OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Finding and Swapping For Free Free Victa VC Mustang on Gumtree

A Happy Ending!!!

What are your plans for it Lorenz??

Using it? Or a restoration? I like the VC Series, and once I've finished off the Triplets, and my newly acquired 1971 Self Propelled I think I will be after a VC125, VC160 and a VC Mustang just like this one.

Just for your info - a bit about the mower's history as told to me by the owner.

The guy I picked it up from was the second owner - he lives in Putney.

He told me he bought it off the original owner about 30 years ago it was in really good condition when he bought it second hand. He tells me it has never missed a beat over all those years - even though he worked it hard and totally neglected it - hasn't been serviced in all the years he has owned it.

The original owner bought it from Forest Mower Service, as per the sticker on the cowl - as far as he knows - Forest Mowers closed down over 20 years ago.

He's not sure about the catcher - it's the one he got with the mower - but I don't think its the original - shouldn't they be the same green colour as the mower?

I hope you give it a good home, sounds like it deserves a rest and some TLC.

Polybus

Hmmm, after hearing that story, I think a full ground up restoration is in order!!
Thanks for sharing that with us Polybus.

Just checked out the address on street view and there seems to be villas on the former site now accompanied by old terraces.

Thanks for the mowers history great to get the story behind it makes it even more interesting when you know the history. Was there a reason why he was getting rid of it ?
My plans for it are to ad it to my victa collection, at this stage I'm happy to give it a good cleanup and service and keep it the way it is. May sound strange but I don't mind the well worn survivor look this mower has.I use all the mowers in collection I think using them is half the fun. May get a full resto when all my current projects are finished.

Sorry I should have mentioned why he wanted to get rid of it.

When I arrived at his house to pick it up, he was in the midst of some serious renovations - gyprocking, painting, concreting, decking plus adding about 50% to the size of his house, and on top of all that, having a big swimming pool put in with surrounding pavers etc.

Short story - he's got no lawn left, hence doesn't need a lawn mower!!

There's a lot of blokes out there who, like yourself, like to leave "restorations" original, showing all their battle scars and history. I am a completely restore type person, but there are times when I think I am destroying history when I clean away all the old battle scars and apply fresh paint - I think one day I might start doing half and half, especially my old Stationary Engines - repaint some, and leave the others original.

Polybus

I was just thinking from the standpoint of the machine having been through so much, that it has kind of earned a thorough restoration.
I think it is just as valid to just get it in sound order. That's the beauty about Victas is they manage to look good in well used condition.

Well I guess it went to a better home than mine.Just means I'm the loser.

No good work though.I'm wasn't real sure as to what I would have done with it.I was thinking more for parts,but after a bit of history I wouldn't have been able to do that.Any way that's how it goes,and yes Polybus

for doing that (even thought I didn't get it) you took the effort of getting it and saving it.We need more people like you in the world.Your totally,

Here here. Not many people would go to the trouble to collect a mower for the express purpose of saving it to give to a loving new owner.
Let's hope this inspires others.

It's amazing the things people throw out, the disposable society is so so frustrating. I always pick up mowers from curb side clean ups, the tip or ones that people are giving away. I usually fix them and sell them to someone who will get use out of them or give them to a family member (or like this one they get added to my collection). 90% of them are so simple to fix it makes me wonder why someone would be so silly to throw them away. Even to take them to a mower shop to fix would be a fraction of the cost of a new mower. Apologies for my rant but it's something that really annoys me.

On a happy note I gave the mustang a service today, cleaned the air filter, replaced the spark plug it fixed a fuel leak then put it to work.
Tackled my block of land along with my other victa ran it through 2 full tanks of fuel and it didn't miss a beat. As with all the mowers in my collection I like to use them all part of the fun. She's earned a good rest over winter. Long live the victa 2 stroke

One of my aims is to get as many 2 stroke Victas back into service because they are the toughest mower ever made. One of my big problems is with the full cranks, mostly the sidepulls, is any I get have either had the module ratted or it doesn't work and at $20 they make a mower really not viable to fix even though the the motor has years left in it even if it requires a $10 set of rings. This is the difference between the Briggs, motor gets to a certain point and it is only good for the scrap bin.

To Lorenz & NormK yes I'd have to agree up the mighty 2 strokes.
Good to see there are others that share my love of a good 2 stroke engine.

43 years old and still cutting grass with the best of them. Not many four strokes that have been through the wringer like this straggler could boast such staying power.

I have at least 5 Toecutters that are probably 55 years old that could match it any day except in the catching department

The photo of the Mustang resting after helping to clear your block gives me a strange feeling of satisfaction.

So close to death last week, sad, lonely, unloved - but this week - loved, working, living among friends. Giving its best in return for saving its life - two full tanks and never missed a beat - brilliant!!

(Anthropomorphism has been a character flaw of mine for as long as I can remember!)

Polybus

I think it would be a 'flaw' in all of us.
The personification of everyday inanimate items seems universal.

My folks, for example, had names for their cars...
And kids lawnmowers have always been popular.
Perhaps a connection between the natural and non-natural worlds...

Larry the Lawnmower seems to be popular:

[video][/video]

A nice "as the sunset descends on Mount Victoria, NSW, ..."
image by Lorenz. Brilliant!

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Jack