A VC Mustang with black cover and chrome or polished aluminium base. I wonder was it a commemorative production number mower that was going on permanent display somewhere? The one in colour is an earlier version with G3 carb instead of the G4 set up in the B&W 1970s photo, with a black cover (painted our not?).

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