Centigrade 37
Gottlieb, 1977I'm a die-hard DMD guy but I've always wanted at least one older EM or early SS game.
I really like Centigrade 37, amongst others, and just wondered what this title generally goes for... and how hard it may be to come by?
My preference would be a restoration project, but anything will do. Any leads would also be appreciated.
I think that is a pretty highly regarded Em, so it commands a higher price. It's like the Medieval Madness of EM's.
Quoted from spfxted:The game is fantastic! Artwork incredible. (Like Wally Wood EC Comic art!) Gameplay...fun! Animated Backglass...outtasite! I was offered over $2k for mine and didn't sell it. If you can pick one up...get it!
Thanks... but it's looking like it ain't gonna be so easy.
The one on eBay is somewhere in MI. Now, if any friendly local Pinsider wants to pick it up for me... I might actually convince the seller to let me bid on it 
Of course, you'll have to drive it to Detroit too. Did I forget to mention that?
If that plan doesn't work out... Ted, you know I have an office and a nice warm warehouse in NJ right? That's almost as good as a local sale in my book 
Quoted from Drano:Really? I had no idea. I've heard the same said of Fireball
Oh we'll, looks like the search might take a bit longer than expected.
Yep, you've selected one of the higher end EMs. I have both it and Fireball. I would say Fireball is more like the MM of EMs as it is popular with newbies while Centigrade takes a little while to warm up to -- for those that don't play pinball. Also, like MM, Fireball has a ton of features for it's period -- zipper flippers, spinning disk, multiball (!), kick back, and a skill shot plus one of the best overall art packages IMHO
Another EM worth considering is 4 Million BC. First you have to get over the art package -- plastics are pretty sad and backglass is a little odd, not the fun happy stuff of the period. The game itself is fantastic. I might actually prefer the gameplay over Fireball. Tough call. With 4MBC, you have 2 ball and 3 ball MB (!), kick back, zipper flippers, and a skill shot. These seem to normally sell in the $800 range fully working and occassionaly come up for less.
If you are stuck on Gottlieb, Sky Jump is a fun game and comes up every now and again in the $600 range. Sometimes less if you are lucky. I've seen a couple in the $400 range.
I will add, I think a more realistic price range for Centigrade is in the $1,000 to $1,200 range. At the upper price mentioned earlier, it would have to be absolutely exceptional. I saw one just this year at one of the shows and it was priced at $1,450. It was the nicest C37 I had ever seen. And it didn't sell by the end of the show. If I had my C37 at the time, I would have bought that one and sold mine. It was really that nice. Sorry I missed that one.
Good luck on the hunt,
Duane
Yes, I agree, 4 Million B.C. is a pretty cool game. (I forgot I had one for a few months)
I don't agree you can find a good Centigrade for $1,000...at least not around here. I paid $1,600 and that was 6 years ago.
I would sell mine, but it would be $2k or more, fer sur!
C37 has very cool artwork, but the playfield is very similar to a number of other Gottlieb titles including 300/Top Score.
Thanks guys,
Very informative. Maybe I'll look into some of those other titles if I can't find a decent C37 right away.
I have definitely found a couple just in the last 48hrs so that's promising. The one on eBay with a starting price of $1500 and BIN of $2000, as well as two for sale by dealers. One is asking $1600 for what appears to be a very clean machine, but he is in CA. Still waiting to hear form the other one.
I wish either one was closer or this would not be a very tough decision.
I also enjoyed El Dorado a lot when I played it a while back, but just not as much as this pin.
Quoted from PinballHelp:C37 has very cool artwork, but the playfield is very similar to a number of other Gottlieb titles including 300/Top Score.
Sweet... I'm buying a "300" this week!
Quoted from spfxted:What was the machine that was almost the same thing? Atlantis, or something....
VERY similar layout. Atlantis has a ton more drop targets on the left, no kickout hole on the upper right.
I once owned a 4 million BC, but have never even played a centigrade! Now that I've read so much great things about it, I've at least gotta try it out!
Now to find one in, or around Iowa. lol!
-Aaron
The Iowa Pinball Club
Quoted from spfxted:Yes, I agree, 4 Million B.C. is a pretty cool game. (I forgot I had one for a few months)
I don't agree you can find a good Centigrade for $1,000...at least not around here. I paid $1,600 and that was 6 years ago.
I would sell mine, but it would be $2k or more, fer sur!
I just played an immaculate 4 Million BC at the pinball museum in Baltimore, and I was amazed. Great skill shot, great multi-ball, tons of fun. And really ugly in a really cool way. I can't even imagine keeping an EM that complicated running.
Quoted from albummydavis:I just played an immaculate 4 Million BC at the pinball museum in Baltimore, and I was amazed. Great skill shot, great multi-ball, tons of fun. And really ugly in a really cool way. I can't even imagine keeping an EM that complicated running.
The amazing thing about EMs....they keep working if played. I have a few and have no clue how to work on them. Knock on wood, they seem to keep going. Cann't say the same for my damn modern Williams DMD stuff. I'm fighting to keep them working. Seems I fix one thing and another thing breaks. I swear the EMs will outlast all Solid State pins!
Cheers,
Duane
Drano, just buy my LOTR and Teds centigrade. He and i are practically neighbors. Pick them up the same day and ship them home together. Save a bundle and have two beautiful home use games to enjoy.
Sold mine for $2K a while ago, but it was real nice -
pics:http://www.weirpinball.com/gallery/index.php/Restoration/Previous-Restorations/Centigrade-37/after
Quoted from Drano:I also enjoyed El Dorado a lot when I played it a while back, but just not as much as this pin.
C37 has lots of things to do over El Dorado for sure as it has involved gameplay as you have drop targets, rollovers, kickout Hole, standup targets to get goals. The one bummer is that it acts as a multi-player in the way that there is no building bonus carryover, so everything has to be done per ball.
El Dorado, your objective, just drop the targets, again, again, again, etc.
Ken
Quoted from spfxted:The worst thing about it is that it's a one player game...
That's sort of what I like about it... It's such a throwback that its cool. Love the single score reel!
I guess these types of games are great for competing with friends, so multiplayer would be cool.
Quoted from TheFamilyArcade:Drano, just buy my LOTR and Teds centigrade. He and i are practically neighbors. Pick them up the same day and ship them home together. Save a bundle and have two beautiful home use games to enjoy.
I wish I could, but Ted's not givin me the "Pinsider insider" discount 
Actually, I just scored a local HUO LOTR. Don't want to jinx it because it's not in my possession yet, but my DMD hunting may be at an end. Two more pre-orders to add to the collection and I'm calling it quits.
One or two nice EMs down the road just for variety, but I am super happy with the way my lineup will look in 4-6 month's time. It's taken a while.
Good news is I found a perfectly restored C37 for a little over $1500. Now I just have to look into shipping. It might kill the deal, but if I'm getting a good price, why not?
Quoted from WeirPinball:Sold mine for $2K a while ago, but it was real nice -
pics:http://www.weirpinball.com/gallery/index.php/Restoration/Previous-Restorations/Centigrade-37/after
I think you proved my point. At the upper price mentioned, the game has to be exceptional and yours certainly was. That was an incredible restoration. Looks better than new. Well done! 
Cheers,
Duane
Quoted from spfxted:Yes...even if it's $1,600 plus $350 shipping, that's still $1,950. For you, I would sell it for that....but you hafta come and get it....smoke a cigar, drink some tequila and gobble down a Cowboy Steak. On me, natch!
I might have to take you up on that offer... might even smuggle in a couple of Cubans
I'm in Mount Laurel NJ at least 6-10 times a year... but still seems to be a bit of a hike from Park Ridge.
Well,
Two pin searches this month and both have come to a successful end this long weekend... well, this morning to be exact. First, my LOTR is now in the house and I just ended up purchasing this C37 on eBay.
Here are some of the seller's pics. A bit grainy, but the game appears to be in fine shape for its age. A local collector and good Samaritan has offered to bring it back for me on his way home from Expo.
Should see it in a couple of weeks!
My first EM! Very excited!!!
C37_03.JPG C37_04.JPG C37_05.JPG C37_07.JPG C37_09.JPG C37_12.JPG
Quoted from spfxted:Hard to tell from pictures...but doesn't look bad.
I'll post a more thorough run-down when it arrives in a couple of weeks.
I expect a few rough edges. It's been with the same family for a long time from what I have gathered and not sure how much maintenance has been done... but these EMs are bullet proof right?
I'm told it works fine, the playfield is near perfect and the only blemish on the game (apart from the few on the cabinet) is on the red temperatrue level behind the backglass. It has a black smuge on it. Not sure what it's made of, but hopefully it can be cleaned up.
I'll do some minor cleaning and touch-up but plan to keep it pretty much as-is. I love that all the original paperwork is included 
I wonder what the number stamp on the front of the cab is? Maybe an op's mark?
I'll be hitting you up for some pointers on scoring strategy Ted
Damn, thanks to this thread I just picked one up myself. Had never even heard of this pin before the other day but it looks pretty cool and I've been toying with picking up an EM for awhile. Probably my fastest pin search/purchase ever but I think I got a really good deal on a nice condition example. Can't wait to get it.
Quoted from jhoward1082:Damn, thanks to this thread I just picked one up myself. Had never even heard of this pin before the other day but it looks pretty cool and I've been toying with picking up an EM for awhile. Probably my fastest pin search/purchase ever but I think I got a really good deal on a nice condition example. Can't wait to get it.
Sweet!
Congrats.
For any pinsiders in So-Cal looking for this title, Pat Choy at endless pinball has a nice example for sale
http://www.endlesspinball.com/centigrade-37-pinball-game-1595/
congrats on your new purchases, Centigrade 37... very nice game.
and your LOTR... you won't be disappointed.
Quoted from Richthofen:I LOVE the artwork on the backglass/playfield. I'm not much of an EM guy but wow. Congrats dude!
Yeah, that's what got me first. As a designer/artist this game screamed to me when I saw it at the PHOF a while back. I kept dumping quarters into it and was hooked.
It sorta sat in the back of my mind while I searched around for my favourite DMDs, but the timing was just right. I always wanted at least one EM and maybe one early SS. Thought about fireball at first, but this one just seemed to have more charm
Congrats Drano...C37 is my EM favorite. Just can't beat brewing up a futuristic chick in a tube
I know your remark about accessing the menus was tongue in cheek, but if you get into the backbox, you can move the plugs to change the number of balls, replay settings, etc... kind of like using the old punch card computers in a silver ball chassis. See, who needs a dmd display anyway.
cheers,
rody
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