C.O.C.A. Times
Issue: 2006-July - Vol 7 Num 2 - Page 6
"The t;odf allier 1 Co-m--Op"
Mil
Photography by Bill Lippay and Tim LaGanke.
Mike Gorski has been known as "The Godfather of Lung Tester, and the Clawson Automatic Dice Ma-
Coin-Op" for some time now. He earned this title not chine. Mike estimates he has made well over 100 units
only by being among the first to recognize the beauty, in all. His other current projects are the Donkey and
value and fascination of these old machines, but more more Puss & Boots machines. Mike calls his machines
importantly by his eagerness to mentor and share with replicas because he feels that he has captured all of the
his fellow collectors. A recent visit to Mike 's hou se re- mechanics, woodwork, artwork, and attention to detail
vealed his latest find: the elusive Gent Manufacturing that went into the originals. These replicas sell in the
Company "Cleveland Godfather." It was so named be- mid-teens: an original goes for $40,000 to $60,000 and
cause it was made in Cleveland, Ohio along with its' up.
female cousin the "Cleveland Grandmother." Mike un-
Mike retired as a Captain in the Westlake, Ohio fire
earthed this only known example concealed behind a department. He also worked at landscaping and sold top-
false wall in an old billiard parlor less than 5 miles from soil on his day off. His fascination with coin-op started
his house in Westlake, Ohio.
in the early 1970's when he wanted an old slot machine
Mike is currently working on replicating this me- to put on the end of his bar. He started to place ads in lo-
chanical wonder. Heavy quarter sawn oak with ma- cal newspapers. He made some finds and placed some
hogany trim finished with special cut shellac graces the ads in The Antique Trader, a national publication. He
case. Behind wavy 100-year old glass with his arms met some people that were interested in coin-op, got
folded sits "The Godfather." Originally made of wax in inspired, and made some fabulous discoveries. He once
Germany, the new face is made of space age polymers found an old operator in Cleveland that had more than
developed by none other than Disney imagineers. The 100 Watling Roi-A-Top and Treasure slot machines. He
foundation of the mechanism is a finely ground cam- bought them all for $235 each, fixed them up, and sold
shaft made from case hardened steel alloys, and has them in sets of three for $1,000. Believe it or not, it took
been triple chrome plated. Upon insertion of a penny, quite a long time to get rid of them all.
this living breathing automaton slowly unfolds his arms
Mike's personal collection is very eclectic: penny
and moves hi s hand over the tarot cards before him . arcade, three-reel and upright slots, peep shows, me-
His other hand then picks up what appears to be a lit chanical music, antique advertising, and more. All of
cigar. He raises it to his lips, inhales, and blows a puff his machines have one thing in common - "q uality."
of smoke in your direction. Finally hi s right hand picks Mike has always kept the best and most unique things
up a fortune card and dispenses it to you! A large as- that he found for his personal collection. This formula
sortment of the original cards was found in the billiard still holds true, today more than ever. My wife, Lyn,
parlor. Mike has had these cards replicated using old once asked him to name his favorite find. Mike quickly
card stock on an antique printing press. Every detail has pointed and replied "my wife, Marian, of course! " For
been perfectly matched.
more information on "The Godfather," check out the
Mike has replicated at least 8 different pieces over great interview with Mike in the spring 1986 edition of
the years including the Roover Madame Zita and Puss
The Coin Slot magazine. To purchase one of Mike's
& Boots. He has also made the Caille Little Wonder replicas you can see him at the Chicagoland show.
6
Mil
Photography by Bill Lippay and Tim LaGanke.
Mike Gorski has been known as "The Godfather of Lung Tester, and the Clawson Automatic Dice Ma-
Coin-Op" for some time now. He earned this title not chine. Mike estimates he has made well over 100 units
only by being among the first to recognize the beauty, in all. His other current projects are the Donkey and
value and fascination of these old machines, but more more Puss & Boots machines. Mike calls his machines
importantly by his eagerness to mentor and share with replicas because he feels that he has captured all of the
his fellow collectors. A recent visit to Mike 's hou se re- mechanics, woodwork, artwork, and attention to detail
vealed his latest find: the elusive Gent Manufacturing that went into the originals. These replicas sell in the
Company "Cleveland Godfather." It was so named be- mid-teens: an original goes for $40,000 to $60,000 and
cause it was made in Cleveland, Ohio along with its' up.
female cousin the "Cleveland Grandmother." Mike un-
Mike retired as a Captain in the Westlake, Ohio fire
earthed this only known example concealed behind a department. He also worked at landscaping and sold top-
false wall in an old billiard parlor less than 5 miles from soil on his day off. His fascination with coin-op started
his house in Westlake, Ohio.
in the early 1970's when he wanted an old slot machine
Mike is currently working on replicating this me- to put on the end of his bar. He started to place ads in lo-
chanical wonder. Heavy quarter sawn oak with ma- cal newspapers. He made some finds and placed some
hogany trim finished with special cut shellac graces the ads in The Antique Trader, a national publication. He
case. Behind wavy 100-year old glass with his arms met some people that were interested in coin-op, got
folded sits "The Godfather." Originally made of wax in inspired, and made some fabulous discoveries. He once
Germany, the new face is made of space age polymers found an old operator in Cleveland that had more than
developed by none other than Disney imagineers. The 100 Watling Roi-A-Top and Treasure slot machines. He
foundation of the mechanism is a finely ground cam- bought them all for $235 each, fixed them up, and sold
shaft made from case hardened steel alloys, and has them in sets of three for $1,000. Believe it or not, it took
been triple chrome plated. Upon insertion of a penny, quite a long time to get rid of them all.
this living breathing automaton slowly unfolds his arms
Mike's personal collection is very eclectic: penny
and moves hi s hand over the tarot cards before him . arcade, three-reel and upright slots, peep shows, me-
His other hand then picks up what appears to be a lit chanical music, antique advertising, and more. All of
cigar. He raises it to his lips, inhales, and blows a puff his machines have one thing in common - "q uality."
of smoke in your direction. Finally hi s right hand picks Mike has always kept the best and most unique things
up a fortune card and dispenses it to you! A large as- that he found for his personal collection. This formula
sortment of the original cards was found in the billiard still holds true, today more than ever. My wife, Lyn,
parlor. Mike has had these cards replicated using old once asked him to name his favorite find. Mike quickly
card stock on an antique printing press. Every detail has pointed and replied "my wife, Marian, of course! " For
been perfectly matched.
more information on "The Godfather," check out the
Mike has replicated at least 8 different pieces over great interview with Mike in the spring 1986 edition of
the years including the Roover Madame Zita and Puss
The Coin Slot magazine. To purchase one of Mike's
& Boots. He has also made the Caille Little Wonder replicas you can see him at the Chicagoland show.
6
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).