We all bang on about the latest kit, but remember, the latest kit takes its origins from stuff much older. Over the years, I have had more things than I care to remember. A Pedretti Kim, endless Arrarex Caravels and the list could go on and on. Does anyone else have any vintage stuff and hopefully some photos!
Is anyone in to vintage coffee machines/equipment?
I brought a small Bialetti Moka with me when I moved to the UK in 1990… does that count?
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My Gaggia/Mini Lever is 1973 build, had it for years and really enjoy using it.
Okay, soapbox time:
Open boiler, standard 58mm baskets, boiler temp = temp at puck, great thermal stability thanks to a great lump of brass called the boiler…. User adjustable thermostat…it’s the ugly duckling of levers IMHO.
Although they get no love, they actually make a tasty coffee in standard form when used with a decent grinder, and according to a mate who also has one plus a PID’d Silvia it kills the Silvia…No real Crema, but seriously? Crema was a very successful marketing exercise at the dawn of espresso….“scuma”, was it’s initial appellation.
Trouble was, they were never intended for anything flash and the styling is, at best dated. But it’s a simple, strong well made (apart from the ABS) keeper.
Fun to mod 
too
The pretty one is not mine…
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Mines in early stages ….guess we’re the sort of people the Vintage machine fraternity frown upon, lol lol…although in all fairness the first one was given away because of missing bits
And I really don’t like the way water gets inside the ABS and rusts the frame up…. I’m planning on wooden side panels and a concealed digital thermostat, Richard’s the electronic whizz
CoyoteOldMan Of course……photo please and the battered the better!
CafeNoir That looks nice. I have nearly bought them before when they have come up. Ta for sharing
dfk41 It’s still in the UK - photo will be posted once we are back, and it is quite battered!
I have a 1965 La Pavoni, which I finally retired after getting a Mara X.
