First pinball machine to have the flippers in the position we now have (two facing inward at the bottom). Interesting. Condition would play a big part. Any pictures?

Very, very tough title to find. Won't be cheap.

Well, around July last year one came up Ohio and I got photos but I took too long deciding and then in another 24 hours it sold. I should have been decisive. Can't remember price but it was under $2000.

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Earlier this year, an exceptionally nice original, shopped Spot Bowler sold to a collector on this forum (not me) for close to $5,000.

Oh gosh! You let a good one get away. I think that game is almost as hard to come by as "Mermaid" if not more so. It's especially tough to find one with a good playfield. I don't think the game has any live pop bumpers, but it looks like fun nonetheless. Would love to find one myself.

Well, if memory serves me right Dirtflipper posted it in the CL thread and I just chased it up. Didn't realize just how desirable it was and it was a pretty nice example but the photos were quite poor so I hesitated.

And I didn't realize at the time that this is a nice p/f. I saw a bit of insert wear and thought it wasn't great. How wrong was I. Shucks!

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I do wonder where that one ended up. I also regret not going after it.

Had this in my shop a while ago for repair.great game.
Ted

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Spot Bowlers are indeed scarce. I bought a mess of a Spot Bowler because it was the only one I could ever find. The restoration was arduous. The cabinet still requires a repaint. Saving old games is gratifying. However, I would have gladly paid $5K for that nice original game which sold a few months ago. A few before & after photos are below:
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My Spot Bowler's bowling pins were yellowed, brittle and badly damaged. Also, the 10 pin was missing. Consequently, my restoration project required the creation of a reproduction set of bowling pins. The originals have a milk-can like structure (first photo) whereas my repros are more rotund, somewhat closer to real bowling pins. The repros are sturdy and pliable. I drew the numerals slightly larger, progressively, to enhance the appearance of depth.

The repro pins are plastic toys, which were mostly hollow. I utilized a dremel to completely hollow each pin and to shorten them to fit over the bulbs. I have been dreading the reproduction of these bowling pins, particularly because this fine-detailed work challenges my lousy vision and my unsteady hand (getting old). I'm glad that it's done and I'm satisfied with the result.

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Bruce,
That thing looks awesome! You have all the cool toys!

It looks great!

Is the wood apron a reprint?

Bruce

http://www.pbresource.com/aprons.html

Here is mine that I restored a couple years ago. image.jpg

Thanks. I'm just checking because there is an original Gottlieb woodrail apron on a Williams woodrail here that looks the same as the one in the Spot Bowler restoration photos.

It was trimmed to fit the Williams woodrail apron though.

Bruce

Here's a few "before" and "after" photos of the Spot Bowler cabinet, as well as a couple of playfield close-ups, after restoration of the worn areas. Post 13 above depicts the unrestored playfield. While it's an imperfect example of this game, it has come a long way to become presentable. Indeed, this project ranks in my collection as the game most in need of love upon arrival.

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A very reliable Pinsider is selling his Spot Bowler, in case anyone missed it in the Pinside marketplace or on eBay:

ebay.com link: itm