If you had your choice of vintage levers...

November 12th, 2014, 10:24 pm

I came across this coffeetec.com listing of vintage machines tonight, and that led me to the owner of many of those machines, Piero Grieco (his name and machines are spoken about on HB). After viewing some 60 machines the thought occured to me that I don't have much of a clue about espresso machines previous to the 1970's. Indeed, other than picking one by aesthetics (La San Marco Disco Volante), I don't know the virtues of any of these beauties. Though, there seem to be many Gaggias kicking around, which probably says something about their build quality, and quanitity produced.

All that said, is there one machine or three that rises above for ease of use, ease of refurbishing, or some other such quality (other than looks)?

Put another way, if money and availability were not concerns, which vintage machine would you choose?

I suppose we need to limit "vintage" so I'm just going to say pre-1970 because for me it would be difficult to beat my 1979 San Marco Model 80 with that great temperature stable group.

Speaking of which, when did they start using this group? For that matter, when did levers move from strictly dippers to some sort of thermosyphon / active group cooling system?

-phillip

#2: Post by **cuppajoe** » November 12th, 2014, 10:51 pm

Kinda like asking what car from the 50s or before. I've always been attracted to La San Marco machines, they seem to have a good unique design sense.

#3: Post by **arcus** » November 12th, 2014, 11:07 pm

I love the look of the 1955 LSM "Lollobrigida". I've never seen one in person but the curves are wicked awesome.

http://www.italianways.com/wp-content/u ... 65x735.jpg

November 13th, 2014, 12:20 am

phillip canuck wrote:
All that said, is there one machine or three that rises above for ease of use, ease of refurbishing, or some other such quality (other than looks)?

#5: Post by **arcus** » November 13th, 2014, 12:54 am

Whoops, I missed that part. My apologies.

#6: Post by **noddyc43** » November 13th, 2014, 2:50 am

Interesting website that coffeetec.com can you actually buy any of the machines as they don't have prices?

November 13th, 2014, 10:42 am

Call them and ask for Jay. He is the salesman there

Edit- sorry about that off topic post. I have no idea which vintage lever I would choose:-)

#8: Post by **TomC** » November 13th, 2014, 10:45 am

noddyc43 wrote:Interesting website that coffeetec.com can you actually buy any of the machines as they don't have prices?

Jay will contact the owner to see if it's still available, then arrange shipping, his cut, and come up with a number.

#9: Post by **cuppajoe** » November 13th, 2014, 2:01 pm

Here you go, now you would just need to chose which one to use at the time.

http://www.coffeetec.com/Vintage_Espres ... presso.htm

Anyone know what this is? - http://www.coffeetec.com/product_p/00-e ... hine47.htm

#10: Post by **TomC** » November 13th, 2014, 4:15 pm

cuppajoe wrote: Anyone know what this is? - http://www.coffeetec.com/product_p/00-e ... hine47.htm

Certainly appears to be a LSM as well. It's interesting that nothing like it comes up on an image search.