Hi ODK members,

This was a project I was keen to undertake.
As you all know, I have explored the question as to how much Villiers was responsible for
Victa's supply problems in its critical early years.

For whatever reason, John Mason's The Victa Story failed to mention the bombshell that was
delivered to Villiers in 1952. Here I am specifically referring to the import restrictions imposed on them
by the Australian Government. Villiers recognised the gravity and responded quickly - but obviously
not quick enough to save the Victa account. For me now, the cause is not a simple . . . Naughty Villiers.

In any case, research into Villiers Australia is important because Villiers claimed in 1959 that, "8 out of
every 10 Motor Mower manufacturers choose Villiers engines, famous since 1898" [SMH, 22 November, 1959, p87].

Below are two Ariel photographs of the Ballarat factory.
The first from 1955 when the second-stage extended factory was underway.
The second from about late 1957 when the factory was officially opened.

Again, credit to ODK member Greg Stokes for the scans.

All very interesting.
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JACK
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]