OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models Re: VILLAGER Tempest - c1960

Hello ODK members,

The Tempest was Villager's most radically styled mower.

It was released in very early 1960 and was manufactured and sold for just a couple of seasons.
It must have been a huge investment by Villager to enter the alloy base market that became the
expectation for lawnmower manufacturers of the 1960s.

Powered with a Villiers 7F Torque-Master (fully automatic), this machine was also offered in a 4-stroke variant,
powered by a Kirby GEB 4-stroke motor. These are rare machines today.

The Tempest used "sleek, automotive styling" and would have looked most impressive on the showroom floor.
It had a rather uniquely placed height adjustment lever and a beautifully made alloy nameplate. It had the
mandatory 'folding handle', one of the biggest defects of the first Australian rotaries.

Apart from that it had ... nothing, a sort of a tale about sound and fury...

The biggest defect was that it lacked an optional side catcher, at a time when they were gaining popularity.

I don't know how long this most-desirable model lasted but, best guess, no more than a couple of seasons.
After that, Villager appears to have concentrated on its traditional design ... the Typhoon - in what became
known as the 'utility' lawnmower market. Villager lawnmowers survived until about 1970.

Here is an edited brochure for the Tempest.

PART TWO - the 4-Strokes

The Tempest was also offered as a 4-stroke.
This would be the Kirby-Tecumseh GEB engine.

The 1960 advertisement below is interesting for a number of reasons:
the first would be its somewhat misleading claim about the new-to-Australia wind-up type starters.
Villager's announcement "Exclusive FIRST RELEASE in Australia" of that starter is arguably true;
however the ad's copy, "Just press the button and START," was somewhat misleading puffery.

As an aside note, the ad shows the Villager Company's diversification into distribution of products
it did not manufacturer. Here they are selling the Blitz tiller by Vinco, and an air conditioner
of unknown origin.

Today, the Villager Tempest 4-strokes would have to be super-rare.

PART THREE - Modifications

In late 1960 Harris, Scarfe Catalogue, a slightly different version of the
Tempest appears. I guess this was for the 1961 lawnmowing season.



The significant difference is the height adjuster ...
it is in a different position - rearward - and has been simplified.

This suggests to me that the start date for the Tempest may be earlier than 1960,
but not necessarily so. The issue is, which height adjuster is the more modern?
The rearward one seems the more modern, suggesting a change to it in late 1960,
and following an emerging style trend for height adjusters.

TO BE CONTINUED ...

WE have been lucky enough to come across a restored Tempest.
Thanks to Kye and VM:BSS. Owned by Deano B of Warilda.
Note: this is the first version with mid-mount lever and segment height adjuster.


Courtesy of Vintage Mowers:BSS https://www.facebook.com/groups/Vintagemowers/

VILLAGER COMPANY

VILLAGER STANDARD MODEL

VILLAGER TWIN COOLING PATENT

VILLAGER HEIGHT ADJUSTER PATENT


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