Hello
jackeo and
SDJackeo, a warm welcome to these forums.
It is always great to hear from NZ enthusiasts.
I do not know the maker of this intriguing chassis of yours.
This will not prevent me from offering some thoughts.
[1] I totally agree that this machine cannot be a Masport, but
a previous tenant has - at least - put a Masport cowling on it.
I actually have a copy of a
Premier 2 instruction book:-
The chassis does not fit any known Masport model in my records.
[2] I do not believe the chassis is from any AUS manufacturer, and I
guess the question is, what are the possibilities...?
[3] The chassis presents as from the 1960s, because of its more
sophisticated discharge port, styling, and alloy casting.
The problem is that the height adjustment is quite primitive for that era.
Even Masport's first model - the 1955 Rotacut - had levers on each wheel.
So to see a design that requires tools to unbolt each wheel and move
them up or down in a few defined slots, is crude indeed.
NZ vintage mower history is more rich than has been recorded, and I have
been researching your early mowers - Ajax, BRM, Brown, Crowe,
Hansen Heco, Ivory Bros Rotomoa, KIng Fisher, Macalister,
Monro, Morrison, Ryan Speediescythe, Steelfort Eng, Tru-Bilt, Victory, Vulcan, etc.
I cannot match your chassis to any of these early makers.
[4] The incongruity between the '60s styling and '50s height adjustment
lead me to believe two possibilities:
(a) it's a 'utility mower' designed for rough work, rather than
being a residential lawnmower. It could have been made by a small, unidentified
NZ maker on that basis.
(b) a more favorable view is that this mower is, perhaps,
an import from the USA - who persevered with these primitive height adjusters
long after AUS and NZ.
These are just my thoughts. You have given us an intriguing lawnmower
to ponder and keep on record.
Hope this helps.------------------------
Jack