MF now I know you are jossing with me, of course they don't attract three figures. $80 is about it, not too bad for a couple of days work and $40 in parts
$80 for something that has the ability to give years upon years of service is the bargain of the century. Yet most would still prefer to buy Bunnings junk, whilst all they all make noise about how 2 strokes pollute, plastic bags pollute.
Never mind all the disposable crap they buy caused 10x more pollution by being made in a town with a name I can't pronounce then shipped over here by freighter ship, and sending our money over there as opposed to supporting local business. Well, I feel better now that I have got that outburst over with.
Max, whoever would put that exhaust on that Victa, probably did this as well.
Maybe popularity of the utility just stems from how good a mower it is. People collecting cars like Commodore SL, Belmonts, Kingswoods, Coronas, Falcon GL, probably stems from those cars being around them when they were young - that and the fact that Monaro's, Statesman's, Fairmont Ghia's, etc have always cost more.
I had a side pull Super Start FC utility with the orange base and larger tank mounted on the handles I found 15 years ago with one missing wheel that I promptly replaced. I had a little treasure without knowing it. I gave it to a guy down the street just before moving. I think I could have got $100 for that by now, though it had a lot of cosmetic rust on the engine and base. Super reliable it was. Would probably keep it now If I still had it.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I love the research talents of members! It is reassuring that I am kept honest in my work, but that others can offer new information with supporting evidence.
In particular, Max Western, is a researcher of considerable talent. Many thanks to Tyler for finding an anomaly that may be explained by another argument.
The interest in when the 125cc Victa ended production is an important one. I have said here that this occurred in 1977-78.
I would like to make a few points:- This is my best guess for the 125's removal from the Victa Range - as found in their company publications and advertising.
This does not mean the 125cc was not used for other purposes - like store branded lawnmowers. It's just not clear.
Victa was just such a successful, but a tactical and secretive company ... No one has successively explained, for example, the unbranded Special mowers of the late 1950s. They have been described as 'store- branded' and 'export-branded' machines. I have my opinion...
I do have a caution over advertising. Factory advertising is overwhelmingly reliable; other advertising is generally reliable but, like Max, I have found clear errors - some significant.
I appreciate there is a discussion. I have no idea where it will lead.
This Goldline is listed as a 160cc but in the image I see the spark plug on the side of the head and a hump in the cowl for the decompression valve that matches the 125cc motor ,ads are not always right though.
Came across it a half hour ago, but am confused why they would offer a 'little' 125 at the same price as a briggs engined equivalent. No pictures unfortunately, but no retraction stating its a 160 in the following paper to be found
The 4 stroke that is the same price is a low spec engine only 3Hp. That was a crazy exhaust on the trimmer Tyler.
I could not find a good example of the Goldline 125cc online so thought I better check some of my old mowers, wasn't expecting to find one .
It's a 125cc 2 stroke and looks like it's from 1980, the engine mounting bolts look like they have no burrs on the hexagonal nuts so there's a good chance the engine hasn't been replaced since new.
The Goldline doesn't seem to have a code number in the Victa Code book,I am only speculating here , If you look at the last Victa ad image it lists,[ A ] Victa Mayfair Mower,I think by about 1980 Victa used the Victa name on some store brand mowers (Mayfair Mowers)
Personally I would like to see 10 Goldline mowers the same for more positive evidence.
I think it's unlikely the two retractions are wrong in listing the Victa 125 cc mower for sale.
That Ryobi mod was a memorable one - first saw it a year ago when looking for the manual for that model (I have one and it makes a good enough sound without the scooter muffler)
The Mayfair utility seems to have been marketed for a couple of years. The picture below is from the 1983 victa brochure.
Out of interest Max, what is the date code on that 125? I presume they stamped it when the motor was made, not when it was put on a mower deck
We are always finding interesting new things about Victa's of this era. It's like this sunbeam, I never knew they dressed up a corvette or sabre in the Sunbeam colours.
It looks like I have a Mayfair utility like the one from the brochure.
No idea if you can work out the date from the 1980's engine numbers, Victa Commodore 160cc No.02000383, Victa Goldline 125cc No.020002114, Mayfair Utility 160cc No.02000941
I was told the last number on the head is the year code ,you must know the right decade of the mower first so in the black and white image of the head, 207 means the year is 1977.
The head code on the Goldline 125cc is 020 that means the year is 1980 that's if this system is right for working out the year code.
The code on the Corvette is 270 .... 1980
The code on the Commodore is 280 .... 1980
I would say the numbers are stamped when the complete mower is assembled.
I like the different looking Victa mowers like that Sunbeam,I haven't noticed that one before now.
Here are a couple more different looking Victa mowers in the below pics, Sunbeam Super , Super V MK III.
Some Goldline mowers may have the 160cc engine.
The Young's ad image shows the Victa Mayfair 4 stroke on a High Arch base.
It appears that these 160cc Mayfair Utes were produced in 1980-81 [model MK326A0] and 1982-3 [model MK326A1].
I have one here which is definitely a MK326A1 [still has the factory model sticker on the air filter cap]; points ignition, side pull start, full crank 160 engine.
As another data point, its numbers are: Cylinder head 291 Crankcase 291 2344
Cheers, Gadge
"ODK Mods can explain it to you, but they can't understand it for you..."
"Crazy can be medicated, ignorance can be educated - but there is no cure for stupid..."
Here is the 1980 Victa Utility for comparison WM151AO ,Cylinder head no.470 Engine number starts with 470
My Mayfair Utility Cylinder Head no. 260 . Engine No.02000941 that 0 after the 2 in the engine number was half a zero so it most likely is a 6. Engine Number 02600941
I will have to check that Commodore number again it looks like the head code numbers are the same as the start of the engine numbers.
A few of the numbers are poorly stamped making them difficult to read.
The Super Start sticker on the Utility gives it away that the engine has pointless ignition.
Just picked up this 1980 Utility today, it's just a tad rusty.
The tyres are in good condition on the Sunbeam superV. That gold hi arch base is the same one I'm doing up which as a 125 with LM carburettor and cover like the clapd out utility above, except white in colour. I had no idea that powertorque looking side pull full crank cover like the Sabre and Corvette came in different colours other than black. I really like that orange Sunbeam one.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Here is mine that I posted a couple of years back. The link to that stunning example of Bigted's is included. It now rests in pieces in the garage awaiting paint and assembly. It's 125 has some power and would keep up with a 160 no problem. I used Selleys Knead it Steel edition to reshape the worn left hand edge as well as the arches where the axles sit, with great success. I would prefer to source another deck in better condition but will settle for the one I repaired. https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...int-drama-early-80s-model.html#Post79274
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Great conversation here, I have the dealer parts wheels and I have taken some quick pics for you. Shows a lot of store brand units fitted with the 125 power unit but it looks like it was not used in the main range, the 85cc being its replacement in the small compact position.
Not sure what engine is on the Tiger and Wildcat mowers, they may be 125?
Gidday all, The Selleys Knead it looks like it blends in well MF, I have a few alloy bases that have big lumps of alloy weld all over.
I have not seen a factory painted polymer cowl on a Victa before,it looks more like the style that you would see on a 2 stroke Mayfair Deluxe. The font on the cowl does not match the Victa font on the base,it does match the Mayfair Deluxe font.
The Dealer parts wheels are good Paul ,I will have to keep a look out for the Sunbeam Wildcat, never seen that one before. . Any chance the dealer parts wheels have a listing for a 4 stroke Mayfair Utility ?
