That looks fun. According to ipdb Mexico was originally flipperless so this machine was converted at some point in the same way as the pics on ipdb. That's a nice part of its long history.

What a stunning machine. Congratulations.

These flipperless (well, officially) machines have very interesting rulesets, usually with a couple of different scoring modes (points, specials, samba's, whatever).

Don't expect the gameplay to be anywhere near what you're used to when it comes to more modern pinball machines. These flipperless machines are much more a game of chance than they are a game of skill. The experience is very different for it.

However, if you take the time to figure the scoring logic out and make it run well, you might find that it's actually a very pleasant experience to play it. I own one flipperless machine myself (Genco's 1940 Big Game) and I play it quite a lot.

You might want to consider to bring the machine into its original condition again (without flippers) if you prefer an original experience. For the price vs the condition it seems to be in, you can't really go wrong.

There seems to be many of these around. There was a very nice one at the recent York, PA show.
I bought one for $60 maybe a year or so ago. It was in decent condition, but not nearly as good as yours or the one at York.
Sometimes you'll find them retrofitted with flippers. Otherwise, the gameplay isn't terribly inspiring, but it's a good looking machine.

Any pictures under the playfield of these retrofit flipper assemblies? Are they "impulse" style flippers (with a two terminal coil) or are they normal style (with a three terminal coil)?

I would snatch one of those if it became available nearby, really nice looking machine!

Yikes! Your comment about the head not folding down made me cringe.
I've come across more than one game over the years whose head was torn off by someone thinking that it just folds down!
Nice find, and interesting provenance.
Congratulations on your first EM, but don't judge EM gameplay by this game. Even in it's day it wasn't state of the art, but United sure had some good looking games.

ROLMFAO! Too funny.

The button on the bottom is for knocking off credits. These games did not award replays for credits. You were paid off by the establishment, then the credits were knocked off until it was back to zero for the next player.
I have to find a link that I will post next.
A Pinsider named Steve Fury lovingly restored a similar machine; a United "Singapore". He posted a very well made video on YouTube, documenting the restoration and demonstrating the gameplay.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/1947-singapore-united-pinball-machine

Very cool looking! For some reason I see Walter White playing one near the Border. You are now ready to get a full-feature EM, I recommend Klondike (just because I have one and they are affordable and fun).

That's so cool!

Thanks for the pictures! It looks great for its age.

I'd advise you to take the head off the machine for transportation next time you move it. You do this by:
1. opening the backside of the backbox;
2. detaching the connectors that hold the wiring that goes to the playfield;
3. removing the bolts that connect the backbox to the cabinet. Be careful with this last step: The head sits loose on the cabinet after removing these bolts.

Remove all legs too. This is the only proper and 'safe' way to move an old pin. Take pictures in case you're afraid that you won't know how to put it back.

Good luck!

Reviving this old thread as I added a Mexico to my collection this past week. I have been chipping away at several hiccups. The Lock Out relay doesn’t stay held when starting a game.
Thanks RyanStl because I was sitting at the bench with my lifter parts fresh from the Sonic cleaner and cursing under my breath for accidentally deleting pix that would have helped me get it back together. Your posted pics were just enough for me.
Here’s the scorecard.
CamScanner 05-15-2022 16.53.pdf
Quick comment on the two under cabinet buttons. The one closest to the player removes credits. The second button back is a power off switch that RyanStl describes as “force a tilt”