(Topic ID: 193259)

1959 Gottlieb "Hi-diver" buying & restoration advice

By overshot

6 years ago


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  • 11 posts
  • 7 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 6 years ago by kovalski3
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#1 6 years ago

Hi Folks! I recently found a Hi-diver machine for sale privately near me. I've not dealt much with woodrail machines very much and have some questions regarding the availability of parts and value.
Backglass has some lifting but it appears all of the paint is still there.
The playfield isn't too bad with the worst wear in the shooter lane especially at the top right hand corner. The rail down by the plunger is broken.
The apron is rusted and I'm not sure it can be salvaged. 4 upper pop caps are missing. Each of the lower pops have slight damage.
I did not get to look under the hood but for now we'll assume no major parts missing.
Questions:
1. What parts if any are unavailable (reproduction or otherwise) or might be very difficult to find that would prohibit someone from restoring this beauty?
2. Value of the machine as is?
Ant feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

#2 6 years ago

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#3 6 years ago

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#4 6 years ago

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#5 6 years ago

I believe some folks have "parts" machines and if you're lucky, it will be Hi Diver. In the absence of an exact machine, similar era Gottlieb wood rails may provide a parts source.

#6 6 years ago

Value for that condition is $300 maximum, maybe less.

Really nice examples don't go much above $1000 for this title.

#7 6 years ago

PB resource will have correct reproductions of the correct pop bumper covers.

#8 6 years ago

Thanks for the advice everyone! PB Resource does have caps that will work for this project. I probably won't be able to take possession of this machine for another week or so. When I start working on it I'll be sure to share the experience. Probably need to track down a replacement apron eventually so any thoughts on that would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise keep up the good work!

#9 6 years ago

Great game, I really like mine. Four flippers are cool, so the ball is easier to keep in play than two flipper games, imo. It has General scoring along with Point scoring (each complete dive), back box animation (maybe Gtb's only clown animation), great art, the backbox rating scale (fair to genius), 'As American as Baseball and Hotdogs' on the bg, chrome cigerate holders on both rails... and my favorite bumper caps!

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#10 6 years ago
Quoted from overshot:

Thanks for the advice everyone! PB Resource does have caps that will work for this project. I probably won't be able to take possession of this machine for another week or so. When I start working on it I'll be sure to share the experience. Probably need to track down a replacement apron eventually so any thoughts on that would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise keep up the good work!

Pinball Rescue has the decal for the apron. Sand it down, repaint, apply the decal, looks good as new.

http://www.pinballrescue.net/Decals_Apron_Gottlieb.html

1 month later
#11 6 years ago

I have a really nice example that I would sell. PM me if interested. Recently shopped.

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