I was cruising ebay tonight and came up with this funny one, a buy it now bargain.
http://shop.ebay.com/items/__olympia-espresso?_frs=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m359

What's going on with the descriptions on those two items!

Did the guy in Seattle see the Australian guys auction with the line "Note, in the US the current retail price of the Olympia Cremina is around US $3000" and think, "Hey, i've got one of those! ... I could use 3 large right now!"

... and is US$3k really a bargain? (or was that a sly facetious comment from the OP)

Isn't this the rare serial number 666 Cremina where the lever works in reverse? Wow....$3000 is a bargain.

There is the espresso hobby and then there is the espresso machine hobby. I'll take the former.

I was being indeed being facetious when calling it a buy it now a bargain. I do find it quite something the price these are going for these days. I thought I was nuts paying $750usd for a mint condition 1992 Cremina a year or so back. A few years ago I bought a 1978 for $250.

For the same money, I'd rather buy a lever Ponte Vecchio Lusso and with the money I save I'll buy a nice antique Swiss watch.

Well, I guess when you think about it....it's all just bling in different forms.

Yes I love this:

Note, in the US the current retail price of the Olympia Cremina is around US $3000; and there is very little difference between the new Cremina's and these vintage versions that made them famous amongst coffee aficionado's.

The unit's Serial Number is 8122373, which I understand dates it to 1978.

It is a factory original, that was originally owned by a wealthy client of mine who bought the unit new in Italy in the late '70's. I bought the unit from them.....it is the only one I have ever seen for sale in the US. It's very, very rare.

Clearly this is a very rare model. It's the only model that was made in 1978 with a serial number starting in 81. Everyone else had to wait 3 years for that model!

Either that or in the late 1970s, his clients went forward several years in time, purchased the machine and went back in time and brought it back with them.

I also like how he says to look at the espresso he made with the machine, but didn't post any pictures of it. Also, why does it have a US plug if it's a 240 machine? I think I can make out 50 hz on the serial number plate, although it's so blurry I can't say for sure.

I noticed the listing last night and thought about contacting the seller about the date error. I decided against it bc I felt the seller wasn't sincere and probably wouldn't appreciate the information. The vibe I got from the listing felt wrong - just out to make a quick buck (or perhaps 3K of them). IDK, I could be way off, but buyer beware.

rawman wrote:Also, why does it have a US plug if it's a 240 machine?

I see where you are going with this, but I find it doesn't really hold, as my EP is from Naples. The original owner who was stationed in the navy there in the early 80's bought it in 110 so that he wouldn't need a converter when he returned home. Same could be said for this machine.

I see where you are going with this, but I find it doesn't really hold, as my EP is from Naples. The original owner who was stationed in the navy there in the early 80's bought it in 110 so that he wouldn't need a converter when he returned home. Same could be said for this machine.

Sure that makes sense if it's a 110 machine. But I thought that the original description stated it was a 240 machine. It's not there anymore so either he changed it, or I'm losing my mind. Either way all's well

I've been looking for a Cremina myself.
I keep kicking myself every now and then for passing up a $250 BIN on one years ago. However, I gotta pass on $3k or even $1k. I'm perfectly happy with my Oscar and mcasa Leva.

Love that fuzzy nameplate s/n photo - is that to show proof of the s/n and voltage of the machine?

As said here already - caveat emptor.