OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Finding and Swapping Idle Chatter What is the most valueable/collectable mower ever

Hi All

Looking around the forums and loving all the mowers and changes over time, I began to ponder - What is the most collectible mower? I guess you would need to seperate the question into two parts:

1- What is the most collectable Victa (2 Stroke only)
2- What is the most collectable Non Victa (2 Stroke only)

I am new so I hope its ok to ask these questions. Just keen to see what the forum values and thinks?

most collectqable victa, there are plenty to list there, possibly a complete automatic or fan mower. I got given a model one that I would call fairly collectable also...

Agreed,The Predicta complete,Billy cart and model 1 and 2 fans.The question could be...whats the most acheivable realistically,Id say the model 2 rotomo since they are still reasonably obtainable:)
As for Non victa..Well the Value or beauty is in the eyes of the collector.Too many rare models to count,but are they all valuable??? to their owners,Id have to say YES! :)Generally the first or earliest runs of a manufacturer or lowest produced are the most desirable...And I do say GENERALLY...:)Often flops or failures are also popular.So really,its all up to what you like right?

Yes I do sort of agree,although I class collectables as something that can be achieved.Lets face it Billy-carts and both fan mowers are extremely hard to get and if you did find them you would want to have a big wallet.Where as the Model 1 & 2 Rotomo's are achievable as well as the Model 4 Automatic.The Billy-carts and Fan mowers would be the most wanted (Hey I'd love at least one of each).So in that out look I'd say the model 1 & 2 Rotomo's and the model 4 automatic.Also as Bluegmhtmonaro said when it comes to non-victa's it does come down to personal choice.Me personally I love Scott Bonnar rotary's,but they are also hard to find.As I'm know finding out very hard to get much information about them.I'll just keep on trying.I also believe the most popular collectable would be all 3 series of the Model 5.I guess in mower & non-mower circles it would be the most iconic mower in Australia.They can spark up many conversations.

what is a 3 series of the Model 5?

Hi Pancake,

You will see Pancake that Blumbly refers to all 3 series of the Model 5....the first Model 5 has the extensions for the Predicta flap set up and 4 side skirt holes (left over from the Model 4 Automatic) and the edger slot; the second had the edger slot only and 2 side skirt holes; and the third model had the edger slot and holes deleted all together.

Well technically there is 4 types of model 5 I think, the one with no edger slot and the victa filled in on the base for export and dept stores

You are spot on there Joe.....but technically, they are not a 'Victa' then are they....different name and colour.
Just like the Toyota Lexcen doesn't appear in the Holden model lineup, it was 'technically' a Commodore re-badged.

Yeah but it came out of the same factory and you can still rape it for parts.


Saw a 'commodore' once in a car yard. Rego label said it was a Toyota. lol.

More useless info on a lexen, legally you cant run bigger than 17" wheels or convert one to v8 without an engeneers cert since they only came out with 15's and a v6....

ok starting to understand....so is the victa with the totally round plate less common that the one with the edger slot?

Are you confused yet Pancake???Looks like your getting "flipped" right over,Does that qualify as a lame DADS" joke???.Ok...YES it means exactly that.Its like anything generally,They start of small (production)and continually grow.Since the first bases were steel,the numbers are less than that of the model 4 and 5(edger slot)as you say.Victas boom time came with the series 5 and numbers were very large.But if you combine all the steel bases there were quite a few,7 to be exact.As was stated,the first 3 are the rarest,very few remain and are highly prized by collectors...BUT in my opinion as I stated the model 2 is probably the model that has the most remaining.If I was to put the BIG 7 in order of value I would say "billy cart"...Fan 1...Fan 2...Model 1 Rotomo...Model 2a Rotomo...Model 2 Rotomo Then last The model 3 Rotomo.I place the 2a ahead of the model 2 simply because of its production run of 10,000,so placing it in a rarer category of say the model 2 at approx 100,000.My favourite personally is the model 1 Roto,since I feel its the first true Victathen the 2a for cosmetic appearance..Just my taste:)..So you getting the hang of it yet Pancake???

that sure is a dad joke! These sorts of jokes are usually my domain so happy to see you involved - you could say this is flippin confusing?????

still confused about which model is the totally round one - what number is that model?
Sorry.......

Lols Yes it can be confusing...Flipin or otherwise.lols.Ok...Lets hit the "FLIPSIDE" and see if this record dont sound any bettr..lols
Ok ALL of the Early 7 have round bases.The first 2 had solid disc bases with raised legs,that suported the Villers mk2 engine.The rest have raised centres and were purpose built to take the first victa 125 engines.So from model 2 fan to model 3(the last rotomo)with a few minor additions,had round steel bases...:)may I ask...Are you trying to identify a certain model you have?or do you wish to find and restore one?Be VERY careful how you answer,Because I wont be held responsible for any impending mower restoration addictions you might succumb to by saying YES to the latter...lmao
So to be clear.The model 1,2,2a and 3 Rotomo's would be the most appropriate and achievable answer to your question:)

It also really depends on the collector, while I agree that from a momentary perspective, those mowers hit the mark, and I certainly cant say I don't want them, for me, my heart lies elsewhere.

From the late 60's anything with a G2 or 3Q carby is quite a find, these carbies had a very short, intermittent run.

I'm also a sucker for Series 70MKII and MKIII engines, with the G3 carby.

And then there's the 3FI carby, I have diagrams of it, and references to it, but I have no idea what it was released on, and how many there are.

The 3FI carbies is the industrial version of the 3F/3L carbies (the first victa carbies) but it has a variable jet, based of a needle attached to the bottom of the throttle slider, and a few other modifications.

I know of more people with fan mowers, or brass nut carbies, than I do people with anything that came with a 3F, I'd love to get my hands on something with that.

Also there's certain variations that spring to mind as hard to find, the 2nd and 3rd VC-125 are tricky finds, as is the original 'green top' VC-160 Auto Drive, I love the 63-64 corvette, and the 64 Cosul 2 with it's side catcher.

Going outside of Victa get's hard yes, it's a brand to brand thing, early scott bonnar rotaries are pretty cool (J.A.P Engines) or early simplex powered rovers, there's also an interesting one on ebay at he moment, a mowfast, quite an interesting looking set up.

The there is reel mowers, which go much further back, and age can play a great factor in value, as can location, in the UK there is not really a big rotary collector scene, but the passion and prices you see for some of those early reel mowers is amazing.

Personally I'd love an early Atco Standard, or a nice Scotty 45 from the reel side of things.

If you are looking to crack into collecting, I would suggest looking for something that grabs you, either something that you can link to a memory, or something you just plain like.

If your looking to increase the Value, and Standing of your collection, definitely keep your eyes out for those early Victa's, like the predicta, personally, I love the look of the 2a.

Outside Victa, just look for something 1955-1965 that you have not seen around much, I can put up some photo's of my early non victa's if you like, to give you an Idea.

Hmmm....3Fi...Ponders*Clink clank rattle rattle,Fizzle...I have one of these,show me a picture please Mr Davis.Since ive next to zero interest in any mower after 1960 (other than two SB 35s)..Yes yes Stone me now,Im sure ive just Blasphemed...(But just to clarify its only my taste and I respect everyones choice in what they love)You may resume Stoning now!!!lols.Ok,So The funny thing is I binned it just days ago,but lucky Im lazy and never bothered to walk the workshop bin to the main,You might be a lucky boy...and also a SB 45? I have one here,dont know what year it is and i think its kinda hideous,always pictured reel mowers as something edward scissorhands would have used if he never had scissors....Yes Ive blashemed again,may the mower gods strike me down...lols.If your interested lets talk a trade sometime,and a pic of this 3fi and see if is the same as mine,I actually thought someone put a later spindle slide in the 3f it was in...and btw it was actually in the early circlip style carby:)If its the same and you want it...It yours:)

oooooooops...To clarify,I binned the adjustable Needle only..NOT the whole carby..What ya think im crazy throwing out a brass nut carby!!! lmao...Ok so I found the Needle Ty,Its brass with a plastic adjustable disc,sits between the slide and the top of the main jet and has a small notch in it to allow it to run in unison with the slider along the slide locating screws...Sound like the one????The other difference i noted was the use of larger slide screws and a smaller brass bowl nut,without taking measurements thats all I can see is different:)

And to clarify Pancake..When you said which is the model with the totally round base I took it to think you were talking about the earlier steel bases,Hence my rambling...BUT were you actually reffering to the round alloy based model 5???If you were then this is the 3rd series of the model 5 run as the other members stated.If this is the case,My appologies...Ok so as for your question regarding the rarity of the 3 model 5 bases(we will exclude the dep store model for now)Some people will say that the model 1 base (edger slot and 4 side skirt holes) is the rarest and others say the (round disc no edger or holes is)....All I know is The 2nd series base(edger slot and 2 holes) is the most common..Correct me if im wrong.I seem to find lots of model 4/5 4 hole edger slot bases where as my mate has like 10 solid disc bases and I have none:(sighs)I just read all this and now I understand why your confused...lmao...Damn Hope I havnt made it worse....lols

Yes I think Ive managed to confuse everyone - inc myself. The reason for starting the thread is to facilitate peoples ideas and views. I like to read what other people value and hear why. As others have stated its really up to the individual as too what is considered collectable.

Me - I like 1960 - 70 stuff the most. Although have just purchased this:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/290672897381?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648

I prefer round base without the edger attachment - looks cleaner? No idea on rareity or value?

I also like the orange utility from the 70s with the 160cc engine due to my Dad making me mow the grass with one for years, even though everyone else had a catcher!!!

Also like the wind up type the gold colored machines that are a little retro looking. Little like Mr Davis said.

Also love my iron horse that is a ripper - looks so 60s and an era where quality did exist. Love this 60's Victa Pace Premier 4 stroke Kirby - https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=28923#Post28923

Anyways, the aim of the game is to enjoy and share - Which is what we are doing

Just interested on the one you just bought,if it has tiger cast into the crankcase.I use to have one exactly the same as that,(I say use to as the mowers I had were all stolen).My one had a tiger engine.If it does have a tiger engine you have got an even rarer mower there.