Im looking for some advice on how much this utility would be worth. Just a general price range? I understand that it's a difficult question, I just don't want to pay more than I should.
All depends how good motor is. An old mower mechanic told me to tip it up and very gently rock base plate. You'll feel wear on engine. It should be smooth and quiet. Looks ok otherwise, also you can tell wear from how wobbly wheeels are... It also depends on how much you want one. I have two utilities so I wouldn't buy it. But I'd pick it up off footpath quickly...... cheers speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
Thanks for the advice, I have one too. It's in great conditions, mine, and for the money they want, I'll have to decline. Appreciate the advice speedy!
Yes this mower is not a Utility ,the base is from about 1965 ,the engine is from a Utility or possibly just the top cowl etc.
Price would depend if it's running or if it's got compression ,sometimes you can buy an original old Corvette mower for $30 to $100 and as it's not original and is missing the side cover ,the mower is probably worth ($30 to $60 without catcher) and the catcher $10 to $30.
I personally like the electronic ignition side pull full crank Mustang from 1980 as it's the last full crank, the side pull allows the engine to have a lower profile like the Powertorque that would succeed it, it still had the thumblatch base casting dating from the VC era with the multi positioning handles and two piece rear flap that allows you to insert the catcher without lifting the flap up abit first and finally, the catcher was an updated better looking style over the older VC Mustang/sports/125 mkIII style catcher, based on the 500Twin/1978 powerplus self propelled catcher style.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Oh no MF, those look amazing too.... I'm never going to finish my projects when I see the beauty you have shown me in the previous reply! I'm going to add these to the mowers I will buy now.....
They are an awesome looking almost robot like look. I'm not going to discount "ANY" victa mowers any more! I'm really glad you brought these babies to my attention!
This is a commando I got for $10 with one of my other purchases, I cleaned the spark plug, put fuel in the tank, flooded the carby and put one small squeeze of engine starter fluid in before replacing the spark plug. It started first go! That is a first for me! I have had mowers start second, third or more goes but never first! I'm going to use this mower as my personal lawn mower now! Just blown away by the ease to start and the ease of the side pull starter!
I have always liked any 2 stroke Victa with the thumb latch catcher since I became obsessed with them from seeing that 125 mkIII back in the 80s. The Powertorque ones perform the best.
That side pull full crank is a good choice for an everyday mower as long as you have some spares on hand. Victa made loads so it pays to keep your eyes peeled for discarded ones. Ugly as sin but tough.
Don't make the silly mistake I made last night and pull on it while running after it didn't fully retract. It wore the teeth quite a bit. I should have shut down machine first, or reached in and manually turned the gear.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hey MF, I picked this up today. Can you give me any information or show me any links on here to guides or brochures? All I know is it's an 85-86 mustang.
Any help from anyone please, feel free to give me any advice!!!!
The search bar at the top of the page is a great tool, you have established the model and year, what other info are you after ? just have to keep an eye out for brochures etc on the usual sites I guess
I used that on extreme lawns. Excellent solid performer. Used to see them on display in the stores in my youth in the 1980s. Here's one in the Powerhouse Museum collections. https://collection.maas.museum/object/158742#&gid=1&pid=2
Maxwestern beat me to it haha. Ahh yes my post from a few years ago. The yellow Vortex is undergoing a repaint.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Max and MF, you have come through with the goods!!! Cheers lads!
WCE, I appreciate the sentiment mate. But I was asking MF directly because I believe he is a big fan of these models and as you can see the link they have provided isn't actually part of the forum. I'm pretty good at navigating the forum.
Im picking this up on Monday. Got a message today, asking if I was interested in any of the mowers he got for scrap metal. I said "I'll take the red one" "the victa" I'm paying a little more than he would have gotten for the scrap metal.
Oh and a guy I know called me on Wednesday morning and asked if I was interested in 2 mowers he had sent me a picture of (see below). I asked how much, he said free. He found them dumped.
That catcher looks like it suits my new red.....
The mower with the green deck, which is cactus, has a cowling with an original white colour under a horrible home paint job. The cowling or even the entire engine is not for the deck, I think. The deck has 2 holes at the front, that suggests it could of been originally a 81-83 Mustang. They are proper holes for attaching a cowling.
I haven't even looked at the power torque on the red deck. But I'll work it out. The engine isn't seized so I'm sure it will be up and running in no time. [align:left][/align]
Catcher is the right one for the red Vortex except it's missing the grass fill indicator which came with that model. There should be the original CSIRO developed large diameter cutting disc with short blades and turbine like cutouts. The yellow Vortex and white Mustang GTS that in turn succeeded that, came with the standard ovoid blade disc with plastic add ons to mimic the original full metal version only the red Vortex got.
Maxwestern recently used WD 40 to revitalise his faded red Vortex recently.
Interesting red alloy based PT there. Never seen that though not surprised.
You're right, the green based full crank looks to be the early 80s Mustang base. That dress cowl is white painted black. That one came in black as well as green and orange colours on a wide range of mid tier models.
Man you're amassing a big variety of mowers real fast. It just shows they're still out there.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
