OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Identification of Particular Machines Newby with New Toys

Howdy,

Just got three new Victa 18s home

I'm new to Mowers, so I don't really have a great deal of knowledge about them.

First:
Engine No: AC59601 (on upper casing) and has the single digit "6" stamped on the lower casing just under the AC59601.


Second:
Engine No: 182743



Third:
Engine No: AA11485 (it not really clear but I'm pretty sure that's it)



You can see all the photos here -

http://s941.photobucket.com/user/g_barrington/library/Victa%2018s

The Blue one has me interested, I've never seen a blue one before (but I haven't really seen that many) - the blue paint on it looks very original, but as you can see the handlebars are green, likely from another mower, or perhaps they were originally like that, I just don't know.

Anyway, the plan is to get stuck in an restore them all to their former glory - and of course I'll keep you guys updated about how its all going.

I believe I have 3 Victa 18s - not sure of the years - two with no "edger" channel, one with - Im guessing late 50's - maybe model 5s.

Anyone care to tell me what I've got? I can post the Engine Numbers if that will help

Comments? Warnings? Abuse? I'm open to it all.

Thanks.


Polybus

Edit: Just added the Engine Numbers.

Hey Polybus,
A warm welcome to ODK.

3 nice little mowers you have there and they will restore up nicely.

Engine nos will prove important if wwe are to identify accurately. But briefly,all 3 are model 5s and probaly range from late 58 to 60.

Unfortunatley NO victa of this period was blue,so it been painted by the previous owner.

The mowers are at a quick glance as follows

1, Model 5 Series 3...From what can be seen, it Appears mostly correct.

2, Model 5 Series 2..."Same as the first one" and the earliest of the 3 and if the serial is correct,probably slightly the more desirable,but thats a matter of opinion. Id like too see a little more of this one when you have time

3, Model 5 Series 3..." Same as the first one"

All 3 are one above basic model in that they have recoil starters.


Again the engine nos and full images of both sides will determine Accuracy.

A few minor corrections and they will restore up nicely. Feel free to ask any questions as we have many early Victa specialists here that are willing to lend a hand. Also the Victa Forum has very concise and accurate info in regards to restoration.

Warnings No,
Abuse Hmmmmm maybee...lols
Comments, youll get plenty!

Good luck and enjoy your new acquisitions

Mal,.

Hi Mal,

Thanks for the reply

You can see lots of photos, from all angles of all three at:

http://s941.photobucket.com/user/g_barrington/library/Victa%2018s

I have just added engine numbers to my first post - maybe that will give you some more clues.

Shame about the Blue one - I really quite liked it in blue

As I have stated above - I'm new to restoring Mowers, so I want to make sure that none of the 2 I've obtained are of any real historical value, and nothing too rare - I'd hate to think I'd lucked upon something really quite rare and valuable that should have someone who knows what they are doing restore it - and then I just blunder through and wreck it!

Oh!! And by the way - I suspect the recoil starter on the Model 2 is not original, the paoint looks quite a bit different to the rest of the mower.

Gordon

lols just posted when you edited the numbers!

First engine no seems Accurate for a very early series 3.

Second Serial is Perfectly Accurate. And yes the starter is not original,but it is correct in style and accurate for this mower

Third Serial,seems a little early and would probably be more suited to a Model 5 Series 2...BUT research and complete accuracy for Serials is sparse for the Model 5 Series 3...But I would leave it as is for now and maybe make it your last restore,and more info will come to light in the future regarding its accuracy.

Yes I like the Blue too...

All mowers are valuable to their owners. But since you asked the question...No they are not valuable in monetary terms...Yes they have historical Value,but they are not rare. You will have no trouble in restoring these to there former glory without damaging the historical or monetary value.... infact it will more than likely cost you more to restore than what its worth....but as I said,The owner holds the mowers worth in his own mind!!!!

Thanks again.

I've restored a few bikes and other bits and pieces and its nearly always the case that it costs more to restore them than they are worth in monetary terms - but hey - I don't care - if it takes me 12 months to do the three of them, then that's 12 months of enjoyment - I don't mind paying for that

I don't have a great deal of space so I'll probably try and give them to a Museum of some sort when I've finished - not in it for the money.

At this early stage the only glaringly obvious thing (to me anyway) - is the Brass Fuel tap is missing from one of them - it has been replaced by a modern, plastic tap - and of course the Blue Paint

Gordon

Hi Mal and Polybus,

Please Mal, correct me if I am wrong, but the second machine appears to me to be a Model 5 Series 1....It has the 4 skirt holes, edger slot, and front and rear Predicta axle housing extensions...which indicates a Model 4 base?
Here's the pic from the left hand side...

Hi Polybus,
And thanks for posting the pics....I know that you like the blue machine....I have restored a Model 5 Series 1 as the base for a coffee table and my wife said "I am not having a crappy green mower in the lounge room"

So I painted it blue....Here's a pic, prior to completion.

Sure is deejay,sorry Typo on the second one,never checked it at edit:( At the time of my post it DID show up as a Model 5S1, not S2...Also I posted my info before he put up the serials and link to the complete Images,so i never got to see the other side clearly

But its now irrelavent,as with the serial and complete Images of Model 4 Base it appears to be a Fairly Correct Model 4 STD(NON Auto)

Thanks for that Mal, I am still learning myself of the subtle differences between the Victa 18 models, and it's through specialists like yourself that I am gaining this valuable knowledge.
Many thanks mate.

No,thankyou Deejay for pointing it out:)...And as for learning,it appears your well and truly up on most if not all the Differences! lols.

Its good to get another accurate Model 4 STD in the forums especially with the correct serial...

One of a few little things I noted on this is the cowl assy. While its not impossible I would not expect to see this style sticker on a model 4 STD. Also the metal cap seems a good colour match to the tank. This combination I would expect to see on a 2a(cowl sticker),early Model 3 Rotomo or extremely early automatic,as the latter two ran mostly metal caps on the early release models. BUT since the cowl/tank assy colour seems to match the rear of the base Id say this is how it was sold:) Something small,but noteworthy...:)

Now that's a nice Coffee Table!!! I hope mine comes out looking that good!

So it seems the general consensus is:.....

One (Ol' Blue): Victa 18 - Model 5 - Series 3

Two: Victa 18 - Model 5 - Series 1 (or is it a Model 4 STD - whatever that means) or a (Series 5) 2a,early Model 3 Rotomo or extremely early automatic...... (this mower business is a lot trickier tan I was expecting!!! How could I tell an auto from a manual??

Three: Victa 18 - Model 5 - Series 3

For what it is worth.....I would say the metal cap on Two is original - it seems to be a perfect colour match, and shows the same degree of aging as the rest of the paint.

Another quick question: On eBay at the moment there is what appears to be a pristine looking Victa 18 - Series 1??? - Anyway, it looks really similar to my mower No: 2 - What are you guys thoughts, would it be safe for me to uses those pictures as my guide and aim to get mine as close to that as possible? ie: Is that exactly what they looked like off the production line? Polished alloy bottom clamps to secure the handle bars? That double layered Spark Plug Lead? Clear fuel line etc?

See it here: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VINTAGE-...owers&hash=item3f340098a5&_uhb=1

If I can get mine looking anywhere near that - I will be a very happy chappy!!

Has anyone ever heard of a Blue Model being released? Maybe via the department stores? I've seen a few red ones , but they were minus the VICTA Emblem. Sorry to harp on about it, but the paint looks very old, and very original - so either it is original, or it was repainted many many years ago - truth is I'd love to restore it in that colour, so Im looking for a reason - but if it was originally green, then green it shall be again, I like to restore to as close to original as I can get.

Gordon

Ol' Blue!!

I've just been going back through some old, archived messages, and Isee that when Jonesy first joined the Forum, he posted in the Introductions Forum - and he posted a picture of a Victa 18 in the same colour Blue, and with green handle bars, the same as mine!!

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=45779#Post45779

(Scroll down a couple of photos)

Anyone have any details on that mower? Jonesy? Do you know how it came to be Blue? Was it re-painted?

Gordon

Hey Polybus,

Yes,Mowers one and three are both Model 5 series 3.
Mower 2 since weve seen the Images and serial is a Model 4 STD.
The example on ebay is as youve stated a correct Model 5 Series 1.

As you go along through the various forums you will learn the differences between all the models as the information here is very concise and proven accurate in almost all aspects...

A quick run down on the model 4 Automatic . It was released in 1957 and was supposed to revolutionise mowing as we know it...but unfortunately and very quickly it proved to be unreliable and was discontinued. Your mower example is what is left of this iconic release. The parts from the Automatic were deleted....(This setup was called the Predicta system) This link to the Auto thread will explain everything.

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=47929.

So your model is what remains of the automatic,A std Model 4 with no Predicta setup. And it appears correct as sold with correct serial no.
My point with the cap and cowl is really quite simple. The use of a metal fuel cap would generally not be considered a fittment for a mower this late,and more suited to the models id stated,BUT I have seen some odd examples.
My point in the post was merely this and i came up with the same conclusion you did....that the cap tank cowl and base all seemed to be a colour match,and was probably sold the way we see it now,with the exception of the starter off course.:) So while its minor it is something different. and in my opinion it should be restored the way it stands,same cap and sticker position:)

So the model 4 STD is basically the fill in model after the Auto failed and the Model 5 S1 started....The first Victa Special.Which again is the one in the ebay link you showed.

Anyways you will learn a lot as you go along be patient and ask anything you like and we will have an answer for you enjoy your resto's and I cant wait to see the model 4 as its one of my favourites:)

Use the model you see as a guide only. Your mower is with the exception of the starter from what i can see,how it came out of the showroom.

Your paint is the correct colour his is not. The axles,adjust rod and most bolts were nickle plated.
The dome nuts were chromed. All the alloy is cast and came as is from the mould with a slight lustre,they were not painted.
The paint colour is Avocado(galmet) and the green is Deep brunswick green(wattle)
the wheels and caps are originals. If they are ok you can do them up to paint (Smooth cream or primrose) or buy new A/M wheels and caps(getting harder to find since theyve been discontinued again.)
Basically your mower is pretty much its own example as it almost perfectly accurate and untouched. just follow what you see. Air filter and bracket are correct snorkel needs to be changed. A few little bits and pieces and im pretty sure your set to go with what youve got...The mesh guard on the last model 3 starter will be a good addition to this mower to btw as it will be near perfect to release.

And at the risk of offence...you can yell scream jump up and down,beat your head against a brick wall..BUT unfortunately Blue never came out on a Victa Release. Unless it was done by a shop,which would have been a breach of Victas Colour Specs. Red on the Exports was common,and there are a few variants using red wheels and top hats on the early models for specific company models. These are rare and desirable,especially if the mower has the company it was supplied to's name on it

And btw ive had a couple of blue models as well with the same yellowish primer under it.....paint of the times i guess.But always done by owners and often with a paint brush.

As for doing your series3 up Blue...Go for it! its your mower and you have 2 do one custom and one original. many people change the colours on the series 3 to suit their tastes and i for one would be the last to object. There are so many original examples to see and use as guides for accurate restore....So Do a Blue if its what you Desire!

Thanks heaps Blue

You guys are full of good advice

And I guess (sadly ) that puts an end to the blue issue - it doesn't matter how badly I want it to be an original blue - it just wasn't - so I will be restoring it with the original green colour - I suppose blue just wouldn't be right anyway - when I think Victa, I think green.

RIGHT!!! Thanks again for all the good info - I'm off to start taking photos and disassembling

Gordon

No Sadness!..lols I wasnt finished,read my last post again:) your smile will return!

Custom Blue!!! Now there is an idea!! Hihihi....

Nah - Whenever I restore anything I get pleasure out of taking it back it to as close as I can to the day it rolled off the assembly line - I'm not really sure why - its just something in me that feels good about returning it to its original state of so many years ago - dunno - maybe its an inner yearning for simpler, better days, reliving my youth or some other such psychological bullsh!t.

But having said that - these three mowers are older than me!!

As much as I would have liked it to have rolled of the production line in blue - it didn't - and I will get more enjoyment returning it to its original green.

Not that I disagree with making customs - I love seeing what others do - but as I said, there's just something in me that pulls me to do them original.

Maybe I'm just weird - but there's a few of us around

Gordon

Psychological bullshit sounds good! lols. But,Not weird at all...You will find most collectors aim is to restore a piece back to its original state,as I for one am the same.

Often I prefer to keep a model unrestored,by just enhancing its original state and patina and repairing any broken items,so its as the original owner used it. Keeps the character of the period. With that said I fully restore any pieces that are far to gone back to their original state.

But customising has its place too,especially to highlight ones character. if youve restored many mowers then sometimes its good to think outside the square and customise/colour to maybee how you would have released them,if these were your mowers you were producing:) And yeah the mowers are a good decade older than me too,some of mine even 20 years older.

Well the work has commenced



No real issues so far - at least as far as the disassembly goes - no stuck nuts/bolts/etc. There was one of the handlebar bolts snapped, with the bottom half left in and the head snapped off, but believe it or not, just a bit of penetrating oil, half and hour and then it just backed out from the other side - luckily there was enough thread showing out the other side to grab it with some multi-grips and it came out quite easily.

The biggest surprise I got (which still wasn't humongously bad) was the cowl and head on one of the Series 5s. Someone had decided the cowl wasn't fixed on well enough so they rigged up a couple of little sheet metal tabs that they bolted to the cowl, and then the the cooling fins on the head - so the outermost fins have a hole drilled through them, and a couple of the cooling fins are broken, but nothing too bad, nothing that can be seen with the cowl in place.

So here are some photos of how things stand at the moment.

No 1: (Bluey):
http://s941.photobucket.com/user/g_barrington/library/Victa%2018s/Bluey/Disassembly%201

No 2: (The Series 4 STD)
http://s941.photobucket.com/user/g_barrington/library/Victa%2018s/Series%204%20STD/Disassembly%201

No 3:
http://s941.photobucket.com/user/g_...s/Model%205%20Series%201/Disassembly%201



And you'll never guess what happened!!!

When I took the lower handle bar clamps off Ol Blue - on the body, under where the handlebars were clamped, I found just the slightest evidence of green paint!!! Who would have thought that??!?!

More later......

You really are enjoying yourself Polybus! lols.

You will see and here of all sorts of crazy mods as you go along and learn more,but your head example is one ive not heard of...haha.

Youll find most parts for these models are still fairly common and cheap with the exception of the choke assy and Special badge. Fuel taps and snorkels are actually getting more scarce also,but not too pricey.
So dont worry to much if you break anything. Probably the rarest part on your mowers is the mesh guard on starter of the M5 S3,so keep it safe:) Anything else is pretty much still easily obtainable

Good to see your getting right into them!