Hey Gizmo,
My base was worse as far as the left side extremity.
I grew up using a Waltons store brand mid arch with an orange top and similar coloured green base and wished it was a high arch like yours. I would have loved that back then!
I'm glad you have a new found appreciation of your mower now. A very capable machine with the 160. Mine has the 125.

PS: if you fit a set of 7" ball bearing wheels at the back and 6" at the front, it will be a much nicer mower to use until you decide to restore it!

Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!