The Old Lawnmower Club
Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Introduction - British Anzani

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Andrew Briggs

Just to introduce myself and my newly acquired Lawnrider. Much to learn ! Can anybody tell me roughly what year and model please ? No aluminium tag is visible, twin drive wheels and 2 levers on the handlebars. The plan is to restore, run and use. Lose the rust and keep as much green as possible. Two questions - amongst many - the engine is a Villiers 515H (I think) but I suspect it's not the original. Serial number begins 760E. Would this/should this originally have had the Briggs and Stratton engine and if so what model ? Would it be a straight swap ? (Check my name for the reason for the questions :-)  )
British Anzani Lawnrider

Forums

Mowing Wurzel Fri, 07/08/2026

Hello Andrew,

Magazine articles from 1965 describe the British Anzani Lawnrider as now fitted  with a new feature - "Dual Drive" (your model is dual drive as per the countershaft arrangement at the front.)   

So it would be made from 1965 to whenever they stopped producing them.  sizes were available in 18" or 24" cut.  We could call this a MK2.    

The First British Anzani made  Lawnriders were introduced in 1963.   

Many incorrectly state the Lawnrider was first made in the 1950's, but the machines in the 50's  were called the "Easimow" and were painted blue with a. the steel tubular frame and made by Ferring of Littlehampton, then later by British Anzani.

Mowing Wurzel Fri, 07/08/2026

part 2  to questions.

Some Lawnriders had a brass tag with serial number on the frame, below the engine, later ones had a stick on aluminium serial number that can peel off. (as you note)    From the number of mowers seen, several thousand machines were built.    

the Villiers 515H engine is original    I am a purist and would hate to put an incorrect engine in it.  You would find a B&S or other engine of similar capacity and power wouldn't fit in the frame unless the frame was hacked out or "defiled."  It is your mower to do as you wish!   A V2 motorcycle engine fitted with flames painted on the sides, to be an Easy-Lawn-Rider?

On the flywheel circumference you may find a date of manufacture, e.g. 2 65  for Feb. 1965, but this is when the components were made, not necessarily the exact mower build date.

 

Andrew Briggs Sat, 08/08/2026

Thanks Henno - I agree about the spaceship looks. One of the reasons I bought it.
And thanks to Wurzel for your info - good to know the approximate year and now I know it's a Mk 2. (it's a 24" by the way)
I'm also quite keen on originality (although I do tend to make slight improvemenets along the way).
I only asked about the Briggs and Stratton's because I read that later ones were fitted with them and my engine is only held in by 2 bolts because the mounts don't appear to line up. Hence why I question it's originality. And having my own name on the engine would just be a nice coincidence :-)
I llike your idea of putting a V-twin in though ! And funnily enough I do have a few spare V-twin lumps kicking about :-)

Honda CX500


But seriously I would only fit a B&S if it was original fitment.
Next question - does anyone know a source for the various shades of green that were used originally - especially the light metallic green used on the alumium casting ?