OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Cylinder Need Info on 2 old Scott Bonnars

Can anybody please help on dating these and advising on which one to keep as I intend to sell one so I can do up the other and what I should ask?

They both work well with a couple of oil and petrol leaks only.

1. Villiers Mk 10 motor on top, mower blue - ist photos

2. Kirby motor on top, green - 2nd photos

Cylinders and blades both good.

Or is it worth selling both to get one with a B&S motor as I am told no parts for the Villiers and Kirby?

You can still get parts for the Villiers.

Im sure theres NOS parts kicking about for the Kirby too.


Recoil starter and primer on the Kirby for the win.

Nostalgia the Villiers wins.


Hard choices.

Are you collecting or mowing? The SB45 appears to be a superior mower, and parts are available for it. You could easily fit a different engine (it conforms to standard dimensions, so many Kirby, Briggs, and Honda engines are a bolt-on fit, and you should be able to get a Briggs 80202 which was fitted as original equipment). In terms of collectability, the Villiers-SB is older and I think rarer, but I personally wouldn't consider mowing with a machine that has its chain exposed to dirt and grass like that.

Thanks Guys, i am using it purely for mowing so it looks like the Kirby with a new motor. How much should i ask for the Villiers and how old is it - still cuts well?

One other question please. Does anyone know any service technicians that are experienced on SB on the Mornington Peninsula?

The Scott Bonnar history question (when was it made) is a perfect one for Deejay, but he's away celebrating his father's birthday and so may not be able to help right away. The short summary, though, is it appears from the serial number to be a Scott Bonnar BonMow, introduced in 1953 and I think produced only in the 1950s. You can read a little about it here:
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=14559#Post14559

That is a rare collector's mower, and seems to be in eminently restorable condition. You may find you get one or two Private Messages on Outdoorking from collectors or restorers who are interested. I could not estimate its value, but it will be increasing with time, and it deserves to find a good home.

Thanks Grumpy very helpful. If you can pass the word around aboutn the Bonmow so i can fund the Model 45.

The other thing too I have original manuals for the Bonmow and the Model 45 as well as the Kirby engine in lovely condition!

Correct the last post the manual for the Bonmow is only 4 glossy pages!

Deejay,

Did you get my PM? Just wanting to know a little more on the date of my Bonmow 14 inch and to see if anybody is interested in it to buy and what reasonable price I should sell it for please?