Hello ODK history lovers
Pope Products introduced the highly successful Pope
Wimbledon reel hand-mowers for the 1949 mower season.
It quickly followed the hand mowers with both electric and
then petrol versions. Here is a later (1956) Women’s Weekly
illustration of the range: -

[Linked Image]

The Pope Motor Mower was the petrol version of the
Pope Cente Court introduced c1950. The petrol version was
introduced in 1954 for the 1954-55 lawnmower season.

The Pope Motor Mower was the last sibling to complete
the Pope family of reel mowers – the Wimbledon; the
Centre Court; and then the Pope Motor Mower.

It was 14 inch, 7-bladed, rubber-tyred, and the frame was of
all-steel construction. The handle was of the new tubular steel type.

This was a modern, elegant machine finished in baked
primrose stoved enamel with chrome trim. It would have
looked fantastic!

The Pope Model 310, like most of its side-wheel competitors,
was not self- propelled. There were two variants: The MK1
was powered by an Australian Wills 2-stroke engine; the
MK2 model would be powered by a British J.A.P. 2-stroke
(as shown above).

The Pope Motor Mower was well-received and widely
advertised across Australia. The gallery (below) shows a
selection of 1954 newsprint. Many examples survive today.

TO BE CONTINUED …

Attachments
1954_08_morningbulletin_rocky_23aug_p2.jpg (90.91 KB, 142 downloads)
1954_09_truth_19september_p48.jpg (250.38 KB, 139 downloads)
1954_09_westaustralian_24sept_p10.jpg (187.17 KB, 139 downloads)
1954_10_recorder_08october_p7.jpg (79.08 KB, 139 downloads)
1954_couriermail_28oct_p1.jpg (69.29 KB, 137 downloads)