"VIBRATOR MUSCLE BUILDER"
The second athletic machine acquisition is the result of a
more common thread which weaves its way into the fabric of
the collector - dogged determination. Two years ago, a fellow
collector who had visited me happened to make an off hand
comment about a machine he owned - big, yellow and red and
you do chin-ups. He was actually playing with me and knew
I knew what he was talking about and I'd be ultra interested.
Did my ears perk up or what? But, he told me he had no in-
tent in selling it and I could drool if liked. (Actually I made
that up but you get the
picture). He told me
he would keep me in
mind if he changed
his mind. I was not
holding my breath.
So every time I
spoke to him or ran
into him or his wife - you got it, I let him know that I not only had some
extra cash, but had the absolutely perfect space in my collection - right
next to the other big yellow and red machine. And finally, two years later,
I caught him in a weak moment and he said "Yes" so now I finally own
"Vibrator Muscle Builder." What is even cooler about this strength ma-
chine that I did not know - is that when you put in the dime and get ready
to do a chin-up, a motor in the top of the machine starts vibrating like cra-
zy making the pull-up action a lot harder than meets the eye. Now I know
what the "Vibrator" in the title means. Not many people can do more than
two or three within the 20 or 30 seconds. Yep, that's my type of machine!
Is there any other related machines. I should try to track down?
As anyone who actively collects knows, relationships are everything and it's not just money. Quite frankly,
many collectors, even those who are in the later stage of the collecting cycle - especially those who have signifi-
cant financial wherewithal and don't need the money, are understandably tougher to pry things loose. When there
is an emotional attachment it is even tougher. Sometimes they sell simply because they wake up on a different
side of the bed or decide to give you a break. Perhaps they realize that the machine would look a lot better in your
arcade than squirreled away in the back of their warehouse or garage collecting layers of dust.
Timing is everything. Bottom line: money is important, but relationships and timing - and a little persistence
are the name of the game.
Sandy Lechtick lives in Southern California and collects post 1930 penny arcade machines, automatons, barangers,
mechanical advertising and orchestrions. He can be reached at sandy@esquiresearch.com or (818) 7 I 2-9700.
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