Hi All,

Does anyone know the model name and perhaps year of my Conti (at the top of the page):

http://plwillmottdalton.googlepages.com/retroespressonz

This is on the water at the moment. I have bought it as a restoration project.

Cheers

Paul

Paul wrote:Hi All,

Does anyone know the model name and perhaps year of my Conti (at the top of the page):

http://plwillmottdalton.googlepages.com/retroespressonz

This is on the water at the moment. I have bought it as a restoration project.

Cheers

Paul

Ahhh, So you bought the gaggia American in the center( in Australia I think)????? It was a very nice looking machine from the photos on ebay. Bill or Dr. jim could tell you about the "stirrup "levered Conti.... Empress I think- Predecessor to the Prestina type handle. but I will defer

Nice collection there paul

Nah, couldn't afford the Australian gaggia. Surely they can't be worth USD9500?? Got my fellow from Italy instead.

I've had word that the Conti is from the "Empress" series.

thanks Jim,

next challenge is to find out if Conti changed their 58mm lever group over the years and buy some seals.

cheers
Paul

Paul wrote:thanks Jim,

next challenge is to find out if Conti changed their 58mm lever group over the years and buy some seals.

cheers
Paul

Ascaso in Spain stocks a dispersion screen and a piston ring ( 66mm OD x 61mm ID) That is all I see with them( I have their parts catalogue on CDROM). here in the states you might try http://www.moschetti.com and see what they have. They are the Conti distr. based in California. They even have a 1970 or so all Brass Prestina in their used inventory...

Paul,
The lever group on the Prestina models made in the 70s and 80s is the same as on the current Classica series. I don't know about yours but Edith at Conti can probably tell you. You can order parts for it from the Conti factory. Send an email to Edith Godlin; she's been a big help to me. I did just send her the photo of your machine to see if she could verify it's an Empress, but I think Jim is correct. Edith was even able to send me a few parts for the Prestina besides the group parts; gasket sets for the steam and water valves and some other small parts.

thanks Bill

It didn't occur to me to contact Conti directly. I have enquired at cimbali and carimali in the past about old machines without much joy.

cheers

Paul