Ok guys sorry for the delay.
Heres hoping its a good read.
1. Earliest pinball memory.
When I was 7 mum worked in a diner in a country town ( Pinjarra) that had 2 pinballs.
Cant remember what they were, but was fascinated by the sounds and lights, but when asked to play one was told NO ! they are a waste of money
The next year we moved to Geraldton and finally I got to have pocket money so the lure of the silver ball, could wait no more and so I made my way to
the Geraldton amusement centre, which has long since now gone.
I think the first pinball I ever tried was Swinger or Fan Tas Tic and that it was it I was hooked. Other favourites of the time were Pioneer and CardWhiz.
Sometimes on a Saturday I would go in there first thing and the attendant would slip me a handful of 20c if I gave the machines a clean with windex. Wonderful memories
2. All Time Favourite Pin
Pioneer/Spirit of 76
Love the gameplay, the artwork. The astronaut actually looks like a real astronaut, love the sounds of Gottlieb EMs, they remind me of the old milkbars and also of a time when life was more
carefree and fun and not so rushed.
3. Favourite Manufacturer
Gottlieb
Loved all the early EMs and they system 80's even though they did have a reputation for being problematic, I do think they were ahead of their time with features like split level
playfields on Black Hole and Haunted House but most of the games were really good fun.
It's good now that so many after market boards are available to keep them running but it would be good to see more back glasses, plastics and playfields especially for some of the rarer
machines like Spirit and Rocky.
4. Favourite Game in your Collection
Paragon - I love it for the features like in line drop targets, the colourful artwork, the wenchy girl with big boobs and also because it is a wide body.
I always loved this game as a teenager. 20c seemed to always last longer on Paragon than any other pinball.
I would love to see CPR do a repro playfield for Paragon but I don't see that happening anytime soon, although I think the backglass is on the cards in the next year or two.
5. How long have you been collecting
Only ten years basically ever since I owned a house.
I would of started sooner only I had no room to store a pinball.
In the early 80's I knew a few operators and could of picked up these games for a song but as we all know hindsight is a wonderful thing.
6. First game and how did you find it
First game was Black Hole (not working) I picked it up at auction for $450.
An operator had gone out of business and was selling off everything. He told me it would be a very simple fix (we have all heard that one before)so many hours and
quite a few parts later my brother and I had it mostly running.
7. Do you still have it
Yes and I don't ever plan on parting with it because the other two BlackHoles I have would get a bit lonely and also it is such a great fun game to
play.
8. What are you currently working on
I recently got my Card Whiz running properly but am currently working on Flash for my BIL and Flight 2000 and Haunted House for myself.
Both games are not very common so I am going to make them up from parts I already have.
For Flight 2000 I only need a lower cabinet, a door and a transformer,
For Haunted House I need a cabinet and the very bottom playfield - that's going to be hard to get, I may have to make one up if someone can do a
scan for me.
9. Most Wanted Game to add to your collection
Black Knight, Indiana Jones, Spirit of 76/Pioneer
10. Best all time Bargain Game added to your Collection
Bally Playboy
Got it about 8yrs ago for $800. The phone number in the paper was wrong so I changed a few numbers around and luckily got hold
of the guy. The game was working ok, had a great backglass but a fairly worn playfield. Still love playing this game and I can't
wait for Classic Playfields to do the repro playfield which will be out shortly.
11. Worst ever miss - the one that got away
8yrs ago a non working Haunted House for $100 - I just wasn't quick enough
12. Worst ever purchase
6 Million Dollar Man - $1600
Got it about 10years ago at auction and paid way too much, it worked but was very faded and had a badly won playfield and all six displays had
burn spots. BackGlass was good though.
If only Aussie Pinball existed back then, then I would have known to look for and how much to pay and how much things like worn playfields affect the value of a machine
sometimes more than whether it works or not.
A year later at auction I could of got hold a much better one for $1100
13. Describe your collection
Gottlieb - Black Hole, Spirit, Rocky, Card Whiz, Royal Flush
Stern - Meteor, Wild Fyre
Bally - Paragon, Playboy, 6 Million $ Man, Lost World, Viking
All are awaiting restoration but are mostly working
14. Describe your Games Room
It is a big double garage with a workshop added on - no room for any cars of course
15. Do you have any other games other than Pinball
I own a few cocktail games. Galaxian, Moon Alien, Asteroids and Defender. Two upright machines Space Invaders and Duel
16. Where can you see the hobby in 10 years
I think there will be a lot more collectors which will be good for keeping the interest alive as far as young kids are concerned but I think sited Pinballs will become a
lot rarer as I don't see much interest paid to them when you see them in a pub or at a cinema which really is a great shame.
I would hope in 10 years time there would be a lot more repro stuff available too.
