Pinball enthusiasts recently celebrated the debut of a meticulously restored 1978 Atari Superman Pinball machine at the Melbourne Pinball Expo. The completed machine was brought to the expo specifically to show people an example of the high-quality work done by the Hot Rodded Pins team.
The machine arrived in a “really, really tired state” and has since undergone a complete tear down and rebuild. The restoration serves as a strong example of the team’s commitment, especially considering that these specific Atari games are notoriously difficult to work on because parts are scarce.
A Custom-Built Nightmare
The complexity of the project demanded a full nuts and bolts restoration and required much of the machine to be almost completely custom-built. The restoration process was an “uphill battle,” especially involving the engineering and electronics, which are an “absolute nightmare” in these older units.
Key elements of the extensive restoration include:
- The original cabinet was fully restored with a full two-pack job and stencils.
- The playfield was made from scratch around 2023. This involved completely redrawing the design and using CNC machined Canadian rock maple ply.
- The plastic set was also completely redrawn.
- Many new parts were fabricated, including specific components for the electronics, just to ensure the game could run.
The project was massive, requiring contributions from many people across nearly every aspect, including fabrication, painting, printing the playfield, and finishing.
The Beauty of a Bygone Era
Despite the technical headaches during restoration, the Superman Pinball Machine is a visually stunning machine. It is noted for its killer artwork straight out of the late ’70s/early ’80s, described as extremely colorful and unlike anything else.
Technically, the machine is not the most challenging—it lacks ramps, multiball, and barely has any sound—but it is a great looking machine. Designed by Steve Richie, keen observers may even notice geometry elements similar to his Firepower layout.
At the Melbourne Pinball Expo, attendees were able to view this highly restored Superman Pinball Machine and talk to the restorers about the project details. Furthermore, a second Superman machine was available there for people to play. The customer who owns the meticulously restored machine was also present to discuss the lengthy process of waiting patiently for the project.
For those who missed the show but wish to appreciate the painstaking work involved, Hot Rodded Pins maintains a visual diary and photo gallery of the restoration process. Interested parties can request a link by sending an email to info@hotroddedpins.com.
