I thought i'd share some pic's of my latest restoration project.After months spent searching European online auction sites looking for a Urania or similar to restore, i came across this listed right here in New Zealand.I'm very excited to be working on it, it's a rare Pavoni Concorso, also known as diamante.It's a result of a design competition Pavoni had back in 1956.It looks a bit shinier in the pics than it actually is, there will be some re-plating, dismantling is going well so far

Just one thing, wow

Very happy for you Mike

Pascal

that is such a CLASSIC. La Pavoni has tried to revive the Diamante. They now carry the "Blue Brand" which is the diamante lines. Sadly.... no lever.

see here: http://www.lapavoni.it/home_bluebrand.asp

Cant wait to see your progress. Post lots of pics please.

kitt wrote:I thought i'd share some pic's of my latest restoration project.After months spent searching European online auction sites looking for a Urania or similar to restore, i came across this listed right here in New Zealand.I'm very excited to be working on it, it's a rare Pavoni Concorso, also known as diamante.It's a result of a design competition Pavoni had back in 1956.It looks a bit shinier in the pics than it actually is, there will be some re-plating, dismantling is going well so far

wow.. Beautiful.
This machine is my favorite.
Joe

Cheers guys, it's been one of my favourites for ages too, i can't believe it turned up for sale here in NZ

benhogan wrote:that is such a CLASSIC. La Pavoni has tried to revive the Diamante. They now carry the "Blue Brand" which is the diamante lines. Sadly.... no lever.

see here: http://www.lapavoni.it/home_bluebrand.asp

Cant wait to see your progress. Post lots of pics please.

Will post more pics, i had seen the diamante pics on NZ distributor site and wondered what was going on...

Paul_Pratt wrote:To content myself I should have a similar machine (components, boiler and group) coming soon. Drop me a PM and we can swap parts sourcing tips.

Cheers Paul, it was your lambro build that got me hooked on levers in the first place.Will send you a pm, but i don't think there's much available in the way of parts and i imagine i'll be custom making alot of seals/gaskets.I restored a Pavoni P67 which had a slightly later lever group - that used astoria lever parts so maybe this will too (haven't got that far yet)

What a great find, Mike!

Not many of these beauties for sale, especially in NZ it must be a true treasure..

Congrats, hope the resto will be fun

Boiler mounted group, it seems, and interesting with the 2 heating elements, guess you can have a quick warm up and let it idle with just one element active.

Looking forward to more pics!

OT: Mike did you find out what PF fits the Conti Empress, besides the original? I am thinking of going naked, but would like to avoid cutting in the original..

Cheers

Ulrik

A fantastic find Mike! Now that's a talking piece to have on your kitchen bench....

ulrikmo wrote:Boiler mounted group, it seems, and interesting with the 2 heating elements, guess you can have a quick warm up and let it idle with just one element active.

I think the pressurestat is a mod, originally would have been emissions valve and a switch set at either 1 or 2 elements.The big weight on top of the boiler would release excess pressure.

I never had a Conti Empress original portafilter, but used a few standard Faema E61 type portafilters with it.It's a very common portafilter with ears at 3 and 9 o'clock

Here's a couple of more pic's from todays tear-down;Frame is 2 heavy aluminium castings with only the central front frame being steel



Boiler, some bolts survived, some didn't.All will be replaced.Same with element studs.Both elements are 650W

Great score Mike! Now tell me, do you have an extra 3 ear portafilter? We have a 3 group Concourso with 1 original 3 ear pf, one 3 ear that I have to grind to fit, and still needing one more. The 3 group is the heaviest object which I own now that we got rid of the piano...needs drip tray and grate fabrication and a few knobs sourced to match from other machines but will be one huge project once I find that last portafilter.
Nice to see that you are getting right into it as our 3 group has been in storage for about 3 years as I dither on the portafilter issue.