Professional Restoration of a Rare Vintage Pinball Machine | Bally Bullfight Pinball Table

Today we embark on a journey to restore a beloved vintage treasure, a 1965 Bally Bullfight pinball table. The 1965 Bally Bullfight pinball table is a relic of mid-century gaming, a time when pinball machines were the heart of arcades. However, decades of wear and tear have taken their toll. Let's conserve this iconic machine so it can be cherished once more. The revival begins with a thorough inspection. The pinball table arrives in the workshop, showing the results of old age and neglected storage. The left pop bumper shows signs of a small fire caused by a melted coil, leaving behind extensive damage. Key components are missing and broken, including flipper parts, coil weldments and switch leaves. The cabinet is overpainted, the metal work is rusted and the machine is not working. Notice the build-up of dust. The first step in the restoration process is to strip the machine down to its component parts, except for the wiring loom and its connections. The wiring is of particular concern. The table is miswired, with mains voltage dangerously routed to an additional switch. The fuse blocks are broken, unable to hold fuses properly, leading to unsafe fuse wire improvisations. It's clear that this restoration will be challenging, but our restorer is ready to bring this piece of history back to life. The metal work is not the only aspect requiring attention. The back glass is stripped and cleaned, with damaged areas retouched and protected. All prior wiring modifications are removed, restoring the machine to its factory specifications. The baseboard is another critical area. All coils, mechanisms and switches are cleaned, serviced and tested. The ball shooter is repaired, cleaned, polished and fitted with new springs, ensuring smooth operation. The overpainting on the cabinet is carefully stripped away, revealing the original artwork beneath. Only 825 models were ever made, so it's important that we preserve its history, not rewrite it with new art. The coin door and its surround are removed, repainted, rewired and reassembled. As this machine is originally from the UK, it's calibrated to accept old 2p and 6p coins, adding an authentic touch to this vintage pinball table. With the external and electrical components addressed, attention turns to the playfield. It is stripped, cleaned, touched up and polished to restore its original luster. Underneath the playfield, every coil, mechanism and switch is cleaned, serviced and tested. As the restoration nears completion, all bulb holders are cleaned and re-soldered before being fitted with new incandescent bulbs, illuminating the playfield with a vintage glow. The burned-out pop bumper, a casualty of the previous fire, is repaired. The damaged area is cleared, the coil replaced and the surrounding components restored. New silicone rubber parts are replaced. After countless hours of extensive work, the 1965 Bally Bull Fight pinball table is ready for its grand reveal. Restored in honor of its former glory, every component has been carefully examined and restored, ensuring that this beloved machine can be enjoyed for years to come. From the initial inspection to the final touches, the restoration of the Bally Bull Fight pinball table has been a journey through gaming history. Let's see that transformation one last time. This restoration is now complete.