OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Video & Image Gallery History Pictures OWEN COX & COMPANY PREMISES - c1960

Hello ODK History Lovers
There is so much that should be recognised and recorded about Owen Herbert Cox
and his Company, originally located at the inner Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba,
Brisbane, Queensland.

The Company seems to have been formed in the early 1950s, and it made air
compressors under the brand Air Rite.

These exciting photos, held by the Brisbane City Council Libraries, show the
premises in 1960. Of particular note is the building advertising at 61
Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba. This was a retail showroom showcasing their
products of 1960. To my best evidence, the small factory was located behind
the showroom in the side-street.

Before I comment on them, it's best you see them. I attach larger versions
for your viewing pleasure. Have a look and I will continue the story
in Part Two.

PART TWO - Analysis of Detail
From an historical perspective, it is both amazing and rewarding what close
examination of these photos may reveal upon even closer examination.

I don't particularly mean the beautiful Queenslander with its louvered
verandas and shop with Pepsi sign, nor the Company Holdens, nor the double
tram tracks that once traversed Ipswich road.

I want to focus on what Owen Cox was making and/or selling in 1960.



The signage reveal they were manufacturers of Compressors & Spray Equipment;
specialists in Victa (they were Victa agents); and the Home of Sea Tang
Outboards, Mow Master and Grass Master mowers.



Yes, the second photo is fantastic: the male pedestrian (with hat & rolled-up sleeves)
walking past an identifiable Garden Master tiller (made by Landmaster in
Australia). I guess he just rolled a ciggie with Capstan tobacco, and had a
swig on a cool, refreshing Pepsi as he strolled home in that bright Queensland
sunshine (and heat), on a blue-sky Queensland afternoon. Brilliant!

Cox sold Sea Tang outboards. These are mentioned in the classic and
authoritative The Old Outboard Book by Peter Hunn. Little seems to be
known about them. My best guess is that these were Australian made or
part-assembled from imported parts. Cox would later manufacture their
own outboard, the Cox Gulpy Jet.

It would seem that Owen Cox was sole agents for Mow Master and Grass Master
lawnmowers, and something needs to be said about that:

The name Grass Master is problematic and contested; in that I know it was
used for both powered reel and powered rotary lawnmowers. In the 1950s
Crowe Engineering (of Sydney) was making a powered reel side-wheel named
the Grass Master. By the 1960s that name was being used to describe entry
level rear and side discharge lawnmowers.



My best guess is that Grass Master in the Cox photos refers to a rotary lawnmower.
The issue of Cox selling Mow Master is even more complex ...

Mow Master may be a reference to a Western Australian reel mower [c1947],
still made today: http://www.mowmaster.com.au/

The current owners of Cox Mowers have confused this issue with an old record
from their website (now removed), but still present as a current record from
the Powerhouse Museum:



For me, the removal of that statement from the Cox website is telling, and I
suspect the Mowmaster was not made by Owen Cox. The advertising, from 1960,
suggests they were manufacturing air compressors and spray equipment
NOT lawnmowers.

My best guess is that Owen Cox were agents and retailers for lawnmowers
in the 1950s. This all changed in the early 1960s, when Cox introduced its
first lawnmower, the ride-on Mow Mobile.

The rest is history.
---------------------------------------
Jack

COX Mowmatic & Mowmanual links pending


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