OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Rotary VC-160 Auto Drive Models

Due to popular demand I'm going to show you the models of the VC-160 Auto Drives.I have had a few people ask about them so it would be better to show and tell.
First of all was the VC-160 Auto Drive Mark I from 1971 to 1972 Victacode V109.This auto drive is arguable the most attractive auto drive but also is the hardest to find.I myself waited about 4 years to find one worth spending any money on.

VC-160 Auto Drive Mark I







Full crank 160cc and G3 carby with the alloy fuel bowl.
Also came with green auto drive catcher (different from the standard VC catcher) black air cleaner and black throttle controller.
Unfortunately mine didn't come with the original green catcher and the original black throttle control.It was a little more than I wanted to pay but it is in great condition.
Also cover for the diff and belt were green in colour as was the fuel tank.In one of the photos you will see this had a black tank I have since changed it to the green one.
The forth picture is of the handle setup to control the drive and activate the diff.Was all the same for the auto drives except the last model.
The last picture is of the diff of which all auto drives used except for the last model the Mark IV.
For sure the hardest of all to find,especially in reasonable condition.

VC-160 Auto Drive Mark II





Build 1973 to 1974 Victacode V136.As you can see it had a colour change.Still run a full crank 160cc engine with a G3 carby with plastic fuel bowl.Black catcher,some of the earlier ones I believe had green diff and belt covers,but they soon went to black.I think it must have been what was left over from the first model.Fuel tanks were black,black air cleaner and throttle control,also had chrome hub caps.
A little easier to find than the first model,but still not easy to find.


VC-160 Auto Drive Mark III





Built 1974 to 1976 Victacode V169. Full crank 160cc engine with a G4 carby,with remote primer.Black catcher,black diff and belt covers.Fuel tank were also black,black hub caps.
Again easier to find than the first two models,but still not that easy.

VC-160 Auto Drive Mark IV






Built 1976 to 1978 Victacode V198. Full crank 160cc engine with a G4 carby,with remote primer.Black catcher,black diff and belt covers.Fuel tank were also black,black hub caps.
Almost the same as the mark III except for the handles for the auto drive had changed and was mush smaller and easier to use.Also the diff had changed to the same style as what the Power-plus used.Of which was the model that came after the auto drives.I'll show you a picture in the next post as I think I'm at my limit now.
Probably the easiest to find out of all the models,but still again not that easy.

VC-160 Auto Drive Mark IV .continued.
Here is a picture (not a great one) of the diff that the Mark IV's came out with.


That's the best picture I have at the moment.I can take a better one and post up later.
Any questions please feel free to ask.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
This did take a while to put together.

A very informative presentation on the Auto Drives Blumbly...

I'm much more informed on variants now.

Was the MK IVs rarity due to amount, reliability or age?

I don't mind any off them, although the Mk1 stands out and is possibly more iconic as its the first of the VC Autos.

Thankyou for your efforts:)

Thanks for putting the info together, I must agree I like the 1st model the best. The colors look right for the garden :-)

Hello Blumbly, HT6, Paul C and ODK viewers

Blumbly, this is fantastic information!

I very much understand how long it takes to put things together.
In your case, it might be hundreds of hours 'behind the scenes' in direct experience.

ODK thanks you for this important record of the VC Auto-Drive versions.

Cheers
-----------------------------
JACK.

Thank everyone I appreciate it.I just thought it would be easier as I have been asked a few times before.I might do some others in the VC range up soon.
Well I think it was all of the above,I've certainly seen a lot more of them than any other model.I've had two and one that I have to ship up from Melbourne soon.
I do believe myself that the Mark I is nicer,but as I said it is a lot harder to find.

Hi Blumby, nice work on the presentation. I have one question relating to the Mark IV, is that the correct blade carrier or is it just an earlier model one til the right one comes your way?

Thanks Bigted much appreciate.Yes that is the correct cutting disc for that model.In fact all the VC-125's,VC-160's and VC-160 Auto Drives used that cutting disc (only small variations.The earlier ones had only two holes for blades not the four holes you see in the picture),but not all in the VC range. VC-Sports ans VC-Mustangs had a different cutting disc.
Also that Mark IV in the last picture I had to wreck it out for parts.The base was absolutely trashed and I felt it wasn't safe any more.Didn't help that someone tried to weld it,but just made it a lot worse.

I noticed the same thing also guys. It looked to me much older than id expected, and also appears upside down. I dont recall seeing a plate with the lip exposed to the ground. In any case, you've confirmed its correct for the Auto, and that's good enough for me

How does the MK IVs driveline differ to that of the earlier 3? The same principle but with just a different style of diff, or is it a totally different design?

Yep, it's a very basic blade disc, but effective!! (With the right blades) great write up there mate, nice pic's too!!!

Here is some pictures of the different diff's for the auto drives.
Why they changed I have no idea,could be a better design or a different supplier I don't know.However the the later model one was the same as the power-plus had.
Mark I,II & III

Mark IV only

Mark I,II & III

Mark IV only


Just a few things to show you all that they are the correct blade discs.As well as the part numbers to match.

Thanks for the post Blumbly, always good to see the progression of a model / series , they have certainly gone backwards with the new self propelleds......

Cheers mate

Perhaps your right on the later drive being simply a manufacturer change, as it appears the same in principle to the earlier versions. Another alternative is if the early ones had a common fault which they hoped to rectify with the MK IV version.

Some good info With the mower and carrier breakdown also.

Well yes squizzy but nothing was and has never been build as good as it or they ever did.
(Wow I hope made some kind of sense to you.I think I got it and I typed it).
It's sad that it's not about build quality but build quantity.

Ahhhh its always been about Quantity Mate lols....Victa was no exception....Just have a good look at a Rotomo lols. Appaling Quality...But they look damn good! Ha ha.

But yeah, they did get it right mostly from then on

Well no I do believe there was a time that quality did matter.I mean I don't think you will see many new mowers last till there 30,40 and certainly 50 years old.
The build quality just isn't there.

The new self pros have a tendency to pop the drive dog clips off if you pull them backwards with the drive engaged, (which it seems most do ), and are NOTHING like the first models......or even the VC autos certainly want be around in 50 years.

Only if we save as many as we can,as they are at that age where they are getting tossed out and replaced by newer models.
Lots of them in the last few years are being discovered in scrap metal piles.Not good.

Thank you Blumbly for sharing your knowledge and taking the time posting this,I know the difference between each model VC 160 Auto Drive now much appreciated.

Thanks chris125 not a problem it was my pleasure to do,even-though it did take a while to sort it all out.I was happy with the end result though.
Thank you for taking the time to read it.