OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories SCOTT BONNAR Models BOOKLET - Domestic Range - c1980

Hello ODK History Lovers
This 16-page booklet is a great historical record for Scott Bonnar's
domestic range for the 1979-1980 season - the 1980 Range.

This 1980 range brochure would be the last produced with New Zealand
owners Challenge Corporation. Australia's UPL Group Ltd - through its
Rover Mowers division - would acquire Scott Bonnar in late 1980, merging
these two great companies as Rover-Scott-Bonnar.

The advertising campaign theme for the 1979 and 1980 ranges was 'Muscles'
and the booklets were, "Scott Bonnar's Guide to Power Gardening".



The 1979 and 1980 range brochures were similar but with noticeable stylistic
changes and a tweaked model line-up. The rotary/reel model split was now
about 60/40. The popularity of the domestic reel lawnmower would continue
its slide throughout the 1980s.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART TWO - The Booklet
This wide 16-page booklet, from my collection, is in mint condition,
but with punch holes on each page. This booklet was part of a
Victorian dealer's catalogue inventory.

The opening pages present a panoramic studio photo of the range
(the same image used in the 1979 booklet) and an index of models.

Of course, Scott Bonnar rotary models lead the way in this booklet.
Pages 4 and 5 explain the features of the SB rotaries, but specifically
the newish Model 520, released in 1977. The full-featured and robust
Series 720 and the Model 520 appear on pages 6 and 7.

The Model 420 (page 8) appears to be a re-take on the older Model 49
mid-arch, and the Model 320's are all Morrison steel-base utilities.



The Model 430 appears first in the line-up. Introduced the previous season,
the 430 corrected one defect of the Model 590 - the lack of separate clutches.
The Model 450 follows with no special treatment, followed by the first of the
Diplomats, the Model 590.

Of note is the large domestic 24" Model 690. Note that the smaller
690s are not listed! I guess there is an error, then, in the studio photo and
index item 14, the 16 690, has been dropped. No surprises there,
given that the reel range was bloated at a time when the domestic reel
mower market was contracting.

The obligatory Mini-Hoe, Toro Trimmer and Model 380 Edger follow.



As always, a quality scan is made available for personal use...