Welcome to Penny Arcade Restorations by Joe Crine!
Arcade machines have always
been fascinating to me. Games that I first enjoyed in my
youth, have become a passion for me to resurrect, so that
younger generations can share with me the enjoyment, of,
once again, enjoying the creativity of Penny Arcade game
designers of the 20's, 30's and after.
I've been repairing pinball
machines since the late 60's and in my shop, I can repair,
fabricate, and repaint (or retouch) just about anything that
comes my way. I do not restore to museum quality, as the
machines need to retain some of the history for which they
deserve. However, they will play as they did when they were
created. Please feel free to
e-mail me at any time
to discuss how my work, knowledge and talents might be of
assistance to you.
Below are images of some of my
past projects as well as progress images from a recent
restoration.
Follow the images below to
see a resurrection of a 1957 Genco "Gypsy Grandma" and the
process used to recondition this fine piece to its original
glory. Perhaps we can do the same for one of yours?
E-Mail me to discuss
your resurrection!
Click on an
Image for Larger View
BEFORE...This is a 1957 Genco, "Gypsy Grandma", often referred to as the "pedestal Grandma", as I received her. Her head, and clothing were missing. Her right arm was detached and broken [shown here repaired]. She was missing her red trim balls, brass rods, glass channels, and glass. Not to mention the fact that she needed her cabinet repainted and she was grossly out of adjustment.
PHASE 2...Here we've begun getting her back into shape. Her new head, [obtained from John Papa, National Jukebox Exchange] is in place, the tin work creating her shape, for underneath her clothing, is in place. A little cleaning and adjusting also has been performed.
PHASE #3...Here we've cut the glass and rails, dressed her, and have her semi-adjusted. Her cabinet has been stripped and sanded, preparing for new paint.
PHASE #4 ...We now have the base color applied. Next, the base will be speckled with the trim colors [orange & green], before the gray/brown border is put on.
PHASE #5 ...All cabinet colors have been applied, as they were originally. I make the greatest attempt to match all colors as close as humanly possible, and place all graphics as close as possible to the original areas.
AFTER...Here she displays her vintage beauty, working perfectly to once again dispense your fortune. The Genco Gypsy Grandma is pleasingly animated with her body and head motion. When the coin is dropped into the slot, she raises her right arm, moving it toward the left hand, which raises the opening from which a fortune is dispensed. she grabs the fortune with her right hand, removes the fortune from the draw, moves her right hand toward the black pot in front of her. Drops the card into the pot, vending it to the patron, she then nods her head, blows you a kiss, and waits anxiously for the next coin! Amazing!!!
