OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories SCOTT BONNAR Models BOOKLET - Domestic Range - Late c1977

Hello ODK history lovers
This 16-page booklet is a great historical record for Scott Bonnar’s
domestic range for the 1976-1977 season … the 1977 Range.

But it does more: This is a lucky find; in that it is the second full-range
Scott Bonnar brochure I have found from the same lawnmowing season
year! I presented the first full-range brochure for 1977 a while back,
and I place both covers side-by-side below.

I guess they’re best described as early-season and mid-season…
The covers tell a story, but not the full story, in any sense! At this time,
lawnmower makers garden equipment sellers embraced flexibility
in a changing market. Welcome to the mid-1970s!



What does that mean? This requires some explanation …

I have argued on these great forums that the major Australian
lawnmower makers became garden equipment suppliers by the
mid-1970s. And if one started it, the others had to follow!

This meant looking abroad - to foreign products - to expand
the locally-made range.

The difference in the composition of the front covers is significant:
Yes, the obvious gender divide (for a balanced view of users), and
the edger, as a complimentary product to the mowers [why not
consider an edger to compliment your beautiful lawn?]

Note the Diplomat is moved forward of the rotary for the second cover.
Note the subtle change in slogan ...

This is not an accidental composition!

But this belies the significant changes that underpin the contents
of these booklets, and it’s best I discuss this in the next part.

TO BE CONTINUED …

PART TWO – The Booklet
This second booklet from 1977 is good evidence of how the major
garden products sellers embraced flexibility. They did this because
the AUS mower makers – in becoming garden products companies
– also became importers!

This booklet is almost identical to the early 1977 booklet, but look
at the changes! These reflect the reality – and flexibility – required
for the modern age. Yes, OEMs still held firm to season years, but
needed to be flexible with products made beyond their control –
the imported stuff.

I see this at this time with other major mower makers too:
they kept range years, but were prepared to add, change or introduce
new imported products during a season as they saw fit to do so. Notes: -

[1] The Electro 35 is a clear example. In the early season it was “Planned
for release later this season.” We would see this in differ colours in this brochure.

[2] Note that the 14” Reel Mower [Model 690894] would change colour
mid-season … from green to red.

[3] Note the major changes on the last page. We have the new Toro Rider –
models 6900966 and 6900974. These appear to replace the 6900860 from
the early season booklet. We also have another new product, the 6900780
Toro Lawn Vac.