Atco Timeline - Help Needed

I have been working on a timeline to show the different Atco models produced from 1921 onwards. The aim (as with similar timelines for JP, Suffolk, Webb etc) is to produce a simple identification and dating guide for the models produced by the company. I'm now looking for help from fellow members and enthusiasts.

The Atco list is, I think, reasonably complete for the period 1921-1939 and I am now starting to look at 1945 onwards. Some of the models - and related information - is already on the timeline and it should be relatively easy to complete the list at least up to 1960 (and hopefully further) but I will need some help.

The grid in the panel below shows progress so far:

The grid only shows the models where I have some information.

Cells marked in green are the years and models that are already listed on the timeline. This means I have seen an original operating/owners' manual for the that particular machine (or seen an example of the mower). Cells marked in orange are assumed to be the same model or configuration as the "green" cell above it (hence on the grid it has the same serial number even though the actual mower would carry a number corresponding to the correct year.) 

If a cell is blank this means that I have no information at the moment. However, it does not mean that no mower of that size was produced in that year.

The objective is to verify the models for the orange cells and add new information to the blank cells.

Here's how you can help:

If you have an Atco model from the 1950s or 1960s, please send me the following information:

• size of cut
• serial number from the brass tag if present (this will probably be in the form of AABB/C where AA is the cutting width, BB the year made and C is another number (usually one higher than the second digit of BB)
• engine name (ie is is Villiers, SIF/Suffolk etc)
• engine serial number
• any publication numbers or special identifier codes from the operating manual (if you have one)
• a photo of the mower

We know that Atco numbered their models from late 1940s through to the late 1960s (and perhaps a bit later) with brass tag containing a simple code (AABB/C) that had the cutting with (AA) and year (BB). However, it's less clear whether the models changed from year to year and, if so, what were the differences. With the information as outlined it should be possible to fill in the gaps on the grid and then complete the timeline.

At the moment I am limiting the list to the motor cylinder mowers - we already know that for a few sizes (particularly the larger ones) there were multiple models (eg normal and heavyweight or professional). We can add the rotaries and hand mowers later. I will update the table when new information is available.

With the help our great community of club members and enthusiasts I am sure we can make some good progress and fill in a lot of the gaps. It will be interesting to see how the models changed during the 1950s and early 60s.

Please send details to me at atcotimeline@oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk

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As a separate project I am also asking members and enthusiasts to help me add more operating manuals to the website. Read more about this here.