The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => General Discussion => Your Collection => Topic started by: Jango on February 25, 2012, 09:48:30 PM
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Hi All
How did I get introduced to the T2 pin? Well I have not seen or played a T2 since the early 90's when it was released, but I loved it straight away and for quite a few years, I have always wanted one. I first saw a T2 at "Henry's Diner" in Frenchman's Road, Charing Cross (basically its Waverley) in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Henry was an old guy in his 60's who ran a dodgy food joint that was basically the only place open at 3am when my mates and I wanted to get some food after drinking solid at the rugby club all evening. Good old Henry had a few MOB's in his kitchen at all times... Its not there any longer I believe.
Anyway, we would go there, play his T2, order cheeseburgers +1 extra, and thick shakes. We would remain inside the diner whilst another mate ran across the road and started a long fast bowlers run up towards the diner armed with the spare cheeseburger. We would nominate to Henry: "Henry, coming in right arm over the wicket." My mate would pelt this cheeseburger at Henry's shop and we would take off. Sometimes it was also a thick shake.. Henry would chase us with a baseball bat. This went on most Saturday evenings for about 1 year. I don't think he minded as we spent a bit of money each week at 3am. It is quite a funny memory.
Anyway, I engaged Tim from Hot Rodded Pins in 2011 to locate a good base game for me as a suitable candidate for a full restoration. Tim found one with a sensational playfield. I did not want to hijack Tim's thread re his restoration, so I have started this new pin thread. This was all done on the back of me viewing Tim's personal restore thread on his machine. I had not met Tim and I had not seen the machine when I transferred funds for the machine and the resto process. That's how much I trusted Tim, his work ethic and his workmanship. I was not disappointed.
I purchased a TONNE of new parts for the restore, including new HK ship + led light mod, new skull, targets, plastics etc etc. The list was huge. Tim certainly weaved his magic on this machine. I picked it up yesterday, and it is simply astounding. The cabinet artwork is just gorgeous. He has installed mirror panels on the inside of the cabinet and done a few other custom mods. I got the Pinball pro speakers and the playfield has been clearcoated to Tim's high standards. The machine was wrapped up beautifully when I went to collect it.
Tim also received a few calls from people wanting to buy my machine after viewing the progress of the restore on his website. I won't divulge what they were as I was not party to those conversations, but its significant and testament to the work that Tim does! He also received a personal email from Steve Ritchie complimenting him on this restore. Tim really did a remarkable job on my machine and basically told me from day 1 that it would quite possibly be one of the best T2's on the planet when he gets done with it.. I completely agree
I will post some pics later of the machine after I have got it home etc. I now have 5 pins in my house... all in the space of 15 months I reckon. My wife has been very good about it all also.
On another note, many many years ago, a friend gave me 2 x original and one off black and white photo's of Arnold. One is of him sitting at a desk, shirt off with what looks like the Campbell Parade Bondi streetscape in the background. I know this as I worked in Bondi for years many years ago. Arnold did his 1980 Olympia at the Sydney Opera House and was great mates with a famous Aussie bodybuilder named Paul Graham. Paul had a gym in the east of Sydney and Arnold would come to Australia to train / live with him. Anyway, this is where I think the photo's came from. The 2nd photo which IS THE REAL JEWEL in my opinion, is a sensational photo of Arnie standing in a PINBALL PARLOUR surrounded by a hot chick, a few kids, lots of EM pins and a pool table. It is a truly great original one only photo. I am exploring ways of possibly incorporating that original photo into my T2 machine.
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Here are some pics after getting the machine home:
(http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/1565/img5385g.jpg)
(http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/8008/img5386y.jpg)
(http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/2721/img5387s.jpg)
(http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/8434/img5393c.jpg)
(http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/8508/img5394y.jpg)
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2245/img5403w.jpg)
(http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/5107/img5395c.jpg)
(http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/5038/img5396wd.jpg)
(http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/9534/img5398ca.jpg)
(http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/8934/img5399w.jpg)
(http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9408/img5400t.jpg)
(http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3793/img5401o.jpg)
(http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3213/img5397vm.jpg)
(http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5879/img5404r.jpg)
(http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2237/img5406f.jpg)
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awesome stuff, the pin looks amazing and your story of why it come about is even better, thanks for sharing
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Another piece to the puzzle......that T2 came from me. Playfield was the best I have seen with virtually no wear,cabinet was shot however. Great to see this baby come to life and look better than new. Tim is a magician.
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Nice house too Jango. ^^^
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Congrats on being brave enough to do this Jango .
It's certainly paid off in spades for you.
I assume its taking pride of place in the lounge room ?
Now you get to relive the memories of your youth playing a truly stunning example of this game .
Thanks for the great story and pics.
Cheers
Dave
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Thanks all.
Silverball - you were also the fellow who recommended me to my kids Mario Bros. A sensational pin in great nic. The T2 playfield is virtually flawless after Tim has worked on it. That's basically why I bought that one, just for the playfield.
goodolddays - Yes mate its in the loungeroom at the moment. I have 2 upstairs and another 2 in the garage being worked on at present.
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Congratulations on a SUPERB looking T2
Very envious ^^^
LOVE the old story as well - very funny stuff #*#
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Mate, old Henry used to look and dress exactly like the guy who ran the Diner in Superman 2 did (when Clark Kent goes back into the Diner to kick that rednecks arse) complete with the white gear and white hat. The bastard used to charge like a wounded bull for his food (allot for us 17-18 year old kids in those days) so I don't think he really minded us playing up just a little. It was very funny just recalling it for this thread...
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Stunning example of the T2! I remember this game from the arcades in the 90's and even during the 90's I can't recall seeing a T2 machine in that condition.
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Looks pretty amazing mate. Sounds like the wait was worth it.
Wish you well to play it.
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Simply sensational! Looks absolutely magnificent indeed. Congratulations on your aquisition, also Tim, you are remarkable!!
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sweet looking T2, great story thanks for posting
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Very nice mate !
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Great job on an awesome pinball.
Peter
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It is beautiful. Steve Richie would even think that was the best.
Hang on - he does!!
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Great story, beautiful pin, well done guys *%*