The first time I played a pinball machine was around 1980-82. There was this convience store down the street that used to be an old diner, it still served soup and sandwiches, it still had the red diner stools and a white and chrome arborite counter. But in the back, where the old walk in cooler used to be, the owner had put in a couple of pinball machines and arcade machines and painted the walls black. 

Needless to say with my allowance of $2 per week it went pretty fast. The machines that the owner had back there were a Black Hole, Buck rogers and a teachers pet.  The arcade machines were Pacman and Space invaders. But pinball, was where it was at. Especially Buck, I loved the T.V. show at the time. I would go every week and try to beat my last score, and I gotta say I remember getting pretty good. Well, that place closed around 1992. The same pinball machines were still there, only the arcade machines had changed over the years.  Kung fu, Double dragon, Street Fighter etc.  So two years ago 2007, now being in my early 30's, I decided it was time I had one in the home.

I started with the larger pinball shops in the Toronto area, cool but talk about expensive.  One day while I was out doing the flea market thing with my girlfriend...  Low and behold a Buck Rogers!!  It was $700, but in good shape an overall 7 of 10 backglass being a 9.  I still though it was expensive.  I got talking to the guy who was selling it and guess what.  His father had owned that convience store down my old street, and had put it into his basement when it closed.  It was thee, yes the very Buck rogers from when I was kid.  After telling him my memories of the place and exchanging stories, the price dropped to $400.  He too had a obvious soft spot for the place, and the neighbourhood.  So my first pinball machine was THE ONE I actually played as a child.

I have restored that Buck rogers to the best of my ability. Every time I play it, it  sorta brings a tear to my eye. Thats what got me hooked on pinball, and owning that machine keeps me hooked. Now I just have to get the machines I never dreamed of owning, because I have the one I did. Talk about KARMA!