Hello
Ian,
Great photos for the record.
I believe that the 400 and the 460 were introduced at the same time.
My best guess is for the
1980-81 lawnmowing season. This was a big
announcement that augmented the
Super-Start advertising campaign.
New products for a new decade (just like the 1970s).
I might add that I believe Victa were experimenting with electrics
just prior to 1980 in Europe. I have one ad showing an
electric Mustangselling in the UK in 1979!
Here is a news record from January 1981. Note the cable carrier
swing arm (patented by Ransomes in the 1920s). I don't think we
have other photos of the Victa one - perhaps owners discarded them?
For whatever reason, the 460 does not appear in the 1983 brochure.
It may have been dropped because of the new Qualcast electrics,
or because demand was poor for a electric utility, or ...?
Hope this helps.---------------------------
Jack