(Topic ID: 113306)

When did heads start folding down?

By westofrome

9 years ago


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  • 23 posts
  • 20 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 9 years ago by dasvis
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    #1 9 years ago

    I've searched the forum and found some different answers to this - early, mid, and late 80s. Is there a definitive system/game for each major manufacturer (Williams/Bally/Gottlieb/etc) when backboxes became hinged? This will help in determining my transportation options when going to look at games. Thanks!

    #2 9 years ago

    First one I remember with a hinge was Comet. Although my Pennant Fever (just before it) had a hinge too.... So it has to be during that transition from System 7 to System 9....

    #3 9 years ago

    1981 Ballys like EBD are hinged. No clasp on the back though. Just the hold down bolts inside the head.

    #4 9 years ago
    Quoted from shock_me:

    1981 Ballys like EBD are hinged. No clasp on the back though. Just the hold down bolts inside the head.

    Yes. My Flash Gordon is hinged.

    #5 9 years ago

    Yeah, I didn't realize 1985 Spy Hunter was hinged until I had already unplugged all the connectors. When did they start adding the protective tubing around the wires?

    #6 9 years ago

    My Frontier was hinged, that's late 1980

    #7 9 years ago

    Seems like Bally (~1980) was ahead of Williams (~1985), and classic Stern never hinged?

    #8 9 years ago

    My Williams Space Shuttle (84) has a hinge. I do not trust it though, looks a little flimsy and it's worth it to just take it off.

    #9 9 years ago

    1980 Bally Mystic is NOT hinged.

    #10 9 years ago

    Bally Hotdoggin' is hinged as is Bally Viking, both released in the summer of 1980, right after Mystic.

    #11 9 years ago

    My Firepower did not have a hinge, and High Speed did.

    #12 9 years ago
    Quoted from aobrien5:

    1980 Bally Mystic is NOT hinged.

    Mine is.

    #13 9 years ago

    Looks like Gottlieb may have adapted its use around 1983 with Super Orbit.

    #14 9 years ago

    My 1980 Space Invaders is not hinged. Do not know what actual year this one was made (assuming they spanned several years with SI)

    #15 9 years ago

    I have two SIs, neither hinged, but my ('84) EBD and Black Pyramid are. (I will be putting hinges on the SI being rebuilt.) I believe the original 1st gen EBDs in '82 had removable heads.

    #16 9 years ago
    Quoted from westofrome:

    This will help in determining my transportation options when going to look at games.

    Great question... This should be a good reference, once we know in what year each manufacturer made the change.
    -mof

    #17 9 years ago

    Atari Superman was the first that I know of. March 1979

    #18 9 years ago

    I take that back! Just a very different kind of hinge compared to modern ones. So Mystic is in.

    #19 9 years ago

    Spectrum was hinged. April 81

    #20 9 years ago

    Gorgar 1979, no hinge.

    #21 9 years ago

    When did heads start folding down?

    I think the first known instance is recorded by the Egyptians!! Oh different game sorry.

    #22 9 years ago

    I think it was the System 9's for Williams. For Bally, I know Flash Gordon was hinged.

    #23 9 years ago

    1981 Bally Embryon & Eight ball deluxe have a hinged heads, but hinge is open on one side & will slide off if you tip it to one side when folded. Not cool if you don't realize it.

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