OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Identification of Particular Machines Amplion: Can not find any info on this

Mower:-




picked it up for 30 dollars.
any info would be much appreciated

looks like a good buy for $30, first one I've seen

Hello seanw and bunyip

This is, unfortunately, a 'bitsa'.
It's an Australian 1950's Amplion chassis with 1950's & 1960's Victa engine, handles & bits.
Wheels are not original, of course.
The height adjustment knob should say 'Amplion'.



Hope this helps.
-------------------------------
JACK

Thanks Jack, maybe I should have looked less for id on the computer and actually look at the mower.
Going to see if it runs.
Thanks again Jack

What a shame its not complete Amp

I would have given you more than Five times what you paid.

Looks like it has a good choke assy to....Thats at least your 30$ back if its a good original Smiley

good score there nice price too lot of the things on it are worth at least what you paid for it each !

Mmmmm I spy an early Roto 2 throttle control as well! Lols.

a garage sale or was a tip find ? see if you can find the ex owner , might have some of the old engine and bits laying about or just hide it away , parts might turn up sooner or later still learning so when you get better it will make a nice little project for ya

I bought it from an antique shop, what would make it complete, a pullstarter? It runs really rough. carby change should fix the prob. worst old fuel i have met in this one. would it be worth doing up??

not as it is , its a bitsa right now , victa engined Amplion ? ask at the shop , if they know they can contact the ex owner for you , its the fun part of tracking stuff down .
store the base and related parts and use the engine , or break it for parts maybe .
clean out the carb , fresh fuel n try it again , just bowl off and clean out the jet , no real need yet too do more than that get out all the old stuff and nice fresh fuel maybe 1st tank a little touch extra oil because you dont know how long it didnt run for (just a couple of drops , not toooooo much)
than shelve it until you figure out what your gunna do with it

Hello all Contributors.

Sean, the experts have spoken.
Bitsas have potential. HT6 has pointed out the valuable Victa stuff.
I agree with Bunyip - a good buy. vccomm has great advice as to repair & provenance.

Amplions are not well documented at all.
The 'Amp' in Amplion is the signifier - they were a British amplifier and speaker company.
The Australian Amplion company was probably closer to a 'franchise' of the British company.

Whilst Amplion (Australasia) sold the parent products, they engaged in much more.
For one thing, they manufactured engines under that name; they also manufactured mowers.
I suspect they were, largely, a branding company.

Your machine would have, most likely, had a Hurricane engine.
Styled along the Victa 'toe-cutter' lines, this lawnmower sold in the mid-late fifties.
It is collectable, so the chassis could form the basis of a restored Amplion.

I hope to write about this brand at some point in the fullness of time.
[p.s. Sean, I would appreciate a close-up of the height knob]

Hope this helps.
------------------------
JACK

Well done Sean and thanks to all for the info on Amplion.

you should hear it when revved flat out its unreal

Thanks Sean

It matches a file photo from another member.

Youd be hard pressed finding parts for completion Sean.

Ive only been able to acquire 1 complete, an engine and few parts in 10 years.

This model Amplion only came with the X coded Hurricane 125, and Amplion" marked Red bakelite wheels.

You will need bars tank engine and wheels to complete.

In 20 years ive probably only ever seen a handful of completes and even less parts. Engines come up a little more often.

Its Shares vast similarities with the Hurricane" Rotary of the same period, but is Even more rare.

A fair score in many ways, but as A Restoration Original? I wish you luck....:)

The trouble and strife recons i should put it on ebay with a minimum of 50. As i have no ebay experience i dont know. I do have too many mowers and i cant buy more parts untill i sell one.or wait 2 weeks. i am stuck with primer. no noise tonight. will weld something

thanks

Id sell the choke and throttle seperately if they are good.
Keep the Engine Assy for a spare or a utility.
And sell the complete Amplion base/axles seperately....more enticing as it wont be to bad on freight for a keen Amp/hurricane collector.

Or as you said Sell it complete.

Just my 2 cents....

If the Choke assy and throttle control are in good nick and genuine ill give you a 50$ for those. PM me with condition if you decide to go that way.

Voila ,................. yep I'm still around.

how sweet does THAT look !!!! great looking thing man took a while ? seems young seanw has got a way to go

A long long way

you will get there mate , no hurry at all ya never know what might show up

Sean , you'll get there , here is another " bitsa " like yours.....

Looks pretty cool in any case.

Is that one yours Al? A bit more complete than Seans, as its only missing its engine, but its period styling at least.

What serial is on that Roto engine? Its not a model 1 case is it?

Anyways I love the Blue....:)

Yes, both are mine , still have them although I am currently downsizing my collection , have re-homed eight in the last month .
I did not have a Hurricane engine to put on it but the Rotomo was a spare so used it , no.30951 so I guess a model 2.
The green one is all original, bought it off the original owner , you can see it running on you tube under ...megaalwil. ( I don't know how to link , not much good on these 'puter things )
Cheers
Al

Cool...

Yes Ive seen the Green one, shes a beauty, and for sure the engine is an early 2:)

Yeah I noticed you've been selling. Was looking at the jetfast actually.

If your going to list any model 1 parts or completes please send me a PM or give me a heads up, so I can keep an eye out on the Bay.

Is the Blue Amp one of the Pieces you are going to be Selling Al?

Do you still have this mower Sean?

now after all that i need your help


i was going to just try and join another sparkplug lead too see at least if i have spark( which i doubt) then i will take the flywheel off and have a good looksee.

i looked into the bore with a torch and the domed top piston? was flat from crap. the bore and the piston and rings looked great. i dont want to mess this one up lads.
someone had drilled a wheel out and sleeved the axle


why does the motor have holes for a cowl to be attached.
i have seen this before



what would be the best way to bring this machine back to life(without using a hammer?)thanks for putting up with my long post,
WHAT COLOUR.
sean
and one more question, WHAT COLOUR?

Depends on how much water has got in through the inlet port. I'd be surprised if you had spark, points would need a clean

These sold a while back for $100 I think, would have been a pretty good score!