OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Identification of Particular Machines Victa Corvette

I have found this corvette on scum tree I'm thinking of getting my hands on it but from my research somethings don't seem correct could anyone tell me how old it could be? it should have an impulse starter and torpedo exhaust is this correct?

How hard would it be to get the correct impulse starter and exhaust for it

HI ir_baboon_73 I think your getting that confused with the older models it's a series 70 Corvette the muffler and starter are correct for that model.I think for memory it's a 1972-73 model Victacode V120.I can't find any pictures of yet,but I'm sure I do have some somewhere.I'll keep looking for you thought,but yet it does look correct to me.

Found some pictures Mr.Davis (Ty) had one in in great shape but here is some pictures of that one.

blumbly the owner says he changed the wind up starter to a zip starter years ago the engine number is 506710842

Are you sure the engine number isn't starting with a 56 and not 506? I only ask as I think it's a Corvette 2 from 1969-72 which includes 6 models 69VB-1-2-3 and models 70VB & 71VB victacode V65.Model 69VB had 5690 69VB-1-2-3 are 5691,5692 & 5693 and the 70VB & 71VB start with 5700 & 5710.I know this problem doesn't mean anything much to most but it tells me it's not the original engine.

nice looking jigger though , but im sure blumbles will sort it out ......... just looks a bit of a bitsa really , how is the hole for muffler in the deck ?
or i dont think you have seen it upclose as yet ?

I haven't seen it in person yet I'm umming an arring about it something isn't right about it I think ill just keep looking I found this also pity its in Cessnock

now that looks a lot better yesssssss. a surviver all there looks like too , its a runner ? most times if not always its a points clean n off it goes ;

i agree yes there is something seems not quiet correct on the other one huh both of mine have the side cover on the other side , but maybe different models ... there were a few

Hello one of the little people from the village,

The interesting thing about the original Corvettes is that they
never had recoil 'zip' starters. they were always impulse with
trip-release. Any 1960s or '70s Corvette (with recoil) will be incorrect.

Even after the Series 70 MK2 was introduced (the first decompressor Victa engine),
Victa continued to fit the Series 70 Mark 1 to the Corvette (meaning it could not
take a recoil starter). This was pure marketing strategy: Victa's once flagship
Corvette had to make way for the new kid on the block, the VCs.

The Corvette was dropped for the 1973 model year (72-73).
The name has been revived - from time to time - but with no real prestige.

The rest is history.
----------------------------
Jack

hey jack , so any idea why the blade cover is on the other side ? or its a photo glitch maybe as all i have seen including mine have it the carby side not muffler side .

its an export model for U.S. ? as over there we are backwards

wrong everything on that one , really nothing like ir's prospect

vccomm its all complete except for the front cowl the chrome cover where it would say corvette I don't know if you can get these easily she isn't a runner but like you said probably wouldn't take much to bring back to life

most but not all the chrome will fit it just depends on what model it is and then just aquire the right sticker decal but its a better looking thing yeah .

and to be true i have NEVER seen one with a zipstart yet but im sure to be yelled at and proved wrong

not mant of then are really dead , just depends on how much time you have and what your prepared to do . at worst a complete rebuild and at least a points clean and carby service

that's why I was asking about the 1st one from what research I was doing it was all wrong I noticed what you said about the side access on the opposite side there's one on flea bay on the carby side as you said well ill just keep searching for a 60s victa looks like it will be long ole process

Hello vccomm

That is a great question and it got me thinking.
I think I have a credible explanation.

The early 1960s Victa had a safety defect that would only become
apparent with the design standards introduced in the late 1960s.
It was that the discharge chute should be opposite the carby side.
[Hopefully, for obvious reasons].

Starter
The trick is: if you see a Corvette with a metal cowl and a zip starter,
it will be wrong. All these Corvettes had wind-up starters.

Cheers
-----------------
Jack

aaaaaaaah ok , so hmmmm , it has a steel catcher so makes it early but mine do interchange though one plastic and one steel . cheers jack .
anyidea on any number ir_ ? it will help as ya know

thanks jack I had a feeling it was all wrong

a couple



1st one it takes the steel catcher , not sure of a date as the redbacks here keep growling at me !!!
2nd is a 67 model it has a 3Q carby on it , im told is sort of a rare item . and tkes both types of catchers but i was told it had plastic maybe kinda .

and the 3rd as you can see is almost same as 2nd one and most store brands had it of the era .

look close and see the cover slots in both ..... on carby side

All very interesting, yes, i agree the starter is incorrect for the 'vette, but one contradiction i find here is that the side chute has to be opposite to the carby side. All the series 70 utilities with the north/south facing motor had the chute on the same side as the carby, did this safety defect become insignificant when it came to selling mowers or was it acceptable because of the intoduction of the chute itself?

only reason i could even dream up might be sparks ? when using it for its intended purpose close to walls or concrete might ignite fuel maybe ? kinda ??? as i did get sparks when used mine around rocks in my yard

Hello bigted and vccomm

My discussion really concerned the rear catcher machines.
The side discharge chute cover could be completely removed.
The danger with that is that an open chute could no longer
be on the carby priming and height adjusting side on rear-
catcher machines.

Note that within about a season, Victa ceased putting side chutes
on rear catcher machines altogether. A sensible and safer design.

The real danger in the earlier Corvette design was that the guard
was removable. And of course it was not really a discharge chute
but an edging device that enabled close contact between blade and edge.
As I said, the real danger was the cover being removed and discarded.

Having said that, I would like to discuss the utility machines.
Here I include the Victa Utility and the Victa Special of the 1970s.
By 1972, Victa had created the 'skilled User range' and the Utes &
Specials were in this new category.

Clearly the safety requirements for utility type mowers required
some compromise. The best place for a discharge chute on any
side discharge mower, with a clockwise rotating engine, will be the RH
side. But note that removable flaps were replaced with hinged flaps,
and ring guards were incorporated into the toe-cutter bases.

On rear-catcher machines, safety flip flaps would become the norm,
and deflector side-chutes were offered (as standard fitment) when
rear catchers were not used.

So, I guess no contradictions, but the move to safe lawnmowers has
been incremental - sometimes crazy, but mostly for the better.

Cheers
Jack

This Monaro is for sale on gumtree
Has a good chrome front on it...

Thanks Jack, that makes sense, the earlier side discharge with the cover removed posed many problems, especially around losing toes.

Wow hasn't this topic changed over the last day.
Wow not sure where you get your information from but it's not totally correct There was a Corvette 2 released in 1973-74 Victacode V147 of which did (I'll repeat DID) have a recoil starter.Of which is the exact model that we are talking about.The one I added the picture of.I myself have seen far too many over my 20 years of collecting and talking to others about them to believe what you are saying is true.Yes there was a time the Corvette were dropped as the Cortina took over that line,and they were basically the same mower.
What do you mean by original.Where they all not original?

Ya What?? The Mark I engine never even scene the the light of day by 1973 mowing season the Mark II was on the scene and the Mark III wasn't far off.Actually I think it was even earlier in 73.By the end of 1972 that was if for Mark I.I know there isn't much difference between the Mark I and Mark II,just the head with a decompression value.It's simply a matter of Ready...Zip...Mow!

You got that right those dumb things they make now are all just exactly the same they just paint the base a different colour,Hey let's call it something else.At least in the 50's,60's,70's and 80's they made them look different.

Sorry Jack there is just some things you put up (hey I've done the same)that just isn't quite right.I guess unless you are 100% correct,then like me I just don't post it anymore.In saying that there wasn't one with a zip starter is completely wrong there was.I didn't even look that hard to find it either.

its funny blumbly the owner of the 1st corvette pictured said he got it in 74

Hello ir-baboon_73

IT is a pity the Victa flagship of the 1960s, the Corvette, would have its last
hurrah for the 1972 lineup, and be fitted with the older Mark 1 motor to boot.
The final insult was its revival as a store-branded mower with the V147.



Blumbly, I am happy with the information I gave about the Corvette.
I believe it to be correct. Good discussion on safety features too.
Factual information in the official Victa catalogues for the years in question.

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=152&page=1

Cheers
Jack

That's right ir_baboon_73 and that fits to the model I said it was.

Good for you Jack and I'm glad that your pleased but your information is wrong.Just cause you add a picture of store brand doesn't mean that's the model I was talking about.Store brands were popping out left right and center at that time period.
I mean your a moderator and your giving out the wrong information when people are wanting the right information.You don't know everything and you out of everyone can't be told you are wrong,go on believing your right that's fine (I don't give a rats),but stop giving out wrong information.I'd be surprised if you even have a collection of any type.
Your more interested in the historical side of it not collecting.I have been collecting information (and mowers) for years so yes I know your wrong.Stop being Mr Right where all here to learn as as well,but you don't want to be taught.I'm starting to think your just trying to add to your post count.You even reply to post you know you have no idea about,Why?
Who even selected you to be a Moderator?I know you've pi#*ed people off we the members do talk outside of the forum.So that I do know,and now your under minding me? On something I know,in the era I know.WHAT???!!!

Well that's my yearly rant.I was so trying to avoid that.

Sorry ir_baboon_73 I can tell you it is the model I said (with a zip starter),however if that engine number you gave is correct then it's not the original engine.Sometimes I hate these forums cause you have someone who is trying to help and then some one who says the opposite.You won't find this mower in sales brochures as they really didn't sell as they were being pushed aside and Victa was pushing harder for the VC range as the big sellers which they did.
I'm sure you've moved on from that though as I think you were after an earlier model than this model.Good luck with your search I know you'll find one as there is still a few out there.Good luck my friend.

This topic is now under review.
I have asked for the previous post to be moderated for breach of forum rules.
The previous post has now been moderated.
I have closed this topic.

-------------------------
Jack