OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum The Old Soap Box CATALOGUE - Victa 1975 Range [Re: CyberJack]

Hello Jack and other ODK members.I just wanted start by saying awesome work in the catalogue section Jack it is very done and very informative.
However I'd just like to point that your 1975 catalogue isn't a 1975 catalogue.
It is in-fact a second print of the 1973-74 catalogue.
As for 1975 mowers the G3 carby had been totally replaced by the G4 carby.
Here is an example like the model VC-Auto drive in that catalogue is a 1973-74 VC-Auto Drive Mark II with the G3 carby. The auto drive available in 1975 was in fact the 1974-76 VC-Auto drive Mark III with G4 carby.
Also remember that in 1975 was the big release of the 500 Twin of which is in the 1975 catalogue.
You may or may not recall at some point I asked you (maybe via PM I don't remember),if you had a catalogue called 'Big Grass Band'? that catalogue was the 1975 catalogue.
Now I'm not sure as to why but this particular catalogue seems to be one of the hardest to find,and I am still to this date haven't been able to get one.
The closet I have come to getting anything like it are these photos of it below.



Unfortunately this is all I have been able to get of it.Not sure why it's such a hard catalogue to find but it is.I just thought that you should know as this was the 1975 catalogue not the one have there at the moment.
The you-tube link you have on the 1975 range of VC-Mustangs is the correct one as all the VC-Mustangs (of 1975) had the G4 carby. You stated they had the G3 carbys for that add,they didn't. Those were the G4 models.Easy to tell by the snorkels and big black throttle control boxes in the add.
Thank You for taking the time to read.
I'll get off my soap box now.
Actually why is it called a soap box?
Thanks.

Hello Blumby
I just re-checked all my records.
The first reference to the G4 occurs, as expected, in late 1975 for the 1976 Range.
Same thing for the Twin (released after Sept 1).
For most of 1975, Victas were fitted with the G3.

To verify this I only looked at factory advertisements.
Here are two ads - the first from January, 1975; the second
from August, 1975 (just before the new 75-76 season.)
NOTE: the ZIP HIP HOORAY campaign and Alan Moffat, both feature
in my 1975 booklet.




I should be able to date your "Big Grass Band" brochure.
I'm afraid that 1975 isn't close there. That brochure and
campaign date from late 1977 for the 1978 season.

The first clue to this was the Victa Compact / Lightweight on the cover.
Victa's own documents show this mower was introduced in late 1977.
The second clue was the campaign itself, again ... late 1977.
Your brochure covers the 1978 'range'.

One final point. It appears to me that the concept of a fixed range
breaks down in 1975. Victa became more flexible as it moved to being
a garden products company - selling makes from around the world.

I can't say I have seen a reference to a fixed Victa Range by year after 1974.

Hope this helps.
Jack

If that's the 1978 range, when was the Auto drive replacement, the Victa self propelled introduced, the one with the black VC sports style engine top and powerplus engine? I thought that was from 1978 until the introduction of the electronic ignition models in 1980.

Can we see these documents?
I'd really like to see them,that could be really awesome information.
I have never yet seen a 1975 made Victa that didn't have a G4.
I think maybe your looking at the calendar year and not the mower season.In most states the grass doesn't start to grow until spring and slows down in Autumn,hence a mower season which would cross over to a new year.
Except for Southern Queensland this year we didn't have one,Ha Ha.

So therefore (Since where talking 1975) the season would be 1975 to 1976,that would be the mower season not the calendar year.
I have most of those brochures and I can't find a date on them.
Also pre 1975 (catalogue,mower season) the mowers that would have been released earlier could well have a make date of 1974. Possibly older stock,as like now if you wanted to buy a 2017 made car it would be very hard.As most dealers would only have 2016 made cars in stock,hence the sales campaigns they are having. Victa would have had to do something similar.
Advertising in papers does not prove there date of manufacture.It just proves as to what Victa marketing gave to be published to the people.
Very interesting to see non the less.
See as the advertising date is January 26 1975 that mower I guarantee was made in 1974.So it would not have been covered under the 1975-76 season.

Now the biggest reason I know it is not 1975 is the VC-Mustang there both the green and red VC-Mustang victacode V135 Both went from 1973 to 1974.As well as the VC-Auto Drive victacode V136 released 1973 to 1974.It was the only model with the black throttle control.The next auto drive then took over from 1974 to 1975 victacode V169 only came with a G4 carby.
Also a big one the VC-125 Mark III victacode V138 1973 to 74.
That was it for the VC-125 no more where ever made.With the years that refers to mower season not necessarily date of manufacturer.

See what I'm really trying to say if someone decided to collect 1975 made mowers with that catalogue they'd be looking for G3 models but that's not correct they had G4.
I'm not sure if you have a victacode book but you can cross reference those dates.If the G3 carby didn't end in 1975 I guess the argument would be pointless as there wouldn't be much of a difference,but as I said 1975 to 1976 season mowers were made with G4 carbys.
So I would bet the farm on that catalogue is not a 1975 to 76 season as most of those models had been replaced,with G4 carbys.

To conclude that catalogue would be a 1973 to 1974 as most of those models,especially the ones I pointed out were manufactured from 1973 to 1974,or at best maybe the 1974 to 1975 season before the G4's were available,but to class it as just 1975 I believe is incorrect.
Perhaps the dates should be changed to the mower season they would have been done for and not just a highlighter-ed year (Calendar year).
I hope you can see why I've come to this conclusion.
As the name said which I strongly believe is incorrect.
Thanks for taking the time to read.

Actually I think I did get the dates wrong with that one Mowerfreak.
After I checked it,it has the VC-Mustang S in which I do know was made from 1977
to 1978.So I'd say it was the catalogue from 1977 to 78.

OK Jack I've noticed that you decided not to reply and that's fine I do understand,but please can you just change the date on the topic.I'm sure you can see and understand they were not the 1975 models.As I've listed above some models didn't even go over to 1974.
I just want it to be as correct as it can be.I have had a lot of people getting hold of me asking is this date right and it really isn't. So please just change the date.
Thanks.

Blumbly,

If you're interested I'm sure I have that catalog. No idea where but I'll have a look around.

Pete.

Thanks ihatewetsocks I have it already as it was quite a common one to find.However there is two I don't have which is the "Meet the Victa Big Grass Band" and "Victa Mowed Australia What It Is Today"
I believe that these are from 1977 to 1978,but I'm not sure which is what as I don't have them.If you have these ones them I'd love to see or even buy.
I'll put the front covers up for you.

Any brochure on the SuperStart series entering the 1980s?

I find that incredible!

I do believe I was the first to point out the significance of lawnmowing seasons.
When I refer to 'Range Year', I mean the largest part of that season, i.e., the
second year. That is how Victa interpreted it, following auto industry conventions.

Ah ... no ... We are discussing the 1974-75 season for 1975 models.
New season's Models are released at the end of the previous year. See above.
[Perhaps this is where your misunderstanding lies ...?]

Totally disagree there.
My research says the G4 was introduced in September, 1975, for the 1975-76 season -
the 1976 Range.

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

Someone said in another discussion forum that the Victa 500 twin was introduced in 1974. Maybe it was only unveiled rather than released for sale.
They came with the G4 from the start.

Hello Mowerfreak
No ... there was no Twin unveiling in 1974 to my knowledge.
The Twin was released in late 1975 according to my latest records.

Yes, the G4 was integral to the original Victa twin design.

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

Hi Blumbly,

Sorry I was not clear. I meant I'm sure I have the big grass band one.
I'll have a look around.
No idea where it would be but I'm sure I have it. Happy to give it away if I can find it.

Pete.

Hi all,

"I should be able to date your "Big Grass Band" brochure.
I'm afraid that 1975 isn't close there. That brochure and
campaign date from late 1977 for the 1978 season."

Just saw this brochure on the museum site with 1982 listed but I agree
with Jack: late 1977 for the 1978 season.

Here are a couple of better images.
Cheers
Max

H all,

This is all very interesting. To muddy the waters a little I have a 16 page UK brochure which must be from the era (I really don't know when it was printed). I have scanned it and I could throw it into the mix if anyone is interested?

I will attach the front and back cover, you may well have seen it before, if not let me know and I will upload it.

Hello Alan
Yes, I am interested!

Little is known in AUS about Victa UK.
Never seen this one before.

I think AUS members would like to know how their Victas
were sold abroad - there are clear differences in specification.
So, yes, please upload.

I guess you know that there were UK mowers sold here
under the Victa brand ...

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...qualcasts-does-anyone-remember-them.html

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

Hello Jack,

Yes, I have read on here about the Qualcasts, not sure if they are sill being made but they were a very popular brand. Their petrol rotary's are generally considered as rubbish nowadays, everything is made in China. Honda & Hayter seem to be top of the pile.

The back page of this brochure suggests that these Victa's were manufactured in the UK, Australia & the USA? Obviously a "play on words" sales technique, at best they were probably just partially assembled abroad.

As requested, I will upload of the remaining brochure pages. There are some nice historical backdrops from the well kept grounds at Arundel Castle in Sussex and I have uploaded all pages at 300dpi apart from P7 (Autodrive) it had to scanned at 150dpi as it was well over the max at 300dpi (3.2Mb).

I am a keen collector of Victa's from this era, it would be great if it sorts out the production year debate.

Pages 1 - 10 attached, 11 - 16 of the brochure to follow..

Enjoy..

That's all folks..!!

Bugger.. I've stuffed this up. It's amazing what a difference few Carlings can do..!!

Missing page p.2 (inside front cover) attached.

Brilliant!
Alan, sincere thanks for you time in this.

The Super 24 and edger are of particular interest,
That edger never sold here!

Your info shows that Victa did adapt to overseas markets.

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