Hi guys and girls,

I hope SOMEONE (or sometwo/somemore) can help Clay out...

As you know Clay Harrell (sp?) is the one that did the 'marvin3m.com/fix.html' pages to help fix our beloved pinballs...and he's the unfamous 'Shaggy' in the TOP videos

He needs help from our Ottawa-Montreal area members...

You remember the bowler machine in Cornwall that Phil (mrhide) wanted to pick-up but changed his mind due to it's 'level of destruction'???

Well Clay has been looking for this machines for AGES and the owner in Cornwall is GIVING it to him for FREE!!!

Now lies the problem...

See this message that was posted in RGP earlier this week...

+++++++++++++++++
I have some people with a fairly rare game in
Ottawa Ontario Canada and they need it out
by Nov 14.  If i can't get the game by then it
goes to the dump!!   This is a game i have
been looking for.  It's not in good condition but
hey it's the one that has eluded me.

Is there anyone in Canada that can help
with this?  I mean is there a shipper that
would pick it up from their garage and ship
it to either me (Detroit) or to Windsor Ontario
(where i could go get it).  The owners can not
pallet or box it unfortunately.

Or maybe someone in Ottawa could grab
the game for me before it gets thrown out
and keep it until i could get there. Or get
the game to toronto (where I could pick it
up).  Or something!!

thanks!
cfh at provide dot net
http://marvin3m.com/fix.htm

++++++++++++++

The bowler is approx. 7 1/2 feet long... I was going to try to borrow a pickup truck to help him out, but I don't have access to one in time.

Is there ANYONE that can help Clay out? it would be a 'MAACA' way to 'pay him forward' for all his help he's done to us, pinball collectors...

Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting that we'll pay the shipping costs of the 'beast', but at least find a way to either help him ship it to Windsor or Detroit and/or keep it dry until he can come down and pick it up...

Is it in Cornwall or Ottawa  ?
(...the post is confusing on that point... )

If no-one steps up, I 'might"  (...and tha't a BIG "maybe" ) be able to pick it up,
but there is no way in Hell I can take it home.

I'd need a place to store it  ( Jim ?  

...but like I said, this is really a last ditch offer,
so that the game doesn't get trashed...

If anyone else can pick it up ... go for it !

[BTW. would this fit in the back of an SUV (Honda Pilot) ? ]

Thanks,
Steph

Steph

It's in Cornwall. I've been emailing back and forth with Clay as I offered on RGP when he first posted as it said Ottawa and I had a day off this week. Unfortunately it's really  in Cornwall and timeline is apparently set at Nov 14 garbage dump if not picked up. I can't swing a round trip between Seb school drop off and pickup tomorrow and it's his birthday this weekend so no trip for me to help Clay.

There is another member that may manage to grab it for Clay but if nobody else can, I still offered to get it in the next 2 weeks if the owner in Cornwall would hold it. That's where it stands as of tonight with Clay.

Anybody else got some free time?

I'm down here on the Windsor end of things. I can pick the game up and put it in my garage until he comes to get it. I had a game shipped from Craig (teamatomics) through same day and it was reasonably priced. Let me know if I can help.

Troy

been talking with the owner and Clay ( and medvet ) and if all else fail, I'll go pick it up this sunday for him.

I NEED A HELPER!! ANYONE FOR A ROAD TRIP ?! ( Cornwall is an hour away )

I was planning on going to Marvelous Marvins soon with a bud. If someone can bring it this way I will get it to Detroit. It just won't be immediate but within a couple (few) weeks.

I would keep it inside. What's a couple of weeks for an old classic to sit around for anyway?

Quoted from Mrhide

been talking with the owner and Clay ( and medvet ) and if all else fail, I'll go pick it up this sunday for him.

Seems like Mr. Hide has done more legwork on this,
so I think I'll "officially" rescind my previous offer to pick-up
(... which was a very long-shot anyways... )


Cheers,
Steph

Glad to see that it looks like we'll be able to save this thing from destruction!  

Thanks guys (and girls!) for your help!  

Phil: If you don't have anyone to help you, PM me and I'll try my best to give you a hand...can't promise anything and I'll try my best...

frosken

So at this juncture, is Clay coming up to Montreal to get it from Phil?

well if Phil picks it up and falls in love with the thing ... Clay might never see it  


but else well ... I'm sure something can be arranged. Maybe we can make an official invite to Clay at a maaca meeting ?   (like at my place in january? )

Quoted from medvet

There is another member that may manage to grab it for Clay

You may be referring to me here.  Right after your original post, I contacted clay and said that if ME couldn't get it, I would.

Everything is set now.  I pick it up on Monday and can store it at my place until we figure out how to get it to him.


Red

Quoted from necro_nemesis

I was planning on going to Marvelous Marvins soon with a bud.

Really cool place to visit  

Everything besides the pinballs rock and very interesting piece of history there with the maniquin and crane games.

I played RBION there and kept winning credits until I got bored and walked away leaving some for the next guy  

Bring a camera it makes for a interesting album,
Brian

... re-reading every post on this thread...  Hopefully, I did not step on anyone's foot here.  I started talking with Clay yesterday and he asked me last night to pick it up because others options did not worked out.


Red

Quoted from RedFive

You may be referring to me here.  Right after your original post, I contacted clay and said that if ME couldn't get it, I would.

Everything is set now.  I pick it up on Monday and can store it at my place until we figure out how to get it to him.


Red

That's great news!!

Clay is a great guy and to rescue a piece of history is always a great achievement  

Have to get the new TOP video soon!
Brian

i'd ask clay to sign my girlfriend's chest

Red: excellent. Thanks for helping ( and saving my weekend )

I just read this post... I can pick it up ANYTIME. I live barely 45 minutes from Cornwall AND I can store it as long as needed.

If nobody can go for Monday... hell... I can go Sunday at any time.

Sparky

I have been to Clays house and he has a great collection.  I live in Windsor and can store it here if it can get shipped to my place.  I might be going over next week for an EM gathering but I cant fit it in my vehicle.

I can try to make it fit in my minivan, and I am willing to drop it further down the line in order to help save Clay some shipping...

OK... here's what I can do if needed. I will pick it up Sunday if needed (if RedFive can't) and I will deliver it myself to Necro's in Toronto... and he could always bring it later to Clay.

Plan B if RedFive can't.

I could be wrong here, but I really can't see that thing fitting in a mini-van.

I think it's great that everyone is stepping up to help Clay. He's helped us all out in one way or another, I think.

Quoted from cooke

I could be wrong here, but I really can't see that thing fitting in a mini-van.

I think it's great that everyone is stepping up to help Clay. He's helped us all out in one way or another, I think.

HOLY mess.... 7 feet long??? 5 feet high? And it doesn't look like it comes apart... Ouch. Well, if I can't bring it, I can store it. I will call RedFive tomorrow and see what we can do.

they do come apart... don't worry and bring your tools

In that case I can go get it.

OK...just spoke to RedFive. Clay told him that this machine comes apart and he even picked a similar one in a Pontiac Vibe, so my MPV is not a problem.

Here are my crazy plans:

Plan A:  I pick it up Sunday and deliver it to Necro's place next weekend. Then he, as he mentioned, will head eventually to Marvin's museum to deliver it.

Plan B: I pick it up Sunday and then in a following weekend, I deliver it myself to Clay... it's the least I can do.

RedFive will send me the guy's coordinates in Cornwall, and I told him I would pick it up when most convenient for the seller (or in this case, donator!).

On another note, depending what plan is taken, any donations for gas will be accepted!    There is about 2 tanks worth in the trip one-w, whether it be me and Necro or just me. If anybody wants to pitch in, feel free to do so, BUT DON'T GO CRAZY! A 5$ donation is always great, and appreciated, but NOT MANDATORY!!!! Whatever excess we collect will go directly to Clay's pinball fund that he collects for with his DVDs... sound good? Send your donations to my Paypal account if you want... it is the same as my home email, fitz-simon@videotron.ca .

Sparky

Or you can donate to the tartagliag foundation!

Thanks to all!

tartagliag

All right.

Sparky, you got mail.  Info about Sunday's pickup.  The seller is waiting for you in the AM (10-11 ish).  I've informed Clay about the change in plan and gave him your coordinates.

Seller will be there to help you load but my offer to drive to Cornwall and help you load still stands.  Let me know if you need me.  


Red

OK! The bowler is in my van. And btw, NO WAY IN HELL will this thing fit in a Pontiac Vibe!!!! It can be dissassembled in 2 sections (once you jimmy the rear locks with a scewdriver...), but it still measures 7 feet long... just snug in the MPV length-wise. Pretty nice machine... here's the history:

Grandma and Grandpa bought this United Pixie Bowler in 1960 from a local distributorship, and it had barely saw a year of route-action. The whole family played it until 1975 when she started to show some problems, like broken pins, and much-needed adjustments. They then parked it in the garage where it sat for the last 31 years. Now Grandma is 90 and is heading for a retirement home, and all the stuff in storage had to go. A bit of paint, a few parts, a lot of cleaning and a shitload of adjustments and she should be like new!

Now, Cooke, yes, I may be able to fit an Alien Poker as well, but it will need some elbow grease.

I will put the bowler in my workshop until it is determined what we will do. I can post pics if any are interested...

Sparky

since I wanted the thing in the first place, yes pics are in order

a few "hard to find" parts are indeed needed and as I told Clay "if there's one guy who can bring it back to its former glory, it's you !"

Thanks again for saving my sunday

Funny, I came this close to picking up this bowler, I had been looking for one for quite some time and it was offered to me for free as well.  But after a "family discussion" we determined we weren't ready to commit to that much space and refurbishment time.  The pictures too made it look, perhaps, a bigger project than I had time for.  And small world I was just trading emails with Clay about getting the new TOP video early, about the same time.  

Well, the Pixie is now in my shop and I am arranging shipping with Clay. Needless to say he seems REALLY thrilled that it isn't in the trash!!! I sent him some pics and we are to arrange something for shipping (meeting halfway or me going all the way down).

Anyhow, here are some pics I shrunk. Machine is 99% complete and simply needs some minor woodwork to be nice. The condition of it is remarkable considering it spent 31 years in a damp garage!!! They don't build em like they used to, that's for sure!!!!

Enjoy!

Sparky

More pics:

Last batch:

wow.. it looks better than i thought after that much time in a damp garage.

OK... I will meet Clay in Hamilton on the 19th. He is heading there for something so makes it easier. He insisted on paying for this but I flat-out refused, stating that it is WE that owe him big time.

So, he then offered something else to those who helped out... so... to Medvet and RedFive for the coordination and Frosken for the heads up, as well as Mindstorm88, Jokker and Gorydeath for their donation for gas, you will all get a little surprise... more later!

OK... Clay will be giving those who helped out to get the Pixie into his possession. He has gratiously offered to Frosken, Medvet, Mrhide, SuperDave, GoryDeath, Jokker, Mindstorm88 and I basically any copy of the This Old Pinball DVDs wanted. I am proud to say that we all pretty much said it was not necessary and we are simply returning the favor for all HE has done, but he insists, therefore I will have the requested copies for all... including the brand-spanking-new TOP #8!

So off to Hamilton on the 19th!

Quoted from Sparky

OK... Clay will be giving those who helped out to get the Pixie into his possession. He has gratiously offered to Frosken, Medvet, Mrhide, SuperDave, GoryDeath, Jokker, Mindstorm88 and I basically any copy of the This Old Pinball DVDs wanted. I am proud to say that we all pretty much said it was not necessary and we are simply returning the favor for all HE has done, but he insists, therefore I will have the requested copies for all... including the brand-spanking-new TOP #8!

So off to Hamilton on the 19th!

Wow, this is truely not necessary but a very nice gesture on Clay's part. I have the first DVD and it contains tons of great tips. Some of which I am currently putting to good use in restoring the playfield of a Buccaneer I have.
Please thank him for me when you see him.

Dave...

OK. I am heading for Hamilton, leaving at 5:30am, hopefully there before 12:30pm, where I am meeting Clay.

Now... the ultimate question... does anybody need to bring something back from Toronto or closer, right up to Montreal?

I will do it as long as it is not much of a detour... I have to get home ASAP and my wife is not too pleased that I am doing this, but as usual, she understands.

PM me.

Ian

cool man, have fun and a safe journey!

Bowler delivered!!!  Man, am I tired!!! I just got back. Left at 5:30am, made 2 pitstops and got to Hamilton around 11:30am. Clay showed up on time and was extatic!!! What a great guy, and was awesome to meet him! He gave me a Detroit EM club tee-shirt, and all the TOP DVDs. He insisted on paying me for my time and gas, but I wanted nothing of it. When I told him that some members pitched in for gas, and I had the rest, he was dumbfounded... hey... that's the way I work. In my opinion, I am the one who still owes him for all that HE has done. But I must admit... the look on his face was priceless!

Unfortunately, I barely stayed 15 minutes as I had a long trip back...

1274 kms...

12 hours of driving...

120 liters of gas...

6 CDs played the whole way (Genesis collection, Gentle Giant, Yes, Evanescence... weird but cool mix)

4 pit-stops...

3 Monster energy drinks chugged down...

2 slices of Hamilton pizza for lunch...

and 1 real happy collector!


...MAACA-Mission accomplished once again!


Sparky

PS: I have the DVDs and will try to get then all to the members concerned!

PPS: I am going to bed... burned out.

  hurray for sparky !!


amazing gesture man !!

I agree. Fantastic gesture, Ian.

BTW, I love the mix of music. (I surely hope you mean Gabriel-era Genesis.)

Very cool Sparky happy to see all went well.

Great job Sparky!  I love feel good stories like this.  

Hey...it was a team effort. I can't take all the credit.

Yes... Gabriel-era... all 24 minutes of Supper's Ready!!!  

Nice choice on the tunes for sure...

That era of Genesis is probably my personal fav...

He's done with it


http://www.marvin3m.com/bowl/pixie.htm

dang, that looks good.  like the others he has as well.....

nice
Looks better

Thats a cool thing you guys did,you should be proud!