Hi everyone, its been a while since I have posted due to school, but I am ready to come back and contribute a bit! I have just been given a bunch of new engine number for the record, and with a but of sorting I am starting to see some patterns!
Letter and number code, on both crank cases, letters on top, numbers on bottom.
VM / 212 1956 Pace (orange engine)
VM / 340 Green Rover (early 60s base, red engine, possibly wrong engine)
VM / 668 Buz-a-cut
VB / 1441 Rover Major (red engine)
VB / 1501 Rover 18 (orange engine)
VB / 2121 Rover 18 with "powered by Simplex" cast into base. (Red engine)
VB / 2318 1957 Rover Major (orange engine) Letter number code, with letters and numbers on top, and just numbers on bottom.
Just a quick update for the list. I have been given one more number, and I am hoping to get a few more from the same member soon. This is an engine on its own but I am fairly sure this is Rover, has it has the typical Rover fuel tank and red colour. Hopefully the picture works [img]https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...d13a0c0c8ca62509841c04fe&oe=5A41D5EE[/img]
Letter and number code, on both crank cases, letters on top, numbers on bottom.
VM / 212 1956 Pace (orange engine cowl)
VM / 340 Green Rover (early 60s base, red engine cowl, possibly wrong engine)
VM / 668 Buz-a-cut (Entire engine is blue)
VB / 1441 Rover Major (red engine cowl)
VB / 1501 Rover 18 (orange engine cowl)
VB / 2121 Rover 18 with "powered by Simplex" cast into base. (Red engine cowl)
VB /2141 engine with Rover style tank (Base is missing) (orange engine cowl)
VB / 2318 1957 Rover Major (orange engine cowl)
Letter number code, with letters and numbers on top, and just numbers on bottom.
R6 / 698 Stationary engine (no engine cowl) V-code - only on lower crank case
got given the engine numbers to a Malvern mower today, nice rare mower for the record. Interesting to see that it was a VC, most rare ones have been VM so far, or most Rovers are VB. Letter and number code, on both crank cases, letters on top, numbers on bottom.
VM / 212 1956 Pace (orange engine cowl)
VM / 340 Green Rover (early 60s base, red engine cowl, possibly wrong engine)
VM / 668 Buz-a-cut (Entire engine is blue)
VB / 1441 Rover Major (red engine cowl)
VB / 1501 Rover 18 (orange engine cowl)
VB / 2121 Rover 18 with "powered by Simplex" cast into base. (Red engine cowl)
VB /2141 engine with Rover style tank (Base is missing) (orange engine cowl)
VB / 2318 1957 Rover Major (orange engine cowl)
VC / 2426 Malvern 18" (later cowl with fuel tank inside) Letter number code, with letters and numbers on top, and just numbers on bottom.
R6 / 698 Stationary engine (no engine cowl)
V-code - only on lower crank case
V8584 Minter (yellow engine cowl)
V3922 Buzacott stationary (entire engine is blue)
V3963 Buzacott stationary (entire engine is blue)
V8312 1956-57 Pace (red engine cowl)
V8584 Minter (yellow engine cowl)
V9306 Minter (yellow engine cowl)
V9640 Rover Cadet
Last edited by Kye Turnbull; 09/11/1706:25 PM. Reason: extra info
Hi Kye Fantastic! Many thanks for your extensive work in recording the little Simplex, an Australian-made engine used on many OZ lawnmowers.
ODK members should appreciate your effort in making sense of these old engines - where little factory records survive.
There is certainly a pattern - of sorts. This does not mean that the alpha-numeric stampings will reveal more; beyond smaller numbers meaning an earlier production engine date.
Much may be internal factory logic and only understood via Hardman & Hall documents (that we have not found).
Speculation is easy.
Your work reminds me of the classic story of persistence and research: that of Henry Ellis and his efforts to identify info. in the great British J&P lawnmowers. His story, published in three editions of the Old Lawnmower Club'sGrassbox magazine remains an inspiration to me.
Henry gathered heaps of serial markings before he made a breakthrough. I know you have read this story - taken from Grassbox 44, 48 and 50. I reproduce these articles below - as they are a great read ... and may be of interest to members.
We will never know until we collect more. This engine was the later type, with a cowl similar to a Pope, I know these engines were also on later Minters.
Henry's story is a great one when it comes to mower research, and it would be awesome to see something similar happen with my Simplex research, the hardest part is finding numbers.
Hi Paul and Kye I feel Kye's approach is the right one - the data might reveal some theory.
I guess that 'V' meant 'vertical'... I note 'VB' could possibly mean 'Vertical Brisbane' - given that Rover have exclusive use of VB. That's pretty wild speculation there.
Let's see what new data comes in.
Many thanks to Kye, and all contributors. Only more serious research - or a breakthrough - will help here.
Thanks Paul!! Sorry I haven't updated recently, I have been busy. I will update now.
You could be right Jack, we will probably never know though. Would be great to find a list of companies that made the Simplex. I know Buzacott made them under license.
Also notice the holes on Paul's cowl, looks like it had a Rover tank at one point!
