OldNuc wrote:Find one that needs to be cleaned up and it will be quite reasonable. Once restored the price goes through the roof.

I don't think a Gaggia International will be "quite reasonable" in any condition, unless you've got deep pockets. Some of the later Gaggias, yes.

Ryan is in Italy where they can be found still at reasonable prices.

Depends on the model, but 60's and sooner I can find them pretty cheap. I saw a 1956 Faema Urania for 1500 euro in September that seemed to be in fair condition as well. La Pavoni's can be found for dirt cheap (like my current one I bought for 300). Elektra can be found for 500-800 euro as well, though I negotiated mine for 450.

https://www.subito.it/elettrodomestici/ ... 270509.htm
https://www.subito.it/hobby-collezionis ... 176159.htm
https://www.subito.it/elettrodomestici/ ... 982979.htm

For modern machines I can find them dirt cheap, from La San Marco to La Cimbali.

https://www.subito.it/elettrodomestici/ ... 718050.htm
https://www.subito.it/elettrodomestici/ ... 452973.htm

However I try not to look too much as I might 'accidentally' end up with a machine I do not know how to restore and not want to throw money for someone else to restore it.

The coffee roaster that I am friends with and where I took my barista course will clean up and fix modern machines for a 500 euro fee if I really was feeling like purchasing a used machine though.

drgary wrote:I don't think a Gaggia International will be "quite reasonable" in any condition, unless you've got deep pockets. Some of the later Gaggias, yes.

I got it in NZ for around 2500USD, which I thought was pretty good going. Spent about the same restoring it, which was slightly more than I thought. Involved some swaps (it had Pavoni groups on it) and a lot of running around and help! Newly restored will probably set you back roughly double or more, but I think they will become an heirloom that you'll probably pass on for generations...

IamOiman wrote:Depends on the model, but 60's and sooner I can find them pretty cheap. I saw a 1956 Faema Urania for 1500 euro in September that seemed to be in fair condition as well. La Pavoni's can be found for dirt cheap (like my current one I bought for 300). Elektra can be found for 500-800 euro as well, though I negotiated mine for 450.

https://www.subito.it/elettrodomestici/ ... 270509.htm
https://www.subito.it/hobby-collezionis ... 176159.htm
https://www.subito.it/elettrodomestici/ ... 982979.htm

For modern machines I can find them dirt cheap, from La San Marco to La Cimbali.

https://www.subito.it/elettrodomestici/ ... 718050.htm
https://www.subito.it/elettrodomestici/ ... 452973.htm

However I try not to look too much as I might 'accidentally' end up with a machine I do not know how to restore and not want to throw money for someone else to restore it.

The coffee roaster that I am friends with and where I took my barista course will clean up and fix modern machines for a 500 euro fee if I really was feeling like purchasing a used machine though.

The Italian built Gaggia is an easy restore compared to a similar vintage Faema as the basic Gaggia was relatively consistent design internally for many years and Faema fiddled with the design. The electrical and mechanical plumbing is all basic. If you can change sparkplugs and change a flat tire you can do a restoration. Chrome plating is where you can end up spending rel money if not real careful. The best place to have the plating done correctly is a plating shop that caters to the antique car restoration and Harley motorcycle people.

Getting that 2 group America Gaggia would be a challenge though.

drgary wrote:I don't think a Gaggia International will be "quite reasonable" in any condition, unless you've got deep pockets. Some of the later Gaggias, yes.

gyro wrote:I got it in NZ for around 2500USD, which I thought was pretty good going. Spent about the same restoring it, which was slightly more than I thought. Involved some swaps (it had Pavoni groups on it) and a lot of running around and help! Newly restored will probably set you back roughly double or more, but I think they will become an heirloom that you'll probably pass on for generations...

Concur with the comment on pricepoint. 2500USD would be a steal - I paid a good bit more for my 2-group Internazionale and spent a fair bit on its restoration, and while I have it running I still need to source a couple of missing parts (water inlet lever-valve anyone?). I have to offload a couple of my other machines shortly owing to lack of space which will be a wrench, but the Inter? I'll never part with that!

Chris, I thought your Inter was a three group ? Love the shiny look!

dmccallum wrote:I still need to source a couple of missing parts (water inlet lever-valve anyone?)

PM me, I found one that I was also missing and can let you know where I got it, I don't think he has another but is a trader and can keep an eye open. Not cheap, I think it cost me 250e just for the valve. I think the lever type fill valve was also common to another very early Gaggia, but which one escapes me at present. Alternatively I think I still have an original Gaggia water/steam valve body that has the same thread, it served as the water fill valve on the Inter before I found the lever type one. You'd need a new shaft made for it as I had another broken one so scavenged it when I got the lever type, but thats how my Inter came - it may or may not have been like that from the factory as it didn't look out of place at all. Gimme a bell anyway if it helps.

dmccallum wrote:Chris, I thought your Inter was a three group ? Love the shiny look!

Hmmm, yes it was/is. The three group Inter is now for sale.

The levers are coming together...

Londinium R