via a small flange protruding from the side of the cylinder, which is held on by a screw operated clamp.
The Serial Number is (to me) pretty high at 53665. What do you all reckon?

Stationary

Because it was more or less current at the time Deejay, it still had the round pull-start knob, which apparently has become very rare (just because Victa only sold the T-shaped knobs as spares, so the round ones disappeared by attrition). It was an OK mower if you didn't mind not having a catcher, replacing the spark plug about once a year if you wanted it to start easily, and a bit of a ritual for cold starting it.

After a few years I was going overseas for a year and my mother needed to be able to start the mower easily, so I sold the Victa for $25 and got what I think was a Turner - anyway it had the early Kirby Lauson engine with an impulse starter, and a grass catcher. It was a lot less powerful than the Victa, but more practical for my mother to use. I guess I had that one for about a dozen years - it didn't give any real trouble, but I hated it.

That is a Model 2, some did appear with the Tin wheels.

Looks like a good start for a resto.

Hi Stationary.Have been away on a Brisbane mower collection safari,so I've missed new posts.Wow what a good find.What you have there is defiantly a Model 2 and you found original badge on it.Good work.Let me know when you take the badge off I can tell you if it is a Model 1 or 2 badge.They were different.I'd say a 2 thought.Yes these Tin wheels are original.Don't know why they were called tin there made of steel,but anyway.All Model 1's and 2's came with these wheels.Plastic wheels didn't come in until the model 2A 1957-58,and ran right through to the Sheerline in 1960.The only thing I can see missing there is a cover that went on top of the flywheel.That was there for two reasons one to make it a little more attractive and two protect the fins.Properly manly from body parts such as fingers.OK then enjoy the restore just keep us updated as you go along.Looks like you scored some fairly good rubber on those wheels.Just be careful not to tear them off the wheels there are no new ones available.If you run into problems I do know a way to replace them.They not quite the same but it's close enough.I can't quite see but are the washers holding the wheels on welded?If so the best way to remove is careful grind them away.Good luck.Any problems you only need to ask.Enjoy.

Gooday,
Thank you Blumbly, all good stuff. Have made a copy of your reply for reference. The resto will be a bit later, as I have to finish the Thomas Green & Son for the museum first. Yes, I have been watching your posts avidly, and wondering what you both found. A good haul all round. I dont travel much myself - I am more like the spider and wait until people deliver the old mowers to me. Landed three more today, and hope to get a ute load tomorrow from just out of town here. You blokes have it made - all the eastern seaboard is your collecting zone with millions of people. All I have is the population of Bordertown (2500 tops !!!).lol
Stationary

Yeah but in all honesty Brisbane is what I call Lawn Mower Land.Made my eyes open.Just wish we were there next week with the hard rubbish collection.I was told by two people that I wouldn't be able to believe my eyes.Sad thing is I reckon I wouldn't be able to, believe it.Anyway maybe next year it may happen.It would want to be a good haul to make it worth it though,but I am told it would be.

Thats quite a find, I'll have a look around, I may know somone who can help you with the missing flywheel cover.