G'day all - For me, it is heartening to hear these things.
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Ok I'll bite, what is it with these Victa Automatics, what is special about them and why do they seem so sought after?
That is a clever and provocative question Norm; because it reveals no single answer.
I have argued here that the most collectible mowers are those that have a story to tell. In fact, the rarest mowers attract little value - because the story is lacking...
The Automatic is collectible because it has a big story to tell - including a story about how the story itself is surrounded in mystery. The best analogy I have is the similar story of the Ford Edsel. It just didn't work ... and now highly collectible because it didn't work!
Talking about the first mowers, how much do you guys think the first Victa 14" would be worth?
That has never been tested in modern times Kye. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a few dozen were made between 1951 and 1952. We know one survives. Formerly acquired by Victa, it was donated to the Powerhouse Museum, rarely to be seen again.
Wealthy collectors would pay thousands for one. I would be happy to just have a photo record of one. We have a couple of photos - that's it!
For me, the biggest loss is the lack of pre-WWII Lawnmowers that survive. This includes imported and AUS made.
