marsonion wrote:As others have pointed out, a repro is rarely a more affordable option for a novice collector. Ironically, glossy reproduction machines are usually more expensive than the genuine, warts-and-all antique. Personally, I'd suggest you take a second look at some of the salvageable junkers out there: one of my most recent purchases cost me only $560.00, and it sure needed some work and care (as in, it was a seized-solid rustbucket!) but it cleaned and polished really beautifully and runs absolutely perfectly now, and I have very good evidence it could now easily be sold for three times what I paid for it... if I cared to sell it. I can't sell it, though, because I love it. Same with another item I started out with years ago, another rust-and-spider-infested clunker from the mid-'30s that I picked up for $200. You get to know them, inside and out, and then it's hard to let go of them.
Someone on this thread from many years back posted something about the thrill of bringing these machines-- many of which haven't functioned for decades-- "back to life." That's it exactly, from my point of view. That feeling can be very satisfying, if not downright addictive...
Well said!