A Very Large Shipment
There’s really not any eloquent way to say this: we bought four pinball machines last week:
1990 Williams Whirlwind, 1980 Bally Flash Gordon, 1979 Williams Gorgar, and a 1979 Williams Time Warp (not shown).
I’m a little, oh, bashful about it because 1) I’m a newbie and adding 3 somewhat classic machines to our collection so quickly feels like I’m skipping steps. Like there are people who have been in the hobby longer that deserve these machines more than me. Or something. I have issues, I know. 2) We now have FIVE pinball machines! This is freakin’ crazy! Who does this?!
But, opportunity knocked, and we had to go for it. Our friend Jayson, who has been actively encouraging this madness, told me that his friend Brad had four machines, in varying levels of functionality, in his basement, and that he might be willing to sell them. I jumped at it and went to see them the first chance I got (last Thursday). Frankly, they were in need of a lot more help than I anticipated. A lot. Only one would start and play a game (Flash Gordon), and it was in dire need of cleaning. The fourth one, Silverball Mania, began to smell like it was burning wires (coils?) inside. I was looking for a challenge, and I’d certainly found it. On Saturday we returned with a U-Haul and Colin and Jeff to help. About 3 hours later we had three of them moved in — we couldn’t take Silverball Mania because its keys were lost, so we couldn’t take the backbox off. We’ll get it on a return trip.
Meanwhile, a Whirlwind popped up, also in project condition. This is the game we’ve been on the lookout for ever since Las Vegas, which was all of, what, a month ago. Even though it was in unknown condition, the price seemed right for such a game with most plastics intact, but a playfield that was in need of a lot of cleaning and new decals. I picked it up on Friday during lunch and Colin and Chap helped me unload it at home. Crazy.
My thanks to, of course, Jessica, for supporting this madness with enthusiasm and love, and driving my Jeep crammed full of backboxes. Colin for his unusual willingness to help (he did stay after and play Police Force for a good while, determined to get back on the high score board — no luck yet). To Brad for making this all possible, and being incredibly helpful and patient through the whole process (which isn’t quite over yet — we still have to get Silverball Mania!). To Chap and Jeff for taking time out of their days to provide some muscle, and last, but not least, to Jayson for making the connection and encouraging this insanity.
Since then I’ve encountered problems with getting Whirlwind and Gorgar to boot. All but Flash Gordon had suffered battery corrosion, and that may be the trouble. Not an easy fix. More to come.
