Pinball: "Ice Fever" Value?

[GrandAmChandler]

I have an opportunity to purchase the Pinball Machine "Ice Fever" by Gottelib. (1985) for around $300-$350.

Here is the description:

The machine is from 1985. It is in working condition. Some of the lights are out, and the 1st player score only appears when it feels like it. For a machine thats 20 years old however it's not in bad shape. I'm going to attach 3 pictures of it for ya. There are a couple of people interested in it, so after seeing the pictures let me know if you're still interested and give me a price.

Couldn't find a value, but I found this:
http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1260

Here are the pics the guy sent me of the actual machine:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2/grandamchandler/pinball.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2/grandamchandler/pinball2.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2/grandamchandler/pinball3.jpg

Only 1500 were made, kinda rare? Thoughts?

[ClubNinja]

Funny - I have a recent story about one of these. Let me answer your question first.

Lights are usually a cheap fix (just a bulb if there's no other damage). The score display be could indicative of some issues, but nothing hugely major. The thing about Gottliebs from 1980 to about 1986ish is that they require several hardware modifications to function at a reliable level. This includes grounding and PCB alterations, to name a few. Generally speaking, Gottliebs from this era should only be taken on if you're willing to roll up your sleeves and do some work on them. They are not a good plug-and-go-forever pin.

My other concern is, while the dirt on the playfield/glass is cleanable, it looks like there's bubbling in the paint on the backglass. If so, then that's a major turnoff. A good backglass can make a crumby machine, and a bad backglass can hurt a good machine. Not only does that detract from the value here, but it also means you'll need to seal the paint in after you get it.

In short, if you're willing to do the work, then this is a decent pin (fun to play). If you'd like something that you can just run with, then you might want to keep looking. Given its condition and function, $300-$500 is a reasonable range, but I wouldn't pay more.

Now, a story (with a question for you). Ice Fever is the only Gottlieb on my "official" Want List. Why? Because it is a little obscure (see the production run) and it's a hockey theme. So last Tuesday, a non-pin-guy is selling an Ice Fever that "needs work" for $200. He's located in Connecticut, which means I can actually go pick this sucker up. MsNinja calls him up (since I can't do that from work) and tells him I want to buy it and will call once I get home to make arrangements. He says OK.

So, I get home, filled with joy, call the guy... oh, he sold it to the next person who called. He claimed that he wasn't sure I'd actually follow through (despite how clear MsNinja was) and he to take the first buyer he actually talked to himself. I can almost understand, but I was vastly bummed given that he was left with my number and could've called first just to make sure AND it's a pin I actually specifically want.

Now, it's kind of funny to me that another is up for sale. This guy wouldn't have happened to get it from CT, would've he? It's not THAT far away.

[GrandAmChandler]

He claims it works good, except that scoring mechanism.

I am quite turned off at the fact the glass is bubbling, there is no fix for that is there?

I am going to his apt and test driving it tonight. We'll see.

Oh, and it's a University kid, I doubt he got it in CT, but I will ask.

[ClubNinja]

There are methods to "fix" the bubbles; but then you'll usually end up with weird rings and/or cracks in the paint. Like I said, a bad backglass can quickly ruin an otherwise decent game.

[GrandAmChandler]

Well, I gave it a test run last night. All bumpers, and flippers are in working order. He doesn't have the key to the coin door, but it is currently unlocked. About a half dozen lights are out, the play field looks decent, as does the side art. The wood holding the back glass needs repaired/sanded/painted. It also might be on a slight left tilt.

The backglass is very bubbly. It looks pretty bad. No cracking, but bubbly. It's fun to play, nothing extremely special, but works well.

He has 1 or 2 other people looking at it this week, I told him I'd give him between $200-$300 for it if no one offered him the $350 he wanted.

Just and FYI, he has had it in his family for about 10 years, his dad purchased it from an arcade that was going out of business in upstate NY, and it has been in their possession ever since. He doesn't want to take it back to NY when he graduates from college this spring, hence the selling of it.

[GrandAmChandler]

UPDATE:

DP user "mgriff" found this on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ice-Fever-Pinball-Machine_W0QQitemZ6251775918QQcategoryZ13725QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Incredible. His deal either fell through or he lied to me. I emailed him with a polite "WTF"

[ClubNinja]

Maybe I'll torment him... :devilish:

[GrandAmChandler]

Maybe I'll torment him... :devilish:

Nope not yet, I just emailed him, and He might sell it to me after all! This deal could work out for me in the end!

[ClubNinja]

Ok, well.... keep us posted, of course!