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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

MP038: Arundel Coulthard Presto Motor Mower

Arundel Coulthard Presto motor mower.

 

The Arundel Coulthard Presto motor mower was produced from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. It was very similar in appearance to the Qualcast 16 and the Excelsior Monarch of the same period. The two manufacturers were completely separate at the time although Arundel Coulthard was taken over by Qualcast in the mid 1950s.

The Presto was a very simple design. Its cast iron plate side frames supported the Villiers two stroke engine, roller and cutting mechanism. The same Villiers engine was used on a wide range of mowers during this period, evidence of its economy and reliability. The shape of the petrol tank, mounted above the engine, is unusual. Most are cylindrical or square shaped.

Arundel Coulthard was based in Preston, Lancashire, and the name of its mower would seem to be a play on words derived from the name of the home town and, perhaps, imply that the mowers were fast workers. The company also made hand mowers with the "Presto" and "Rollmo" names as well as a range of horticultural and agricultural equipment.

The Presto is relatively uncommon today and only a few collectors have examples in their collections.

Arundel Coulthard Presto motor mower.