I don't know why so many people salivate over these things. They are nothing but trouble. It is only their collectability that is appealing. give me the trusty and proven single cylinder Victa over these headaches on wheels. They are interesting to be sure, but not practical.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Probably because only a few survive, makes them rare and they are a unique in the fact and I can't recall another 2 cylinder push mower, probably there is but I don't know of them
Pretty much so, I know with the Stag it was a problem with air trapped in the top of the motor or radiator hose that sent many of them to an early grave
Probably because only a few survive, makes them rare and they are a unique in the fact and I can't recall another 2 cylinder push mower, probably there is but I don't know of them
Trouble is, they behave like a single cylinder anyway. Would have been more practical to have a single cylinder 170cc, but where is the hype in that?
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Trouble is, they behave like a single cylinder anyway. Would have been more practical to have a single cylinder 170cc, but where is the hype in that?
I think that is a great point M-F makes there.
Victa saw themselves as innovators and leaders in lawnmower designs. The Twin delivered average performance and It was obviously expensive to manufacture; it suffered from reliability issues in the early days. Warranty claims probably eroded any profit made on the model.
The Victa Supreme was the later iteration - and it corrected the technical issues that plagued the early model 500s.
At a selling level - this was a Ford Edsel, and the market decided accordingly. Today, the twins are prized by Victa collectors - not because of great engineering, but because they symbolise a time when Victa did dream and do things differently.
-------------------------------------- Jack
p.s. I have added images of this Twin for the record.
One thing that puts me off the twin personally, is I liked the engine head poking out the side of the engine cowling on 125 and 160 high arch models. The twin was more like the low arch in that respect and it took away that characteristic to me. The large and very attractive catcher made up for things somewhat. Might be why I love the 1980s side pull full crank Mustang with a similar looking catcher, but slightly narrower to fit the narrower deck.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Will say though, regardless of the technical issues with those mowers they are a good looking sleek style mower compared to many of the "Lost in Space" looking things they brought out around the same era.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
They do have a bit of a cult following, i sold one a few weeks ago on flea bay that wasn't running and had no catcher that still sold for $360 at auction
What about one not running and with a crack free black replacement catcher without magic eye and engine cover without any cracks or missing fluting such as I've got?
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Not worth it, as that money would dry up fast and where would I find another one? Nah, I'm holding onto mine and would like to get the deucid thing running properly one day, even if it is a heap of s---.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Finished at $202.50 which is pretty cheap I guess in the greater scheme of things, but I feel being at Dimboola (regional Victoria) was the sting in the tail.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Finished at $202.50 which is pretty cheap I guess in the greater scheme of things, but I feel being at Dimboola (regional Victoria) was the sting in the tail.
Cheers, BB.
Yep, the bloke John lives miles away from civilisation. Postage/ courier would have attracted more interest for sure. Few spare coils would be handy
Geography of the seller certainly has a bearing in this when it is a pick up item. Wish I could fit a Powerrtorque or FC 160 to mine and sell the useless twin engine.
Last edited by Mowerfreak; 13/12/1707:01 PM.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
