Having studied your pic Jarrad, I can tell you all is not what it seems....I presume this is the machine without its Model ID plate and I think I now know why...You can't really lose one, as they are
pop-riveted to the rear chassis rail.
I believe this machine is an imposter....I'll give you my reasons and with your help Jarrad, we will get to the bottom of it. It has been made to look like a late model Rover 45, but it is a Scott Bonnar Model 45.
Here are my reasons:
(1) It is fitted with a late model Rover catcher in the correct Rover colour, with a correct Rover decal.
(2) It does
not have the Rover handle bar round decal
(3) The ID plate that should state
Rover-Scott Bonnar is missing.
(4) The engine is the wrong colour for the Rover 45. It should be black (same as the cutter clutch and shaft and bearing carrier.
(5) The reel has reached the end of its life, possibly the bottom blade as well..
(6)
***If you can post the whole string of numbers on the cowling of the Briggs we can deduce the engines actual age....this will give us an indication of the age of the chassis.
*** We do know when Rover took over SB Ltd.
(7) the chassis and the handlebar plate have been resprayed in Rover red to look like a late model Rover, thereby hoping to
increase its value when sold.
If it had had its ID plate intact this would have blown its cover immediately.
The good news is that I'll bet dollars to peanuts it is a genuine Scott Bonnar!!
Please let us know what you think Jarrad.