PART TWO – First ModelThere are clear indicators that this model must pre-date
known Champions.
There is so much to show as evidence: -[1] The wheel support system is a close replica of the
Victa
Rotomos of the day. It is reminiscent of the Victa flat
chassis ‘Fan Mowers’ with their steel outrigger wheel brackets.
Here, note the the support weldments go
under the base;
Victa weldments were
above deck.
![[Linked Image]](https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/images/jack/champion/champion_2021_1.jpg)
Champion clearly learnt from the defect of this system:
how do you accurately level a mower with brackets that permit
infinite height adjustment? Answer: use brackets with defined
height settings. That would appear on all Champions from late 1955.
[2] The
1954 patent covers an
air vane flywheel.
This was a cover plate over the Villiers
Midget flywheel that
had rubber air vanes that theoretically cooled the engine.
[3] The other 1954 patent feature is the
wheel bearing
oiler system that seems to be unique in Australian rotaries
[see Related Reading].
[4] The big surprises were a
nameplate, and
lubrication
instruction plate, that differ from later models. Another
feature that may be original is a
safety flap at the rear.
[5] The last surprise is a
snorkel air cleaner.
I’m not convinced that this can be original to the
first Champion; given that the Victa patent was lodged
in early 1955.
TO BE CONTINUED ...