Hello. New member, first post so I'll just jump right in.

A quick history...
I acquired an espresso machine years ago after I noticed it peeking out of the top of a dumpster.
The allure of having an awesome espresso machine in my house along with not having to pay for one was too much, I immediately took this home and proceeded to take it apart.
I took pictures every step of the way to document how the pieces would go back together.
Life changes, the project got put on hold and into storage my brass beauty went.

Fast forward five years, two computer changes and four cameras later no pictures to be found.
It is now sitting in a box to the right of my desk waiting to be put back together.

Below are pictures of some of the key components:

Back Cover


Back Cover Emblem


Front Cover


Lever


Copper Boiler, Element and Cat


Electronics


I have contacted Conti and awaiting a reply concerning any schematics etc.
If anybody has ANY information on this machine I would be happy to hear it.

I look forward to putting this back together and I will most certainly be on this forum looking for guidance.

Thanks a latte

I'm still waiting for such a dumpster to walk by

Looks like an Empress 2 group. The front panel seems to match this (ended) ebay auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/330634282556?ss...500wt_1371

solocrema wrote:I'm still waiting for such a dumpster to walk by

No kiddin'. I gotta find me a higher class of dumpster.

To Resnonverba, I'd suggest that Orphan Espresso would be a great place to start - and maybe finish too. Their combination of experience, know-how, imagination - and parts - can make the difference between success and failure, not to mention sober advice that at least can set your expectations realistically about the time and treasure required before your Conti can pull it's next shot.

Good luck!

the hard part will be to reinstall that cat!

spiffdude wrote:the hard part will be to reinstall that cat!

Compliance, that ebay link basically looks like mine. I gather that the single groups of the same era should be relatively close in design.

Anvan, thank you for the suggestion on Orphan Espresso I will be contacting them. It looks like they may have some seals and such, basically all the rubber bits are shot.

I will be tackling this soon enough.

I think it may be the Conti Princess, which is very similar to the empress, but with a different back casing.Whilst the people at Conti are very helpful, especially Edith, not many parts are still available from them.

Boiler seal; prob make your own from Klingersil mtl
Valve seals; Doug at Orphan espresso has made them in the past, but not showing on their site at the moment, so you may have to ask him nicely
Group seals; Most likely Italcrem lever group seals will fit, again available from Doug

ResNonVerba wrote:Anvan, thank you for the suggestion on Orphan Espresso ...

You're certainly welcome, but I just happened to be the first to say it. I'd guess that somewhere around 100% of this site's members would offer the same suggestion.