Follow along as I bring this beautiful piece of American coin-op history back to it's former glory!
Built in 1933, Blue Ribbon is the non payout version of Bally's incredibly popular Rocket. They share the same construction, cabinet and playfield and differ only in that there is no payout mechanism on Blue Ribbon. Keep in mind early pinball games were seen as (and were!) gambling devices. Many states, counties, boroughs and cities were dead set against gambling machines. Blue Ribbon was there to keep operators in business in those areas.
Blue Ribbon is an auto
race theme. The art was modeled on racing cars like the 1933 Riley.
This particular car was lovingly restored by Bill & Elmer Watson and still races in nostalgia races today!
1933 was also the art deco era. I simply love art deco style and architecture. Blue Ribbon has a definite art deco style as seen in the ball lifter/shooter, coin slide and cabinet decoration. Even the legs have that glorious, symetrical deco taper. Needless to say when I saw this game I just had to have it! Enter friends Ron Donahue, Dwight Jaffee and Steve Charland. Ron's friend Dwight needed to shed a few games so he pointed him to me (since I was local) So Steve and I met Dwight and BAM! I was instantly transfixed on his Blue Ribbon. Ok enough history! On to the pics! =)