Thanks Jack. My personal opinion on the 'V' code system is it was launched around 1960/61. I base this on the fact that it conveniently glosses over any mention of the Automatic, and would have been a necessary system to be adopted with the impending introduction of a significantly expanded range (Sheerline/Utility/Fourstar etc).
I'd reckon quite a bit later than that, more like 1970 [for the 1970-71 Model Year]. Codes for the older models were allocated retrospectively, I'd say. Which would explain a couple of discrepancies that have cropped up here on ODK.
When my family went into the OPE business in 1973, Victacodes were still quite new. Victa was still bringing out 'promo' items to encourage their use, like the 'Victacode Wheel' - there's a pic of one of those somewhere on the ODK site, that I can't find just now.
There is also evidence around on the ODK site, from members who have non-updated copies of the original 1968 'Green Book' - the Model ID pages in that version don't have Victacodes, whereas the later versions do.
Example in
THIS thread.
Other evidence for this date, is
THIS chart in the Powerhouse Museum collection - it ends at 1970-71, and I haven't found any earlier versions anywhere.
Possibly the most telling item though, is the date that Victa trademarked both 'Victacode'[241484] and 'Victacode Instant Parts' [241485] - 13th Aug 1970. Listings are on the IPaustralia website for these.
As you've shown, the Greenbook was an essential item for keeping the Parts Division and the dealers synchronized - within that, I'm sure the 'V' code system was essential.
Yes, as CyberJack has commented above, the Victacode's intent was to make finding fast-moving parts quick and easy, as by the early 1970's there were quite a few different blade types, in particular. And many people weren't very good at identifying their mower from a line drawing or picture, even back then...
The main idea of the multiring binder format was to make it easy to update only some of the pages, as that became necessary. Rather than having to reprint a complete book! The heavy paper [and the 22 rings] made it a very durable item.
And as regards that 'self-service bar', Victa later offered a floor-standing version, pictured in CyberJack's 1967 brochure
HERE. That's the one shown in that Bob Moffat display pic above.
My family's business inherited one of these - it had a very heavy cast-iron base! Took up quite a bit of floor space, though - we ended up replacing it with pegboard wall panels.
