Custom 1975 La Pavoni Europiccola (with manometer!)

When we saw the amazing condition of the base on this Europiccola, we fell in love.  We know, shallow.  But you don't find Pavonis from this era with such low mileage very often, with hammertone paint that looks like new.   So after the usual rebuild, with new seals, gaskets, etc., we added a pressure gauge.  Just to make it a genuine freak.

Oh yeah.  It has a brand new 110 volt "old style" screw on dual heating element as well.  (We converted this one from 220.)   Not only can't you find 110 volt screw on elements anymore, it means this 50 year old machine should be good to go another 50!  (Ok, we sincerely hope so.)

Everything from the chrome. to the red logo badge on front, is in incredible condition.

The plastic power switch was even updated (before we got it.)  We love these "skinny switches" with the neon indicator light, that Pavoni used in the early 70s.  So "Italian."  So sexy.  (Meaning "so impractical?")  And they can occasionally break after years of extreme heat, and umpteen switching back and forth.  So the fact that this one has already been replaced with a "modern" replica, makes this machine even more bulletproof.

We've come to think of this generation Europiccola (early to mid 70s) as the "sweet spot" in the more than half century of La Pavoni production.  Part of that love includes the now archaic "hi/lo" dual heating elements, and the pressure relief valve.  The way most manufacturers controlled boiler temp in home machines before the electric "pressurestat" controlled single element modernization became the industry standard.  (The pressure relief valve is that "hissing" thing venting steam on top of the boiler!) 

The option to run on "low" lets you keep your Europiccola cooler than the "updated" single element machines.  Especially meaningful if you only want to pull espresso shots and not steam milk.  Running cooler (theoretically) means pulling sweeter shots.   The "modern" pressurestat controlled Europiccolas with a single elementb they've been selling since the early 90s must run at a "compromise" temp in between optimal brewing and steaming temps.  

Maybe the thicker chrome on the 70s earlier machines is mostly "aesthetic," it's a beautiful thing to behold when you enter the kitchen after a bad night's sleep.  It's easiest to notice by looking at the heavier "old style" lever yoke.  Aside from being "cheaper," the newer version lever assembly just feels sloppier in comparison.

This is one of the last models before Pavoni incorporated the plastic drip tray that fits under the stainless cup grid, but we'll throw one if you want one.  (Not shown in the pics.)  

So if you've been considering a vintage Pavoni, but a little queasy about spending serious money on an "old espresso machine," this one is worthy of consideration.

The don't build 'em like this anymore.  

Comes with double basket.