OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Rover 45? What's the History?

Hi All,

Looking for some history on this as it's a bit different to what I have come across.

Looks like a Rover, has Rover sticker on the chain cover, late style 45 badge on the bars, has an ID tag I not seen before, assume there was once more on it, the catcher rubbers are bolted in and the engine dates to 76. The bit that has be I tad confuse is the original layer of paint is green. What have I got here people?

Hello Scottm355

The maker's plate is definitely Rover.
Could you confirm the model number: 45055 or 45053?
Could you also confirm the engine code number?

The first Rover 45s were painted what Mob BB has named 'Kermit Green'.
However the model number I have is 45058 and still branded as Scott Bonnar.

There is something very odd here.
One for Model 45 expert BB.



----------------------
Jack

Hi Scott and Mod CJ,

This one seems to be a real bitsa.

It has an earlier Briggs engine and and a later Rover Chassis. The two decals are from a much later Rover Red 45, while the grass deflector plate comes from a 1977 era machine. This is due to it's original colour of "Apple Green" being revealed. Could you please furnish us with some more overall full general shots of the machine.

Personally I feel that this possibly has been a case of two machines being turned into one.

Cheers,
BB.

Ok, The details are as follows

When I look closely at the ID tad I can read very faintly Rover - Scott Bonnar
The ID tag numbers are 45053 4130865 (413 is in stamped in smaller font)
The engine ID is 60102 0294 01 7608040

Looking at the bar emblem plate, there is an original aluminium SB plaque with a "45" sticker on it. The aluminium plaque doesn't look to have ever been removed and the paint colour under it is blue.

The mower frame looks to have had a green first coat but blue applied on top (then many colours after that)

Hi Scott,

I'll refer back to my original comment, and that is it's a total bitsa that's been more mucked around with than a Manhattan Whore. Everyone's had a crack at this one it seems.

Incidentally as far as I understand there were no 20 inch machines made by Rover at Eagle Farm as that's where this chassis is saying that it came from. Maybe Mod CJ could enlighten us what that model number suggests it should actually be.

BTW Love what's sitting in the background.

Cheers,
BB.

Hi Scott and BB

This is the first time, I recall, that we have recorded a 45053.
It's most certainly a Rover 45 chassis with an older engine.

This is great forensic work Scott and BB have given us.

We have a Rover SB brochure dated 8/84 that suggests only the 17"
was being made (no ref to a 20"). This new evidence suggests that
20" were being made by Rover prior to that date.



The earlier handle bar logo (I can't remember what BB calls it) "Razor Logo"
suggests the handle bracket is much older - even before the pentagon logo
of the late 1970s.

The best interpretation is that BB has suggested - this machine
is a bitsa - but certainly restorable!

I think there may be an easy explanation for this.
The original machine must have been poorly stored in the open weather.
[The corrosion on the maker's plate is extraordinary]

BB has identified the paint as Apple Green.
Its spray painted - not powder coated like the later Kermit Green jobs.
I can't say I understand the blue undercoat.

Cheers
------------------
Jack

Well considering it's a bitsa, how about we start a discussion on how this thing should be restored, open to any suggestion, let's have some fun with it and see how it turns out!

Hi Scott,

Basically the machine is all there, sadly the ID plate is so badly corroded but for the exercise I would keep it it original at best as if I'm correct this chassis is one rare bird as it would possibly be a custom made machine out of the Eagle Farm plant on a special order soon after start of Brisbane production commenced. The only other thing I can think of is that the very last machines out of Adelaide may have had the new Rover ID plates sent from Brisbane and attached to the last production run prior to the Thebarton Plant closing down late 1982. This may have been due to no longer using the white ID stickers that were introduced during the Challenge Banks time of ownership of SB. Its a bit up in the air at the moment.

I guess to start with I would simply strip the machine and put to one side all parts to be blasted clean and then check out all the mechanical parts for wear, cleaning and or replacement.

It would be nice to see the handle bar assembly re-chromed but I know this is an expensive exercise.

How's that for starters ?

Cheers,
BB.

As always BB, solid advice.

Actually now considering moving this one on as is to a new home.