Gottlieb Surf Champ Restoration

[Strangeways]

After strenuous testing and double checking everything, I'm proud to post the final update on this machine - which has had a few twist and turns along the way, but I', sure the new owner will be very pleased with the result. It has surpassed my expectations.

First - I needed to address the fact that this game was missing the entire credit unit. Lucky I had another one - so I rebuilt it and placed it in the game.





The spinner was also missing - or the wrong one - I can't remember. So I used the art Wotto did for me a while ago and printed it out on adhesive clear film. This is the only boo boo I made. Inkjet printers don't print white and the spinner is already blue. so it won't look exactly right.





1st Ball Relay coil was toast. I didn't find this until my final checks. So it was replaced





Finished pictures - my only disappointments were the spinner and the coin insert windows don't allow enough light through. These are minor things - the game NEEDS to be in WA before next weekend.. I'm absolutely thrilled with the playability on the machine. Stoked !


























I'm really proud to put my name on this restoration.

[oldskool1969]

  the new owner will be stoked for sure! Oh yeah it's me 
Even if it doesn't make the PPCR meet I will share the stoke on a Monday at Joes joint so all can behold the new
BEST GAME EVER! 
That cabinet looks firkin awesome, but the Play field, WOW 
This is and will be a players machine that will stay in my family to share with friends forever.
Heres hoping no dramas occur with freight?
Will do a post when received and thoroughly thrashed.
Cheers Niño
Andy

[swinks]

beautiful work and stunning machine Nino  , and congrats Andy a awesome game 

[Pinprick]

Seriously good work on Nino's part, I have never seen a better resto job (even from my humble self)

The ol' skeghead is well chuffed and so he should be.
I STILL  maintain that the cabinet deserves bringing up to the same superb standard if only for consistency.
The new owner is a difficult bastard who likes his cabs "as is" for some obscure reason.
FMD . . .  some people have no aesthetic sensibilities whatsoever.

Anyway, it will be a privilege to play once it's ensconced at his place.

[Retropin]

Oh my.. looks beautiful!!

Oldskool... do you have an EM with CC PF already??.. they play so much better!.. tuned up slings, bumpers and flippers and its a really fast and furious game.. you will love it!

[oldskool1969]

Oldskool... do you have an EM with CC PF already??.. they play so much better!.. tuned up slings, bumpers and flippers and its a really fast and furious game.. you will love it!

I do, but it is my own clear coat on a 1971GTB called 2001, seen thread. Not the greatest speed with 2 inch flippers but still needs some tweaking.
Also a High Hand which is really nice with a beautifull Mylar job and a Super Straight ( tbd ) with a European urethane coat, me thinks will play nice too!

[Retropin]

2" flippers are a different game altogether.. takes more skill to play a game with these. 3" was introduced to make game play easier. GTB made many great games with 2" flippers but sooo many have the GTB void which is the large gap between the flippers and it really does ruin a great game somewhat. Williams, once they cottoned onto the notion of NOT having impulse flippers made some of the greatest 2" flipper games there is. If you can get hold of a WMS 60;s game with 2" flippers ( reverse wedgehead) you will have one of the best playing games around.. theres a PALOOKA that's been floating on Ebay.. its a little overpriced for market value but for playability its actually cheap compared to what a GTB will command.. fast game, 2" flippers with narrow gap and drop targets. Ive owned one and I do regret selling it.
2001 is a great game and SHOULD play very well.. tune it up so the bumpers/ slings are sensitive.. rebuild the flippers etc.. no need to go to high tap as that's the lazy restorers way of making a game play faster. If you can tune it to factory release ( which is how it would have been intended to play), youll have a very different game. Id love to own a 2001.. it would suit my line up no end. Its like having  a great looking car that hasn't had the engine tuned.. you have to fine tune an EM

[oldskool1969]

The cycle is now complete. I am proud to announce that my holy grail is in her daddies arms. Surf Champ in the house!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Arrived one day after my PPCR get together ( oh well ) so took it to Joes at KJWHF and set her up for the monday night boys to give her a whirl. Many good responses and some real appreciation for the old girl and Nino's expertise. Here are some pictures and people now understand why I didn't get the cabinet re-painted,
simply beautifully original and well maintained. Thanks Nino, truly stoked.

[oldskool1969]

2 more

[swinks]

beautiful game, I can imagine how stoked you are to have the grail pin home.

[Strangeways]

I'm pleased the new owner is happy and it arrived safe and sound. I hope you guys enjoy playing the machine as much as I enjoyed restoring it 

[elkor-alish]

That's me having a game. :)
Very nice Nino.
I've said it before and I'll say it again "Love your work".

[dealers choice]

I didn't expect anything less from you Mini. Awesome restoration once again

[ktm450]

Very nice 

[oldskool1969]

Update, I can't stop playing this beautifull game. The simple things in life are often the best. Everyone needs at least one EM in your collection. This is my fourth but by far the best.