In 1953 Frank Farrer of Villiers UK negotiated with the Australian Government which resulted in the establishment of a factory to service Australia along with New Zealand, Japan Indonesia and other areas.
The factory was built in Ballarat, Victoria, on a 20 acre block in Wendouree, at 211 Gillies Street.
Construction began in 1953 and was officially opened in 1957. The Australian company was headed by Douglas W. Ramsden, a senior member of Villiers Engineering Ltd., UK.
Before long the factory was producing some 10,000 engines per month, the vast majority destined for use in lawn-mowers and agricultural equipment. It is not clear if Villiers motorcycle engines were produced at the Ballarat plant.
In 1966 Villiers Engineering UK was acquired by Manganese Bronze Holdings which formed Norton-Villiers.
The Ballarat business was sold by Manganese Bronze in 1978 to the Australian shareholders of Norton Villiers Australia Pty. Ltd., who, the following year discontinued the manufacture of engines.
N.B. A forum post says that all Australian-made Villiers engines had 'X' after the engine number.
Source: salterbros.com.au
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